Breast Cancer Survival: By The Numbers

Breast Cancer Survival: By The Numbers

The survival rate for people diagnosed with breast cancer is pretty good (80 percent recover and go on to live for at least 10 years) but the ordeal can easily be overwhelming. Still, there have been steady improvements made in both longevity and quality of life for those undergoing treatment.

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Here’s how you can outsmart oral cancer

Here’s how you can outsmart oral cancer

Cancer anywhere in the body is never good but for some reason, having cancer strike in our oral cavity seems particularly bad.  Oral cancer also known as head and neck cancers will appear as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away.  This type of cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat).  Any of them can not only be disfiguring but also life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

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8 mistaken beliefs about breast cancer

8 mistaken beliefs about breast cancer

When we hear of a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer, most of us tend to assume it is breast cancer.  Part of this is the fact breast cancer gets a lot of media exposure compared to other forms of cancer.  But for women in the United States, with the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women and according to BreastCancer.org, for 2017 it is estimated that about 30% of cancers diagnosed in women will be breast cancer.

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12 steps to relieve IBS symptoms naturally

12 steps to relieve IBS symptoms naturally

IBS is a disorder affecting between 25 to 45 million people in the US who know all too well the disabling symptoms it can cause disrupting their lives. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.  Up to 1 in 5 Americans have chronic IBS with symptoms lasting for years or a lifetime.

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How to treat and prevent recurring vaginal yeast infections

How to treat and prevent recurring vaginal yeast infections

A vaginal yeast infection experienced one time can be bad enough but recurrent yeast infections can drive a woman crazy.  The itching and burning accompanying a yeast infection has women who are desperate for relief.  Many women blame yeast infections on certain foods they are eating.  Going gluten-free or avoiding chocolate are common food foes often believed by some women to be the cause of their misery.  Other women may blame it on sex avoiding sexual contact with their partner. 

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An overview of Hashimoto’s disease

An overview of Hashimoto’s disease

To understand Hashimoto’s disease, you need to understand the thyroid.  The thyroid is a 2-inch long butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck below the larynx or voice box.  It is one of the glands making up the endocrine system which produces and stores hormones releasing them into the bloodstream when needed.  Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroiditis, is a disorder affecting the thyroid gland and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. 

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Living well with only one kidney

Living well with only one kidney

Most of us take for granted our kidneys.  Unless we’ve been told otherwise, we assume we have two functioning kidneys about the size of a fist doing their day-to-day job of keeping the composition of our blood stable allowing the body to function.  These bean-shaped organs work hard at preventing buildup of wastes and extra fluid in the body along with stabilizing electrolytes of sodium, potassium, and phosphate among other duties they do. As long as they are performing as they should, we barely think about the fact of “what if I only had one kidney?”

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Peyronie’s disease – when a man’s penis curves

Peyronie’s disease – when a man’s penis curves

There is probably no other part of the male anatomy that men scrutinize the most than their penis.  If it is not perfectly straight when erect, a man may wonder is this normal or not.  To set the record, uh, straight, a slight curve or tendency to lean to the left or right when erect is considered normal.  But, if the penis has a significant bend that is more noticeable, then it could be a condition called Peyronie’s disease.

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The Hidden Breast Cancer

The Hidden Breast Cancer

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a particularly rare and particularly insidious version of breast cancer. Rare, as it affects only 1 in 10 people diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Insidious, as it can spread easily to other parts of your body like other invasive breast cancers, but ILC does all this without ever causing lumps to form. It is even more difficult to find on a mammogram!

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Exploring esophageal cancer

Exploring esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the esophagus. Even though esophageal cancer is an uncommon cancer, any signs or symptoms of it should not be ignored as only about 20 percent of patients survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.  Knowing what to look for and possible ways to prevent this cancer is a first step in avoiding it to begin with. 

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Causes and treatment of varicose veins

Causes and treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins can be an unsightly condition appearing like gnarled, enlarged veins usually found in the legs and feet.  These swollen, twisted veins can be seen just below the skin surface.  They can cause mild to moderate pain, blood clots, skin ulcers (sores), a heavy or aching feeling, a burning sensation or itching above the affected veins.

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