Keep Healthy

Breast Cancer Risk Elements And How Online Pharmacy Meds Can Help

2009-07-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

Making remarks about breast cancer in a congregation of women never fails to gain an exceptionally interested audience. You see, breast cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases among women. And even if there are massive advances in medications that are available in drugstores or any online pharmacy, breast cancer is still second, closely behind lung cancer, on the list of all types of cancers that take the lives of women in the United States.

This type of cancer basically starts in the tissues found in the breasts. Often, the disease zeroes in on the ducts and the lobules of the breasts. Ductal carcinoma, which makes up about 90 percent of all breast cancer cases, occurs in the ducts where milk passes from the milk producing tissues on to the nipples. Meanwhile, lobular carcinoma happens in the breast glands responsible for milk production.

Despite the infamy linked to breast cancer, experts have yet to discover exactly why breast cells become cancerous. Doctors suggest that there is no single determining factor that can bring about breast cancer. They say that it is more likely that the disease is triggered by a conglomeration of several risk elements.

Heredity

Women who have mothers, daughters, siblings, or other close relatives who have been afflicted by breast cancer may have an increased risk of acquiring the disease. A womans susceptibility for this type of cancer can be inherited from her mother because genes have been found to make up for about 10 percent of all breast cancer patients.

Hormonal Imbalances

Several studies have point to estrogen and progesterone imbalances as big risk elements for breast cancer. Imbalances in the levels of these female hormones can directly influence the development of cancerous cells in the breast tissues. For instance, women who take birth control pills, whether bought from drugstores or any online pharmacy, and those who subject themselves to hormone replacement therapy during their menopausal stage may be more susceptible to this disease.

Age And Lifestyle

Women become more prone to breast cancer as they grow older. Often, a sedentary lifestyle can greatly contribute to the risks. Women who are alcoholics, smokers, and those who gained considerable pounds after their menopausal stage have increased chances of getting the disease. Meanwhile, healthy diet and regular exercise have been proven to help in stopping the disease from occurring.

But regardless of its intimidating nature, breast cancer is not without cure. Many women have survived the disease against all odds. The most important steps in treating the disease greatly involve drug therapeutics like inhibitors that block excess production of estrogen. Breast cancer medications can be obtained from any online pharmacy, but patients will need prescription from doctors.

Elizabeth King is a first-rate health and fitness correspondent and a published author. A regular contributor to popular health magazines and resource sites, she strives to raise awareness about various issues that touch on healthy lifestyle and disease prevention.

Unique Acupressure Technique is Credited with Relieving Prostate Cancer Symptoms

2008-09-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

Jonas Slonaker participated in a nine-day, on-camera retreat to focus on using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to address his symptoms of prostate cancer. He continues to do EFT daily; and today he is still free of any cancer symptoms, and his last three PSA (prostate-specific antigen) counts were “barely over two.”

EFT involves fingertip tapping on select acupressure points while focusing on the physical symptom or unresolved emotion in question. EFT claims an 80% success rate in calming symptoms associated with serious diseases like cancer. It can be learned without cost by downloading the free EFT Manual at http://www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.asp?ref=prw-jonascw

“What is remarkable about using EFT for serious diseases,” says EFT Founder Gary Craig, “is that when we persistently address unresolved emotional issues and traumas, the symptoms associated with the disease tend to fade … often permanently. In Jonas’s case, he was harboring a deep and unresolved anger at his abusive father. In about 40 minutes of doing EFT together, he no longer felt the explosive anger towards his father.”

Jonas reports, “I urinate just fine and have no pain down there. I stopped taking the medication that helped me urinate. My story is simple. I use EFT everyday to release emotional energy blocks in my system. If I don’t have a particular issue or emotion to release, then I tap and sing the word Love over and over. I tap every morning for fifteen minutes to get my day started. Then I tap whenever the need arises. If someone snaps at me at work, I tap and let that go before it can become a repetitive resentment. Many of the times when I tap, I go into a deep state of peace and now and again I experience radiant joy. EFT helped me reach a place of great love and acceptance and I honestly don’t believe the cancer can survive in that environment.”

To witness Jonas’s on-camera EFT session, the combined set of DVD’s, which contains 40 hours of instruction and demonstrations, costs only $72 at https://www.emofree.com/Store/store.aspx.

More than a decade of reports from thousands of EFT users has convinced Craig of the connection between people’s unresolved emotions and their physical issues. Now an increasing number of medical studies are making the same connections, but EFT claims to offer a simple solution to resolving the emotional component of disease.

Craig says, “We are not advocating that people adopt EFT instead of conventional medicine to treat serious diseases. But medical research is consistently showing that unresolved emotional traumas, anger, and resentment contribute to disease. EFT provides a drug-free way for people to permanently clear the unresolved emotions that are disrupting their energy systems, taxing their immune systems and causing disease.”

Belgian physician Dr. Tania de Winne uses EFT in her medical practice and sees consistent evidence of the mind-body connection with her patients. “While I have no proof that EFT prevents cancer,” she says, “I’m convinced that it does just that. Negative thoughts are a major cause of not just cancer but all illnesses, and since EFT quickly eliminates the energy blocks that contribute to negative thoughts and emotions, I believe cancer and most other diseases can ultimately be eradicated by using EFT on a daily basis.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1500 people in the U.S. die of cancer each day and another 3400 are diagnosed with cancer daily. “In my view,” says Craig, “people are dying needlessly from unresolved emotions like anger, fear, guilt and resentment.”

Physician, Dr. Eric Robins adds, "Some day the medical profession will wake up and realize that unresolved emotional issues are the main cause of 85% of all illnesses. When they do, EFT will be one of their primary healing tools .... as it is for me."

EFT is still a new procedure, but already over 350,000 -- including thousands of health care practitioners have downloaded Craig’s free training manual and another 10,000 download it each month. EFT often works when nothing else will, even on serious diseases like cancer. Word of mouth is making EFT a top self-healing modality. The EFT website is the fifth most actively visited natural health site in the world.

One Woman's Adventure thru Breast Cancer and the Doodles that Healed

2008-09-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Life has taught me that I do not always have control over what comes my way, only in how I choose to respond. I certainly did not choose to have breast cancer, but I did choose to not let that diagnosis define how I would experience that medical adventure. The trick was in believing that in the heart of all challenges, a gift exists.

I remember those initial feelings of anger and fear that flooded every pore of my being when I first heard the words breast cancer. I kept wondering, "Am I going to die? How can this be happening to me?" In one quick moment my life turned upside down and I felt very scared. Yet, I was determined to see a rainbow in the sky every day.

But how was this going to happen? How was I going to be able to keep my mind from wandering into all those scary thoughts? I discovered it was possible if I could just remain focused in the present moment and not let my mind become fixated in all those "what if " scenarios.

One day while nervously waiting for a doctor's appointment, I took out a pen and paper and began to "doodle" in an effort to reduce anxiety and worry. After doing this for awhile, an amazing thing happened. The more I doodled, the more relaxed, calm and peaceful I was beginning to feel and I knew I had stumbled into something very powerful.

I continued to doodle when I returned home. I even bought a special "doodle book" and took it with me when I knew I would be waiting somewhere (carwash, hairdresser, airports or before meetings). At some point I decided to create one guideline... to begin and end each doodle outline at the same point, without lifting the pen off the paper and to do this in 3-5 seconds. While I had no idea what the finished product would look like, I began to see that there were never any mistakes! I created amazingly beautiful doodles–all by letting go of control and learning to have faith and trust in the process. Not bad for a non-artist perfectionist! I was truly amazed.

I then began to see the correlation between this art form and my adventure through breast cancer. Both were about immersing oneself in a journey--that space between two points and learning to trust in the unexpected twists and turns along the way. I learned that there are no wrong turns, for in every turn a gift can be found. The only mistake is in forgetting to slow down long enough in order to discover what those gifts might be.

I've come to appreciate that challenges come in all sizes, shapes and colors, and arrive when least expected. That's what makes their experience so fascinating.

Over the years, I've learned to embrace the unexpected with a greater sense of trust and faith, knowing that I receive no more than I truly have the capacity to handle.

Journey Through Illness (New Ways of Dealing With Cancer)

2008-08-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Many, many questions arise in our minds when someone close to us is seriously ill. It takes a while to realize that these questions do not have one answer. They have many answers, appear in different forms, and may have different impacts on us at different times.

Much of the time we live with the idea that all will stay just as it is. When illness comes we are shocked for a moment out of our stupor. We see that our time may not be endless and that right now we must say what has to be said, and do what has to be done.

In a sense a finger is being pointed in our direction. These questions are demanding a response from us. Life itself is demanding a reply.

Some of the questions which arise are -"How is suffering truly relieved?" What is the best way though serious illness and beyond?" "What is illness, anyway? Is it a random, senseless interruption of life, or Is it the beginning of new steps we must take?"

In order to answer these questions, we need to understand illness in a larger context, and also understand the true nature of suffering. During a time of crisis, rather than grapple with these questions, we often run in all directions, trying to ease the pain we or others are feeling. But these unanswered questions rumble beneath the surface, intensifying the discomfort we feel.

When Pain Comes

When pain comes we offer drugs, instead of offering ourselves. We may not have ourselves to offer. But if we stop running, even for a little while, we can see that the only true comfort will come from understanding, the only real healing will come from the truth. If we learn to listen closely, we will find that the pain itself has a meaning. It's here to be listened to.

We have so much fear about-facing our feelings. We fear it will make us feel small and helpless. Actually, the opposite is true. In this way we become alive and strong, reclaiming for ourselves the fullness of all our experiences.

When you or someone close to you Is seriously ill, you are being asked for your willingness to stop running and to look inside. This itself is an act of tremendous courage. It will bring great rewards.

As we begin our journey through illness there is a fundamental assumption that must be questioned. It is the idea that pain is terrible and must be avoided at all costs.

As soon as we start to feel pain or discomfort, usually we try to stop it from happening. We look for some way to soothe or suppress what we are going through. We seldom stop and wonder specifically what the pain is saying to us.

Usually we expect the doctor to take control of our illness and make us well again. But this attitude itself is part of the original disease. We are relinquishing our part in the illness. We are denying the fact that it has come to us, and it is up to us to stop, listen, and discover the meaning and lessons the illness has to teach us.

Dialoguing With Pain

It seems almost unthinkable to dialogue with our pain, to ask the fundamental question of it, "What do you want from me? And why are you here now?"

No matter what we are feeling there is only one pain and it manifests itself in various ways. If we do not address it in one mode, often it will come in another. It can come physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

In whatever form this pain arises, it is extremely empowering to turn directly to our suffering and enter a dialogue with it. When we learn how to do this, we may even discover that the pain comes holding a gift in its hands.

Being caught in an illness and filled with pain is like being caught in a situation we cannot get out of.

"The best way out is the way in." -- Eido Roshi

The best way out is to make friends with the pain. Fighting intensifies it. If we can relax into it for a little while and explore it, many new possibilities arise.

Natural healing is always available in all situations, but it can be cut off by fighting and by our fear. When we let go and enter the flow of things, we became available to our greater source of energy, guidance and help.

PROCESS

Lie down on the floor, take off your shoes and just feel whatever it is you are feeling. Gently become aware of whatever is going on inside. Do not try to fix or change anything. Just take it in as it is. Where are you? How does the floor feel under you? How much space are you taking up?

Let your body react anyway it wants to. It can find its own way to become comfortable right now. (Get out of the way as much as possible.) Ask your pain if there is anything it wants to say to you? Stop and listen for any kind of reply.

Do this again and again.

Now, you are making friends with all of yourself. Take a moment. Take another moment. All moments belong to you.

When you can do this, your illness does not become something foreign and frightening. You can live with it better, and also are better able to discover fine alternatives to it too.

To make friends with all of our experience, we need only become aware, moment by moment, of what we are feeling, doing and thinking about. We simply make a practice of saying "yes," to whatever comes to us.

Rejecting something over and over never makes it go away. In fact, it will come back time and again, just for you to accept it. Everything needs to be loved and accepted, including our illness and pain.

Health comes with learning how to say yes. Wellness emerges out of the balance and harmony of all parts of ourselves. It is the essence of reconciliation.

When we are well, we are in harmony with ourselves and the world we live in.

Aspirin May Prevent Colon Cancer in Women

2008-08-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

A recent study showed that taking aspirin could in fact reduce your risk of getting colon cancer. Although the study only involved data taking from a sampling of women, it appears that aspirin may possibly prevent colon cancer, or so they say? Aspirin is over 100-years old and appears to cure lots of things, yet many were shocked to learn of this latest finding, still other completely doubt the study. The study showed that people who already had polyps maybe able to prevent the onset of colon cancer thru regular use of aspirin. The researchers went on to extrapolate that it could help those without polyps from getting one in the first place.

Now several articles in major Medical Journals are showing that if you took aspirin for a decade 1-2 per week, it would reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by a large margin over those who did not take aspirin regularly. Some of the researchers in near by fields were not surprised while other totally doubted the findings as hogwash. They are saying that any anti-inflammatory drug may have done the same and would certainly help to keep removed polyps from returning, thus reduce the risk of cancer. The study indicated that 14 aspirins per week or 2 every day would reduce the chances of colon cancer by nearly one-third. Those who took even more are said to reduce colon cancer by over 50 percentiles. Of course taking that many aspirins is not good for you, over use of aspirin can cause bleeding. So although the study appears to be a wash for many belief systems of cancer researchers, the evidence is notable and very telling. All this research is helping us fight some of the more serious forms of cancer killers. Think on this and live strong.

Luxury Bath and Body Company Puts a Relaxing Spin on the Fight Against Breast Cancer

2008-08-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

A Little Something Wicked, designer of a collection of natural and organic bath and home products, is pleased to announce the upcoming expansion of their popular home spa line to include the Awareness Diffuser, a gently fragrant room diffuser that honors the strength and resiliency of those that have been touched by breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are currently 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and more than 180,000 cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in 2008.

"The disease touches so many families," said A Little Something Wicked owner G.L. Cary. "Across the country, there are survivors, caregivers, friends, and researchers who put their hearts into the fight against breast cancer. Each of them deserves to be pampered and a sanctuary where they can recharge their spirits."

The Awareness Diffuser's Plumeria scent brings the relaxing fragrance of the tropics to any room. The diffuser's frosted, recycled glass bottle and natural bamboo reeds complement the serene décor of the home spa retreat, while the natural fragrance oil imparts a whisper-soft scent for months. The diffuser's pink ribbon charm adds a delicate reminder of the fight against breast cancer.

The Awareness Diffuser will be available for sale in September to commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the diffuser will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

A Little Something Wicked's new Awareness Diffuser rounds out an already full line of fragrance diffusers with wickedly scrumptious scents ranging from exotic nag champa to comforting gardenia. Equally fragrant hand-poured soaps, bath teas, and soy-based candles turn a simple bath into a wonderfully decadent treat.

About A Little Something Wicked

A Little Something Wicked, LLC, is a collection of natural and organic products for the bath and home. Owner G.L. Cary focuses on creating bath and home spa products that rejuvenate and relax. The company's popular home diffuser line has been featured on The Today Show. Founded in December of 2007, A Little Something Wicked is based in Brea, California. For more information, please visit www.alittlesomethingwicked.com.

Your Best Defense against Cancer is Diet

2008-08-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

The risk of developing cancer has become one of the most thought provoking issues of our time. Worldwide statistics show that as many as 10.9 million people are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year. As research into the food we eat becomes more complex and innovative, it reveals that there are numerous 'super foods' which not only fight cancer cells, but can also help to prevent it from ever occurring.

What is Cancer?

All living things are comprised of a variety of cells, such as kidney cells, brain cells and skin cells. Cancer develops when a particular cell mutates, then begins to grow and divide. Eventually, these cells form a mass called a malignant tumor, which often starts to invade surrounding tissue and organs.

Super Foods

It is thought that up to one third of cancer related deaths could be diet related. Many of the foods we eat today can in fact be harmful to the cells in our bodies, particularly 'fast food', which often contains high rates of saturated fat.

A large European study has recently shown that 'junk food' may in fact be a major cause of cancer of the pancreas, the urinary tract and of the womb, which makes saturated fat especially dangerous for women. There is however, an abundance of super foods that contain cancer fighting anti-oxidants and enzymes. These foods fall into a number of categories and it is best to look at their properties separately.

Fruit and Vegetables Raw carrots are rich in beta carotene and substances called falcarinol and polyacethylens, which can help to impede a wide variety of cancer including, breast, stomach, throat, lung, prostate, bladder and intestinal Sweet potatoes are thought to have a number of cancer fighting properties including carotenoids (beta carotene is one form) Turnips and their leaves contain a substance called glucose molaes, which is said to attack cancer cells Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and sprouts are rich in the anti-oxidants; lutein and zeaxanthin which are thought to be particularly affective at inhibiting breast and prostate cancer Broccoli and sprouts also contain a substance called phytochemical sulforaphane, which is a by-product of glucoraphanin and is especially useful at impeding bowel cancer Kale is thought to retain indoles, which are nitrogen compounds and are said to prevent lesions in estrogen sensitive areas, such as the ovaries, mutating into cancerous cells Beetroot is full of anti-oxidants that specifically attack lung cancer cells Tomatoes carry vitamin C and a carotenoid called lycopene that fights oxygen molecules which are also known as 'free radicals'. Free radicals are often believed to trigger cancer cells. Lycopene is notable in its ability to aid the fight against rectal and colon cancer, as well as prostate, breast, mouth and cancer of the pancreas. Cooked and canned/pureed tomatoes are said to be especially concentrated in lycopene Soya bean products such as tofu include phytoestrogens and isoflavones, which when absorbed in sensible amounts (no more than four or five ounces per day) are thought to block and help prevent cancer cells from forming and are particularly associated with lowering the risk of breast cancer. Incidences of breast cancer are significantly lower in Asian countries where soy products are consumed regularly. However, caution must be exercised, as research suggests that eating too much soy may cause hormone imbalances which can in fact stimulate cancer cells Avocados have prolific amounts of an anti-oxidant called glutathione. Glutathione attacks free radicals and stops the absorption of certain saturated fats into the intestine. Avocados contain high levels of beta-carotene and potassium, which is also very beneficial for the heart Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes possess high amounts of vitamin C, folic acid and monoterpenes, which can help to eliminate carcinogens from the body and are believed to repress cancer cells Papayas carry prolific amounts of vitamin C and folic acid, which are both highly effective anti-cancer components Figs contain a form of benzaldehyde, which is renowned for its ability to shrink tumors Grapes, particularly the red varieties, include resveratrol and ellagic acid which combine to block the enzymes that are responsible for the growth of cancer cells. They also contain strong anti-oxidants called bioflavonoids Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and other berries that are red or black in color consist of a wide variety of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and plant compounds that are thought to be very beneficial against many forms of cancer

Herbs and Spices Rosemary is said to have detoxifying properties and can repress the advancement of tumors. Laboratory tests have revealed that it is principally effective against breast and skin tumors Tumeric belongs to the ginger family and it is thought to help reduce the inflammation that is connected to stomach, bowel and colon cancer Root ginger has been used by Chinese medics for centuries and is well regarded for its many healing benefits. It can be used as a spice in savoury and sweet dishes and as a herbal tea Garlic is well renowned for its blood thinning and anti-bacterial properties. It can also help to eliminate oxidants that cause cancer, such as carcinogens and free radicals. Eating raw or cooked garlic has been found to be far more effective than taking garlic supplements Licorice root contains a chemical called glycyrrhizin which is considered to help block the growth of prostate cancer cells, though an excessive consumption of licorice can lead to raised blood pressure Chilli peppers are rich in a substance called capsaicin that is regarded to be a preventative against intestinal cancer

Beverages Black, green and white teas retain antioxidants which are also known as polyphenols. These antioxidants are considered to expressly defend against cancer cells and stop them from dividing and spreading. White and green tea is regarded as being particularly efficient against lung, colon, rectal and stomach cancer as well as cancer of the liver and pancreas Red wine also contains polyphenols and a substance called resveratrol which has been discovered to be present in grape skin. These antioxidants are known to counter free radicals. It is thought that the pinot noir grape variety contains the largest amounts of resveratrol, particularly in wines where the grapes are grown in cooler, rainy climates, such as Chile in South America. If However, alcohol is consumed in large amounts it can actually be a cause of cancer, so it is best drink no more than one glass of red wine per day

There are many other foods that are considered to be wonderful cancer preventatives. Seaweed and sea vegetables contain fiber, proteins, beta-carotene, folic acid, and a fatty acid called chlorophylone. These forms of vegetable are said to help prevent breast cancer. Nuts and seeds are naturally high in omega-3 fatty acid, which is essential for brain function. Nuts also contain a mineral called selenium and are rich in antioxidants such as quercetin and campferol. Nuts and seeds are regarded as primarily effective at repelling prostate and colon cancer cells, as well as being a natural preventative against the threat of heart disease.

Mushrooms have prolific amounts of potent compounds called polysaccharides. These compounds are thought to build up immunity against cancer cells. Certain varieties of mushroom are perceived to be particularly efficient, these include; reishi, shiitake and maitake, and are widely used in Japanese cuisine.

The benefits of eating a healthy, balanced diet have become more apparent as research into cancer and other fatal diseases evolve. A diet rich in vegetables, fruit and lean meat is much more of a priority in our daily lives than it was twenty years ago and medical advice suggests that eating at least five portions of fruit or vegetables per day can significantly lower the risk of many forms of cancer and heart disease, as well as preventing obesity. The threat of obesity is a volatile issue and for the first time in many years the life expectancy of our children is thought to be lower than our own, which is an extremely worrying statistic.

We are bombarded with these frightening medical statistics on a regular basis. Yet the most sensible advice we have been given in recent years is to eat at least five portions of fruit or vegetables per day. Taking action now may well lessen our chances of developing cancer and should help to provide numerous other health benefits for many years to come.

About Author: Sophie Cosic is the mother of twins and author of numerous articles on childcare, education, natural health, parenting and pregnancy. She is a European distributor of Colic Calm, the acclaimed Homeopathic Gripe Water available for babies with baby colic, gas and baby GER.

Asbestos Cancer- Your Protection from the Law and Mesothelioma Lawsuit

2008-08-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Asbestos-related cancers include asbestoses and mesothelioma which have their roots in exposure to fibrous asbestos materials. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium which is the membrane that lines parts of the body organs. There are three main organs where mesothelium is found in relatively high content and each has its own name in relation to the part of the body. For example, mesothelium found in the linings of the lungs is called the pleura which are also rated as among the most common mesothelioma cancer. Peritoneum is the mesothelium that surrounds the abdominal cavity and the pericardium is the one that lines the heart.

Cancers observed in these linings are rare but the incidence has nevertheless, bulged excessively in recent years. This is not because there is too little risk of developing cancer but only because the risks only increase overtime and the development of the cancer is very slow; usually it takes 20 to 30 years of development before someone is diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma.

The victims, mostly middle aged and older men, were exposed some decades ago. Those people who also have direct contact with these people may possibly develop mesothelioma. This is why it is often difficult to establish a lawsuit as this requires a very long and tedious processes. Fundamental research must be made and the exact culprit must be discovered before cone can actually have high chances of wining a lawsuit. Eventually, men who have worked in places like shipyards and other maritime workplaces, industrial worksites and places where high exposure to mesothelioma have filed lawsuits against the companies they once worked for.

There are many commonalities with regards to lawsuits and mesothelioma. First, the client must get an attorney who will go over the details from some decades past. Very unfortunately, the process of mesothelioma lawsuits is very long and might even take years. This is because the reason of exposure to asbestos is not enough to win the lawsuit. The asbestos attorney must ascertain the exact details of exposure, from the date it is believed to have begun to the types of exposure and the exact products, elements and events that lead to the exposure. Also, it must be proven that the company the victim worked for had willingly allowed or forced their workmen to work in asbestos-exposed sites in spite of the company's knowledge of the risks to make a strong case.

Companies are becoming more efficient at winning lawsuits to the increased number of asbestos lawsuits in the past recent years. Because of this, it is highly possible to lose a claim if not backed by strong evidences and a good case. This is why it is advisable to file lawsuit in groups.

There are various options for filing lawsuits on asbestos cancer and mesothelioma. These include filing an individual lawsuit through a reputable attorney, do it yourself filing of a case, and filing of a lawsuit as a member of a group.

If you are quite not sure of what to do, it is best to seek professional advice from a mesothelioma attorney or personal injury attorney to get advice on what actions to take. Mesothelioma and asbestos cancer law suits are really complex and require much expertise. And remember that you are facing rather large companies who have high willingness to win the case. But keep in mind that hiring a mesothelioma attorney does not mean that you will have to face a long trial. You could also end up with an out of court settlement for the convenience of both parties.

What's good about filing an asbestos cancer and mesothelioma lawsuit is that you don't have to worry about out-of-pocket-expenses, even with an ongoing trial, because personal injury attorneys are paid on the basis of contingency. They will only be paid if they win the case.

Thus, even if the process is tiresome, you still have some chances to put justice in the right order through filing a mesothelioma and asbestos cancer lawsuit.

Prostate Cancer Life Expectancy

2008-08-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

The chances to getting sick of prostate cancer increases substantially as you get older, usually after the age of 50. But beside the age, the main risk factors can be the ethnicity, the higher risk is encountered more at African men, the family history is a well known reason, the risk of the disease is higher if someone of your family had or has prostate cancer, the diet is also a factor, in specially the diet abundant in fats, vasectomy increased the risks, but the high level of testosterone too. If you know the risk factors and the symptoms, you can easily discover if you are ill and you?ll go to the doctor early. Thus, the chances to cure are better.

Prostate cancer is generally considered a slow growing carcinoma. This means you may have many high quality of life years ahead of you if you're respecting all diets and instructions from your doctor. As you get older, your risk of contracting prostate cancer rises, in special over 50 years. Men have a lifetime risk or chance of contracting a prostate malignancy of about one in ten and that chance increases as we get older.

Life expectancy after a diagnosis of prostate cancer will depend on what stage the cancerous tumor has progressed to, your age and by you to consider all treatment options. In the end, prostate cancer survivability rests with early diagnosis and effective treatment. Since we use the early detection tests for prostate cancer became fairly common (the prostate cancer death rate has dropped significant but it has not been proven that this is a direct result of screening. Even the most men have no symptoms, here are some ways to find out if you are ill or not. Most men find out that they are ill when they are examined through a digital rectal procedure, but usually the symptoms appears when the tumor causes urinary blockage, located in the bladder neck or urethra. Some of men accuse difficulty during the urination, usually at start or stop of the urinary stream, or appears the urinary retention, blood in the urine, impotence because of the disability to have an erection. In the last phase of the disease, when the prostate cancer has spread, appears fatigue, malaise and weight loss, bone pain and bone fractures. Those symptoms provide you warrant going to see a doctor and take your treatment.

Many of us think like that, but the fact that untreated prostate cancer leads to death is not, in and of itself, an indication for intervention. Treatment must lower the risk of death to justify any intervention. There are plenty of things that you can do with the information read here. Remember what you have been and you?ll take the decisions easier.

Sun and Vitamin D For Prostate Cancer

2008-08-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Cancer Centres in USA compared the lifetime sun exposure in men with advanced prostate cancer and men without disease and they suggest that men who had spent more time in the sun they lives were with low risk of prostate cancer.

New studies in prostate cancer indicate that the men who spent more time in the sun in their live usually can reduce prostate cancer in about 50%

About the above point shown that the prostate uses Vitamin D to promote the normal growth of prostate cells and in consequence to slow the spread of prostate cancer cells to others parts of the body.

Sun exposure prevent prostate cancer and the new research suggest vitamin D in supplement may be a safer option today for men.

Previous studies have shown that many places which long winter like Canada and North America men do not adsorb Vitamin D and others nutrients.

In Canada men do not adsorb vitamin D in consequence one of the seven can develop prostate cancer in their lives; USA new researches indicate that one of the five men can develop prostate cancer.

Researchers shown that vitamin D has many micronutrients promote and prevent the prostate cancer in men.

conclusion; a suitable dose of vitamin D and to take sun in a responsible manner can considerably reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Hector Milla; editor of the cancer -10.com and you can find more articles about Prostate Cancer in http://www.cancer-10.com, you can reproduce this article in you web site or ezine articles always mention above the author article.

Metropolitan Who's Who Supports the American Cancer Society

2008-08-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

International Mission Statement
The American Cancer Society's international mission concentrates on capacity building in developing cancer societies and on collaboration with other cancer-related organizations throughout the world in carrying out shared strategic directions.

Metropolitan Who's Who is proud to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on those affected by cancer. Metropolitan Who's Who is honored to give the gift of hope by making a New Year contribution to the fight against cancer. For someone affected by this disease, it's the best gift you can give.

"Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. Metropolitan Who's Who is helping, the American Cancer Society to continue to make progress against this disease in every community. The ACS works year-round to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against the disease."

About Metropolitan Who's Who
The mission of Metropolitan Who's Who is to ensure that Metropolitan members receive recognition, support and credibility to advance their careers. Metropolitan Who's Who is also committed to delivering the highest quality networking resource for job recruitment, career enhancement and new business development. At our news blog see who's making news and how Metropolitan Who's Who is making a difference.

Metropolitan Who's Who members have exclusive access to the biographies of more than 75,000 successful executives, professionals and entrepreneurs, where they use the database to share information, knowledge and services. Communication via the Metropolitan Who's Who Registry travels in two directions, enabling Metropolitan Who's Who members to reach out when they have a business need or opportunity and receive information on exciting new ventures.

ational Cancer Institute Shows Divine 9 Personal Lubricant Blocks Viruses That Cause Cervical Cancer

2008-08-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Divine Corporation (http://www.divinetimes.com) announced today new research results from the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Laboratory of Cellular Oncology that further indicates Divine 9 (http://www.divinetimes.com/products.htm) is an effective inhibitor of cancer-causing viruses [1. In this latest study, the NCI researchers introduced a form of human papilloma virus (HPV) to the vaginal tract of female mice both with and without the use of Divine 9. The study showed that while infection was almost assured in unprotected mice, Divine 9 effectively inhibited infection in those mice first treated with Divine's carrageenan (www.divinetimes.com/medical.htm)-rich formula.

In order to conduct the study, the Laboratory of Cellular Oncology first produced a derivative of the cervical cancer-causing HPV16 virus that has the same infection properties but replaces the actual HPV16 virus with a marker gene. By selectively applying the marker-enhanced virus to the vaginal tracts of mice, the research team could analyze the amount of infection and determine what products enhanced, inhibited or had no effect on infection rates. The team found that the widely used spermicide, nonoxynol-9, increased susceptibility to infection. In contrast, Divine 9 personal lubricant prevented detectable infection.

"In a prior laboratory study by the distinguished team at the National Cancer Institute, Divine 9 was shown to inhibit infection from cervical cancer-causing viruses," said Stephanie Fresonke, President of Divine Corporation. "Now with these new studies, Divine 9 again has shown its infection blocking capabilities. Our customers can enjoy the wonderfully intimacy enhancing characteristics of Divine personal lubricants while also knowing they are potentially protecting themselves from cervical cancer."

[1 Roberts JN, Buck CB, Thompson CD, Kines R, Bernardo M, Choyke PL, Lowy DR, Schiller JT, Genital transmission of HPV in a Mouse Model is Potentiated by Nonoxynol-9 and Inhibited by Carrageenan. Nature Medicine, Volume 13, Number 7, (July 2007) cervical cancer_title_Nature Medicine (http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v13/n7/abs/nm1598.html)

About Divine Corporation

Divine Corporation is dedicated to making intimate encounters as safe and enjoyable as they possibly can be by creating a line of personal lubricants (www.divinetimes.com/products.htm) that both protect and enhance intimate encounters. Intensive research has led to products formulated with natural ingredients such as carrageenan that are shown to block life-altering viruses in independent laboratory studies. In addition, both unscented Divine 9 and vanilla-scented Divine 8 are known for their exotic, slippery feel that dries clean, never sticky. Look for Divine personal lubricants in health food stores, on-line drugstores such as Drugstore.com, and other discriminating websites.

Kidney Cancer Symptoms What They Are

2008-08-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Each year, in the United States, thousands of men and women are diagnosed with kidney cancer. Kidney cancer, like many other forms of cancer, can be fatal, but it does not always have to be. If you are able to receive an effective course of treatment, you may able to live the rest of your life, cancer free. However, it is extremely important that you receive treatment in a timely matter.

The early treatment of kidney cancer relies on the early detection. While your physician should be able to make the official diagnosis, you are advised to be on the lookout for common kidney cancer symptoms. When understanding kidney cancer and its symptoms, it is important to remember that you may not display all of the symptoms; however, that does not mean that you do not have kidney cancer. In the event that you display any of the kidney cancer symptoms, mentioned below, it is advised that you seek medical assistance immediately.

Abnormal colored urine is urine that is discolored. This discoloration is different than the traditional color, which should be a yellow color. Many individuals will be able to notice a chance in their urine color, but that is only if the change has not already occurred. If you feel that the change has already occurred and gone unnoticed, you are advised to be on the lookout for urine that is dark, cloudy, or mixed with blood. In fact, bloody urine is also another one of the many kidney cancer symptoms.

Rapid weight loss is also considered a kidney cancer symptom. With kidney cancer, this weight loss often results in a reduction of body mass up to five percent. It is important to note as to whether or not your eating habits or exercise patterns have changed. Often times, the weight loss associated with kidney cancer is sometimes confused with intentional weight loss.

Flank pain is another one of the many kidney cancer symptoms that you may display, if you have kidney cancer. Flank pain is also commonly referred to as side pain. In many cases, this pain is often unbearable to handle, even if the pain does not occur on a regular basis. This pain, even though it may not result from kidney cancer, often signifies some sort of kidney trouble. In addition to flank pain, abdominal pain and bank pain are both considered kidney cancer symptoms.

Weight loss, bloody urine, abnormal colored urine, and back, flank, and abdominal pains are known as the most common symptoms of kidney cancer. Although they are the most well known, they are not the only symptoms that you should look for. Additional symptoms include paleness, constipation, and excessive hair growth, especially in females. Although you should be on the lookout for these symptoms, you may have a difficult distinguishing whether or not your symptoms are signs of kidney cancer. This is because many of these symptoms are often referred to as common symptoms, meaning they are present among a number of health related illnesses.

All of the above mentioned kidney cancer symptoms, whether they result in a diagnosis of kidney cancer or not, are serious health issues. These serious health issues should be disused with a healthcare professional, such as your primary care physician. Since a number of the above mentioned kidney cancer symptoms can be difficult or impossible for a physician to detect on their own, it is up to you to take responsibility for your health. Whether you know for sure or not, as to whether or not you display the symptoms of kidney cancer, it is still advised that you seek medical assistance. The only harm will come from not getting it.

Kidney Cancer Association and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center Launch New Renal Cell Carcinoma Information and Education

2008-08-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Kidney Cancer Association and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center announced today it has launched a new renal cell carcinoma (RCC) health information portal, www.RCCTrends.com to inform healthcare providers and patients about new advances for the treatment of RCC. The web site provides access to information that tracks the progress of clinical research and evolving treatment strategies for patients with RCC and offers a self study, web-based, certified continuing medical education activity to healthcare providers. The activity is designated for 5 AMA Physicians' Recognition Award? credits and is supported by an educational grant from Wyeth.

"With the remarkable new advances in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma combined with patients advocating for their own care it is critical to provide patients, families, and their healthcare providers with convenient access to state of the art information summarizing the evolving treatment strategies and clinical research in this disease," said Robert A. Figlin, MD, Professor and Chair, Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California.

About Renal Cell Carcinoma

Kidney cancer accounts for 3.5% of all cancers in the US and represents the seventh most common cancer in men and ninth in women. Prognosis for patients with metastatic RCC is poor with a 5-year survival rate of 9.5%. Standard treatment offers limited benefit however new understanding about the biologic basis of renal oncogenesis has lead researchers to develop new targeted therapy for advanced RCC.

RCC has been one of the more drug-resistant malignancies. An interest in the identification of specific targets for therapy has been underway for the last century and has recently received enormous attention with the knowledge expansion of molecular targets. Molecular complexities of both the disease and the treatment are resulting in a rapidly evolving environment in the treatment of kidney cancer.

About the City of Hope

The City of Hope located in Duarte California is one of 39 NCI-designated Cancer Centers in the United States and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. More than 300 physicians and scientists and over 2,500 employees work to find the causes of and cures for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The City of Hope is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians with over 300 accredited programs throughout the year.

About the Kidney Cancer Association

The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) is a charitable organization made up of patients, family members, physicians, researchers, and other health professionals. We fund, promote, and collaborate with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Urologic Association (AUA), and other institutions on research projects. We educate families and physicians, and serve as an advocate on behalf of patients at the state and federal levels.

Prostate Cancer - What You Don't Know Might Kill You

2008-08-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Here's the one fact that all men need to understand: Early prostate cancer detection is the difference between living and dying as far as prostate cancer is concerned.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that cancer is one of the leading causes of death. What you may not have realized is that cancer is the second leading cause of death for men and prostate cancer is a very major contributor.

The reason for this is that prostate cancer can expand beyond the prostate gland and travel to other parts of the body. So a highly treatable cancer in the prostate is ignored and kill it grows into other parts of the body and becomes much more deadly.

The sad part is that doctors are able to detect prostate cancer in its very early stages. To complicate matters however, there are a few symptoms that are directly associated with prostate cancer alone. This in turn causes many men to simply ignore common symptoms until prostate cancer grows beyond the gland and becomes a seriously life threatening cancer.

The good news is that this disease is a slow progressive type of cancer while still localized in the prostate. A person can have prostate cancer for years and not know it if they don't undergo several very simple diagnostic tests. These tests become even more important, as you age. Men with no family history of prostate cancer should be tested yearly. Black men and those with a family member who has had prostate cancer should consider annual testing at age 40.

Prostate cancer screening tests are simple and inexpensive.

+ Digital Rectal Examination + PSA Blood test. Measures levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen a key prostate cancer marker.

Your chance of survival and cure is directly related to early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Consistent testing will dramatically increase the chances of early detection before it becomes serious.

Another benefit of early detection is that the treatment options are much less radical. Earlier treatment methods are much more successful in not only curing prostate cancer but also limiting the complications and side effects of more aggressive treatment options.

If you haven't been insisting on a prostate exam and blood test for prostate cancer indicators, you owe it to yourself and your family to start now. Don't make the mistake of assuming symptoms may be simply due to your age. Prostate cancer is a serious illness that needs to be identified as soon as possible.

So at your next annual physical, make certain that basic prostate cancer screening tests are done. This is one of the key ways that you can make certain you life cancer free as long as possible.

Abigail Franks has written many articles on the subject of prostate cancer. On her site you can find valuable information about Prostate Cancer and more about early detection with Prostate Cancer Tests

Dr. Catherine Giess Educates Women at Breast Cancer Fundraiser Prominent breast radiologist addresses early breast cancer detection

2008-07-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

Dr. Catherine Giess, founder and director of Harrison-based Mira Women's Imaging, recently addressed more than 120 women, including Sole Ryeders & Friends, at the Wainwright House in Rye about breast cancer. Sole Ryeders & Friends, which was established in Rye, NY, is a team of women who will participate in the 40-mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in October for the second consecutive year.

More than 120 women attended the "Wisdom & Wine" Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser, where they learned about the different stages of breast cancer and corresponding survival rates; breast cancer risk factors; signs of breast cancer on mammography, ultrasound and MRI; the benefits of digital mammography; biopsy techniques; breast pain and lumps; the breast cancer gene; proactive steps toward breast health, and more.

"Wisdom & Wine" co-chairs Lynn Halpern and Sandy Samberg said that they are pleased to have such a prominent expert in their community. "As a Rye mother of four and a radiologist who specializes in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, Dr. Giess is the perfect 'resident expert' for our Wisdom & Wine fundraiser," said Samberg.

"She not only edcucated the attendees but did so in a relaxed and accessible manner that was both comprehensive and understandable. Attendees felt it was an incredibly empowering experience," Halpern added.

Dr. Giess added that education is the key to proper breast care. "The more educated women are about their breast health, the better chance they will have to detect any abnormalities early and seek the most appropriate medical help."

After her presentation, Dr. Giess and attendees enjoyed wine and dessert while discussing similar topics in a more casual setting. Funds raised at the event go to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, a 501(c) (3) public charity whose mission is to provide access to care and find a cure for breast cancer. It helps those touched by the disease today while seeking to eradicate it tomorrow. Grants are awarded to organizations ranging from leading cancer centers to local community-based breast health programs, with a special focus on the medically underserved.

Mira Women's Imaging is located at 600 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 102, Harrison, NY 10528. For additional information, call 914.468.1000, email info(at)mirawomensimaging.com or visit www.mirawomensimaging.com.

The Sole Ryeders team was established in 2007. The team, consisting of 35 women mostly from Rye, participated in the 2007 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and raised over $130,000 for the cause. Team leaders hope to exceed that amount in 2008. Each member commits to raising a minimum of $1,800 and walking up to 40 miles throughout New York City. The Walk takes place over two days, and most of the walkers camp out at the Wellness Village on the eve of the second day. For more information about Sole Ryeders & Friends, please email soleryeders@gmail.com.

About Mira Women's Imaging: Mira Women's Imaging is a state-of-the-art breast health facility offering mammography, breast ultrasound, DXA scans, and diagnostic care in a setting that is comfortable and private. Founder and director Dr. Catherine Giess is a fellowship-trained radiologist and a regional breast health expert with over 12 years of clinical experience in breast imaging and minimally-invasive diagnostic procedures. For more information, visit www.mirawomensimaging.com.

New Compensation Approach for Cancer Care Using Pay for Performance Model Advocated Today in Lead Article in Cancer Journal Oncology Issues: Los Angel

2008-07-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

The article, entitled "Quality Care, Outcome and Cost...a Complex Balance," was authored by John S. Macdonald, MD, chief medical officer for Aptium Oncology, and Deane Wolcott, MD, Aptium's vice president, clinical program development. Los Angeles-based Aptium Oncology is the national leader in developing and managing comprehensive cancer centers at premier medical institutions throughout the United States.

"Until recently, the sheer complexities of cancer care have inoculated us from oncology-specific pay for performance compensation structures," says Dr. Macdonald. "The diagnosis and treatment of the 130 to 150 diseases defined as cancer present enormous challenges and don't fit P4P guidelines applied to most other medical specialties. But we recognize the day is approaching when P4P could be mandated, so we believe it is critical to step out in front and help policy makers formulate the compensation guidelines."

The authors acknowledge the fears of P4P skeptics and opponents, who doubt that performance measures can be developed without resulting in inappropriate therapies and restricting clinical judgment.

"The rapid changes in cancer care create a unique challenge for oncologists," says Dr. Wolcott. "They are acutely aware that it's not what they already know but what they will learn next that raises the bar and sets the standard of care.

"That's why measures in any P4P model have to updated constantly to ensure that oncologists transform the latest advancements and insights into improved patient care."

Another key component that must be considered as part of a successful P4P model is physician buy-in. The article notes the struggle faced in communities where P4P applications failed to account for the expectations of patients and the value placed on physician/patient interaction.

"In the final analysis, a successful P4P model has to measure the delivery of quality cancer care that is as comprehensive as it is compassionate," says Dr. Macdonald. ""Reporting systems should be tailored to augment, rather than over burden, patient care, keeping in mind that kindness, compassion, comfort and convenience are the salient characteristics of care.

"We already know from the experience of physicians in other specialties about 'the burden of reporting' and a sense that 'P4P means a little more money and a lot more work.'"

The authors believe that oncology P4P metrics should be developed through a collaboration of stakeholders representing a cross-section of oncology service providers, as well as payers, employers, cancer survivor groups, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and organizations that have worked with CMS in developing other P4P programs.

"We are convinced P4P can uphold and even enhance the vision of ongoing quality improvement and cost efficiency in patient care and contribute to enhanced patient satisfaction," says Dr. Wolcott. "A phased-in approach will help ensure this vision, focusing on a small number of quality measures for key cancer services and giving everyone ample opportunity to adapt.

"Once success has been achieved preliminarily, additional measures can be added in increments, ensuring that quality management resources will not be overwhelmed."

About Aptium Oncology

Aptium Oncology has more than 20 years of experience managing outpatient oncology services at leading medical institutions throughout the United States. Aptium Oncology is a pioneer in designing, building and managing comprehensive cancer centers with a steadfast vision to transform cancer care environments by bringing every necessary service to one central place. The intent of this single place is to help patients achieve longer, better lives. Aptium Oncology's corporate headquarters is located in Los Angeles, Calif.

New Hope for Ovarian Cancer Patients Seeking Motherhood After Treatment: NY Methodist Experts Discuss Recent Research and Novel Techniques to Help Pre

2008-07-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

Ovarian cancer has a well-deserved reputation as one of oncology's most devastating diagnoses on several fronts; the disease is challenging to diagnose, difficult to treat, and - until recently - eradicating the cancer also severely limited the patient's chances of becoming pregnant after treatment. However, recent research has uncovered a number of novel techniques that can be used to spare fertility options for younger women with ovarian cancer.

"While the majority of ovarian cancer cases occur in patients over the age of 50, we are seeing more and more women in their 30s and 40s being diagnosed with the disease," explains Dr. Katherine Economos, Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at New York Methodist Hospital. "Of course, their first concern is for successful treatment of their cancer," she adds, "But these patients also want viable options for resuming their lives after treatment, and for many this means the chance to have a baby."

Dr. Economos notes that, although ovarian cancer is often caught in its later stages in general, nearly half of all younger women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with Stage I disease that hasn't yet spread to other tissues. Fortunately, the pace of fertility-sparing research for this group has been brisk. Several studies show that, for some patients, it can be a safe and effective alternative to the full hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes) that is standard protocol in the majority of ovarian cancer cases.

Surgeries and techniques that save patients' options

For example, doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center showed that, for women diagnosed with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (the most common type) confined to just one ovary, retaining both the uterus and the unaffected ovary can preserve normal menstruation and result in subsequent healthy pregnancies. More recently, Texas A&M researchers conducted a retrospective of 71 women diagnosed with ovarian germ cell tumors - a rare cancer of the eggs themselves that is almost exclusively found in teenage girls and young women - and treated with fertility-sparing surgery and a special chemotherapy agent. They found that 62 of the patients were still having menstrual periods, and 24 survivors had given birth to 37 babies.

"Fertility sparing surgery is a tremendous asset for a select group of patients, to help them overcome their cancer and go on to achieve healthy pregnancies," notes Dr. George Kofinas, founder and medical director of the Fertility Institute and chief of the section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at New York Methodist Hospital. "Yet, there are also women diagnosed in the early stages of ovarian cancer for whom this surgery is not feasible because both ovaries and/or the fallopian tubes must be removed," Dr. Kofinas continues. "Other options may be available, however, that can accomplish the same goal of post-treatment fertility." They include:

- Embryo Freezing: In-Vitro Fertilization has been used for nearly 25 years to assist infertile couples in having a baby. The process involves harvesting eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with the partner's (or a donor's) sperm, and cryopreserving the embryo. This procedure can take up to six weeks to complete, and can only be done if treatment can be delayed for that amount of time.

- Cryopreservation of Unfertilized Eggs: Patients without partners who do not wish to use sperm donors can still go through an IVF cycle and freeze unfertilized eggs. Unfortunately, freezing unfertilized eggs is still relatively new and has much lower success rate than IVF, with about 100 babies born worldwide as a result of egg freezing. This process also takes up to six weeks, delaying cancer treatment.

- Cryopreservation of Ovaries: Another promising option which is also an area of active research is cryopreservation of ovarian tissue. Theoretically, it's the ideal solution, as it can be done immediately without delaying treatment. A piece of ovary in a young woman contains hundreds if not thousands of eggs, and although only one successful pregnancy has ever been reported as a result of ovarian tissue freezing, it may become more successful in the future. In addition, reintroduction of the ovarian tissue may also restore normal hormone function in younger women. The concern, of course, is that this may also reintroduce some rogue cancer cells that could cause disease recurrence.

With the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in a patient of childbearing age, Drs. Economos and Kofinas agree that the most important first-step is to consult with both a gynecologic oncologist and a fertility specialist. "It is crucial that these two areas of practice and expertise merge to determine the best course of treatment, each step of the way, that will result in a cancer-free diagnosis and the potential for future fertility and motherhood," Dr. Economos concludes.

Ovarian Cancer Facts:

- An estimated 20,000 American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the U.S. this year; more than 15,000 will die of the disease.

- Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women

- 90% of women diagnosed with Stage I ovarian carcinoma reach 5-year survival, compared with only 20% of those diagnosed when the disease is in stage 3 or 4.

- Risk factors include having a family history of the disease, never having taken the birth control pill, never having had children, infertility, early menstruation and late menopause

- Symptoms of ovarian cancer are generic and mild, and often mimic symptoms of dozens of other maladies; they include bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation, nausea, fever, fatigue and/or frequent urination

BIOS:

Dr. Katherine Economos practices Gynecological Oncology and Obstetrics & Gynecology in Brooklyn, New York at New York Methodist Hospital. Dr. Economos is a Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at New York Methodist Hospital.

Dr. George D. Kofinas, MD is the founder and medical director of the Fertility Institute and chief of the section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at New York Methodist Hospital. A diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, he is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Kofinas is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and an active member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society of Laparoendoscopic surgeons, the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) and the American Medical Association.

Oral Cancer Kills Someone in the United States Every Hour of Every Day: Delta Dental Encourages Americans to Request Oral Cancer Exams from Dent

2008-07-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

Oral cancer exams are quick, painless and involve an evaluation of the mouth, gums, throat and tongue by a licensed dentist using a piece of gauze to move the tongue from side-to-side. A revolutionary tool called the OralCDx brush biopsy can catch oral cancer in its early stages, or even as a precancerous lesion. The test is painless and involves merely rubbing the brush against a suspicious red or white spot in the mouth to collect a cell sample. Delta Dental is one of the first dental benefits providers in the U.S. to add coverage of the brush biopsy to its core group of covered services.

"We know few people are even aware of this deadly, yet preventable disease," said Dr. Jed Jacobson, senior vice president of professional services and chief science officer at Delta Dental. "It's crucial for people to ask their dentist for an oral cancer exam during their regular checkup. We also encourage more dentists to adopt use of the brush biopsy."

OralCDx Laboratories, Inc. of New York holds a patent on the brush biopsy, approved in 2000 by the Federal Drug Administration. The brush biopsy is based on the technology used in the Star Wars anti-missile system. It detects precancerous and cancerous cells in healthy tissue the same way the defense satellites were designed to detect real missiles from decoys.

Although oral cancer is among the most deadly forms of cancer, few people are aware of the risks. A recent EPIC-MRA Omnibus survey of 600 Michigan adults revealed little-to-no awareness of oral cancer, or its signs and symptoms. The study also showed that when respondents were asked to list three forms that cancer can take, not one person named oral cancer.

Early detection saves lives

Like many cancers, the key to surviving oral cancer is early detection. Detecting oral cancer in its early stages is imperative and can dramatically increase the five-year survival rate from approximately 57 percent to 81 percent.

Dentists play a crucial role in calling attention to some of oral cancer's common symptoms by performing an oral cancer exam on patients. Symptoms include:

-- Red or white spots that appear on the gums, cheeks or under the tongue

-- Swelling of the tongue or throat

-- A lump in the mouth or neck

-- Painful or difficulty swallowing or chewing

-- Numbness in the mouth region

-- Vocal hoarseness that lasts for an extended time

-- Tiny marks that resemble canker sores

-- Sores that bleed and don't heal (in later stages)

Who is at risk?

Oral cancer is most common in men, African Americans, adults over 40, smokers and heavy alcohol drinkers. However, one out of four cases occur in non-smokers and people under age 30. Other causes include too much sun exposure to the lips and poor diet. Over the past several years, there has been an increase in the number of young people and women developing oral cancer who do not have traditional risk factors.

Oral cancer treatment and cost savings from early detection

In addition to saving lives, early detection has the potential to significantly reduce medical treatment costs. Oral cancer is one of the most expensive forms to treat, with an advanced case costing upward of $200,000. Patients with oral cancer treated in its early stages face less chances of post-treatment disfigurement. When detected early, treatment tends to be more conservative, producing fewer complications and permanent disfigurements.

Amodio Uniquely Supports Women's Breast Cancer Research

2008-07-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

Amodio Moving & Storage (www.amodio.com), a leading provider of commercial moving services, has made a unique commitment to Women?s Breast Cancer Research in finding a cure.

Amodio, headquartered in Hartford, CT, rents plastic crates called PINKBOX?s as an alternative to the cardboard boxes used for office moves, and will donate a portion of the profits from the rental of its containers to Women?s Breast Cancer Research.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Amodio is not limiting its efforts to one month. ?We are committed to this cause and to donating a portion of our profits year-round,? says Amodio President Frank Amodio, Sr.

Amodio continues, ?This is a great opportunity for people to come together to help beat this disease. Amodio is proud to sponsor Women?s Breast Cancer Research in its tireless efforts against Cancer. As a PINKBOX rental customer of Amodio Moving, you are helping women find the medical information, support and hope they need at a time when they need it most. We intentionally picked crates that were bright pink, in recognition of Amodio?s commitment to Women?s Breast Cancer Research.?

The company says its crates offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to moving needs and are designed to safely and efficiently transport such items as computer equipment, documents and library collections. Renting reusable crates for moves is common in Europe and the idea is catching on in the United States.

According to Amodio, plastic offers many benefits over cardboard. ?On average it costs 30% less to rent plastic than to buy cardboard.? Amodio?s PINKBOX cubic foot capacity also means that fewer boxes are needed per move. Plastic crates also reduce labor costs because they come fully assembled. They require no tape, so packing is a lot faster. And, there are no storage or disposal costs, because the crates are delivered to the moving site and picked up after the move. Since this is done within a specified time frame, they?re unpacked quickly and down time is minimized. Plastic crates are sturdier so they also do a better job protecting the contents being moved. And plastic boxes are ecologically sound. No trees are cut down to make the crates, and they?re 100% recyclable.

According to Amodio, the average rental is for two weeks, but it can run to 2 months, depending upon the type of job. The typical rental involves 400 to several thousand crates, but they also get much smaller orders for as few as 24 boxes depending upon the customer?s needs and circumstances.

Now in its 88th year of business, Amodio Moving & Storage (www.amodio.com) uses a full product line of other specialized equipment to meet any moving equipment need.

New Advances In Early Breast Cancer Detection

2008-07-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

In November 2003, the American Cancer Society stated that breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 44. In the United States, there are approximately 200,000 new cases of breast cancer and more than 40,000 deaths; making the U.S. one of the countries with the highest death rate due to breast cancer. Perhaps the most alarming statistic is 1: 8 women will eventually develop breast cancer over their lifetime.

One of the most powerful steps a woman can take to reduce her risk for developing breast cancer is to educate herself about the petrochemicals, or xenoestrogens that are in her environment and work to eliminate or reduce them. Petrochemicals are "hormone disruptors" and it is through the unbalancing of your hormone system that can lead to problems. These xenoestrogens are found in cosmetics, lotions and fingernail polish and polish remover. They are obviously found in pesticides and insecticides. What you may not be aware of is that petrochemicals are found in plastics. If food is placed in a plastic container and reheated in the microwave, the plastic melts into your food and you ingest it. The harder the plastic, the more resistant it is to this process but the potential for accidental xenoestrogen ingestion is still present. Simply put, do not reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave.

Conventional screening methods all examine structure. For example, mammography uses X-ray to examine breast tissue. Any structure that has grown large enough to be seen by X-ray could be detected by mammography. However, mammography can have a high false positive rate. In fact, only 1 in 6 biopsies are found to be positive for cancer when found by mammography or clinical breast exam. This leads to increased psychological stress, physical trauma and financial concerns.

Other risks of mammography include the radiation exposure, although this has been debated by doctors for many years. Recently published in Radiation Research, 2004 the author suggests that the risks associated with mammography screening may be FIVE times higher than previously assumed and the risk-benefit relationship of mammography needs to be re-examined.

There exists a technology that can detect a breast issue YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam. This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN. For women who are refusing to have a mammogram or those who want clinical correlation for an existing problem, digital infrared thermal imaging may be of interest.

Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool.

Breast thermography has undergone extensive research since the 1950s. There are over 800 peer-reviewed studies on breast thermography with more than 300,000 women included in large clinical trials. An abnormal thermogram is 10 times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history of the disease. A persistently abnormal thermogram carries a 22-fold higher risk of future breast cancer.

Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified and endure an additional two years of training to qualify as a thermologist. Thermography is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. It is recommended that since cancer typically has a 15 year life span from onset to death, that women begin thermographic screenings at age 25.

Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.

Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive Health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.

Radiofrequency Ablation Growing in Popularity as a Treatment for Cancer

2008-07-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

Waltham, Massachusetts (PRWEB) December 6, 2007 -- Millennium Research Group forecasts that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures for cancer treatment will grow at almost 12% over the next five years in the US. According to Millennium Research Group's US Markets for Nonvascular Interventional Radiology Devices 2008 report, over 21,000 RFA procedures will be performed in 2007 on patients with liver, kidney, breast, lung, and metastatic bone cancers; by 2012, RFA procedures will reach over 36,000.

Physicians are opting for this surgery due to its minimally invasive nature and its ability to safely and precisely ablate small tumors. If the continued release of clinical evidence supports RFA treatment as a viable alternative to surgical resection, physician confidence in and the subsequent adoption of RFA devices take place.

"RFA can be used in cases where surgical resection poses too great of a risk to the patient," says Stephanie LaBelle, Analyst at MRG. "As a result, RFA increases the treatable patient population."

The US Markets for Nonvascular Interventional Radiology Devices 2008 report includes coverage of many industry competitors, including AngioDynamics, Boston Scientific, and Covidien.

About RFA Procedures

RFA is a procedure used to destroy lesions through the administration of RF energy. During an RFA procedure, the physician will insert an RF device through the skin or feed it through blood vessels to the site of the abnormality. The metal prongs of the device are then opened in order to expand the treatment area to correspond to the size of the tumor. The needle electrodes deliver RF energy to the lesion. Ions within the tissue attempt to follow the alternating current of the RF energy, thereby causing ionic agitation. Frictional heating of ions causes detrimental changes in protein structure and loss of intracellular fluids, ultimately leading to cell death.

About Millennium Research Group

Millennium Research Group (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (www.DecisionResources.com), is the global authority on medical technology market intelligence and a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services.

Prostate Cancer as Number One Preventable Health Crisis

2008-07-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that prostate cancer is the number one cancer-killer of males in the world? Can you also believe that there is no niversally-agreed upon strategy for its' diagnosis and management? There is a lot of talk these days about prostate cancer on the news, yet nobody can seem to figure out what is behind the whole thing. A recent article actually suggested that masturbation is the solution! Tired old references to the high incidence of prostate cancer in the clergy are cited. If you have ever surfed the Internet with your content filter turned off, you will have no doubt that the entire world is doing anything but holding back their seed in pursuit of spiritual ideals.

So what is behind these staggering numbers? Chinese medical theory would suggest that too much sexual activity is as bad as too little, and common sense in any culture points to the benefits of moderation with respect to any activity. Plant-based herbal remedies like saw palmetto and pumpkin seeds are purchased in large numbers, but the relief they offer is fleeting at best. Their temporary benefit, however, points back to a concept in Chinese medicine called "excessive yang." In western thought, we would say that something has "overheated."

Your prostate may indeed be suffering from a fever! How could this happen? The answer lies in a substance called DHT, or dihydrotestosterone. This is a by-product of testosterone metabolization, and perfectly natural. DHT is what allows you to produce erections and build muscles. Ironically, it also leads to an inflamed and enlarged prostate if it continues to accumulate in the prostate gland. Interestingly, DHT accumulation in the scalp is what accounts for hair loss. Incidentally, this explains why western drugs that promote hair growth also promote testicular shrinkage.

The truth is that DHT production has been on the rise over the last 30 years. The western world eats a tremendous amount of meat that is filled with hormonal back-wash that has been accumulating in livestock long before they are ever brought to the slaughterhouse. How else could we "grow" the animals so fast? Poetically, we also absorb this accumulation of hormones when we eat these "fast-track" animals. We also ingest sports supplements and energy boosters purchased at our local vitamin shop that are filled with hormone pre-cursors in order to deliver on their claims of more energy and enhanced sexual function.

This in itself may not be so bad for the prostate if all the excess DHT was actually burned up. Unfortunately for the prostate, it rarely is. This is where the problems begin. As time goes on, the prostate really has no options available to it other than to grow larger and harder. This brings on a flurry of problems such as premature ejaculation, urinary incontinence, and ultimately impotence. In this respect the medical establishment has resumed their usual course of inventing harmful surgeries, radioactive seed implants, and side-effect laden drugs. The bodies keep piling up and survivors are exactly that--often with permanent damage to their sexual organs as a result of their treatment at the hands of the medical establishment. In the end, a lot of it comes down to money: many chronic wasting diseases such as cancer and AIDS have simple, cheap cures but this doesn't make anybody any money. Of course, I am aware that I will be branded a conspiracy theorist at best and an imbecile at worst for making such a statement. The common belief is that a cure for AIDS would be all over the news should it suddenly be discovered. People who subscribe to such notions also believe that AIDS "cocktails" are what is keeping industry poster-boy Earvin "Magic" Johnson from kicking the bucket prematurely.

The truth is that there are cheap and effective solutions for most of life's problems. Mind you, I don't think buying a pair of magnetic rings will make you an immortal, but I do think purchasing an electronic blood cleaner modeled after the one used by the medical industry itself (or is it the other way around) makes for sound experimentation.

Getting back to prostate problems, some people have gone back to traditional prostate massage methods, but the traditional methods are often messy or psychologically as discomforting as a routine prostate exam. Luckily, there are new herbal remedies being developed by individuals who use their own bodies as laboratories, and these same individuals are developing methods for massaging the prostate that are non-invasive.

With knowledge we are one step away from power, but it is the application of acquired knowledge is where the power really lies.

An Effective Prostate Cancer Treatment Option

2008-07-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

If you've been told that you have prostate cancer, then you've probably had The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test, been physically checked and probably have already had a biopsy performed. Once all this has established your condition, your cancer is then assigned a score.

These scores determine what stage your cancer has progressed. During the biopsy, the lab will assign what's called a Gleason score helps the doctor in determining what stage your prostate cancer is currently in. The appropriateness of any treatment is Dependant on the advancement of your prostate cancer. Staging and the Gleason score will help determine which treatment program is right for you.

While a prostate cancer is considered serious, don't forget that it's typically very slow growing. If your cancer has progressed to the stage where intervention is necessary, a procedure known as Brachytherapy may be in order.

Simply put, radioactive material is sealed in small seeds or pellets that are placed directly around a prostate tumor. It is also called an internal radiation or implant radiation. There's no question that this treatment program is effective and does a good job in controlling prostate cancer

Internal radiotherapy or Brachytherapy is usually the recommended prostate cancer treatment when the cancer has dangerously spread beyond the prostate gland of victims. The major benefit of this radiation treatment strategy is that it will help to spare healthy nearby tissues. This in turn will limit the side effects experienced.

This type of treatment plan is not available in all hospitals. Most larger towns and cities however have nuclear medicine options available. Given the high success rate of this prostate cancer treatment, it's well worth your time to locate health resources that specialize in this type of program

Remember that just because you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's not a death sentence. Many people with prostate cancer have followed their doctors advice and went with a treatment known simply as watchful waiting. As the name implies, watchful waiting is a situation where no direct action is taken to treat the prostate cancer. The reason for this is to maintain the quality of life for as long as possible. Direct intervention plans such as Brachytherapy are not without their risks and side effects.

Watchful waiting may be an appropriate course of action for your prostate cancer depending on your age and other factors. Only you and your doctor can determine what treatment program is right for you.

Abigail Franks has written many articles on the subject of prostate cancer. On her site you can find out about the best Prostate Cancer Treatments and Prostate Cancer

Therapeutic Vaccines Moving Beyond Cancer and HIV

2008-07-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

A new report by Applied Data Research analyzes technology and commercial factors for emerging therapeutic vaccines.

Distinct from prophylactic vaccines, therapeutic vaccines are designed to be administered to patients who have already acquired an illness that is capable of avoiding the immune response. By introducing disease-specific stimulatory components to the immune system in a highly structured way, therapeutic vaccines aim to selectively activate the immune system against the disease and improve the patient's prognosis. For many illnesses such as hepatitis, tuberculosis and malaria that are refractory to conventional treatment regimens, vaccines that can engineer a specific and aggressive response present a highly attractive approach.

The science and technology of therapeutic vaccines are still evolving, with key elements such as disease-specific immunogenicity factors, antigen source, the role of co-stimulators and adjuvants, and vaccine delivery still under investigation for many target conditions. The highly individualized nature of the immune response makes patient variability a key focal point of vaccine design. While autologous vaccines have the advantage of being specific for each patient's disease, they are expensive and labor intensive to create. The idea behind allogeneic vaccines is that they would work for every patient with the same disease.

These findings are contained in a new and comprehensive report -- Therapeutic Vaccines - Beyond Cancer and HIV. The report has been carefully researched and written to provide timely and insightful analysis of key factors and developments shaping the therapeutic vaccine marketplace. Numerous charts, tables and graphs complement the text, with evaluations and assessments of current and probable future market developments, technology issues and business factors.

More information is available at www.applieddata.org .

About Applied Data
Applied Data Research is a healthcare therapeutics consulting firm focused on medical market strategies, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed business development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis.

Cancer Information - 3 Ways To Fight Cancer

2008-07-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Cancer is one of the largest problems in the world today. Although a definite cure has not yet been found, there are various highly effective ways to fight cancer and win. This article will show you a few popular ways that cancer survivors have been able to defeat this deadly disease.

1) Eat Healthy Nutritious Foods Each Day

No single food or food substances can protect you against cancer. Scientists believe that the right combination of foods in an organic plant based diet can help fight off cancer. Evidence is mounting that the minerals and vitamins in plant based foods interact to provide extra cancer protection.

In addition to plant based foods, fruits, whole grains and beans are low calorie foods and also help to protect against weight gain. Many experts believe that weight gain is implicated in the development of cancer. Eating an organic plant based diet can help prevent weight gain and also protect against cancers. Keep in mind that the more body fat there is, the higher your risk is of developing cancer. With a substantial amount of extra body fat, your heart will have to work twice as heard in order to pump blood throughout those areas.

2) Regular Exercise for Weight Loss

Researchers have long observed the positive effects of moderate amounts of exercise on the immune system. They are now beginning to look at the effects exercise can have on the immune systems of cancer patients. In one small study, researchers found that exercising three to four times a week had increased the immune cell count of women undergoing breast cancer treatment. If you can keep a steady exercise plan you will be able to help boost your immune system and fight cancer a lot better. A few examples include jogging, power walking, light weight lifting, and even swimming. Try to keep your heart as healthy and strong as possible to increase your chance to beat cancer.

3) Reducing Stress and Staying Calm

It is well known that high levels of stress hormones suppress the immune system and reduce the ability of your body to defend or repair itself from dangerous diseases. That is why many cancer centers have started offering stress reduction therapy along with traditional cancer treatments. Meditation, visualization, yoga, and other relaxation techniques have been proven to help strengthen your immune system and assist in fighting the effects of the cancer. The main aspect to remember is that your body is literally being destroyed when you stay in a state of constant stress. Work on ways to stay calm and relax as much as possible so that your body can focus on fighting the cancer.

Always remember to consult a doctor before doing anything to fight off cancer cells. It is very important to examine all risks and gain a full understanding of what it is that you are getting yourself into. There are many more ways to fight off cancer in your body and these are only a few of the more recognized of the many. Good luck and stay healthy!

What is Malignant Melanoma Skin Cancer?

2008-07-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Malignant Melanoma Skin cancer is a type of skin cancer that starts in the pigmentation system of the skin. The skin layer that become tanned in the summer. This type of a cancer begins in moles or in different areas of normal looking skin. In rare cases, the tumor may start in the eyes, the intestine, the respiratory passage and the brain.

Malignant melanoma is a dangerous type of cancer. In this case, the chances of the survival of patient depend on early discovery and treatment.

The skin is responsible for protecting the body from several vices such as heat, infection, injury, sunlight and water loss. The outermost layer is known as the epidermis. It consists of flat scaly squamous cells. These cells contain a protein that makes the skin strong and also flexible. There are also basal cells and melanocytes that lie deeper inside the epidermis.

Melanocytes are responsible for producing a pigment known as melanin. This pigment provides color to our skin and also protects it from sun damage.

Whenever, the skin is exposed to the sun, it tends to produce pigment and tans. Melanocytes cluster together and result in moles. Some of these moles may even become malignant melanomas.

Melanomas are mainly divided in to four major types. The division depends on the location, shape and their tendency to grow outward or downward in to the dermis.

i) Superficial This type of melanomas grows outwards in order to form an irregular pattern on the skin.

ii) Nodular The melanomas are lumpy and blue-black in appearance. These may grow faster and even spread downwards.

iii) Acral melanomas It occurs on the palms, feet, nailbeds or soles of the feet.

iv) Lentigo maligna

This type of melanomas usually occurs on the faces of elderly people.

Experts say that this type of cancer origins from the mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, anus and the eye. It can also start on other places in the body where melanocytes are usually located.

There are several symptoms that indicate the existence or growth of malignant melanoma skin cancer on the body.

Here are some of the symptoms you need to look for:

a) Color The color of the mole gets darker or even appears as different colors mixed together.

b) Size The size of the mole grows larger.

c) Shape One half of the mole does not match the other. The edges of the mole become ragged, notched or even blurred.

d) Surface The surface of the mole is usually raised, flaking, scaly, oozing or like an erosion.

e) Texture The texture of the existing mole is lumpy or hard.

f) Skin surrounding the mole The pigment usually spreads from the mole in to the skin that earlier looked normal. The area surrounding the mole becomes red or swells.

g) Sensation The sensation is either itchy, tender or painful.

So whenever an existing mole gets bigger, changes in shape, creates an irregular edge, gets darker in color, becomes patchy or multi-shaded, itches, pains, bleeds, becomes crusty or appears to be inflamed, rush for medical help immediately.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about SKIN CANCER please visit SKIN CANCER REPORT

W.H.O. gets cancer

2008-07-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Below The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) summarise what we know about cancer from scientific research:

Cancer is largely preventable: by stopping smoking, providing healthy food and avoiding the exposure to carcinogens.

Some of the most frequent cancer types are curable by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The chance of cure increases substantially if cancer is detected early.

Quality of life of cancer patients and their families can be greatly improved by the provision of palliative care.

Cancer control is a public health approach aimed at reducing causes and consequences of cancer by translating our knowledge into practice.

Recommendations from the World Health Organisation concerning cancer include action in the following areas:

minimising or eliminating exposure to cancer causes
reducing individual susceptibility to the effects of these causes
serving the greatest public health potential
identifying the most cost-effective long-term cancer control
tobacco control
obesity control
control of composition of the diet
control of consumption of alcoholic beverages

The World Health Organisation sees cancer prevention programmes as part of integrated, national strategies. The risks they identify for cancer above are common to all noncommunicable diseases including heart, diabetes and respiratory problems. Prevention programmes for all chronic diseases are able to use the same surveillance and health promotion techniques. According to WHO recognised causes of cancer include:

occupational and environmental exposure to a number of chemicals
links between a number of infections and certain types of cancer
parasitic infection schistosomiasis
exposure to some forms of ionising radiation
excessive ultraviolet radiation

W.H.O. treatment priorities

Early detection improves chances of survival, but WHO stress 'only when linked to effective treatment'. The WHO want to increase our awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and help set up regular screening of apparently healthy individuals.

Accurate diagnosis of cancer is the first step to effective management. Care of cancer patients starts with recognition of some kind of abnormality in the body, followed by a visit to a health care facility for diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is confirmed then the disease is 'staged'. The patient might be referred to a specialist cancer treatment centre.

Orthodox treatment for the cancer is likely to involve a mixture of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and surgery. The primary objectives of cancer treatment are: cure, the prolongation of life and improvement of the quality of life.

Survival rates

Survival rates in standard treatments vary according to the variety of cancer. For example the advanced treatment of cancer of the uterine corpus, breast, testis, and melanoma may produce a 5-year survival rate of 75% or more. Survival rates in cancer of the pancreas, liver, stomach, and lung are generally less than 15%. Because of the nature of cancer, many patients present themselves with advanced disease. The only realistic treatment for these patients is pain relief and palliative care. For insurance purposes, cancer is often regarded as incurable.

Six Possible Ways to Prevent or Fight Cancer

2008-07-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

You may have recently read that due to advances in the treatment of heart disease, cancer has become the number one killer in North America. This is interesting news.

You might want to know how you can possibly prevent and fight cancer, but if you do have or even think you have cancer or any other health condition, be sure to consult your primary care physician for proper diagnoses and treatment. This article is for information purposes only.

Some steps that may help you to fight or prevent cancer.

1.Juicing is a powerful way to find health, partly because fresh juice has powerful antioxidants but also because juices contain loads of phytochemicals.

All of the plant chemicals have NOT been isolated but just remember that most of todays drugs are synthetic imitations of naturally occurring plant chemicals. There is speculation that these phytochemicals work better in the combinations that nature has produced them in.

Fresh fruit juice provides those phytochemicals to the body. In order to make fresh juice, consider getting a juicer or a A Vitamix blender.

It is a lot easier to get the health benefits of drinking a pound of carrots rather than trying to eat a pound. A pound of carrots basically makes less than a full cup of juice.

Just think about how many powerful phytochemicals you can get into your body this way.

And cabbage juice has been rumoured to lower the risk of cancer. It doesn't taste great, but so what? This may be due to a chemical that rapidly disappears after the cabbage becomes juice, so you must drink it quickly.

Vitamin U which comes from cabbage juice has been very useful to people with ulcers.

2. Antioxidants can reduce the amount of free radicals in the body. Many scientists consider that the actions of free radicals in your body may lead to cancer. Some excellent antioxidants include vitamins A,C and E, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q-10 (available at health food stores or online)

3. Your mental state is important, grab a copy of Bernie Siegel's book, 'Love, Medicine and Miracles'. This book talks about patients who went into remission. Bernie believes their remissions were due to changes in their mental states. basically, by becoming more loving towards others they may have affected a change in their bodies.

4. Use Essiac Tea - which is a special blend of herbs that was used by Indians in Canada. A Canadian nurse used it to treat many cancer patients. This combination of herbs includes Turkish Rhubarb, Sheep Sorrel, Burdock Root and Slippery Elm Bark.

5. Read the book 'How to Fight Cancer and Win' - http://tobeinformed.com/o/fightcancer.php This book remains popular despite the fact that it was written over a decade ago. The author used to work for a pharmaceutical company in Germany. He travelled far to find the information he shares in this book.

6. Get the right kind of exercise. The Falun Dafa exercises are perfect for frail, physically unfit people as well as those who are in great shape. Ask your doctor before changing your level of physical activity.

This article and its contents are for informational purposes only. No guarantee on accuracy is claimed or implied. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent any health condition or problem. If you have a health condition or issue or think you might, contact your primary care physician for proper diagnoses and/or treatment. This information has not been tested or evaluated by the USFDA nor by anyone else.

Cervical Cancer Risk Reduction

2008-07-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

Of all the common cancer that affect woman, cervical cancer is among the top list. Sexually transmitted HPV (human papillomavirus) is the culprit in most cases of cervical cancers. Over half of the cervical cancer reported cases occur in women between 40 and 55 although it is not uncommon for women of 35 to be amongst the risk group. The body's immune system works to keep the HPV from doing damage, yet the HPV virus can last for years and over time it takes some cells on the surface and turns them to cervix cancer cells. Routine and periodic screening from paps tests can help you catch this early and thus this has helped reduce the number of deaths in women in the United States, but still we lose 4,000 to 5,000 women a year to cervical cancers.

In research the things, which increase risk of cervical cancer may include large numbers of sexual partners, which increase risk of HPV. Having other sexually transmitted diseases also increase you chances of cervical cancer. Weak immune system periods can increase your bodies ability to keep the HPV at bay. Early sexual activity can also cause a problem, due to non-mature cells being more apt to take on the cancer cell growth. Even smoking although research is not conclusive may in fact inhibit your bodies defenses against HPV.

Your strategy for reduction of risk of the HPV and cervical cancer damage should include routine and periodic paps tests. Ask your doctor for additional information and do your own research on this. It is smart to pay attention and early screening is the key to saving lives. Think on this.

Orthodox Cancer Treatment

2008-07-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

1. Diagnosis

Diagnosis is a strength of Western scientific medicine because of its dependence on analytical procedures and processes of elimination. Modern technology has given us many ways to see into the body for effective diagnosis of dis-ease. Nowhere is scientific Western medicine so advanced than in the fields of diagnosis. Although the philosophy of Western medicine often comes in for criticism, modern science has produced many ways in which we can examine and image organisms internally and take samples of tissue in hard to reach places.

A qualified doctor should always be the first point of contact for serious disease as they have a good chance of getting you a correct diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is not a good idea except for very minor ailments. If you can, always get a second opinion on any diagnosis. In the UK you are urged to start orthodox cancer treatments within a month of diagnosis.

Diagnosis for cancer uses careful clinical assessment and advanced investigative techniques such as:

endoscopy: an endoscope is a tube-like viewing instrument with lenses and lights or video cameras that is inserted into a body orifice for investigating and treating disorders. If gives doctors the ability to see inside the body and even remove small pieces of tissue for examination (biopsy).

imaging: This process allows doctors to produce images of structures within the body that are otherwise difficult to see. For example short-wave, electromagnetic waves such as X-rays are passed through the body. Some are absorbed and others pass through the tissues to produce a shadow image that is projected onto a film or screen. In x-ray images the bones show up clearly, making it an excellent tool for seeing problems associated with bones or hard objects within the body.

In the 1920's radiologists discovered that certain substances are opaque to radiation and they began to use them as 'contrast media'. When these media are introduced into the body they create an outline shape of the cavities they fill, which helps to identify problem areas.

Ultrasound scanning projects high-frequency sound waves through the body, using a transducer against the skin. The waves are reflected back and the pattern of echoes produces an image. Computers are used to create better images. C.T. scanning (Computed Tomography) takes x-rays from different angles and uses the computer to create cross sections or three-dimensional images.

M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) places the patient in a strong magnetic field that passes waves through the body. The computer creates an image by analysing changes in the magnetic alignment of the hydrogen protons in our cells. P.E.T. scanning (Positron Emission Tomography) introduces short-lived radio isotopes into body tissues that are then flooded with gamma rays, recorded and then analysed by computer to produce images.

cytology and histology: Cytology is concerned with the examination of individual cells. The main application in cancer is in the detection of abnormal cells. Histology or hystopathology looks at groups of cells.

laboratory studies: Scientific methodology gives us many ways to analyse and examine bodily extracts.

2. Prognosis

What follows initial diagnosis means identifying appropriate treatments, forecasting the probable course and outcome of the disease (prognostication) and standardising the design of research and treatment protocols. You may be given the option to take part in a clinical study to help assess the effectiveness of a new treatment. Some health centres and surgeries are offered payoffs for enrolling patients in clinical trials which are often ongoing 'action research'.

3. Treatment

There are four main types of treatment in conventional cancer treatment: surgery: this offers the best chance when the cancer is contained to a single area and has a low tendency to spread

radiotherapy: invented over 100 years ago, this treatment bombards specific areas of the body with gamma rays.

chemotherapy: uses chemical cocktails that suppress the growth cycles of all cells in the body.

biological therapy: This treatment uses B.R.M.'s (Biological Response Modifiers) such as Interferon or Interleukin-2 to modify biological systems.

Taking these treatments is no guarantee that the cancer will not return. They do not involve looking for or eliminating any causes. To this extent orthodox Western medical approaches to cancer are only palliative.

Can Hair Dye Cause Cancer?

2008-07-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Further study is needed to fully understand relationships between hair dyes and bladder cancer, researchers said. Basically, they found no overall increase in cancer deaths among users of hair dyes. These opinions are concerning the use of permanent hair dyes and bladder cancer in 2005. Because of the widespread use of hair dye, the possibility of a relationship between it and cancer is quite alarming. In this study, the two main criteria were exposure to personal hair dye products and an outcome of cancer at any anatomical site.

"The totality of evidence today is far more reassuring than alarming about any hazards of hair dye use," Dr. None found evidence of a significant excess among hair dye users overall. A European Commission watchdog has criticized the hair dye industry for failing to provide evidence of the safety of its products. Until definitive evidence come in consumers may want to proceed with caution when selecting a hair dye. A European Commission watchdog criticized the hair dye industry in 2002 for failing to provide evidence of the safety of its products. But there is no strong evidence that hair dyes cause any of these.

Permanent hair dyes, the most popular choice among consumers, come in two categories: oxidation and progressive. Thus it may be concluded that it is hair dye that accidentally spilled over and has taken effect by oxidation. They are called Oxidation hair dyes because they contain Paraphenelenediamine, which is a basic constituent of these dyes.

You might feel good after a chemical hair dye but, if you're dying your hair in this way frequently, It is believed that you're killing yourself softly. A chemical free hair dye, use at home hair color. A compound henna mix is not a chemical free hair dye. Suraiya As with any chemical product, you should always use hair dyes in a well ventilated area. Here are the facts: Hair dye, bleach, perms and relaxing solutions are all absorbed into the bloodstream to some degree.

Your Hair is your crowning glory. Hair Dye is the direct path to perfect hair color, but what about the risks? Come find out all about Hair Dye at http://HairDye.eabout.info

Talents to Benefit Women Battling Breast Cancer

2008-07-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

World renowned artist Susan Rios, is using her talents to benefit women battling breast cancer. Rios, whose works adorn the walls of the White House and homes of celebrities such as Jane Seymour, Priscilla Presley and Andre Agassi, has created a piece called "Feel the Hope" with 100% profits from the sale of prints going to breast cancer diagnostic care and research. A 6-by-8-inch personalized and signed print sells for $49. For more information or to order a print, go to http://www.feelthehope.com

"The painting features a young woman wearing a pink scarf with outstretched arms looking out at a green pasture. Doves fly overhead, symbolizing peace. On a table sits a vase of pink roses and a journal with a dangling key. A butterfly, which hovers above the journal, symbolizes transformation" as described by Rios.

Susan Rios' former husband named the painting, according to the artist, adding that he is dying of colon cancer. "He said 'you want to feel the hope when you're facing something life threatening,' " according to Rios.

Rios will sign the first 1,000 copies of the print and personalize the journal on the painting with up to 7 characters. However, she will provide an unlimited number of prints for sale to benefit the care and research of breast cancer. The prints are available for purchase at http://www.feelthehope.com

"Feel the Hope" was created to celebrate women, "her life, her world and where she is gloriously grateful and free" said artist Susan Rios. 100% of the profits go directly breast cancer detection, diagnostic care, and research through the support of the Foundation for Community and Family Health based in Corona, CA.

The Foundation offers a Breast Health Detection Program providing no cost mammograms to women under 40 and outreach through educational programs for men and women. They are also contributing part of the profits to National Breast Cancer Research.

Money for The Foundation's Breast Health Detection Program is primarily raised through the "Walk for Health," an annual breast cancer walk in Corona, CA ( near Los Angeles) that attracted 5000 participants in 2006 and expect 7500 walkers on September 29, 2007 for this years event. The Walk for Health is a 3.3 mile run/walk around Grand Boulevard through the heart of Corona. Susan R

ios will attend the event to personally sign the pieces purchased and to meet the people that are supporting the cure, and needing the support. For more information about the Walk for Health visit http://www.OurLocalFight.org
About Susan Rios

A professional artist for more than 25 years, Susan creates familiar scenes that exude peace, harmony and romance. Images of cozy interiors, lush floral gardens and soothing seashores uplift the senses and the spirit.. She is an active participant in causes that touch her heart, Susan devotedly supports charities and nationwide organizations, including the Los Angeles Children's Hospital, Saddleback Community Outreach, Taylor Family Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation and The Ronald McDonald House. Over the last quarter-century, Susan's work has attracted the attention of many noted collectors and celebrities who have added her paintings to their private collection such as Jane Seymour, Brittany Spears, Priscilla Presley, Phyllis George, Ann Gillian, Sandy Duncan, Shelley Fabres, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Wilson and Mr. & Mrs. Walter Mathau. http://www.susanriosinc.com

About the Foundation

Based in Corona, CA the Foundations mission is to to generate resources and financial assets in order to fund health-related services and enhance the health and well-being of children and families. Programs the the Foundation support include an in-house Children's Center where they provide innovative outreach programs that bring education and screenings to children in area schools, no cost childhood vaccinations, positive youth development, mom support groups, breast feeding support, safe baby-sitting classes with American Heart CPR certification, prepared child birth and parenting classes. Other programs include informational health seminars including senior care, diabetes monitoring, breast care prevention and awareness. The Foundation for Community and Family Health provides important resources to help our families stay healthy and informed.

Breast Cancer Walk

2008-07-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

In December of 2001, breast cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. I was busy. I had a loving husband, a nice home, three beautiful stepchildren, a good job. Then my perfect little world was suddenly turned inside out and upside down.

A routine, suspicious mammogram. A phone call. Mammogram #2. A stereotactic core biopsy.

My diagnosis: breast cancer, stage 2, infiltrating, ductal, HER2.

All of the above happened within the fearful, anxious, unbelievable time span of 7 days. And my life has never been the same.

The next nine months held a most strange quality of disbelief and exhaustion. It also held two surgeries, four chemotherapy treatments spaced three weeks apart, and 47 radiation treatments (spaced daily, over the course of 9 weeks).

It's been three years since my life was turned upside down and inside out... . Three years. My prognosis is very good. I hear this every three months depending on which doctor my appointment is with: breast surgeon, medical oncologist, or radiation oncologist.

Three years have passed. I look good. I feel good. And yet nothing has been able to quiet the storms of fear that threaten to overwhelm me from time to time. The insidious fear that the breast cancer might return. The intimidating fear of another potentially deadly diagnosis.

I have meditated and prayed about this. I have talked about it with my wonderful therapist and with other breast cancer survivors. I have tried guided imagery, journaling, and art journaling. These have all tempered the fear to some extent, but only for a very short while.

Then I began practicing SoulCollage™ and my inner dynamics began to change.

SoulCollage™ is a unique blend of spiritual practice and the fun of collage. Using our intuition and imagination, we create a deck of collaged cards where each card reflects a different aspect of who we are. The cards are then used to assist us to access our own deep wisdom and help us answer life's questions.

There are four suits in a SoulCollage™ deck: The Committee (the inner voices in our minds), The Community (the family and friends who love us), The Companions (animal totems who lend us their energies) and The Council (archetypes who symbolize major life themes for us).

SoulCollage™ cards are made using magazine images, scissors, a glue stick, and 5" x 8" pieces of mat board.

It turned out to be the best way for me to deal with the lingering fears that I was left with after my cancer treatments were over. I listened carefully inside of me to the voices that had something to say about my breasts, and my breast cancer, and I made three cards over the course of a few months.

The "voices" I named and then worked with in the coming months were: I am the one who fears breast cancer returning, I am the one who survived breast cancer and walked away from it (both of these voices were Committee members), and I am the one who gave you the courage to survive breast cancer (an archetype from my Council).

After making the cards, I journaled with them, asking each voice the following questions: Who are you? What do you have to give me? What do you want from me? How will I remember?

The entire process of making these SoulCollage™ cards and then dialoguing with them led me deeper into my feelings about my diagnosis and all that I had been through on my journey since then. This led me to a very deep and powerful spiritual healing that is difficult to describe, yet very real in my life.

Now, when my fears of another cancer diagnosis threaten to consume me, I simply look at my SoulCollage™ card that honors that voice inside of me and I acknowledge it. This voice, this fear will always be a part of me, but I do not have to allow it to control me. I am reminded of this because I also have the other two cards which speak to me of how I found the inner strength and courage to take the breast cancer journey.

Steps To Aid In Early Detection

2008-07-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

I learned some interesting facts about breast cancer that I feel every woman should know. The sources I used for this article included the American Cancer Society, The National Cancer Institute, and the Avon Foundation?s Breast Cancer Crusade.

Early breast cancer isn?t usually detected by pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. That is why regular exams are important. If you have anything that makes you suspect breast cancer, contact your doctor immediately. Don't wait around to see what happens. Let the professional decide. Some symptoms that may indicate breast cancer include, but are not limited to, the following:

Nipple discharge or tenderness

Lumps in breast and/or underarm area

Visual changes which include: size of breast including swelling; inverted nipple; and pitting. Pitting means the skin looks like the skin of an orange. Scaling of the breast skin could also be a symptom.

Early detection of breast cancer is important. There is a 97% five-year survival rate when breast cancer is detected early since this can help prevent it from spreading. Below are some guidelines to early detection. I hope they help save someone's life.

Get a Mammogram

A mammogram is a specialized x-ray of the breast to help detect cancers which cannot be detected by feel. Some women are confused as to how often they should get a mammogram. Here is what the professionals say about mammograms.

At age 40 begin getting annual mammograms by a licensed technician. A mammogram will take about twenty minutes. When getting a mammogram avoid wearing deodorant, powders, or cream under your arms. Sometimes they can interfere with the results. Make sure to contact the center if they do not inform you of the results within thirty days. It is very important that results are compared from one year to the next. Hence, be sure you know where your mammogram film is being held.

Clinical Breast Exam

This is an exam by a health care professional. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years and women 40 or older should have an exam each year.

Self-Examination

Starting at age 20 women should begin doing a self-exam. Ask your doctor if you are not exactly sure how to do this or if you are not sure you are doing it correctly. Here are a few guides to follow: Lie down and place one arm behind your head. Using your three middle finger pads press firmly across your breast in overlapping dime-size circular motions. Use three different levels of pressure: light, medium, and firm. This allows you to feel the tissue close to your skin, to feel a little deeper, and to feel the tissue closest to your chest and ribs.

Move across your breast in an up and down pattern, starting from the underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of the chest bone, repeating the pressure.

Stand in front of a mirror with your hands pressing down on your hips and look at your breasts for any changes in size, shape, contour, or dimpling. Also, do this with your arms slightly raised. Make sure you check under your breasts as well.

I hope that this information proves helpful to you. I am not a health care provider and by no means a professional on breast cancer. I am simply sharing with every woman possible the importance of detecting breast cancer early and some simple guidelines that might save a life.

Campaign to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

2008-07-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hosting the event online and taking it global will be Digital Scrapbook Place, Inc., the largest digital scrapbooking website on the Internet, at www.digitalscrapbookplace.com.

On Scrap Pink weekend, retailers will invite consumers to participate in a crop, where scrap bookers will create layouts and projects celebrating the special women in their lives. Layouts created will be eligible to be entered into a national contest judged by a panel of scrapbookers, with an opportunity to win a variety of prizes.

Consumers will pay to attend the crop, and 100% will be donated to support Komen's mission to find a cure for breast cancer through research, education, screening, and treatment.

Amanda Behrmann, an owner of Digital Scrapbook Place, sees Scrap Pink as much more than just another fund raiser. "It's a great opportunity to have fun while we raise money for breast cancer research. We are excited to partner with the Scrap Pink Campaign, taking this cause global by joining digital scrap bookers from all over the world in our online chat room and forums."

During the Scrap Pink crop in the Digital Scrapbook Place chat room, scrap bookers will find many challenges, contests, prizes, fun, and friendly support as they work on scrapbook pages.

To sign up for Scrap Pink or for more details about the event, visit www.digitalscrapbookplace.com. Scrap Pink information is also available at www.Scrappink.com.

About Digital Scrapbook Place

Digital Scrapbook Place was founded in 2004 by two women with a passion for digital scrapbooking. The company is dedicated to helping people use digital technologies to capture their memories, create scrapbook pages, and captivate their loved ones for generations. For more information contact Amanda Behrmann at (816) 396-5636, or go to

www.digitalscrapbookplace.com.
About Meredith Corporation

Meredith (www.meredith.com) is one of the nation's leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group features 25 subscription magazines - including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle®, Ladies' Home Journal®, Parents®, Fitness®, American Baby® - and approximately 200 special interest publications. Meredith owns 14 television stations, including properties in top-25 markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland, and an AM radio station. Meredith has approximately 350 books in print and has established marketing relationships with some of America's leading companies, including The Home Depot, DIRECTV, DaimlerChrysler, Wal-Mart, and Carnival Cruise Lines. Meredith's consumer database, which contains approximately 85 million names, is one of the largest domestic databases among media companies and enables magazine and television advertisers to target marketing campaigns precisely. Additionally, Meredith has an extensive Internet presence that includes 32 Websites and strategic alliances with leading Internet destinations. Meredith Hispanic Ventures publishes five Spanish-language titles, making Meredith the largest Hispanic publisher in the United States.

You've Got Breast Cancer

2008-06-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

For many people being told that they have cancer is one of the most stressful times in their lives. Just as we think we have everything under control, something comes along that can shatter even the strongest of wills.

Out of the blue, in September 2002, Sara faced one of the biggest challenges of her life - her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having nursed her mother through her illness, Sara took the step of having a mammogram just to make sure she herself was clear. All over Christmas she tried to put it to the back of her mind, but she couldn't help worrying.

On New Year's Eve 2002, she was horrified to learn that not only did she have breast cancer, but that it was a particularly aggressive form. Of course, Sara was very angry at first. She thought, Why me? It would have been better if I hadn't gone for a mammogram. She was also very scared. She said, When someone says, You have cancer, you immediately think you're going to die. I have to wait six weeks before my surgery and I have no idea how I will stay sane until then. What on earth am I going to do?"

After a few very bleak days, Sara decided she was determined not to give in too easily. Her mother had, after all, fought the disease, so she, too, could do the same. When she was calm enough to answer her question What on earth am I going to do? several answers came to her, as she was walking her dog.

Find out as much as possible about breast cancer.

Talk to other people who have faced similar situations.

Be realistic about what she could change and what she needed to accept.

When Sara opened her eyes and started to believe that she had choices, she was amazed at the different ideas that popped into her head. She discovered practical ways to prepare her body and mind prior to her mastectomy and re constructive surgery. She was able to make a number of choices in her life, including exercise, changing her diet and learning how to chill out with meditation.

By the time Sara went into hospital in February, her frame of mind had shifted from a very negative one to that of how she could take control of her life. She said, I can't stop the cancer running through my body but I can change how I deal with it. It's taking over my body but it doesn't have to take over my mind. I can control how I deal with it.

Sara is certain that her excessive workload, poor nutrition and lack of exercise had taken a toll on her body and were contributing factors to her state of health. She sees her illness as a new chapter in her life rather than the end of it. As well as conventional medicine, Sara has also discovered the power of laughter. "It is impossible to laugh and feel stressed at the same time. I think laughing brings about release."

If you are feeling stressed you might not feel like laughing. But laughter really is the best medicine. As Sara pointed out, it is difficult to laugh and feel anxious at the same time! Try it! How do you feel when you have a really good laugh? As soon as you start to laugh, the power of the stress is lessened.

I have recently been very involved in setting up a charity, Clowns in the Sky, which supports children suffering from brain tumors. Children with tumors spend many weeks in hospital undergoing painful treatment and we have found that bringing some fun into their lives makes a huge difference to their well-being. If they can laugh, so can you!

My favorite films are The Full Monty, Bridget Jones and Hitch. Why? Because they make me laugh!

This Christmas we tried out a really funny game. Try saying "purple sprouting broccoli" with your lips over your teeth; it is almost impossible to do. You will laugh with frustration that no one can understand you and others will laugh at you because you look and sound so silly. Don't worry, everyone including you will be laughing!

Is everything perfect for Sara? Of course not. Her initial surgery was successful although she was diagnosed with breast cancer again a few months ago. The fear that the cancer might return again has always been the hardest thing for her to deal with and it is something she thinks about every day. But she feels much more in control of certain aspects of her life. She is trying to focus on what she can change, just a day at a time. She still finds the visits to hospital very stressful, but she doesn't allow herself to dwell on negative aspects of her illness for too long as she has found it very counterproductive.

Sara didn't have any choice about having breast cancer. She did have choices, however, about how she chose to deal with life each day.

You may not be able to influence and overcome every stressful situation, but you can take charge over how you respond.

If you are facing a major change and finding life very stressful, what changes can you make to how you view the situation today?

If you want to manage stress in your life, you need to begin with yourself.

None of us are able to predict the future, but we can make the present better if we choose to.

What makes you laugh? Do you have a favorite video, a story, a joke or a friend who helps you to lighten up?

Focus on what you can change and you will start to feel more in control of your life.

Carolyn Matheson is a nationally recognized Coach, Speaker and Author of "Yes to Less Stress."

Carolyn is a Master Certified Coach, and works with executives and their teams across the world. She has pioneered an innovative approach to coaching, combining many years of high performance coaching with a holistic approach to work/life balance and has coached hundreds of leaders and their teams. Her experience as a presenter, both nationally and internationally, spans 20 years, with clients currently in Europe, Australia, the Middle and Far East, and the USA.

Breast Cancer - A Complete Overview

2008-06-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women affecting one in eight women during their lives. It may develop at any time but the risk of developing it increases as women get older. It is far more common in post-menopausal women and the risk continues to increase with rising age.

CAUSE

The cause of breast cancer is not known and while it can also occur in men, the much higher occurrence in women implicates estrogen.

Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of multiple environmental and hereditary factors. Breathing secondhand smoke increases breast cancer risk by 70% in younger, primarily pre-menopausal women.

A newly released study indicates a correlation between the drop in breast cancer and the drop in women taking HRT.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Breast cancer elicits so many fears, including those relating to surgery, death, loss of body image and loss of sexuality, however it is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early, therefore regular self examination and screening is essential. Breast cancer usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue, although most breast lumps are not cancerous.

Certain predisposing factors are clear.
Women at high risk are those who:
Have a family history of breast cancer.
Have long menstrual cycles, began menses early or menopause late.
Have never been pregnant
Were first pregnant after age 31.
Have had unilateral breast cancer.
Have endometrial or Ovarian cancer.
Were exposed to low level ionizing radiation.
Many other possible factors are still under investigation including, obesity, alcohol and environmental factors.

Those with lower risk include women who:
Were pregnant before age 20.
Have had multiple pregnancies.
Are native American or Asian.

Breast cancer occurs more often in the left breast and in the upper quadrant.
Indications of breast cancer other than a lump may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge.

TYPES

When breast cancer cells invade the dermal lymphatics, small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, its presentation can resemble skin inflammation and thus is known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d'orange.

The most common pathologic types of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast's ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast's lobules.

Occasionally, breast cancer presents as metastatic disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ. Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms.

TREATMENT

Much controversy still exists over treatment of breast cancer, options include; Surgery , chemotherapy, Radiotherapy,Hormonal therapies,Herceptin and complementary treatments.

The mainstay of breast cancer treatment is surgery when the tumor is localized, with possible adjuvant hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor), chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy.

In February 2007, the MammaPrint test became the first breast cancer predictor to win formal approval from the Food and Drug Administration. This is a new gene test to help predict whether women with early-stage breast cancer will relapse in 5 or 10 years, this could help influence how aggressively the initial tumor is treated.

Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) is an innovative method of treating breast cancer in a minimally invasive manner and without the need for surgical removal, and with the absence of any adverse effect on the health and survival of the patient during intermediate followup.

PREVENTION

Routine (annual) mammography of women older than age 40 or 50 is recommended by numerous organizations as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer and has demonstrated a protective effect in multiple clinical trials.

Women with one or more first-degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter) with premenopausal breast cancer should begin screening at an earlier age.

PROGNOSIS

There are many prognostic factors associated with breast cancer: staging, tumour size and location, grade, whether disease is systemic (has metastasized, or traveled to other parts of the body), recurrence of the disease, and age of patient.

With advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the death rate for breast cancer has declined by about 20% over the past decade, and research is ongoing to develop even more effective screening and treatment programs.

Dick Aronson has been involved in the healthcare industry for 35 years. He has written numerous articles on the subject and runs a number of informative websites,

The Importance Of Knowing Kidney Cancer Symptoms

2008-06-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

When it comes to cancer, many individuals automatically think of lung cancer or breast cancer. Although lung cancer and breast cancer are the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer, they are not the only types of cancer that you need to be concerned with. In fact, you should also be concerned with kidney cancer. Kidney cancer, like many other forms of cancer, comes in a number of different forms. One of the most commonly diagnosed forms includes renal cell carcinoma.

With Renal cell carcinoma cancer, as well as many other forms of cancer, diagnosis is the key. Without being diagnosed, many individuals are unaware that they even have kidney cancer. Kidney cancer, if diagnosed in the early stages, is treatable. However, to be treated in the early stages detection is important. The best way to prevent yourself from developing a fatal case of kidney cancer is to familiarize yourself with kidney cancer symptoms.

Common kidney symptoms include unusual colored urine, bloody urine, weight loss, a swelled abdomen, and abdominal, back, and flank pain. In the event that you display any of these kidney cancer symptoms, especially a combination of symptoms, you are advised to contact your healthcare professional immediately. Once your physician is aware of your symptom displays, it is likely that he or she will order a wide variety of different tests. These tests may include, but are not always limited to, a CBC, urine tests, a SGTP, liver tests, and kidney x-rays. Once a diagnosis has been made, you and your physician should work together to decide on the next course of action.

Knowing the above mentioned kidney cancer symptoms is one of the best ways to treat and diagnose kidney cancer, including renal cell carcinoma; however, it is not always enough. In addition to familiarizing yourself and keeping yourself up-to-date on common kidney cancer symptoms, you are advised to keep a close eye on your body and your overall health. The above mentioned symptoms make it possible to know what to look for, but it is important that you look.

One of the many reasons why it is important to not only know the most common kidney cancer symptoms, but also apply them to your body and your health, is because not all health care professionals will do it for you. Each year, in the Untied States, thousands of cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed. While that number may seem high, it is only a small percentage of the population. For that reason, many health care professionals will not consider kidney disease without your urging. Therefore, you will need to on the lookout for the display of symptoms.

When it comes to seeking professional assistance, from a health care professional, there are many individuals who do not. This is because many are actually unsure as to whether or not they are displaying the symptoms of kidney cancer. Many kidney cancer symptoms are also symptoms caused by other health problems. Whether you feel that you have kidney cancer or not, it is still advised that you seek professional assistance. As previously mentioned, abnormal urine colors, bloody urine, and abdominal swelling are all common kidney cancer symptoms. Whether or not you have kidney cancer, these are serious health issues that need to be addressed.

At the current moment, there is no exact cause for kidney cancer; although there has been a connection made between smoking and cancer. There is also the increased risk of kidney cancer if one or more of your family members have been diagnosed with it. Although it is always important to be on the lookout for the above mentioned kidney cancer symptoms, you should be even more cautious is you are at an elevated risk for developing this disease.

Breast Cancer Statistics – How Breast Cancer Survival Rates Increased 50%

2008-06-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year, according to the World Health Organization. For breast cancer and prevention, it has long been known that regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the likelihood of having breast cancer. What has not been known or studied has been the effect of regular physical activity on the breast cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women that already have breast cancer. That is, until now.

The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported by the American Medical Association's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in May 2005 were astounding! Certain participants in the study of women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved a 50% reduction in the death rate from breast cancer.

Here are these breast cancer statistics: the journal reported that in the study 2,987 female registered nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during the years 1984-1998. What the study found was that the women who had physical activity equivalent to walking at a steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% of the death rate of women who had physical activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a week. The conclusion of the breast cancer statistics in the study was that physical activity after breast cancer has been diagnosed may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer. The study found that there was little evidence of any relation between increased physical activity and increased benefit.

It's time to dust off those walking shoes!

As a physical activity, walking can be done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. All that's needed is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has the lowest injury rate of all the various kinds of exercise.

You can walk with a partner, friend, family member or dog, maybe even a neighbor's dog. Or you can walk with your favorite headset and music. If you are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear open to hear the sounds around you.

As for basic walking tips:

· As you begin regular walking, take it easy. Standard advice is to check with your physician before starting any exercise program. If it's been years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly increase your time and distance.

· Walking at a pace of 75–95 steps a minute will have you walking at a speed of about 2-3 miles per hour.

· Walk with your head up, looking out in front of you. Do not walk looking down right in front of you except to navigate any obstacles.

· Really take it easy the first 5 minutes of walking to warm up. Afterwards, gently stretch for 5–10 minutes while your muscles are warm.

· Practice good walking form. Your arms should swing naturally in the direction you're walking, not from side to side across your body. Your foot should strike the ground on your heel, then a rolling motion forward toward the ball of your foot, then pushing off with your toes.

And here are some basic walking shoes tips:

· Buy your walking shoes from a sporting shoes store with large selections. That will give you plenty of choices. And buy your walking shoes later in the day when your feet will be larger.

· Buy cushioned, supportive walking shoes. To see if a shoe is supportive, do this test -- take a shoe and turn it upside down. Holding each end of the shoe, try to fold it. If you find the shoe bends in the middle, then that shoe is not a supportive shoe. A supportive shoe should bend where your foot normally bends, near your toes.

· You should allow the width of your index finger between the end of your shoe and the end of your longest toe, or about one-half inch.

· Buy two pairs of walking shoes, one for home and one for the car or workplace. And if one pair gets wet, you can use the other pair that day.

Walking is the closest thing to the perfect exercise. In today's fast-paced society, regular walking can be a welcomed break from the stress of the day. Maybe you'll get to know your neighborhood or neighbors better. There may be walking trails you've never seen but wanted to.

Wherever and however you choose to walk, not only can the experience be fun, you'll know you're being good to your body in a variety of ways. Besides the incredible breast cancer statistics and findings of the breast cancer study, walking helps with weight control and bone strength, elevates mood, helps build and maintain healthy muscles, joints and heart. With so many great health benefits, why not get started walking today!

Health and Fitness, tackling Obesity

2008-06-11T23:37:00.000-07:00

Obesity has sadly become one of the most serious medical problems of the western world. It causes over 9,000 deaths in England alone each year and due to its highly rapid growth two thirds of all adults in the UK are now medically classed as being obese.

Obesity is a continually growing problem, which has been focused upon frequently in the media across recent times. It is more than gaining a ‘few extra pounds.’ It is a danger to your life that could leave you with life threatening illness.

The medical condition of obesity occurs when a person is carrying too much body fat for their height and sex. A person will be considered obese if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is greater than 30. An average, healthy persons BMI lies in the region of 20 to 25. The way in which your BMI is calculated is your weight in kilograms is divided by your height in meters. Depending on factors such as your height, you will be able to find out for your local GP or district nurse whether your BMI is healthy.

In certain cases obesity can be caused by the medication that you are on but this is rare. The main cause of obesity surrounds your calorie intake. If you eat more calories than you burn off your body will store this excess energy as body fat. The amount of calories that you burn off depends primarily on how active you are and the rate of your metabolism. A labour worker will burn more calories than an office worker due to the fact a labour worker is constantly active. This means a labour worker might need 4,000 calories a day to keep their energy intake up where as an office worker may only need 1,500 to get through the day.

Obesity is not only affecting adults anymore, the condition has started to affect more and more children of all ages. We are seeing it everywhere we look, news reports about the affects of obesity on children; how lifestyles and unhealthy eating are affecting the next generation and more and more is being done to encourage and help parents change this fact as it has been said that 10% of six year olds are now suffering from obesity and 17% of 15 year olds are starting to fall into this medical nightmare. These figures have more than tripled in the last 120 years.

Obesity in itself might just appear to be an extra little bit of weight when in reality it is the cause of a list of health problems which include;

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis
• High blood pressure
• Gallstones
• Infertility
• Depression
• Reduced life expectancy

Also when obesity is combined with a lack of exercise it can contribute to you suffering colon, breast, kidney and stomach cancers.

The only way to cure obesity is to control your calorie intake. The most effective way to go about doing this is by keeping a diet diary as a way of keeping track of your calorie intake. Your diet diary will list what you have ate each day so you can see when you have reached your calorie intake for the day.

Combined with your diet diary you should also start an exercise regime which enables you to do 30 minutes of exercise a day. You should choose exercises that you enjoy and that will help you in the best way.

The treatment of obesity is aimed at you losing weight to improve your general quality of life, both physically and psychologically.

How To Burn Body Fat

2008-06-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Learning how to burn body fat is one of the most important factors in attaining success as a bodybuilder. High body fat will always be self defeating if you wish to produce a sculpted body, so here we will show you how to burn body fat.

Method 1
This thought may well frighten some aspiring bodybuilders, but it is a good idea to take up boxing. No, you don't have to box competitively at any level, just find a boxing gym which will let you do some work, and give you some friendly advice. There is nothing like boxing training to add to a weight lifting program, and this combination will produce serious results.

Method 2
Although running is recommended as a form of exercise by just about any fitness trainer, it is by no means the only one. If you can find a form of exercise that you really enjoy, that will have a great effect on you. You will approach it with far more enthusiasm, and burn off a lot more fat. People who dislike running can try skipping, swimming, or cycling. Of course, if you happen to enjoy running, keep doing it!

Method 3
Make your routines as intense as possible. As part of finding out how to burn body fat, people discover that practising a skill improves your ability to perform it. The mile which you used to find impossible to run in nine minutes will one day be possible in eight, and with a lot less strenuous effort. Harder and more intense training is then needed to keep the improvement coming.

Method 4
Why not try swimming. This often overlooked exercise is often omitted from “how to burn body fat” guides, but swimming is extremely effective at burning fat if it done properly. Swimming also works some muscles which other exercises don't, and is good for retaining flexibility as your body continues to grow from your efforts. Maybe swimming is not for everybody, but there are some serious benefits to be had.

This article has now given you the basics of how to burn body fat, so you have a working basis from which to progress.

Visitors Medical Insurance

2008-06-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

Travelers should plan trips and consider health insurance that can protect them should a need arise.

Foreign travel can be both exciting and challenging. Travel planning calls for a lot of thought and time. Often healthcare needs of travelers are overlooked. This oversight can turn an otherwise great trip into something out of a nightmare.

These are some important steps you must take before you undertake any travel:

1. See your primary care physician and discuss your needs during your foreign travel. Ensure everybody is current with immunizations. Many Asian and African nations demand proof or certificate of vaccination. These requirements can be obtained from your travel agent.

2. Study your current health insurance plan to determine if it offers adequate coverage overseas. If it is not clear check with your insurance company about what is covered and excluded during overseas travel.

3. If your current health plan doesn’t offer coverage for medical expenses and medical evacuation it is prudent to consider foreign visitor insurance. If your travels are short term then you can consider a visitor medical insurance policy. If you are out on a long trip spanning several years then you can consider a more comprehensive international health insurance plan offering regular pregnancy and preventive healthcare benefits.

The premium for the plan is influenced by your age, the type of benefits and the length of coverage. It is best to speak to an experienced visitors insurance professional. Ask the right questions and ensure you protect your most important asset - health.

How to Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

2008-06-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

Everybody longs for white teeth and shining teeth. White teeth not only enhance beauty but also increase confidence. There are several methods which can help you to whiten teeth. These treatments can be tried at home. It is a good idea to brush the teeth with baking soda in between the meals. You can also try brushing with hydrogen peroxide. Some people mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda together. Never swallow hydrogen peroxide while brushing teeth as it can be harmful for your body.

For maintaining white teeth you should have a proper diet. If you want to clean teeth naturally then it is a good idea to eat lot of apples. Avoid eating sweets and sugars. It is a good idea to quit smoking as it is the main cause of teeth staining.

Drink plenty of water. Water is a natural cleaner of teeth. You should rinse your mouth after every meal. Regular brushing and flossing also prevent teeth decay. There is a big variety of natural teeth whiteners available in the market. But not all of them are natural as they claim to be. You should be very careful while buying dental care products. It is a good idea to visit a dentist before you buy anything. You can consult your friends and relatives who had recently bought such type of products. The main ingredients of whitening products are bamboo powder, calcium carbonate and silica. Combination of proper methods and diet can give you excellent results in couple of months.

Must Know to Avoid a Prostate Infection

2008-06-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It gives off the fluid that sperms come in during ejaculation. This gland can be infected and this is more likely to happen to adult males aged 30-50 years old. When prostate infection happens, the gland swells making it put pressure on the urethra, the tube that urine passes through from the bladder. This is why urination-related prostate symptoms happen.

Prostate infection is called prostatitis, a disease which has been divided into four categories: acute bacterial, chronic bacterial, chronic abacterial, and prostatodynia. Prostate infection happens in the first two kinds mentioned, while the cause of the other two is yet to be determined.

What causes a prostate infection? The culprits can be all sorts of different organisms like fungi, genital viruses, and parasites. The E-coli bacteria can cause prostate infection. How exactly do they work their way towards the gland. They get to the prostate by spreading or contact from the urethra or the urine. It must be noted though that prostate infection is not contagious.

Prostatitis comes in different kinds, which vary in their causes, and can be just as diverse in the symptoms that they produce. For instance, acute bacterial prostatitis is a prostate infection brought about by a bacterium that is ordinarily found in the large intestine. Prostate symptoms from such an infection are fever, chills, pain in the lower back and genital area, and trouble urinating. Chronic bacterial infection, on the other hand, may be caused by leftover organisms from an old prostate infection, an injury on the urinary tract, and infection of another body part that somehow spread to the prostate. In this case, prostate infection may be present with the victim none the wiser for the lack of symptoms. Prostate symptoms will only be evident once the infection spreads to the bladder.

Nonbacterial prostate infection still does not have determined causes. There are theories that indicate agents that are not detected by medical tests, weight lifting when the bladder is full, interstitial cystitis, abnormal setup of the urinary tract, or urine that accidentally gets into the prostate.

It has been estimated that half the men develop prostatitis sometime in their lives. It is the most common prostate problem among men under 50 years old. However, despite it being a common problem, very few studies are made on this condition. Prostate infection may not be life-threatening, but it does require treatment. When prostate symptoms are felt, it is best to undergo a prostate exam to determine the correct cause.

Dr. Wheeler Launches New Prostate Health Website Introducing Revolutionary Breakthrough in Prostatitis Research

2008-06-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

Dr. Wheeler, Urologist and CEO of Preferred Health Resources, announced today the launch of the Peenuts® Website featuring research that validates that suppression of Prostatitis through a Prostatitis supplement formula can suppress prostate cancer. This research sponsored by Preferred Health Foundation demonstrates that men can now live with prostate cancer much like men live with Diabetes or Arthritis.

Dr. Wheeler’s prospective study entitled, ‘Is It Always Necessary To Cure Prostate Cancer When It Is Possible?’ (Understanding the role of prostate inflammation resolution to prostate cancer evolution), has been accepted for publication in the Peer Reviewed Journal, “Clinical Interventions in Aging”. The study addresses the fact that many cases of prostate cancer are over treated. Results of the study are impressive. Specifically, 87% of men studied (n=23) noted a 58% reduction in Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) over an average of 38.5 months. Additionally, urinary symptoms (IPSS-Index) were reduced by an average of 61%, while men evaluated with EPS (expressed prostatic secretion) examinations noted a mean percentage reduction in white blood cells of 77.5%. The outcome of this study clearly validates the benefit of an effective alternative conservative therapy that may play well for the increasing numbers of prostate cancer patients who choose not to tolerate attempts at definitive curative measures and/or simply choose to follow a conservative approach when the diagnosis is made.

In an effort to prove that prostatitis resolution can prevent prostate cancer, Dr. Wheeler has announced the protocol for a Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. Dubbed, the ProCap Trial, the study expects to begin an accrual of patients through several Veterans’ Administration Hospitals in the coming year. While individual ingredients like vitamin E and Selenium have demonstrated an impact on the risk of getting prostate cancer, a formula that resolves prostatitis has never been studied with prostate cancer as an endpoint. Peenuts®, a world wide patented, synergistic blend of natural ingredients including vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids intended for the health of the prostate will be compared to a placebo in a randomized, double blind, age-matched study. The findings from this study are expected to alter the landscape of disease understanding. Peenuts®, was chosen for study consideration based on results from the previously discussed prospective study entitled, “Is it Always Necessary to Cure Prostate Cancer When it is Possible”?

The ability of nutritional ingredients to have an impact on the evolution of prostate cancer is well chronicled in the literature through the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene (ATBC) Finnish Study and through the work of Larry Clark, PhD at the University of Arizona who evaluated the benefit of Selenium on prostate cancer. Specifically, Vitamin E (50 IU) was noted to decrease the incidence of prostate cancer by 34% while Selenium (200 mcg) was noted to decrease the incidence of prostate cancer by 66%. Currently, the NCI (National Cancer Institute) is attempting to corroborate the benefit of these two ingredients separately and in combination through the Select Trial. Anticipated completion date is 2012.

Notwithstanding the benefits anticipated as outlined with the Select trial, it is postulated that if the Peenuts®, formula can suppress and/or stabilize all cases of prostate cancer as noted in the prospective study (previously discussed), it may be possible for this formula to prevent prostate cancer. The mechanism of action with the Peenuts ®, formula is believed to be associated with the resolution of prostatitis through a decrease in cellular oxidative stress validated by an improvement in EPS, the clinical diagnostic marker for prostatitis. Beyond the resolution of this disease marker with continued use, there is an expectation to experience a decrease in PSA, thereby decreasing patient anxiety while noting an improvement in voiding symptoms. As the prostate returns to health, predictable doctor visits associated with prostate disease issues are expected to decline.

About Preferred Health Resources
Preferred Health Resources was founded on principles of excellence in health as provided through awareness for proper diet, appropriate nutrition, adequate exercise, stress reduction and education. Through the relentless efforts of Ronald E. Wheeler, M.D., our physician consultant, we are dedicated to providing world class supplements validated by science and clinical research.

We believe that proper diet should be the cornerstone of health while nutritional supplementation is intended to provide the complement that diet requires to ensure a healthy lifestyle for you, the consumer. Beyond our significant scientific data and patents, the manufacturing commitment combines a GMP A-rated, pharmaceutical-like environment with state-of-the-art technology that ensures the highest quality biologically active ingredients go into every bottle before our label goes on, signifying our product is ready for the market place.

Preferred Health Resources manufactures and distributes Peenuts®, the world’s most studied and accomplished nutrient formula for prostate health, UroStar®, representing an outstanding array of nutritional ingredients wrapped around the clinically proven and patented Peenuts® formula, Bladder Balance®, intended to assist female patients with interstitial cystitis and/or signs and symptoms of chronic bladder inflammation/infection, while allowing others to maintain a healthy lifestyle proactively through prevention and Nextep ™, a wonderfully crafted composite formula created to combat inflammation, including signs and symptoms of arthritis and joint stiffness common to an aging population.

Studies Give "Greenlight" to Long-Term Efficacy of Prostate Laser Surgery

2008-06-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

Roughly half of all men over 60 and 9 out of 10 men over 80 will develop a condition called BPH -- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland - in their lifetimes. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 6.5 million American men suffer from BPH, whose symptoms range from frequent, painful, and night time urination to even urinary incontinence to sexual dysfunction.

While BPH is not a life-threatening condition, most patients agree that its effects cast a serious and long-lasting pall on their quality of life. Now, new research testing the long-term efficacy of a minimally invasive laser treatment for BPH is providing evidence that the treatment is safe and effective over the long term.

"GreenLight laser therapy (a photoselective vaporization) offers most patients a host of benefits over the traditional surgical procedure for BPH," explains Dr. Benjamin Choi, MD, a leading urologist and GreenLight laser therapy expert with Gramercy Urology Solutions in NYC who has trained more than 200 physicians across the country to perform the procedure. "The current research bears out our earliest findings on GreenLight laser therapy, that it reduces surgical risks while providing excellent results in the vast majority of BPH patients," Dr. Choi notes.

Studies reinforce benefits of GreenLight laser therapy PV --

The prostate is a walnut sized gland located near the urethra, responsible for generating and regulating seminal fluid in men. As it enlarges with age, the prostate can act as a vise around the urethra and create urinary difficulties. When surgery is required to ablate the excess prostate tissue, patients usually have three options. A new GreenLight laser therapy PV (photoselective vaporization) procedure is done by a thin laser fiber that is inserted into the urethra through a cytoscope, and the fiber emits a high-powered laser light beam that specifically targets blood cells, thereby limiting bleeding complications, and actually vaporizes the excess prostate tissue.

Prior to GreenLight laser therapy laser surgery, most surgical BPH patients were forced to choose between open prostatectomy, a fully invasive open surgical procedure, or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) -- wherein doctors insert an electrified wire loop into the urethra and use it to cut away the enlarged tissue, which then exits the body through the bladder. Both procedures were inherently complicated by very vascular prostate tissue which can bleed profusely during or after surgery.

In several review and clinical studies published since the beginning of the year, GreenLight laser therapy PV laser surgery has been compared to both of these traditional procedures, with positive results. In the March issue of Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases1, for instance, researchers randomized patients to compare results of TURP and GreenLight laser therapy, and found that both procedures were effective at reducing symptoms -- but the GreenLight laser therapy group had far fewer complications.

What's more, in a review published in the January 2007 issue of Current Opinion in Urology2, researchers confirm that the benefits of the procedure are durable for at least 3-5 years. And in research reported in last month's British Journal of Urology3, doctors found that GreenLight laser therapy PV laser surgery is a viable alternative for men with severely enlarged prostates, for whom TURP is often contraindicated, and who otherwise would require open prostatectomies.

Risks and complications of traditional approaches --

According to Dr. Choi, both open prostatectomy and TURP are more invasive than the GreenLight laser therapy PV procedure. He notes, "The same studies that have shown the long-term safety and effectiveness of GreenLight laser therapy PV have also reinforced the elevated risk for complications associated with open prostate surgery (OP) and TURP." For instance, patients undergoing OP or TURP may experience excessive bleeding during or after the surgery, which can lengthen recovery time and increase the need for blood transfusions.

"During the GreenLight laser therapy PV procedure, the laser seals off blood vessels as we work, which decreases the chance of excessive bleeding," Dr. Choi explains. In addition, patients undergoing OP or TURP are much more likely to be at risk for other complications such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and also to require extended catheterization and/or hospitalization -- both of which can increase risks of infection. "The majority of GreenLight laser therapy PV procedures can be safely done as same-day surgeries with little or even some instances with no catheterization required," Dr. Choi notes.

"As urologists, we see an array of medical conditions every day, but BPH is one of the most prevalent and most challenging issues we face, because of its tendency to rob otherwise healthy, active men of their independence and their quality of life," Dr. Choi concludes. "That's why, in the field of medical research, revolutionary advances like GreenLight laser therapy PV laser surgery are so important, because they give patients their lives back without significant complications associated with conventional prostate surgery."

1 Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2007 Mar;10 Suppl 1

2 Curr Opin Urol. 2007 Jan;17(1)

3 BJU Int. 2007 May 19

About Benjamin Choi, MD:

Benjamin Choi, MD, is a leading urologist specializing in disorders of the male and female urinary tract (bladder, ureter, kidney, and urethra) and the male reproductive system. Dr. Choi is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Urology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and an attending urologist at New York Presbysterian Hospital in New York. He completed his internship in surgery at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and residency in urology at James Buchanan Brady Foundation of New York Presbysterian Hospital- Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Dr. Choi is certified by the American Board of Urology. He has extensive basic and clinical research experience and has published in leading medical journals in areas of a novel therapeutic research such as gene therapy. He has written numerous articles in several topics in Urology over the years. His current clinical expertise are in minimally invasive endoscopic urologic surgeries in such as topics including benign prostatic hyperplasia, renal stone, aparoscopic surgery in urologic diseases, out-patient surgery for female stress incontinence, and out-patient no-scalpel vasectomy.

He has numerous achievements and awards including The New York Academy of Medicine Fellow Research Competition, Ferdinand C. Valentine Essay Contest of New York Urology Section, and the 35th Annual Urology Chief Residents Meeting. He is also a member of the American Urological Association, the New York Urologic Society and the Korean American Medical Association.

Dr. Choi was the first physician to perform live ambulatory GreenLight laser therapy laser prostatectomy in New York City. Since 2004 Dr. Choi has trained many physicians in New York City and throughout the country on the Greenlight laser procedure. He serves as Director of BPH services for Gramercy Urology Solutions, PC. Dr. Choi was recently selected for the International GreenLight laser therapy Physicians Panel. This group of eight physicians from around the world has been chosen to develop a universal training technique for the new GreenLight laser therapy HPS prostatectomy.

About Gramercy Urology Solutions:

Gramercy Urology Solutions, PC is an AAAHC Accredited Lithotripsy Center and offers urologists the opportunity to treat their patients in a warm, patient-friendly environment that is often missing in a hospital-based setting. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest equipment for the treatment of kidney stones and prostate disease.

Common Causes of Prostate Infection

2008-06-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

Depending upon which type of prostate infection you have, this will determine the possible causes. Each type of prostate infection is different in the fact of what type of symptoms you will present with as well as the common causes of prostate infection.

Category 1-Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

The most common cause of this type of prostate infection is the bacterium that is typically found in the large intestine. Sometimes an infection from the urethra or bladder can spread an infection to the prostate gland as well if left untreated.

Category 2-Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

Experts are not really sure what the cause of a chronic bacterial infection can be. It sometimes develops after you have experienced an acute prostatitis episode when some of the bacteria may remain in the prostate gland. Another cause of this type of prostate infection is an injury to the urinary tract because of sports such as bicycle riding or horseback riding, the use of a catheter to drain the bladder or an infection present in another part of the body that makes its way to the prostate.

Category 3-Nonbacterial Prostatitis

There are many theories of the cause of this type of prostate infection. The reasons are not clear or well defined. Some believe that this type of prostate infection is caused by an infectious agent that doesn't show up in typical lab tests. Another cause is thought to from lifting objects that are heavy when the bladder is full. It is thought that the urine may back up into the prostate gland and cause inflammation.

A condition that was more prevalent in women and is being seen more frequently in men is interstitial cystitis. This is an infection of the bladder or urinary tract and is thought to be one of the causes for nonbacterial prostatitis.

Sometimes this condition is caused by urinary tract structure abnormalities. If there are strictures or narrowing of the urethra, it can cause more pressure when you are urinating and result in symptoms and inflammation. Prostate infection is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually, so you will have no worries about passing prostatitis to your partner.

Keep Healthy with Herbal Detox

2008-06-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Detoxification is a way of assisting your body to rid itself of the toxins stored in your tissues. Detoxification can clean the body of accumulated toxins helping us to regain energy and to function better; we need to remember that detoxification is not one single event but part of an ongoing process. Gradual change is better than a sharp short shock when it comes to detox. This involves eating more healthy, less processed foods, cutting down or eliminating fast foods, caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and drugs. An organic diet, drinking lots of water and getting regular exercise all help to facilitate the detox process.

Herbs offer a short and reasonably gentle way to aid detoxification. Many herbs not only detox but also stimulate the metabolism and increase blood flow to vital tissue, for example, antifungal herbs prohibit the growth of yeasts that can cause candida, and anti-oxidants help protect against free radicals.

People nearly always mention fasting when you detox. This is not always beneficial or needed. Fasting does not mean refraining from eating or drinking and it does not have to be depressing or austere. I would not recommend fasting for longer than 24 hours, and during this time you must drink as much fluid as possible. Anyone thinking of fasting must be in good health. It not recommended for young children, the elderly, the chronically ill, those suffering from a serious disease, anyone addicted to drugs or alcohol or who has been exposed to dangerous chemicals. In any of these cases consult a qualified health practitioner first - the same goes for pregnant or breast-feeding women.

When we detoxify we need to take life more gently, it is a time to reflect about the emotional and physical reason that may have caused the toxins, it's a time to confront these reasons and make the changes necessary to stop future toxin build up. This is a time to treat your body and relax your mind. Take a massage, do yoga, have a sauna, mineral baths or an herbal wrap -all of these help with the detoxification process.

Herbs to use for detoxing

Natural Laxatives and diuretics

While you are fasting it is important to keep your kidneys working well as they are extremely important in the process of eliminating toxins.

Juniper berries (Juniperus communis) strengthen and detoxify the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract. As a word of warning do not use juniper berries long term but from time to time and when you may have a kidney infection it works extremely well as a cleanser. Nettle (Urtica dioica) is an extremely good diuretic as is burdock root that is very similar to the nettle in its gentle diuretic actions.

Psyllium husks and seeds (Plantago indica, P. ovata and P. psyllium) are good gentle natural laxative. It is also adaptogenic and makes a good treatment for Irritable Bowel syndrome. Liquorice root -"the great harmoniser" in Chinese medicine, is mildly laxative and good from nourishing the adrenal glands. Alfalfa sprouts are also a good all round laxative.

Detox the liver

Milk thistle (Carduus marianus syn. Silybum marianum) and dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) help to cleanse and strengthen the liver. Milk thistle contains silymarin, which is believed to help with liver regeneration as well as being an antioxidant, while Dandelion root also helps remove waste from both the liver and the gallbladder. Milk thistle is a natural antioxidant.

Lymphatic system

One function of the lymphatic system is to remove waste from cells, many people believe that cellulite is a symptom of inadequate lymphatic drainage. The following are the best herbs, in essential oil form, to stimulate the lymphatic system and draw toxins out from under the skin. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), thyme (Thymus vulgarus but use carefully as it can be irritating to the skin), celery (Apium graveolens), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), and lemon (Citrus limon).

Blend three of these different oils, for a total of fifteen to twenty drops, in one ounce of carrier oil and use for massage or skin brushing.

Good luck!

Healthy way of living is simple and easy

2008-06-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

Just like we have a wide range of choice when we go to buy clothes, shoes and accessories, there are that many if not more related to bath and beauty products.

Just like we have a wide range of choice when we go to buy clothes, shoes and accessories, there are that many if not more related to bath and beauty products. When a family occasion is around the corner, we start making plans weeks in advance. This will include what would be the ideal gift, dress to wear, matching shoes, and accessories. If it is a wedding, then we start browsing through the net or various books to find that perfect dress for the occasion. The dress has to be fashionable, accentuate our key features, and be unique. Some approach designers to make a special outfit for the day. It would be one of those dresses we see models walk in on the ramps or in movies, fit for the queen so to say. The last item on our “to do” list will be to visit our parlor for choosing the right hairdo for the evening. All this involves spending time with the hair stylist, going through style books or the net to find the one that will stand out. One thing we need to watch out for is that the parlor use only natural hair products else our hair condition will get ruined.

An alternative to visiting a parlor would be to buy one of the leading natural hair care products from the market and using it at home and then approach the parlor just to set our hair. If one notices their hair has become dry, they need to use oil massage therapy to rejuvenate the hair follicles. And they must also increase intake of iron and zinc in their diet. There are certain natural hair products which have minerals and vitamins that help repair this damage, like the ZYX hair remedy. There are also shampoos like the Vital essence shampoo available in the market to help hair grow better.

Another instance is when a person has been observing their locks have split ends, also known as tricoptlosis; they need to trim the ends regularly. Split ends are because once hair grows to a certain length, the hair cuticles become damaged and the inner portion of hair follicles becomes dry and splits. If you don’t visit a parlor or trim the ends at home at set intervals, it could lead to the entire lock getting damaged. Some people are also sensitive to harsh chemicals and their skin would break out in a rash, to avoid such consequences, the natural hair products manufactured are free from sulphate and contain natural herbs and vegetable fruit extracts.

The natural hair product range of shampoos will consist of Rosemary cineole, which is good for those suffering from dandruff owing to which there is hair loss. Another ingredient that is good is Ylang Ylang, with its antiseptic properties that promote healthy hair. Lemon, which we use on a daily basis, is the best medicine for our hair, astringent and stimulating, it helps cleanse the scalp and hair bringing back the shine in our locks. Apples and Vitamin A are said to bring about magic in our hair, reviving fast growth and preventing irritations.

By eating right, and using hair care products that don’t have chemicals, we can keep our hair healthy and looking beautiful.

Women's Health you must read

2008-06-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

I was about 15 years old when I first learned about masturbation. I was always curious about my bodily functions and sex, but I was also extremely shy to ask my mom or grandmother about it. My friends and I discussed these topics a lot (I think they were the only topics at that time) but none of us were really experts. Nonetheless, we all pooled out knowledge together, but we got nowhere.

I Found Mom?s Women?s Health Magazine Very Interesting

There were so many questions floating in my mind, when I found by chance my mom?s women?s health magazine. Leafing through it I got a glimpse of a lot of ?the right type of information? and so I sat down to read it. I still remember the relief I felt when I read that masturbation is normal and that all girls and boys did so around my age. I was feeling extremely depressed regarding this fact. My friends were also worried about this, to tell you the truth.

I shared the women?s health magazine with my friends, and from then on we read it every week. The routine would be to wait for a week, time within which mom reads the magazine back to back. By the second week, no one wants to know where the magazine is. This is the time when we used to take the magazine and enjoy the information given therein.

There is a wealth of information in most of women?s health magazines and it is wonderful to have it at your fingertips. By the way of fingertips, in this computer-age, you will be happy to know that there are a great number of electronic women?s health magazines on the internet itself.

Information is power. It is always good to know the answer when the question pops up in your mind. This is why it is good that parents maintain a very open and friendly way of conversing and communicating. This is important because no women?s health magazine can ever provide the caring guidance a parent can offer.

A good tip regarding find the right women?s health magazine: chose those health magazines which give in depth information about women concerns and diseases. Remember, ?ailment? term is not always attached to those who have a sick body. There are a million of other deviations, including the fact that as the women approach their menopause, women almost loose control over their body. The symptoms of menopause can be terrifying if you are not prepared for it. It is in situations like this that books and magazines are indeed a great help!

Roland Parris Jefferson III is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free tips, resources and expert advice on Women's Health, please visit our Womens Health Magazine Resource.

5 things you Must Know before you choose your Health Insurance

2008-05-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Making a wise decision on which Health Insurance Policy to buy may seem like a confusing task, but if you consider just these five most important items you and your agent will both find that you are a Savvy Buyer! These items are your KEYS to picking a policy that's right for you:

1. The Insurance Company's Rating

Ask your agent for the Company's A.M. Best rating. If the company is highly rated at this national rating registry, then the company will have literature showing their rating with an explanation of what it means. Choose only companies that have an A or A+ rating.

2. The Insurance Company's Record of Complaints at your State Board of Insurance

Every large company will have some complaints. Avoid companies that have a high number of unresolved complaints. Ask your agent for the phone number for your State Board of Insurance. If he will not give it to you, this is a warning signal! You can also look up the number in any directory of your state's agencies. No matter what your agent says, CALL your State Board of Insurance and ask them for the record on any company you are considering.

3. The Limits Shown On Your Health Insurance Quote

Check your quote to see if you are comfortable with the benefit levels. You can usually change several levels to fit your needs and budget. For example, a higher deductible will cost less each month. Also, many plans give you a choice to split your medical bills with the Insurance Company either 50/50 or 80/20 (with them paying 80%). Then they will have an amount (your stop loss) where they will take over at paying 100% of your covered bills for the remainder of the year. These deductibles and other levels start over every year in most plans. Some plans, though, have a "per cause" deductible. Such a deductible means that you will be responsible for bills up to that deductible for each accident or illness. Make sure you are aware of this distinction, so you can choose a plan that's right for YOU!

4. The Limits Revealed Within The Policy

Ask your agent for a sample policy, and then check two sections: The Benefits and The Limitations and Exclusions. Many of your benefits are actually limited in the Benefits section. For example, diagnostic testing or outpatient treatment may be severely limited. These days, you could have a serious disease such as cancer, and never go into the hospital for it. You could rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills for the diagnostic and follow-up lab tests and MRIs, and then have surgery, chemo, or radiation therapy all on an outpatient basis.

Other items that may be limited are your hospital room rate and intensive care. Your hospital room rate should be at least average semi-private and your intensive care benefit should NOT be tied to your room rate, but should, instead, be covered as whatever is an average ICU rate for the area of the hospital, also. Some policies limit the ICU benefit to 3 times the regular room rate, when ICU can cost you 10 or 20 times the room rate each day. A short hospital stay with a limit like this in your policy can cost you literally thousands of dollars. A long hospital stay with a limit like this in your policy could drive you into bankruptcy. Even if your policy says it takes over at 100% after $5,000 of covered medical bills, the important term here is "covered" medical bills. If the policy only pays three times the room rate for ICU, then the rest of the ICU bill is considered an "uncovered" charge!

Look out for these types of limits!

Also, be sure to check the Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation if you already have any medical conditions, and ask your agent if the Company will be excluding your conditions permanently on your policy.

5. Pay the Insurance Company, Not the Agent, & Follow Up!

And lastly, make your check payable to the Insurance Company, and then follow up to make sure it was received. When you get your policy, check the Schedule of Benefits to verify you got the coverage you ordered, and then check to see if any special Amendments were added to your policy to exclude any of your conditions. If an Amendment exists, these conditions will always be excluded from this policy, even after the Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation expires.

Following these five tips will help you choose a health insurance policy which will protect you from catastrophic medical bills. You may think, "Isn't that what any health insurance policy is for?" Yes, that is the reason for buying any health insurance policy, but, unfortunately, many policies fall short of actually providing this protection! Be sure to take the time to choose wisely when it comes to your health insurance!

To view our recommended sources for health insurance, or to read more articles about health insurance, visit:

Insurance Quote Puppy for free health insurance quotesJimmy Chuang is the publisher of http://insurance-quote-puppy.com. He provides more insurance information and offers free home, life, health and auto insurance quotes on his website.

The Benefits Of Health Insurance

2008-05-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Our health is perhaps our greatest and most treasured possession in life, yet many people overlook health insurance as an option that is too expensive. Although health insurance can cost a lot, there are some great deals to be had and if you can afford it then it might help save your life. Here are some benefits and tips about health insurance:

What is private health insurance?

Health insurance covers the cost of private medical treatment for curable illness or injury. Private health insurance means that your treatment is paid for and takes place in a private hospital. You usually pay a premium monthly or yearly for the level of cover that you desire. Private health insurance is designed to give you the peace of mind to have elective treatment faster than you could on the NHS.

Benefits of health insurance

The obvious benefit of health insurance is that you don't have to wait for treatment. With the NHS being stretched to the limit many people have to wait for operations and treatment whilst in discomfort and pain. With private insurance your treatment is covered and you can have the treatment much more quickly, whilst also being in the comfort of private accommodation. This gives people the peace of mind knowing that if they need any elective treatment they will not have to wait for it. If you wanted private treatment but did not have insurance, the fees would be extremely high. Even a simple MRI scan done privately can cost over ?1000, so having insurance to cover this extremely cost effective.

Levels of cover

The level of cover you receive depends on how much you are willing to pay and what you want. Policies can cover you just for surgery, or for other treatments like physiotherapy and acupuncture. Some policies will cover you for all of these things, but expect to pay quite a lot of money in premiums for all the benefits. The amount you have to pay also depends on your age and current health status.

Things not covered

Although private medical insurance can cover you for most curable acute illnesses, there are a number of things it does not cover you for. Normally when you take out health insurance you will be asked about your medical history and to provide documents detailing past medical treatment. Anything that you have problems with already will not be covered by your policy. Also, you won?t be covered for things outside the scope of private health insurance, like accident and emergency admittance. Other examples of things that are usually not covered are psychiatric illness, long-term incurable illnesses, GP services and regular dental treatment.

Getting medical insurance

There are a number of providers of medical insurance, both online and offline. It pays to shop around to find a good deal for the level of cover you want. Although medical insurance can be pricey with full cover for someone over 50 costing thousands of pounds a year, the benefits are immeasurable. Even if you claim just once in a few years you will have saved yourself time and money. If you look around you will be able to find a reasonably priced health insurance policy to suit your needs.

Peter Kenny is a writer for creditcards-gb For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about credit cards, please visit us at http://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk and http://www.thriftyscot.co.uk/Insurance/

Cheap High Risk Health Insurance

2008-05-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Health insurance is not cheap in Alabama or anywhere else. In fact, it has become so expensive that 16% of all Alabama residents can't afford to pay for health insurance at all. Fortunately there are steps that almost every Alabama resident can take that will save them hundreds of dollars each and every year on it.

First, you need to find group health insurance and not individual health insurance. If your place of employment doesn't offer you an affordable group health plan don't give up. Did you know that many groups, organizations and associations offer their members low-cost group health? Ask around. If you don't belong to a group that provides members with group health see if any of your family or friends belong to such an organization. If so - join.

Don't smoke cigarettes or use chew. You've heard it all before a thousand times, but it's still true. You will not find the cheapest insurance if you smoke or use chew.

Unfortunately you also won't find it if you are overweight. Insurance companies base your premium, at least in part, on your Body Mass Index (BMI). There is hope, however. If you can manage to lose even a handful of pounds it is possible that you will drop down a notch on the insurance company's BMI chart - and if you are lucky enough for that to happen then you could save money every single month.

Paying your premiums automatically each month saves your insurance company the expense of billing you and they will pass a portion of that savings on to you. If you don't see your doctor on a regular basis then it will pay you handsomely to increase your co-payment to 50%.

Increasing your deductible will save you money instantly. Increase your deductible to the highest level you feel comfortable with, just keep in mind that you will be required to pay your deductible out of your own resources each year so don't go overboard.

Finally you can save a great deal and most easily find the cheapest high risk health insurance in Alabama if you look for your insurance online. Obviously you want to see the largest number of quotes possible so you can be certain of finding the best possible price, and the only way to do that is to run your price comparisons on more than one site.

But once you've taken the time to run your comparisons on multiple sites then all that's left is for you to review all the prices you found and simply pick the lowest one. This is how you find the very best price possible on health insurance here in the great state of Alabama.

Finding cheap medical insurance companies in Alabama is becoming harder and harder to do. It seems that no medical insurance is cheap any longer. In fact, the cost of medical insurance has gotten so high that more than 16% of all families in Alabama are currently without health insurance of any kind. Fortunately if you find yourself in that position, or close to it, there are a number of things you can do today that can lower the cost of your health insurance as quickly as tomorrow.

If you haven't already set up the automatic payment of your monthly premium directly from your bank account then do so today. This isn't a huge savings, but every little bit adds up.

If you don't see your doctor very often in a normal year then increase your co-payment from 25% to 50%. This can save you several hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.

If you can possibly afford it, increasing your deductible will decrease your monthly premium almost instantly. Just be sure that you have the resources to pay for the additional deductible each year before your insurance takes over.

If you smoke or use chew you simply must quit if you want any chance of finding the cheapest medical insurance you can. If you're serious about saving money then you've got to get serious about quitting smoking.

You've also got to get serious about improving your health in general. Stop eating at fast food restaurants - or at least cut back the number of days you do considerably. Do not super-size meals and do not buy french-fries or other fried items. Changing your eating habits is not as difficult as you might think.

Getting a little exercise will improve your health and help you lose weight. Walk around the block a few times each week. Ride your bike to do errands or ride your bike to school each morning with your kids. Join a group that walks around the mall each morning. Get up, get out and move around!

There's only one place for you to find the cheapest medical insurance companies in Alabama and that's online. It's not hard to find several websites that allow you to make comparisons of health insurance prices from different insurance companies. Just make sure that you check out the prices from a number of different sites rather than relying on just one site.

But after you've taken the time to make comparisons on 3 or more websites you should have sufficient choices to pick the very best rate for health insurance that you are likely to find.

Affordable Child Health Insurance

2008-05-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Finding affordable health insurance is no easy task unless you are employed by a business that offers a health benefits package. Unfortunately, not everyone works, or works for an employer who offers a group health insurance plan to his or her employees. If you or your spouse doesn?t have affordable health insurance in San Antonio, Texas, how is your child supposed to obtain affordable child health insurance? Imagine trying to find affordable child health insurance for your child if you?re having difficulty finding affordable health insurance for yourself.

If you live in San Antonio, Texas, or anywhere in Texas for that matter, and have a child or children who are without adequate health insurance, you may want to look into Medicaid for Texas Children.

Medicaid for Texas Children is both a state and federal assistance program that provides children with excellent comprehensive health insurance at affordable prices or at no cost at all. To be eligible for Medicaid for Texas Children, a child must be a resident of the United States and of Texas, under the age of 19. The family of the child applying for Medicaid for Texas Children must meet the Medicaid of Texas Children income requirements.

If a child belongs to a family that receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also referred to as TANF, the child will instantly qualify for Medicaid for Texas Children. Otherwise, the child?s eligibility is determined by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, also referred to as HHSC. If a child is found to be eligible for Medicaid for Texas Children, his or her family?s financial status may be evaluated every half year or so to make sure the child is still eligible.

For more information about the Medicaid for Texas Children program, visit the Texas Department of Insurance Web site, or give them a call. You can also visit the Web site of the Texas Health and Human Services System.

How To Save Money And Get Discount Health Insurance

2008-05-28T10:38:00.001-07:00

Although most of us don't want to consider the possibility that we may get sick, it does happen. In fact, many people are being diagnosed with serious illnesses each and every day and without adequate health insurance, they are forced to tap into their personal financial resources to try and pay for medical care. A much better alternative for residents of Kentucky is to find a discount health insurance plan.

Group coverage is the best way to find low cost health insurance in Kentucky. If you happen to work for an employer who offers it as part of your benefit package, take advantage of this. Not only does it offer the lowest premiums imaginable, there are other benefits too. One important benefit is that if you are covered under a group plan in this state you cannot be charged more because you are already ill.

If you don't have the benefit of a group plan, there are still ways to save money and get discount health insurance in Kentucky. For individuals who are in almost perfect health and don't need to visit a doctor regularly they may want to consider purchasing a catastrophic health plan. Although this typically provides no coverage for things like routine office visits or prescription medications, it does provide extensive coverage for any major illness. This is a great approach for someone who is young and doesn't have a family history of any serious conditions.

One of the easiest and most beneficial approaches to saving on health insurance is to get in better shape. Healthier individuals pay less for premiums on their insurance. So if you're overweight, sedentary or a smoker, change your lifestyle and you'll not only notice a big difference in how you look and feel but you'll save money on insurance costs too.

One common worry among parents, regardless of where they live, is that their children will become ill. This is one of the main reasons parents are always encouraging their children to eat properly, to exercise and to bundle up when it's wet or cold outside. Ensuring that the child also has health care coverage is important and for parents who can't afford it, this can be a heavy burden to carry. In the state of Kentucky, any parent who isn't able to purchase health insurance for their child may qualify for coverage under the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program.

For anyone who doesn't qualify for this government sponsored program there are still ways to find affordable health insurance in Kentucky. One way that many people utilize is to take a higher deductible than the standard that is offered with the policy. A higher deductible will mean lower premiums but this is really only a viable option if the individual purchasing the policy can afford the deductible when they need to seek out care.

If you have your heart set on visiting a particular physician, you can expect to pay more for health insurance in Kentucky. Individuals who take out a plan that isn't restrictive like this can expect to pay less for insurance. If money is an issue, it's a good idea to choose a plan that picks your doctor for you.

Many medical services are optional and can be either included or declined when you are purchasing your health insurance policy. If you and your partner both have perfect vision, you may not need to invest the extra money in health insurance that also provides vision care for your family. If this does become an issue in the future, you can always adjust your coverage. In the meantime you'll be able to save money.

Health Insurance What for ?

2008-05-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

Health is wealth so they say and every person should prepare financially and emotionally for the possibility of any health problems that may come his way at any time in the future. People say the only things certain in life are taxes and death. Perhaps, illness should also be included in that list because every person can get sick at any time.

A person will only realize the importance of preparing for the possibility of health problems when he is already afflicted with an ailment and he has not prepared for it financially. When that time comes, the sick person is faced not only with pressing health problems but with unpaid bills as well.

Most Americans are aware of the importance of getting a health insurance. However, there are still Americans who do not have healthcare coverage because of a variety of reasons and one of them is the increasing cost of health insurance.

The price of healthcare in the United States is on the rise and majority of American families can no longer afford it without a health insurance. The cost of healthcare has been on the rise because of the number of people getting in and out of hospital annually. It seems that the unhealthy way of life of most Americans plus the increasing number of old people in America are pushing the demand for healthcare to the limit.

Research shows that at least half of the American families could not afford health insurance because of insufficient income. Most American employees who annually earn no more than fifty thousand dollars work for small businesses that do not offer health insurance or coverage.

There are existing health coverage programs offered by the government like Medicaid but there should be more effort to educate the people about these programs. Some people who may qualify for the government health programs are not aware of the existence of the program and how to qualify for that program. More often, the bureaucracy is also one of the reasons why some Americans have not availed of the health programs.

Responsible parenthood means providing healthcare not only for the parents but also for their children. The government offers free and low cost health programs for qualified children of Americans as well as for children of immigrants. Such health programs provide coverage for a variety of health expenses like medicine, fee for doctors and even payment for hospitalization.

Every family should be aware of the importance of healthcare coverage. Thus, every family should invest in a quality healthcare program especially at a time when the parents are still able to work and pay for the proper health insurance. Otherwise, families who cannot pay for health insurance but are qualified for State healthcare coverage should start researching on the different government health programs and apply for the program which suits them.

The author is a regular contributor to http://www.myinsurancehealthplan.com where more information about personal and group health plan information is available.

Vitamin for Boosting your Immune System

2008-05-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

In all honesty is not a vitamin, but it can certainly help to boost your immune system. Of course Turmeric is a herb and in recent years has become quite popular in the Spice Rack of modern day kitchens.

The proper name for Turmeric is Zingiberaceae; it is a member of the Ginger family and is also known as Curcuma.

It has not been very widely researched in humans, however animal research has been conducted for many years and they have shown this herb to have a number of beneficial medical properties, such as an immune stimulant, a helpful treatment for arthritis, also may help in the prevention of some forms of cancer, heart disease, liver problems and the prevention of cataracts.

In the kitchen, Turmeric is used for giving curry the yellow coloring; it has been used for this purpose for thousands of years by Indians in the preparation of meals. It was also prescribed by Chinese physicians for various medical problems

Most of the research that has been done into the benefits of Turmeric has been done in India, because the scientists in the west had never shown much interest in the herb, until more recent times, this research has shown that it can help in the prevention of the following illnesses, Wounds, it does have some antibacterial properties, it has been effective against some strains of Salmonella, which causes food poisoning, it does have anti inflammatory effects which has helped with the pain associated with arthritis and because it contains antioxidants, it can help in the prevention of cancer and cataracts.

Turmeric, as I have said is part of the Ginger family, which does help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, studies with animals have shown Turmeric to have similar qualities.

Turmeric is listed as generally safe, and it should only be taken as medicine after consultation with a physician, because of its blood thinning qualities, it should not be taken with other types of blood thinning medications like Vitamin E or any prescribed anticoagulant.

It will not do any harm taken in small amounts such as you would put in curries or other savoury dishes, Large amounts taken could give stomach upsets. Normal small amounts would be excellent for health, but take caution and qualified advice for larger medicinal quantities.

Article by Alfred Jones For other ways to find a Vitamin for Boosting your Immune System Visit http://www.SugarsR4U.com
http://www.RUSweetEnuf.com

Women's Health and Wellness: Dental Tips Booklets Help Employers With Disease Management and Health Care Costs

2008-05-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

OraMedica International, LLC, a leading provider of dental-systemic health and wellness education, announced a new dental information health tips booklet, "Take a Holistic Bite Out of Dentistry for Women," designed to raise awareness and improve the health of women in the workplace.

"Dental conditions have more to do with overall health than most people are aware of," says Dr. Andrea Brockman, president of OraMedica, as well as a dentist and former coronary care nurse. "For instance, employers recognize that obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease and diabetes, and take positive steps to encourage better food choices and physical activity."

However, food choices, digestion, and absorption of nutrients are greatly affected by chewing, which can be hindered by tooth or jaw pain, mouth infections, missing teeth, or dry mouth.

And weight management is not the only condition affected by dental health. Research shows that gum disease is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and premature or underweight births. In fact, the U.S. government now classifies periodontal disease as a greater risk to the development of heart disease and stroke than high cholesterol. Considering that statistics now reveal that women have a greater chance of developing heart disease than ever before, oral health awareness is not only prudent, it can be lifesaving.

This dental tips booklet is not only useful as a woman's health benefit, but it also serves as unbiased health education from a trusted source. According a survey released by J.D. Power and Associates, only 2% of employees have confidence in the health information their employers offer, compared to a whopping 70% of employees who trust the health advice of their primary care doctor.

Dr. Vincent DiLorenzo, OraMedica's chief executive, surmises that, "Although questions regarding dental advice were not part of this survey, useful health information, written by a health-conscious dentist to help women make smarter and cost-effective dental decisions, can only help to build trust for the messenger: the employer."

In addition to their own health issues, and being the primary consumers of healthcare, women have the added responsibility of pregnancy, childcare and eldercare. The practical, health enhancing information found in "Take a Holistic Bite Out of Dentistry for Women" is designed to reduce the number of sick days for women when incorporated into routines for themselves, as well as for dependants.

"Making sure that our dental health tips booklets, part of the HealthyGates Consumer Dental Wellness program, integrate with and support total health is what responsible and holistic healthcare is all about," adds Dr. Brockman. After 25 years of taking care of the dental needs of patients with chronic health problems, she feels strongly that companies who sponsor fitness, nutrition, and stress management programs to lower health care costs can expect even greater savings and a healthier workforce when a wellness program that has teeth in it is initiated.

For more information on the benefits of a dental wellness initiative, download the whitepaper, "Reining in Runaway Healthcare Costs"

About OraMedica International, LLC
OraMedica International, LLC (www.oramedica.com) is a dental health and wellness company that provides dental advocacy educational products and a consumer-membership website, interactive dental health risk assessments, and insurance strategies for businesses, organizations, and insurance companies to lower health care costs and increase productivity in the workplace. Employers are offered a health cost-containing risk-lowering dental benefit that is a critical yet missing component to most corporate health and wellness initiatives.

Media contact:
Dr. Vincent DiLorenzo
215-836-9950

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.

Family Health Insurance Plans - How to Find The Best Provider Online

2008-05-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Family health insurance plans typically need to offer more coverage than plans for an individual. Regular check-ups and occasional emergencies need to be covered, especially if you have children. The best providers offer this level of coverage at a reasonable premium, but you have to research to find them.

Pick Your Plan

Fees-for-service and managed care are the basic types of family health insurance plans offered. Fees-for-service allows you to choose your own physician, but often they don't cover preventative care. Managed care plans offer preventative care with a lower premium, but you have to use physicians from their network.

Within these types of plans, there are hundreds of variations depending on the health insurance provider. Some providers offer preventive care coverage with their fees-for-service plans, while others allow you to go outside of a managed care network for a price.

Shop Online

Since 2001, health insurance providers have been competing online for customers. As a result, it is easier to gather quotes and research companies. Some health insurance companies even allow you to receive quotes from several companies, helping you find the best deal.

Once you have several quotes, look over the coverage and terms offered. Co-pays and deductibles should also be considered, especially for routine care. Also, be sure that you can find a physician in your area, particularly if you choose a managed care plan.

Demand Customer Service

The best health insurance providers offer excellent customer service along with a good price. Before choosing a provider, make sure that they can be contacted easily, especially if you have to use network physicians. Many providers offer customer service online, over the phone, or at an office.

Your application process should also be easy to complete. Health insurance providers are now completing most of the application process online. Once the questionnaire has been completed, you will be sent the final copy for your approval and signature. In some case, you may also be required to submit a urine sample which is usually collected by a medic that comes to your home or work. In a matter of a few weeks, you can be approved for coverage.

To view our list of recommended companies online that provide health insurance and can help you compare quotes, visit this page: Recommended Insurance Companies Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and information about various topics.

Ocular Nutrition and Eye Health Food

2008-05-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of the ways to support your vision. As early as in our 30's, our eyes and vision can begin to deteriorate. Wind, dust, chlorine fumes, automobile fumes, smoking, freezing temperatures and physical injury are examples of threats to healthy eyes and good vision. Long hours spent at a computer screen and the vibration from driving have a cumulative negative impact on eye health over time.

Healthy vision is related to the health of the individual parts of the eye – the cornea, iris, macula, lens, optic nerve, pupil, retina and the vitreous humor. And making good ocular nutrition and eye health food choices are one of the ways that good vision can be supported. Information provided by the U.S. National Eye Institute and the results of other ocular nutrition and eye health studies have shown that using nutrition to improve and support eye health definitely happens.

Here are foods that are known to support and improve eye health:

Collard greens, kale and spinach - studies on ocular nutrition and eye health show that eating foods rich in carotenoids is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale. Macular eye nutrition becomes increasingly important as we get older.

Green vegetables and corn - another study on ocular nutrition and eye health has shown a reduced risk of developing cataracts for persons having diets higher in lutein and zeaxanthin. Foods high in these two carotenoids include broccoli, collard greens, corn, green peas, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens and zucchini. Lutein is also found in egg yolks. Persons with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to need cataract surgery. In another study done on persons ages 40-59, those with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin experienced a reduced risk of developing adult macular degeneration.

Apricots, bilberries and blueberries - apricots are rich in beta carotene and lycopene that help promote good vision. Beta carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A as needed, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues including the eye lenses. Continued oxidative stress may result in the development of cataracts or damage the blood supply to the eyes and lead to macular degeneration. Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue.

Blueberries are related to cranberries, and both also help the body resist urinary tract infections. Bilberries are a form of wild blueberry that grow on small bushes. Bilberries were used by British pilots to improve their night vision during World War 2. Fresh bilberries and bilberry jams would be sources of this ocular nutrition and eye health food. Bilberry seems to improve eye health by increasing the blood supply to the eyes.

Our eyes are considered to be the most important of the senses. By knowing which ocular nutrition and eye health food choices support the eyes, you can include more of these foods in daily meal planning.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing.

Olinda Rola is President of Infosearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural solutions for a variety of health problems. Visit Ocular Nutrition to read more on additional ways to obtain essential nutrients for eye health and vision support.

Health Food

2008-05-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

Does your kid often eat junk food? Chances are, the answer to that one is a resounding yes because, as all parents know, children everywhere in the world absolutely love junk food such as hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Like most parents, you probably want to wean your child away from junk food (or at least lessen his intake of it) and reinforce his diet with healthy food such as grains, vegetables, fruits and nutrient-rich foods such as meat, beans, fish and nuts.

Here are some tips to help you achieve just that. The basic strategy is to make eating healthy food fun for the kids. You probably can even think of more ways to use this strategy when feeding your child.

(1) The Sneak Attack.

Sneak in those fruits and vegetables with a type of food that your child really enjoys. One example would be making muffins out of bananas or apples. If your kids like pizza, you can sneak in a wide variety of vegetables in there that your youngsters probably won?t even notice. Another tack is to arrange the food in creative ways that will appear funny and play-like to your childe. For instance, you can arrange the food creatively on a plate or make food stand at attention like people.

(2) Funny Name Game.

Kids below the age of four always fall for this one. It?s called the funny name game and involves giving healthy foods like fruits and vegetables funny names and conjuring up interesting stories involving the food. Obviously, many of these stories will conclude with the food being gobbled up by the giant child or having the food run for cover to avoid an alien attack by ducking into a big cave that also happens to be your kid?s mouth.

(3) The Taste Test.

The main reason kids don?t like vegetables is that they can?t stand the taste. Hence, if you can add things kids love like peanut butter to celery or some ranch dressing to broccoli, your kids may go for those veggies.

The main thing is to be creative about feeding your food. I?m sure you can look into your kitchen and discover your own way to make eating healthy food a fun experience.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://letstalkaboutfood.com/ - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://fitnessandourworld.com/ and http://aboutoursociety.com/

Danger In Seeking Health Advice At Health Food Stores

2008-05-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

Many people today have begun to see the value in obtaining their nutritional needs through their local health food stores. In many cases organic produce is only available at a health food store. In addition, vitamin supplements and other nutritional supplements are believed to have a higher quality at these types of stores vs. a grocery outlet.

In addition to wanting to improve their health, many people have been misled into believing that ?nutritional counselors? or health food clerks are qualified to give advice on their health problems.

Healthy organic foods are far better for us. Taking supplemental vitamins and minerals along with other types of immune system boosters can do our bodies a great deal of good, but getting advice from someone who works at a health food store may be very detrimental to our health.

This is not to say that asking for help to understand the quality or value of certain products is wrong. Knowing how certain foods and supplements can help our bodies is different from getting advice on how to cure our health problems. Unfortunately, there are times when people seek a diagnosis for their poor health symptoms.

The problem begins when a nutritionist or health food store salesman offers advice and or a diagnosis for symptoms that they have not been medically trained for. Many health problems have similar symptoms. Some of these symptoms are indications of serious health issues that must be diagnosed through further medical tests that can only be provided through someone who has the proper degree to do so.

In most cases the people who work at health food stores have not received any formal training that would qualify them to give advice about serious or even minor health issues.

Taking advice from people who are not qualified to give it could cause you a great deal of harm. It could even delay your ability to stop a minor health problem from becoming a serious one, especially if their advice was inaccurate or inappropriate. The least harmful side effect would be that you are spending money on nutritional supplements that do not add anything beneficial to your body.

If you have a health problem, your first option should be to see a qualified physician. If you need advice about your diet, a registered dietitian may be a better choice. Once you have received accurate and knowledgeable advice about your condition you can confidently go to the health food store and pick up the nutritional supplements that your body actually needs. This way you don?t waste your time or your money.

Kimberly Shannon has been working in the nutritional field for many years and continues to encourage people to seek natural means of building a healthy body. She currently has been researching arthritis natural health remedies http://effective-joint-pain-relief.com

Lifeclinic International to Highlight Health Station Benefits at Food Marketing Institute Supermarket Pharmacy Conference

2008-05-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

Burtonsville, MD (PRWEB) May 1, 2008 -- Lifeclinic International, Inc. (http://www.lifeclinic.com), the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of automated blood pressure monitors and health testing stations (http://www.lifeclinic.com/products.aspx), will be showcasing its latest consumer healthcare technology and its corporate wellness initiative for its retail customers at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) (http://www.fmi.org) Supermarket Pharmacy Conference, May 3 - 6, 2008, Table 51, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.

Within the healthcare sector, Lifeclinic is leading the industry in the development and promotion of technology that allows people to become proactive in tracking and managing their own vital-signs. "Our retailer customers (http://www.lifeclinic.com/customers.aspx) provide our blood pressure monitors to their customers as a free service, promoting self-monitoring and wellness, while also driving that consumer traffic to the retailer's pharmacy where the unit resides. However, there's an incredible opportunity to serve a population of people who are at the store almost every day - the retailer's employees," says Lifeclinic Senior Vice President, David Read. Read continues, "Workplace wellness is a critical component of any health promotion strategy and a legitimate investment in any organization. Lifeclinic is committed in providing the programs and tools to help our retail clients meet the health and wellness needs of their employees."

Lifeclinic's latest line (http://www.lifeclinic.com/lc600.aspx) of automated health testing stations offer automated blood pressure, weight, body fat and blood oxygen tests. The health station's scalability allows for the integration of additional tests, such as those for sight, hearing and bone density, from multiple manufact¬ur-ers. Peripheral input ports include IR, USB and Bluetooth for interfacing and uploading data from various personal health devices such as glucose meters and pedometers.

Consumers and employees can easily navigate through the health station's interface of test options, health information, and a database of the retailer's products, coupons and discounts, via a color LCD touch screen. Optional features include both a magnetic stripe and a barcode reader for retail loyalty card programs. The barcode reader can also generate multimedia product information, allowing consumers to retrieve tailored product information for general merchandise, HBA, OTC and Rx products.

About Lifeclinic International, Inc.

Lifeclinic was established in 1976 as Vita-Stat Medical Services, Inc. Since then, it has grown to be the world's largest supplier of commercial, automated, blood pressure monitors and health stations. Lifeclinic monitors can be found in over 30,000 pharmacies and 4,000 company and organizational wellness centers worldwide, accounting for 500 million blood pressure measure-ments annually. Lifeclinic monitors, health stations and management systems encourage individuals to take an active role in their healthcare and provide corporate management with tools to help reduce costs while simultaneously improving the health of individual employees. Lifeclinic monitors and health stations can be found throughout the United States and in many other countries worldwide.

Please visit http://www.lifeclinic.com for more information.

Hiking for Spiritual Health

2008-05-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hiking is gaining popularity within the African-American community. We're beginning to spend more time in nature in an effort to connect deeply with the spirit within. The alertness that is required to observe the natural beauty around us is calming, energizing and edifying. Noticing the colors on the trees, listening to the sounds of the birds, and overlooking scenic landscapes or wonderful bodies of water can heal the soul very profoundly.

Hiking Alone

To be alone with my private thoughts in the space of my own company is euphoric. Moving at my own pace and experiencing the freedom to take any path that looks interesting or simply stop to relax or read is very liberating. Sometimes I listen to inspirational music, messages of personal growth or a guided meditation on my portable CD player. Other times I just listen to the sound of our beautiful natural world. I always stop to journal when hiking. The insights I get while hiking are rarely achieved during the hustle and bustle of work and family life.

Hiking with a Partner

If you feel uncomfortable hiking alone a partner is a great alternative. You can still get that special time with your own thoughts and feelings by hiking together to a destination, then separating enough to get some private space where you can be alone with your thoughts or listen to some media of your choosing. Agree upon an amount of time for this (a half-hour to an hour is usually good) then re-commune and hike back to the car. Try to keep the conversation as positive as possible. Use this valuable time for spiritual reflection and healing. Give encouragement, love and support to each other every step of the way and hiking with a partner can be powerfully rejuvenating and healing.

Practical Items for Hiking:

Always bring water. And, if you're hiking for more than a couple of miles it's a good idea to bring some food, i.e. sandwiches, trail-mix and/or fruit.

You don't have to invest a lot of money, but a good pair of hiking shoes will make your experience more pleasurable. They absorb the rocks and irregularities of the paths you'll be walking on.

Dress in layers that are easily adjustable for body temperature. Wear a breathable shirt next to your skin, and a jacket with a good zipper for temperature variability.

If you bring a backpack, it should contain the following items:

Water and Food
First-aid pack
Pocket knife
A camera – I always see something I wish to capture on film
A flashlight - with fresh batteries.
An extra shirt
Something to sit on such as a sheet, blanket of other pad.
I also pack my journal and a pen

The most important thing about hiking is your personal space. View it as a mini-retreat.

Delano Garner writes for "Shades and Reflections," a resource site for African-American Spiritual Health. http://www.shadesandreflections.com Contact Delano Garner at

Vitamin C - The Most Common Health Food Supplement

2008-05-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons in 1932. The C in this very important vitamin is debatable and may stand for citrus, cold, or collagen for the following reasons.

Fruits found with the highest concentration of Vitamin C are citrus fruits, rose hips, cherries, papayas, cantaloupes, and strawberries. Common vegetable sources are red and green peppers, broccoli, sprouts, tomatoes, asparagus, parsley, dark leafy greens, and cabbage.

The most important function of Vitamin C is the formation and maintenance of collagen, the basis of connective tissue, found in skin, ligaments, cartilage, vertebral discs, joint linings, capillary walls, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin. It blocks the oxidation of water- soluble molecules, which lead to the creation of free radicals, the culprits responsible for making our bodies prone to cellular injury and disease.

A most popular disease associated with Vitamin C deficiency is scurvy. Lack of Vitamin C in the body impedes collagen formation, causing reduced health of the tissues. Early symptoms are poor resistance to infection and very slow wound healing. In addition, many medical problems have been found to be associated with low blood levels of Vitamin C. These are common infections, colds, depression, high blood pressure, arthritis, vascular fragility, allergies, ulcers, and even cholesterol gallstones.

The RDA for adults is 60 mg. Only 10 to 20-mg. of Vitamin C are required to prevent scurvy, and there is more than that in one portion of most fruits or vegetables. For most people the minimum dosage is between 100–150 mg. daily.

Vitamin C is the most commonly consumed nutrient supplement and is available as regular or chewable tablet or as time-release capsule, as well as in powder, effervescent, and liquid forms.

Lorna Mclaren has an informational website http://www.123-nutrition.com where you can find out all about health food supplements and vitamins.

The PIE Diet - Mental Health Food

2008-05-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

This book reveals an award-winning program for individual growth, which has previously been available only to corporations.

Author Warren R. Haskin built his 40-year career designing and implementing attitude-based programs for the hospitality and health-care industries. Haskin's new book provides an easy step-by-step process for conditioning the subconscious mind to both envision and enable control of who we are, what we do, and what we desire to achieve with our lives.

Contained in his book is a feature called The PIE (Positive Input Everyday) Diet Program which is designed to feed positive input to the subconscious mind on a daily basis and bring the law of attraction to fulfillment.

Corporations who have learned "when employees grow, a company grows" consistently show improvement in sales, service and profitability. Haskin's program differs from traditional motivation by focusing on the "self" of the individual employee, and has been successfully used by companies to improve the self-esteem, and resulting self-motivation of general staff employees.

Haskin's corporation, Help People Institute®, is active in the popular Second Life 3-D on-line site, with a campus devoted to teaching real life skills within the site's Virtual Reality setting. http://www.secondlife.com

About the Author:
Warren R. Haskin is the founder of Help People, Inc, a human behavioral consulting firm that customizes training programs for corporations. He is also the founder of the first suite hotel in the nation and consulted the founders of many of the largest suite and extended-stay hotel chains today. He is a keynote speaker and author. For more information, please visit http://www.HelpPeople.com.

"The PIE Diet -- Mental Health Food" can be found at http://www.thePIEdiet.com

Media Contacts and Inquires:
Warren R. Haskin
866-739-8989

Group Health Insurance Too Expensive?

2008-05-18T16:39:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance is no longer affordable for many Employers. According to recent reports by the Kaiser Foundation, the cost for employee coverage is now three to four thousand dollars annually. 40% of employers simply cannot afford that expense and do not offer health insurance. Others are forced to drop current insurance plans, increasing the number of employees without any coverage. Prepaid Medical Plans, offered by MDplans is an affordable solution for many employers to provide basic routine healthcare services for their employees.

The Prepaid Medical Plan concept is basic and simple. The employer pays a small monthly fee for its employees that do not have health insurance. The employee has the ability to go to a preselected medical provider's office for routine care of an minor injury or illness. The employee does not pay a copay or fee for the office visit and basic routine procedures. Prepaid Medical Plans permit employers to contract with providers directly for basic clinical care. Providers are paid in advance eliminating billing and claims issues. MDplans provides the administrative services to implement the program.

Research of insurance claims data from a cross section of several employers indicate that almost all medical care that employees receive is exclusively from the medical provider in a clinical setting. Prepaid Medical Plans offers coverage for this basic need at a very small fraction of the cost of insurance. In most service areas the total cost per employee is only $50 monthly. MDplans also includes PPO Provider Discounts for services outside of the medical clinic. Other benefits include: Discounted pharmacy, dental, vision services and 24/7 Telephone Hotline service with Nurses and Doctors are available for consultation after hours or for general medical advice.

Preventable illnesses and medical conditions comprise approximately 80% of the burden of illness and 90% of all healthcare costs. "By offering a simple doctor's office visit to employees for routine care we can help keep workers healthy and productive. Early diagnosis of most diseases can greatly reduce or eliminate the high cost of delayed treatment." said Roberto Miranda, MD, Founder of MDplans.

MDplans is careful to point out that Prepaid Medical Plans are not insurance and are not intended to replace insurance. Prepaid Medical Plans are for those employers who can not afford traditional insurance but want to provide a basic level of healthcare for their employees. Because it is not insurance, this benefit can be provided for all employees, full time, part time, seasonal or temporary.

Insurance products such as catastrophic coverage will be available through a network of licensed insurance agents for those who desire to purchase additional coverage to supplement this plan. Employers and interested medical providers are encouraged to contact MDplans for additional information at www.mdplans.com or call Caroline England @ 512-215-4408

Mesothelioma attorney

2008-05-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma attorney is not fully appreciated by most people. Mesothelioma is an incurable form of lung cancer that is generally associated with exposure to asbestos fibers, and is probably the one form of cancer that has led to more lawsuits for damages than any other.

It would be thought that a person suffering from mesothelioma that had previously worked in the asbestos industry would have a cast iron case, but this is not in fact the case. The real facts are that mesothelioma is a term for cancer of the mesothelium, more commonly known as the pleura, the lining of the lung. The problem is that most forms of lung cancer are termed mesothelioma, and it can be extremely difficult to prove that they are caused by one source alone. This in itself could give a mesothelioma attorney a big headache. However, there is worse to come for them.

Smoking! Believe it or not around 80% of Mesothelioma cases in North America are caused by smoking - not asbestos! Hence, if a smoker contracts the disease then the asbestos companies will naturally use that as a defense, and claim that smoking was the real cause and not the asbestos. Your mesothelioma attorney now has a real fight on his or her hands to get you any compensation at all. Now that compensation for asbestos relayed cancers has reached very high levels, most asbestos companies will vigorously contest any case against them, and the services of a good attorney are absolutely essential if you are to have any success at all.

One of the problems involved here is that, just as smoking has not been definitively proved to cause lung cancer, neither has exposure to asbestos. Most doctors will agree on the relationship, but the courts require proof, and it is not there. There are still those that deny any relationship, and without cast-iron evidence their claim could be construed to be as legally valid as those of the vast majority that believe in the relationship. However, belief is not proof, even when that belief is held by over 95% of the population!

It is strange, however, that most people will accept that asbestos can cause mesothelioma while many that do so will not believe the same of smoking. It seems a case of unwilling to accept what might affect themselves. However, all of this is academic, and you will need a good mesothelioma attorney if the compensation awarded is to be sufficient to provide the palliative care that all mesothelioma patients will eventually need.

Most will require hospice care so that some of the pressure can be taken from their family, and while hospices in Europe are free, this is not true of the USA. What is certain is that a smoker will not receive the same level of compensation as a non-smoker since it has been established that smokers who are also known to have had long-term contact with asbestos are more likely to contract the disease than any other.

The importance of a mesothelioma attorney cannot be overemphasized, and if you are seeking one then there are many choose from since it is a lucrative profession. Make sure that you choose a good one, since there are also many of these around. Here are a few tips:

1. Make sure that your attorney has handled mesothelioma cases before, and that yours is not their first case. 2. Have they had previous successes in such cases, and what level of compensation have the succeeded in achieving? 3. Does your mesothelioma attorney have the backing of a good law firm, with others that can take over the case in the event of illness, or is your attorney a one man band. You are better to have a group of people helping you than a individual with this type of case. 4. Is your case being handled as an individual case or as as part of a class action. Class actions can save a lot of trouble, but can also result in a lower level of compensation - not always though, so discuss it with others who may have been involved in both before making a decision.

These are some of the aspects of your case that should be discussed with your solicitor. However, once you have considered everything related to your claim, you will always have to fall back to one simple decision. Who is to be your mesothelioma attorney and what instructions are you going to give.

Mesothelioma Lawyer

2008-05-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

"Mesothelioma lawyer " Announced the addition of nationally recognized mesothelioma lawyer Christopher Placitella to their exclusive legal network. Mr. Placitella has accepted exclusive membership within the Lawyer Central New Jersey Network providing information and assistance for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Mr. Placitella is well-known for his landmark participation in multi-billion dollar tobacco and Phen-Fen settlements as well as being a nationally recognized authority on mesothelioma trial law. Mr. Placitella is also the author "The History of Asbestos" and anchor of the popular video series "Mass Tort Update".

Christopher Placitella is a Past President, New Jersey Trial Lawyers (ATLA-NJ); Member, Occupational Health & Safety Board of NJ AFL-CIO; Vice President, New Jersey Public Interest Law Center; Adviser, Workplace Environmental Counsel; Adviser, Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning; Lead counsel or Steering Committee member for numerous national class actions, including asbestos and diet drugs.

The Lawyer Central Network is an exclusive nationwide network of local attorneys highly dedicated to their unique areas of practice. Lawyer Central is emerging as the leading public relations and mixed media marketing organization for fast-growing law firms and forward-thinking attorneys. Lawyer Central membership includes a variety of legal marketing media exposure ranging from practice area video filming, through interviews and complete public relations and new media management.

Mesothelioma Reports Mine Safety and Health Administration's Reduction of Asbestos Permissible Exposure Allowances by Nearly 95 Percent LegalView

2008-04-02T01:33:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma the number one resource for everything legal on the Web, recently reported reduced asbestos exposure allowances for mine workers. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) lowered the permissible exposure limits (PEL) from 2 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) during an eight hour, time weighted average (TWA) full shift to 0.1 f/cc at all metal/nonmetal mines, surface coal mines and surface areas of underground coal mines. The new limits could mean that more asbestos fibers were being inhaled into miners' lungs, with a potential increase in the number of mesothelioma diagnosis reports among workers. To learn more details about PEL and asbestos limits, readers may want to contact a mesothelioma lawyer (http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/find-mesothelioma-law-firm.aspx) who can provide details on these new limits and rules. Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of lung cancer that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers and asbestos dust, which crystallize in the lung.

Asbestos was predominately mined in the mid-20th Century because of its use as insulation for homes, schools, government buildings, universities and office buildings. It has also appeared in other products including vinyl flooring. Many individuals who mined vermiculate, which is the predominate mineral that asbestos is derived from, were unaware of their cancerous conditions until years after work in the mines or work where asbestos was inhaled. Mesothelioma cancer takes several years and even decades to develop and is largely misdiagnosed because of its similarities in symptoms to other diseases. Individuals who have been diagnosed with the cancer should contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm (http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/find-mesothelioma-law-firm.aspx) to learn about potential compensation for medical bills that can be received when filing and developing mesothelioma lawsuit (http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/mesothelioma-lawsuit-results.aspx).

These new lower limits will take effect on April 29. And while MSHA agrees with earlier findings from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that felt "there is a remaining risk of material impairment of health or functional capacity" at this level, the MSHA feels that the allowance is a practical lower limit and they will continue to monitor workers' health. However, in a study from the MSHA of 207 mines during a seven-year period, beginning in 2000, at least 29 mines had one or more individuals exposed to a TWA fiber concentration exceeding this limit. To that the agency felt that "these operators may have to take corrective action," the ruling read. For those who will be affected by this new ruling it is advisable to contact a mesothelioma attorney (http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/find-mesothelioma-law-firm.aspx) to better understand the legal ramifications of this new ruling.

LegalView offers the most up-to-date news on mesothelioma and asbestos as well as on additional legal and medical issues affecting millions of Americans each year. Additional topics include information on Baxter's Heparin, Trasylol Aprotinin and Chantix. Heparin, manufactured by the Baxter Healthcare Corporation, is a blood-thinning agent used during surgical procedures such as heart surgery. Medical professionals have been using Heparin since the 1930s, but most recently sales were halted and a Heparin recall (http://baxter-heparin.legalview.com) occurred because of alleged serious allergic reactions to the injection of the drug in patients during surgery. To learn more about this visit, http://baxter-heparin.legalview.com/.

Similar to Heparin are Trasylol and Chantix in that both are prescription drugs, which have recently come under fire for controversial side effects. Trasylol is used to control blood clotting during surgical procedures but has been discovered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be linked to serious Trasylol reactions (http://trasylol-aprotinin.legalview.com) among patients. Chantix is a smoking cessation drug that has been linked to nearly 40 suicides among those taking the prescription drug, according to press reports. Additionally, Chantix side effects (http://chantix.legalview.com) can include psychotic behaviors, suicidal tendencies and depression, according to the FDA. Medical professionals are advising patients of Chantix who experience any of the above side effects to decrease use of the drug and contact a healthcare provider immediately.

About LegalView:

LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com

Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-04-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer Awareness in Red Mountain Spa recognizes month by hosting two half-day journeys in honor of breast cancer patients and survivors.

On consecutive Saturdays, October 13 and 20, Red Mountain Spa offers the opportunity for guests to share in a special Breast Cancer Spirit Commemoration. Each ceremony takes 15 participants on a short hike to Lion's Mouth, an ancient Native American birthing area in southwestern Utah. Lion's Mouth is a sacred area where, 100 years or more ago, women went to give birth. Upon arriving at the site, participants will be led through a special meditation ceremony, offering prayers for both victims and survivors of the disease.

The cost to participate in the Breast Cancer Spirit Commemoration is $55 and includes healthy snacks. Proceeds will be donated to the Susan B. Komen Foundation. The ceremony is open to Red Mountains Spa guests.

The three-night Autumn Allure getaway is available throughout October to coincide with the breast cancer awareness offerings. The package is inclusive of a Complimentary $100 Resort Credit, which can be used toward spa services, fee-based outdoor recreational activities (exclusive of the Breast Cancer Spirit Commemoration) and health and fitness services. Rates start at $269 per person, per night based on double occupancy.

To book the Breast Cancer Spirit Commemoration or Autumn Allure package at Red Mountain Spa (http://www.redmountainspa.com) or call toll free (877) 246-HIKE or (435) 673-4905.

Red Mountain Spa, nestled in the red rock bluffs of Snow Canyon State Park in Southwest Utah and a picturesque two-hour drive from Las Vegas, is an extraordinary fitness and health destination featuring outdoor adventure, luxurious pampering and the most extensive hiking program in the Southwest. Highlights include the Sagestone Spa & Salon offering more than 50 treatments and services, many incorporating indigenous ingredients. Specializing in outdoor adventure fitness programs for all levels, Red Mountain Spa has been honored as one of the Top Spas by Allure Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler and Forbes.com; named a Top Five Destination Spa by Women's Health Magazine?as seen on NBC's TODAY Show; and designated a Top Detox Spa by USA Today, About.com and Healing Lifestyles. Red Mountain Spa is also the recipient of Nine Luxury SpaFinder Reader's Choice Awards. Owned by Phoenix-based Pivotal Group, Red Mountain is located at 1275 E. Red Mountain Circle, St George, Utah 84738. For reservations call toll-free:877.246.HIKE, direct: 435.673.4905, or visit the Web site at Red Mounatin Spa (https://www.redmountainspa.com).

Motivation and Fitness Icon Paul Chek Announces New Health and interactive

2008-04-02T00:57:00.000-07:00

With the obesity rate skyrocketing and the amount of prescriptions being written for unneeded medications at an all-time high, there has been a groundswell of anticipation for someone to arrive on the scene and make sense of it all, as well as present an alternate plan for health and well-being that is actually manageable and easy for people to implement on their own!

Paul Chek has just released an ebook that exposes the truth about the state of fitness and healthy lifestyles today and presents a realistic framework for personal improvement.

In The Last 4 Doctors You'll Ever Need--How to Get Healthy Now! Chek reveals strategies that were first popularized by Hippocrates over 2,000 years ago and are still in practice in cultures and societies who don't even have a word for cancer in their native language. Chek takes these ancient health strategies even farther by updating them to reflect our current lifestyles and needs.

People who are currently experiencing a lack of energy, poor eating habits, stress, anxiety and frequent sickness are flocking to http://www.thelast4doctors.com to learn more about this new ebook. Presented in an engaging, interactive, multi-media format for the first time ever, as an Alive Ebook, Chek's book will enable readers to actually see and hear the information, resulting in increased understanding, retention, follow through and the inevitable positive results from Paul Chek's health improvement tactics.

Results for the reader include eating better, healthier and more responsibly; improved self-confidence; the implementation of positive habits and a newfound inner strength and contentment, as well as significantly increased energy and peace of mind - not to mention an end to the chronic health discomforts and complaints currently being treated symptomatically with a variety drugs, over the counter and otherwise, with little success.

Paul Chek is a holistic health practitioner and trainer to some of the world's most elite athletes, and his workshops and seminars have helped thousands of business people and entrepreneurs to go after and reach their fullest potential.

He has produced more than 50 videos, 6 books, and 16 advanced-level home study courses while regularly contributing to several publications and web sites, and has become above all an educator: teaching and applying his methods to benefit others through lectures, multimedia presentations, and, most recently, on the web in the areas of personal, professional, and spiritual development through the PPS Success Mastery Program.

To learn more about The Last 4 Doctors You'll Ever Need--How to Get Healthy Now! visit http://www.thelast4doctors.com

Health Robotics Announce Strategic Alliance to Automate IV Admixture Preparation

2008-03-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

Baxa Corporation and Health Robotics announce a strategic alliance to automate the preparation of patient-specific chemotherapy drug admixtures. Under the agreement, Health Robotics will optimize its technology for the exclusive use of the Baxa Two-Fer™ Needles in the automated vial and final containers' access steps for its CytoCare™ Robot. Baxa Two-Fer Needles provide a unique design that can be used for vented or non-vented vial access. Their Huber tip prevents vial coring, making it ideal for safe access; whether in an automated device or for manual preparations.

With its CytoCare™ Robot, Health Robotics has the first totally automated system for safe preparation of patient-specific hazardous IV doses. "CytoCare constitutes a breakthrough advance for patient and clinician's safety," says Werner Rainer, General Manager, Health Robotics. "This alliance combines state-of-the-art technologies to achieve the accuracy and sterility that providers require for automating patient-specific IV admixture preparations," he adds. The resulting technology is the only totally automated system for handling hazardous IV admixtures available in the market.

The strategic alliance fits with Baxa Corporation's mission of providing world-class technology for pharmacy operations. Greg Baldwin, Chairman and CEO of Baxa Corporation notes, "Baxa is pleased to have been selected by Health Robotics to utilize exclusively the Two-Fer Needle with the CytoCare Robot. "It is wonderful to see that the same features that made Two-Fer Needles the vial access product of choice with pharmacy staff worldwide are preferred for this new generation of pharmacy robots being pioneered by Health Robotics."

Both companies will be exhibiting at the 2007 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Summer Meeting, June 24-27, 2007 in San Francisco, California. Participants can learn more about the CytoCare Robot (Health Robotics booth 123) and Two-Fer Needles (Baxa Corporation booth 515) during the exhibit hours of the industry meeting.

Baxa Corporation provides systems and products that streamline pharmacy operations for oral liquid delivery, sterile IV preparation and mixing multi-source parenteral solutions. The company's products provide solutions for enhancing patient safety, improving drug preparation procedures and reducing the opportunity for medication errors.

About Baxa Corporation

Baxa, a customer-focused medical device company, provides innovative, solution-based technologies for fluid handling and delivery. Its systems and devices promote the safe and efficient preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of fluid medications. Key products include Rapid-Fill™ Automated Syringe Fillers, Exacta-Med® Oral Dispensers, MicroFuse® Syringe Infusers, Repeater™ Pharmacy Pumps, and Exacta-Mix™ and MicroMacro™ Multi-Source Automated Compounders; used worldwide in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Privately held, Baxa Corporation has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada and the United Kingdom; direct representation in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.baxa.com

About Health Robotics GmbH

Health Robotics is the leading global supplier in the automation of life-critical intravenous patient-specific medication preparation, especially chemotherapy. Its mission is to provide healthcare facilities with automated solutions that ease pharmacies' growing pressures by improving patient safety, reducing life-threatening medication errors and contamination risks, working more efficiently, increasing throughput, and containing spiraling chemotherapy expenses. Further information is available at http://www.health-robotics.com

Contacts:
Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing
Baxa Corporation http://www.baxa.com - 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR
Absolutely Public Relations http://www.absolutelypr.com - 303.984.9801 or 303.669.3558
Werner Rainer, General Manager
Health Robotics GmbH http://www.health-robotics.com - +39 0471200372
Altmanstrasse 9/A, Bozen, Italy 39100

Prostate Cancer Treatment Expert, David B. Samadi, M.D, Announces Breakthrough with over 1,100 Robotic Prostatectomy Surgeries

2008-03-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Internationally respected for his surgical practice, Dr. Samadi discusses what it takes to be a leading robotic surgeon. He attributes his success to a top notch surgical team. He has operated with the same surgical team for many years; they rely on each other and drive the surgery to a successful completion. The expert group at Mount Sinai in New York City operates under Dr. Samadi's direction to seamlessly produce a 95% cure rate for his patients. The short average surgery time of 77 minutes means minimal risk to the patient under general anesthesia. There is less trauma to the patient because instead of making one five inch incision through the abdominal muscle to get at the prostate, the da Vinci surgical system makes five ¼ inch openings, sparing delicate tissues responsible for sexual functional and bladder control. Patients hardly notice these small surgical sites that heal quickly and leave little scarring. Traditional surgical methods involve lengthy sedation, which can cause adverse effects after surgery. Dr. Samadi exclaims that "approximately 97% of his patients are released from the hospital within 1 day after a robotic prostatectomy. Most recover full sexual function and urinary continence in a relatively short period of time."

Da Vinci robotic surgery merges laparoscopic and open surgical methods for treating prostate cancer. It is to Dr. Samadi's credit that he received special training in France with robotic surgery (http://www.roboticoncology.com/Robotic-Surgery.php) founder Dr. Claude Abbou and open surgical training with Dr. Peter Scardino. As a result of this specialized training and being a pioneer in the filed, he is able to extend his skills in new ways. He remarks, "It's like having three surgeons in one head." In addition to the benefits of speed and efficiency using the robotic surgical system, the delicate instruments are more sensitive than human hands and pick up fine characteristics of the prostate gland that would not be detected, even with the most gifted surgical touch. The magnified 3-D view allows for better visualization of the prostate cancer treatment (http://www.roboticoncology.com/Da-Vinci-Robotic-Prostatectomy.php) site. If the small-scaled structures can be seen more clearly, then the instruments can be precisely targeted to remove the cancerous cells. Most important, concludes Dr. Samadi, is the excellent oncologic outcome, which is paramount to the patient. He goes on to say, "There is no compromise using robotic surgery. My patients remain cancer-free and enjoy good health for many years."

Medical research shows that for treating prostate cancer (http://www.roboticoncology.com/Prostate-Cancer.php), the surgeon with the most experience and advanced training makes all the difference to a successful outcome for the patient. Dr. Samadi and his surgical group handle more than a dozen new cases each week. This high number is indicative of the promising outcome for his patients. Because of his widespread success, referrals come from a well-established network of contacts worldwide. Patients with prostate cancer (http://www.roboticoncology.com/Prostate-Cancer.php) should go directly to Dr. Samadi and his first class surgical team at Mount Sinai for the best possible results.

About David B. Samadi, MD and RoboticOncology.com

David B. Samadi, MD is Chief of Robotic Surgery and Minimal Invasive Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan, New York. He is a board certified urologic oncologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer using minimally invasive procedures like da vinci robotic assisted surgery. If you would like more information about Dr. Samadi's state-of-the-art treatment options, including the robotic prostatectomy, please don't hesitate to call his office at 212-241-8779, or visit him on the web at http://www.roboticoncology.com

New Website Addressing Single Women?s Social, Finance, Health, Fitness, Fashion and Vacation Topics

2008-02-29T10:47:00.000-08:00

Allison O?Connor and Christine Whelan, co-founders, today announced the launch of SingleMindedWomen.com, the premier online community for single women in the 25-54 year old demographic. Single women represent a growing and powerful market segment that is currently being underserved and overlooked by most media outlets. According to a May, 2006 press release from the US Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/006840.html), 54% of all unmarried and single Americans are women.

Most media outlets (including magazines and websites) tend to ?lump? single women into one demographic ? yet their information needs are very different. Not surprisingly, the concept for SingleMindedWomen.com was borne of personal experience on the part of both O?Connor and Whelan who realized there was an immediate need for content specifically developed for this underserved market. The focus of SingleMindedWomen.com is to provide relevant articles, reviews, tutorials and Q&A?s that inform and encourage communication within this focused community. ?Our mission is to provide a trusted community where single women can come together to share their views on the everyday challenges they face as they navigate the world solo,? says O?Connor.

Offering practical advice, SingleMindedWomen.com contains vital information every single woman can use to enhance her lifestyle. Whether single by choice or circumstance, women ranging in ages from 25-54; and from a variety of backgrounds will find inspirational ideas and how-to examples that enable them to improve their ?single life?. Topic categories for single women (http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/) include travel, health, careers, relationships, appearance, finances and single parenting.

While there are many magazines and websites that target women, SingleMindedWomen.com is the first online community to cater exclusively to the specific needs of this powerful and singular female demographic. SingleMindedWomen.com will serve as a support system and sounding board for women who are living single, facing issues unique to their demographic, and want to learn from other women?s experiences in a safe, password-protected environment.

SingleMindedWomen.com content is written by some of the most well known authorities in their category. Some of the featured editors are Samantha Chang - Money & Career, Josie Brown ? Relationships, Martin Brown ? Relationships columnist, Melissa Chapman - Family, Gretchen Kelly - Escapes, Tracy Morris ? Health, and Erin Donnelly.

Readers of SingleMindedWomen.com will find fresh content covering topics such as single women and travel, finances, health, fitness, fashion, parenting, work/life balance and dating.

About SingleMinded, LLC:

Headquartered in Paradise Valley, AZ, SingleMinded, LLC was founded in 2007 by Allison O?Connor and Christine Whelan. Both women have extensive experience in publishing and advertising and have been single professionals during their careers. Having worked for companies such as PennWell (http://www.pennwell.com/), VerticalNet (http://www.verticalnet.com/), TechOnline (http://www.techonline.com/), Reed Publishing (http://www.reedbusiness.com/index.html) and Carat Freeman (http://www.carat.com/carat/index.jsp), O?Connor and Whelan have successfully launched numerous web start-ups and magazines. For more information on SingleMinded, LLC, contact info@singlemindedwomen.com.

Allison O?Connor

Co-Founder

SingleMinded, LLC

Direct: (480) 991-9109

Gwyn Thakur

President

Effective Marketing LLC

Direct: (978) 852-6398

gwynthakur@effectivemarketing-llc.com

Young Joins Leading Healthcare Consulting Company as Regional Director of Business Development

2008-02-27T05:24:00.001-08:00

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) February 1, 2008 -- Stoltenberg Consulting, Inc., a leading healthcare industry information technology consulting firm, announced today that Max Young has joined the company as Regional Director of Business Development.

Before joining Stoltenberg, Young honed his strong sales background through The Landers Group, a promotional marketing firm based in Los Angeles, California and McGinnis Sisters, a Pittsburgh-based specialty foods store. In addition to account management, employee customer service training and special events coordination, Young used his strong sales and communication skills to exceed sales goals and budget projections at both companies. A graduate of West Virginia University, Young received a B.S. in Business and Sociology.

"As a continually growing company, we're excited to have the sales skills Max possesses to extend our services to even more clients throughout the healthcare industry," remarked Sheri Stoltenberg, CEO of Stoltenberg Consulting. "Stoltenberg aims to provide superior project management, implementation support and system integration, and we look for Max to help us achieve that goal."

About Stoltenberg Consulting

Founded in 1995, Pittsburgh-based Stoltenberg Consulting Inc. creates an environment for success by working with health care organizations to provide a variety of services including project management, implementation support and integration between systems. Members of the Stoltenberg Consulting team are consultants with extensive experience in both financial and clinical systems, averaging more than 15 years of direct on-site hospital experience. Stoltenberg Consulting has grown rapidly to serve a client base of more than 80 preeminent healthcare organizations throughout the United States providing services for Siemens, Eclipsys, McKesson, GE, IDX, Epic, and Cerner customers. For more information call 1-888-724-1326 or visit www.stoltenberg.com.

Investigation of Mercy Medical Center's Responsibility for Young Woman's Death Following A Double Mastectomy

2008-02-27T05:23:00.001-08:00

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 16, 2008 -- According to leading New York newspapers, including The Times and Newsday, Mercy Medical Center of Long Island is under investigation for improper care and treatment of patients and improper lab practices.

According to The Times and The Post, the investigations began when a woman in her 30's was diagnosed with breast cancer. With a history of cancer in her family, she elected to have a double mastectomy. The woman died from post-surgical complications. The problem was, the woman didn't have breast cancer. The Mercy Medical Center lab had confused her specimen with one from another patient.

Following on the heels of the death of the young woman, an outspoken senior surgeon, Anthony Colantonio of Garden City, reported the inappropriate treatment of patients by a physician assistant. In separate incidents, the PA may have been responsible for the deaths of three patients at Mercy Medical Center. When the doctor began making complaints about the PA's practices, Mercy Medical Center removed the doctor's privileges at the facility, according to several articles in the New York Post.

The State of New York's Office of Professional Medical Conduct has gotten involved and is investigated the allegations against the physician assistant. Unfortunately, while the laws in New York require that physician assistants practice under the supervision of a licensed doctor, the doctor doesn't have to be physically present when the PA renders care or treatment.

"With cancer misdiagnosis and mistreatment on the rise, you would think hospitals would be more careful with lab specimens. A simple labeling error cost a young woman her life," said Cory Rosenbaum of Manhattan law firm Rosenbaum Faria, LLP.

Davenport (2000) lists the top five malpractice-risk conditions in order of prevalence as myocardial infarction, breast cancer, appendicitis, lung cancer, and colon cancer, and notes that almost all suits are cases of misdiagnosis or mismanaged diagnostic tests leading to delayed treatment. Myocardial infarction and appendicitis are likely to be related to emergency department visits, whereas the three litigation-prone types of cancers are more common in general physician work.

Said Mr. Rosenbaum, "This is becoming a critical problem in the US. The failure of labs to be properly supervised or engage in proper procedure is costing people their lives. These innocent men and women go to their local hospital or doctor expecting to find out whether they have cancer. When they are told they have it, they start treatments that can involve serious surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, any of which could end their life. And what are they supposed to do if the lab made a mistake? A woman who loses her breast, or a man who has testicular surgery isn't going to be made whole again by a simple apology or a change in practice."

A December 1999 study of 6,171 slides, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore found a 1.4% error rate in pathology tests in patients referred for cancer treatment. Of the 86 total misdiagnoses, 20 had benign tumors misdiagnosed as malignant and presumably received unnecessary cancer treatment. An earlier Johns Hopkins study of prostate cancer biopsies found an error that ruled out cancer in six out of 535 cases.

According to Newsday, Mercy Medical Center has engaged in a "plan of correction involved ensuring that specimens are properly identified."

"Of course, this change in policy comes too late for the young woman who died following their lab's mistake," said Mr. Rosenbaum. "It's good their policies have been changed, but if they don't continue to carefully supervise the use of those policies, there will be more mistakes."

Rosenbaum Faria, LLP, continues to monitor news and medical journals to follow trends and practices as they relate to cancer diagnosis, care, and treatment.

Sources:

Newsday, "State Investigates Deaths at Mercy Medical Center" by Ridgely Ochs, 02/12/08

New York Post, "Woman Dies After Breast Cancer Mix-Up" by Susan Edelman, 02/10/08

New York Times, "L.I. Hospital Scrutinized After Deaths of Patients" by Cara Buckley, 02/11/08

Patient Safety in American Hospitals, July 2004, HealthGrades Quality Study, HealthGrades, http://www.healthgrades.com/media/english/pdf/HG_Patient_Safety_Study_Final.pdf

National Patient Safety Foundation at the AMA: Public Opinion of Patient Safety Issues, Louis Harris & Associates, September 1997.

Institute of Medicine (IOM), "To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System", 2000, online.

John Davenport, MD, JD, Documenting High-Risk Cases to Avoid Malpractice Liability, Family Practice Management, October 2000

Joseph D. Kronz, William H. Westra, and Jonathan I. Epstein, Mandatory Second Opinion Surgical Pathology at a Large Referral Hospital, Cancer: Dec. 1, 1999, vol. 86, no. 11, pp 2426-2435. (Johns Hopkins study)

Reaches Those Touched By Diabetes

2008-02-27T05:19:00.000-08:00

a new online community for people touched by diabetes, makes an impact worldwide, growing at a rate of over 10% each week.

The site, launched by Manny Hernandez (www.askmanny.com) in March 2007, was originally directed to Hispanics touched by diabetes, however quickly found a much larger reach. Currently, TuDiabetes.com has close to 800 members from all over the world, with the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Venezuela and Argentina among the countries represented. It receives over 1,000 visits per day, with each visit lasting an average of 12 minutes.

There is no cost to join TuDiabetes.com. Members of the site follow a simple process to create their profile page, which they can later customize including a profile photo and additional details about themselves. Members can also participate in diabetes-related discussions in the Forum, share their thoughts and ideas in their blog, and post their personal photos and videos.

Many groups within the community have also been naturally formed which has proven to build an even deeper connection among members. Groups include: "Parents of Kids with Type 1," "Athletic Diabetics," "Christian Diabetics," "Geeks with Diabetes," "College Students with Diabetes," and "Diabetes and Sexuality (for women)."

The feeling of many of the members about TuDiabetes.com can be summarized by the words of Billy, an Australian member: "After making quite a few friends through TuDiabetes.com, I no longer feel like I have to do this diabetes thing on my own!"

Also created in early August 2007, is the Spanish-only sister site, EsTuDiabetes.com (http://estudiabetes.com), aimed at Spanish-speaking diabetics in the US, Latin America, Spain and throughout the rest of the world.

"As someone with type 1 diabetes, I know the importance of having a support group of people to discuss the daily struggles and questions you have about diabetes," said Hernandez. "The community is not only for those who have diabetes. It is open to anyone who has a family member, friend or partner living with it, allowing us to help each other, educate ourselves and share the steps we take to stay healthy while living with diabetes."

TuDiabetes.com has been garnering recent media attention, with the LA Times (http://tinyurl.com/2uz7fe) and The Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003844374_btandreessen20.html) mentioning the site in an article about Ning.com (the platform on which TuDiabetes.com runs): "TuDiabetes.com, a Ning-powered site for people with diabetes, calls itself 'MySpace on insulin.'"

"I look forward to the continued growth of TuDiabetes.com and EsTudiabetes.com," added Hernandez. "With almost 250 million diabetics worldwide and 7 million new cases every year, I am sure we will be busy helping people connect while raising awareness about diabetes for a very long time to come."

About TuDiabetes.com

TuDiabetes.com is an online community for people touched by diabetes. Launched in March 2007, TuDiabetes.com was at first directed only to Hispanics with Diabetes but quickly found a following from all over the world. TuDiabetes.com was founded by Web Product Manager and Internet Marketer, Manny Hernandez, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in late 2002.

TuDiabetes.com runs on Ning.com (http://ning.com), an online platform for creating social websites and social networks co-founded by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini. As of August 2007, TuDiabetes.com is considered one of the fastest growing online communities for people with diabetes.

TuDiabetes.com also maintains a presence on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/tudiabetes) and an active group in Facebook. Additionally, it has a YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/tudiabetes), a Video Blog and a Spanish-only sister site, EsTuDiabetes.com (http://EsTuDiabetes.com).

For more information please visit: www.TuDiabetes.com.

Best Food Website Trends Detailed in New Report from the Web Marketing Association

2008-02-25T01:14:00.000-08:00

The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the food industry create more effective and engaging websites.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "The best food websites are extensions of their offline brands. Using audio and video embedded into the web page creates a cohesive brand experience for the user."

The WebAwards competition judges food websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:
• Design
• Innovation
• Content
• Technology
• Interactivity
• Copywriting
• Ease of use

Food industry websites have generally outperformed the overall ISAR Index for web development - beating the index in all years except 1999 and 2000.

Food websites have beaten the 3-year average in each of the seven judging criteria. Food websites are usually well-designed and contain well-written content.

According to the ISAR Study, areas of improvement include innovation and use of technology as these are their lowest scores.

The 2006 WebAward for Best Food Web site went to Publicis Net for Coca Cola BlaK

Other past winners include:
- 2005 These Days & Sara Lee for Jacqmotte Escape
- 2004 Emerald of California
- 2003 Fairytale Brownies for brownies.com
- 2002 Fry, Inc for Hickory Farms
- 2001 Luminant Worldwide for Skittles

A complete list of past winners can be found at food.webaward.org

Companies and organizations wishing to have their food Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Website's credibility and marketing efforts, can learn more at www.07webaward.org.

To request your copy of the 2007 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: http://www.webaward.org/isar_report.asp

The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2007 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organiztions: Burst Media, PRWeb, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, SimpleFeed, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, eComXpo, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, OTOlabs, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson and eMarketer.

2007 WebAward Call for Entries
The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 11th annual international WebAward Competition. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks that the Internet Standards Assessment report is based upon. The food industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Food Web site of 2007. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2007 and the WebAward Web site is located at www.07webaward.org.

About the WebAwards
Now in its 11th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.07webaward.org.

Over 25 Vegan Organisations Form Super Team to Turn Everyone Into Vegetarians

2008-02-25T01:13:00.000-08:00

The top UK vegetarian and vegan NGOs in the UK have joined forces to create a formidable team to promote the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, it's lighter carbon footprint, veganism's solution for cruelty free sustainable living and to double the number of vegans in the UK by the end of the year.

The Vegan diet has already enjoyed unprecedented media coverage this year, not just highlighting traditional issues such as the health benefits, but also the environmental benefits. Veganism has also featured prominently in recent stories in the fashion pages as vegan eco-chic becomes the top 'it' of 2007. As US and UK students apply their ethics to their research new evidence is surfacing on diet, nutrition and health and measures for preventative medicine in the footsteps of Hippocrates ("let medicine by thy food....").

Yaoh Hemp products, the organisers and main sponsors of The 5th Bristol Vegan Fayre have gathered together an impressive line up of vegetarian and vegan organisations from around the UK. The super-vegan dream-team list includes The Vegan Society, Viva!, PeTA, Animal Aid, The Vegetarian and Vegan Foundation, BUAV, Sea Shepherd, The Fresh Network, Europeans for Medical Progress Trust, CAPS, The Monkey Sanctuary Trust, The Movement for Compassionate Living, Protect Our Wild Animals, Southern Animal Rights Coalition (SARC), SPEAK, SHAC, HSA, Vegetarian Guides, Vegan Organic Network, Greek Animal welfare Trust, Animals Asia, International Aid for Korean Animals, Avon Wildlife Trust and the new political party for animal rights Animals Count

Other groups represented at The Vegan Festival include Amnesty International, Bristol City Council Waste Services and the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM)

Tim Barford the man who started The Bristol Vegan Fayre five years ago said "It's great to see everyone coming together to create a really loud voice to highlight the sustainable living and ethical lifestyle benefits that veganism has to offer"

He says it wouldn't have been possible without the magnificent support from the local council, the Bristol Tourist Board and some of the top independent players in the UK vegetarian food Industry. Yet again Barford has gathered an impressive list.

The line up of sponsors includes vegan food manufacturers such as Vegan BBQ kings Frys Foods, grand master impressionists Redwood Foods, Bute Island Scheese, dairy free Willy Wonkas Plamil Foods, Nutiva Hemp Foods and Queen of raw food Shazzie from Detox Your World. Essential Trading, Suma, Harvest and Marigold represent the independent health food trade along with vegetarian lifestyle magazine Lifescape and local Bristol rag The Spark.

Supergreen vegetarian cruelty free bath bomb inventors, Lush Cosmetics, join the Bristol Vegan Fayre line up for the first time alongside Scottish organic natural skincare and natural make-up company Lavera.

The wild card sponsor is Shakeaway the company that has revolutionised the milkshake concept and now offer more dairy free vegan milkshake flavours than you can shake a stick at (let alone a cow)

With this awesome line up you can't help but share in their optimism that critical mass has finally be reached and that veganism really has come of age. The whole thing is even planned to be broadcast live, worldwide, over the internet and mobile phone networks via the vegetarian TV station www.veggievision.com

Contacts
Tim Barford is a celebrated Hempologist and founder of Yaoh Hemp foods, products and cosmetics. Responsible for The Vegan Guide to Bristol , and what promises to be the world's biggest ever Vegan Fayre.

Health, Benefits Of Natural Organic Foods

2008-02-25T01:11:00.000-08:00

Its not everyday that a person has the chance to change the way that they eat. You might try to do so, become healthier and eat healthier but in a great many ways you will be thwarted in this desire. This is why the benefits of organic food can have a far reaching effect on you, more so than you might have thought.

Why do I say this? Because even though you might try to become healthy and change your way of living, it is extremely difficult to do so in many circumstances. With the advent of more and more organic foods onto the scene however, it becomes easier to hold to your desire to live a healthier lifestyle. Why? For the simple reason that your healthy eating habits become even healthier when they come in the guise of organic foods.

As you can see, the benefits of organic foods are many and you need only to scratch the surface to start finding them. As you dig deeper you will find there are more and more benefits of organic foods, some of which you might not even have thought about.

So what are the benefits of organic foods? Well, to begin with, organic foods are produced in such a way that there are no chemicals in the growing process or in the case of animals, the rearing process.

No chemicals are introduced into the mix and only natural fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used. In the case of farm animals, only organic feed is given to them, so you can be assured that when you get organic meats or milks and things that the animals too are reared according to organic standards.

There are also other benefits to organic food which includes the exclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMO). GMO?s to put it succinctly are foods which have had their genetic structure modified in some way or other.

While this might seem to yield many benefits in the field of agriculture by providing farmers with larger amounts of useable crops, no one still fully knows what the disadvantages are of modifying the genetic structure of living organisms. You need to look no further to find further such glaring deficits that science only found out about years after their regular and widespread usage, than to look at Lead and how bad we consider that to be.

To that extent, the benefits of organic food far outweigh the dubious goodness of non-organic foods, at least until the jury comes back in on that question. The only problem is the high cost of organic foods ? the medical costs that you might incur upon seeing your monthly food bill after going organic might put you off the many benefits of organic food until such time as they become less expensive!

Health Benefits of Everything You Eat and Drink, Enhance the Taste

2008-02-25T00:57:00.000-08:00

If you like the idea of revealing the full flavours of your food and drink so that they taste better and you'd like to make the water you drink more bio-available to your body so that you reach a higher level of hydration by drinking less water then the Taste Enhancer is just what you've been looking for. The Taste Enhancer is a plastic coaster containing programmed technology that you simply place your drink or plate of food on for about 30 seconds per litre minimum for the effect to work. It requires no power or batteries. The longer you leave your favourite glass of wine (or any other drink) or food on the Taste Enhancer, the better it tastes!!

All but the most expensive wines tend to have a sharpness or edge to them. The more expensive the wine, the less noticeable this edge becomes. By placing an opened bottle on the Taste Enhancer for a minute or 2 it takes away this sharpness and gives red wine the same effect as if it has been allowed to breathe for much longer. White wines become more fruity. It is frustrating when you've put so much effort into cooking a dinner party to then realise you've forgotten to open the carefully chosen bottle of red wine. With the Taste Enhancer it's not an issue and if you're the chef's partner who was supposed to be responsible for making sure the wine is opened in time it could save you an ear-bashing and a stint in the dog-house!

One whisky drinker likened it to adding a small volume of water to whisky - a practice often used by connoisseurs to enable the different flavours within the single malt to be more easily distinguishable by reducing the intensity of flavour so that the taste buds are not overwhelmed. The downside of this practice is that it alters the product as it was distilled in the barrel and also waters down the alcohol. With the Taste Enhancer you're not altering the whisky and you get all the flavours without watering down the alcohol. One drinker in Oklahoma, USA but a whole bottle of regular Jack Daniels on the Taste Enhancer and took it to a party to test on his friends. They were convinced that he'd brought along a bottle of Gentleman Jacks. Brandy and liqueurs are likewise enhanced. For a one-off purchase of a Taste Enhancer you can get this effect with every bottle.

Of course the Taste Enhancer is not just about improving the taste of alcoholic beverages. Athletes who have used the Taste Enhancer with their sports drinks and water have reported that the effects of the drink or water were more quickly apparent. Their energy levels felt higher more quickly and they felt more hydrated. This parallels the experience of indoor gardeners who have placed weak potted plants on the Taste Enhancer and found that the plants recover and grow better than those not placed on the Taste Enhancer. It would seem to suggest that the physical effect of the Taste Enhancer is to make the water and other nutrients more bio-available to cells and that includes the taste buds which explains the improved flavours.

Fresh fruit kept in a bowl on the Taste Enhancer lasts longer before decaying.Again the flavour of the fruit is enhanced as it is also with a drink of fruit juice. With fruit being too expensive to waste unnecessarily there is now a way of minimising this loss and you avoid the disappointment of going to grab a piece of fruit only to find it's no longer edible.

For more information and to buy your Taste Enhancer online go to www.Taste-Enhancer.com

Roger Meacock is a veterinarian with a difference. He specialises in using cutting ege technology to improve the health and lifestyle of his clients - both animals and people. He has a special interest in anything that improves healing, anti-ageing and lifestyle optimisation.

Good Tips to Save on Healthcare Insurance

2008-02-24T03:20:00.000-08:00

Americans shopping for their own healthcare insurance can substantially cut premiums by following 10 simple steps, according to leading insurers.
Answer Financial Inc. (http://www.answerfinancial.com), cites the following cost-saving measures:
Comparison shop
You can save money by comparison shopping and exploring various options such as higher deductibles. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium. Comparison shopping also allows you to determine the best cost-benefit value. For example, many plans cap coverage for serious illness so premiums may be lower than one with a high cap. Always compare benefits, deductibles and premiums and if you have a preferred physician, make sure that he or she is a participant in your plan.
Practice preventive care
Work out a schedule of preventive health screenings with your physician that are appropriate for your age and gender. Private screening companies offer a series of tests at low prices that can show if you need more intense screenings. The lower your medical bills, the lower your premiums will be, but don't skimp on the basics.
Take an active role in health care decisions
Take the time to build a good relationship with your doctor and participate actively in your care. Every test and drug has some risk involved, and some tests may be defensive medicine. Ask what will happen if you choose not to take a drug or have a test. Your doctor may be able to suggest alternatives that are less risky and costly.
Avoid hospitalization whenever possible
Over half of all health care costs are for hospitalizations. Consider outpatient services or same day surgery as alternatives to hospitalization. Today there are more and better alternatives to surgery; always do your research before any major medical procedure.
Understand health risks
Good lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise and consumption of vegetables and fruits, have proven to make a huge positive difference on health even when started in older years. Choices such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, and poor nutrition contribute to a higher risk for health problems.
Contribute to employer sponsored healthcare savings account (HSA)
These tax-protected accounts of up to $10,000 annually can cover everything from the cost of band-aids to co-payments on doctor visits. HSA's can be established by employers that only offer high-deductible healthcare insurance ($1,000 and over). HSA legislations went into effect last year and more employers are expected to set these up as a way to decrease insurance costs and offer a tax benefit for their employees.
Know what your medical benefits cover
Carefully study the medical benefits of various plans and always compare before you purchase. If you have a managed care plan, know about the plan's grievance procedure and use it if you don't feel you are getting adequate care. – do not be afraid to ask questions
Save the emergency room for emergencies
Emergency room charges can be much more costly than a doctor's visit. These visits will also drive up your premium.
Check your hospital and doctor bills carefully
Billing errors are a common occurrence. Notify your hospital and health plan promptly when errors are found.
Try home remedies first
Eight out of 10 health problems can be treated at home. Make sure you have good first aid equipment on hand such as antibiotic cream and various size bandages. When you feel a cold coming on, try rest and over-the-counter treatments. By doing a good job of self-care, you can lower your health care costs by reducing doctor visits.
For more information, go to http://www.answerfinancial.com.
Steve Kroll is senior vice president of marketing at Answer Financial, Inc. (http://www.answerfinancial.com). An acknowledged expert in consumer marketing, he has more than 17 years of experience as an executive in the financial services industry including six as president of his own consulting firm, The Kroll Group, Inc., which specialized in retail financial products and payment systems. Its client base included affinity groups, Fortune 500 companies, management consulting firms and advertising agencies. Kroll's marketing accomplishments include developing insurance and investment product offerings for Charles Schwab, Citibank, Household International and The Signature Group. He also has created multiple-useage incentive and retention programs for some of the nation's leading credit card issuers and developed new lifestyle-and affinity-related credit cards that delivered an above-average response and usage rate. Kroll has also assisted in the development and marketing of Internet-based financial services for Wells Fargo, NYCE and American Skandia.

Health Rankings for Food Brands

2008-02-24T03:07:00.000-08:00

Working with the Food Standards Agency official guidelines on sugar, fat, salt and fibre, the new book, The Good Nutrition Guide at last reveals the true health rankings of UK food brands. Today the link between food choices and a range of life-threatening conditions such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes is clear. So, using straight forward nutrition facts, The Good Nutrition Guide analyses and compares hundreds of famous food products (from Heinz to Hob Nobs) in detail.
The Good Nutrition Guide also provides pages of healthy eating information and good nutrition advice. The book makes sensible food planning easy, showing how to make all the best food choices for personal wellbeing -- from interpreting current guidelines on recommended daily amounts to deciphering the highly confusing traffic light labelling systems.
The Good Nutrition Guide tables show how much energy, protein, fibre and carbohydrates plus sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt content is found per 100g of the food item. This information is then calculated to give each food product its Good Nutrition Guide Score: The total scores are out of 100 and the results rang from 12.5 upwards - this allows consumers and supermarket buyers a quick comparison between brands in a particular food category and indicates which foods are heaviest in potentially unhealthy ingredients.
Preview of The Good Nutrition Guide scores:
There are some surprising results, for example while the jam-filled, chocolate-covered Jaffa Cake may seem something of an indulgent treat it actually scores significantly better than the supposedly healthy Weightwatchers' Oat Crunch Biscuits. Likewise Kellogg's Frosties achieve an astonishingly higher score than the apparently "healthier" option of Kellogg's Fruit and Fibre.
Biscuits
Best in category: Jaffa Cakes Orange (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 50.0)
Lowest in sugars: McVitie's Original Digestives
Lowest in fat: Weightwatchers Oat Crunch Biscuits
Lowest in salt: Baiocchi Hazelnut & Cocoa Filled Biscuits
Worst choice includes: Cadbury's Milk Chocolate Fingers, Maryland Choc Chip Cookies and McVitie's Milk Chocolate Digestives
Butter and Margarine
Best in category: Country Life Unsalted (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 50.0)
Lowest in sugars includes: Flora Original, Pre with Soya and Flora Pro Active
Lowest in fat: St Ivel Gold Low Fat
Lowest in salt: Country Life Unsalted
Worst choice includes: I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Stork
Breakfast Cereals
Best in category: Shredded Wheat (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 100.0)
Lowest in sugars: Shredded Wheat
Lowest in fat: Frosties
Lowest in salt includes: Sugar Puffs, Quaker Oats and Ready Brek
Worst choice: Nestle Curiously Cinnamon
Crisps
Best in category: Kettle Chips Lightly Salted (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 50.0), Kettle Chips Salsa with Mesquite (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 50.0), Walkers Cheese & Onion (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 50.0)
Lowest in sugars: Hula Hoops
Lowest in fat includes: Walkers Cheese & Onion, Walkers Prawn Cocktail and Walkers Salt & Vinegar
Lowest in salt: Doritos Lightly Salted Corn Chips
Worst choice includes: Pringles Salt & Vinegar, Doritos Cool Original Flavour, Sensations Slow Roasted Lamb with Moroccan Spices, Wotsits
Gravy, Stock and Stuffing Mix
Best in category: Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing; Chiltern Herbs Country Stuffing; Just Bouillon Chicken Stock; Just Bouillon Red Meat Gravy; Just Bouillon Concentrated Stock Vegetable; Schwartz Rich Onion Gravy; Shropshire Spice Co. Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix; Knorr Simply Stock Chicken; Knorr The Fish Cube (All have a Good Nutrition Guide Score of 87.5)
Lowest in sugars: Knorr The Fish Cube
Lowest in fat: Knorr Simply Stock Chicken
Lowest in salt: Sierra Rica Organic Traditional Chestnut Stuffing
Worst choice: Bisto Favourite Gravy Granules
Quiche
Best in category: Morrisons Eat Smart Reduced Fat Cheese & Onion (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 75.0), Asda Good For You Cheese & Onion (Good Nutrition Guide Score: 75.0)
Lowest in sugars includes: Asda Chicken & Mushroom, Morrisons Smoked Ham, Cheese, Chicken & Leek Flan
Lowest in fat: Morrisons Eat Smart Reduced Fat Quiche Lorraine
Lowest in salt includes: Asda Spinach & Ricotta, Asda Chicken & Mushroom, Morrisons Eat Smart Reduced Fat Cheese & Onion
Worst choice includes: Asda Extra Special Wensleydale & Tomato, Sainsbury's Quiche Lorraine, Tesco Cheese & Bacon
In short The Good Nutrition Guide is a stream of surprises that quite simply blows the lid off hundreds of household brand names.
The proven links between good nutrition, vitality, health and happiness are being strengthened with every study. The Good Nutrition Guide provides shockingly clear information - and shows why good nutrition starts with knowing exactly which are the real heroes and villains of the supermarket shelves.
William Sankey, research and editorial director, says, "The Good Nutrition Guide scoring system sets out to reward only those products which are genuinely healthy. There are many packaging claims out there which do not withstand a full health analysis - these products are given low scores in The Good Nutrition Guide."
The Good Nutrition Guide can be found in all good bookshops or ordered direct from www.ethical-company-organisation.org
More about The Ethical Company Organisation
The Ethical Company Organisation aims to promote a universally responsible corporate attitude towards people, animal welfare and the environment. Its three divisions include Ethical Research, Ethical Publications and the Ethical Company Accreditation scheme. Its flagship book, The Good Shopping Guide is now on its sixth annual edition and has become the world's leading ethical shopping reference book. Over 60 companies (including Innocent Drinks, Sainsbury's and Good Energy) have joined the Ethical Accreditation scheme as a mark of commitment to a broad ethical agenda, independently certified.

6 ways for Finding Affordable Health Insurance

2008-02-24T03:04:00.000-08:00

As a health plan broker, I've spent the last 23 years helping people find affordable health insurance. Along the way I've learned how to trim the price of health insurance without trimming the quality. Here are a few of my secrets:#1) Don't be afraid to consider plans with higher deductibles. Insurance, by definition, is protection from serious financial loss. A good plan, even with a high deductible, can give you that protection. As a bonus, many of these types of plans will waive the deductible for routine office visits, routine physicals, and generic drugs.#2) Take a look at HSA plans. In the last few years a new type of plan has become available. These are called HSA (Health Savings Account) eligible plans. They are low cost, high deductible health plans that offer outstanding tax benefits. Any good health insurance company offers them.#3) If you don't need maternity, drop it. You can lower your premium by choosing a plan without maternity. And remember, for family coverage, not everyone has to be on the same plan. To lower your cost you can get a plan with maternity for the person who needs it and a plan without maternity for the other family members.#4) A quick word about basic, hospital only coverage: Caution. Yes, I know those super low prices are tempting, but there is a risk. You can rack up huge medical bills without ever stepping foot in a hospital. That being said, if that's all that's affordable at the present time, it's better than nothing, and you can try to upgrade when finances allow.#5) HMO's vs. PPO's. Many people think that HMO's are cheaper than PPO's but usually that's not the case. If you're looking for good quality insurance at the lowest possible price and you don't mind a higher deductible, then a PPO will be cheaper. If you want the richest benefits possible with little or no deductible, then you might consider an HMO. Remember, though, an HMO is less flexible and there are restrictions on which doctors you can use.#6) Get some help. In your quest for affordable health insurance, sometimes it helps to talk with a professional. Make a few phone calls. Find an experienced, friendly health plan broker that offers several different companies. It won't cost you anything (we're paid by the insurance carriers), but it will probably save you time, money, and frustration.