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Medical Tips For Nausea And Vomiting Caused By Cancer Treatment

Medical Tips For Nausea And Vomiting Caused By Cancer Treatment

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One of the most common side effects of cancer treatment is nausea. It can be caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and even anaesthesia. Dehydration or constipation can play a part, too. Several medications are available now to help patients manage nausea. 

What are Nausea and Vomiting?

Nausea and vomiting are common and sometimes serious side effects of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments can cause nausea and vomiting.

Nausea feels queasy, sick to your stomach, or like you might throw up. Vomiting is throwing up the food and liquid in your stomach.

It is important that your nausea and vomiting are controlled and managed. If these aren’t, these problems can affect your daily life, mental health, and physical health and even delay treatment. Relieving side effects, palliative care or supportive care, is an important part of cancer care and treatment. 

What Causes Nausea and Vomiting When On Cancer Therapy?

Chemo patient with hairy chest after the theraphy

When you have cancer, the causes of nausea and vomiting can include the following:

  • Chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs. Your healthcare team may call it chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). And a higher dosage of chemotherapy can make your side effects worse. 
  • Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy to large areas of the body, specifically the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, or brain, can cause nausea and vomiting. A higher radiation therapy dosage is also more likely to cause these symptoms.
  • Other medications used in cancer care. Other drugs used to treat cancer, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, can cause nausea and vomiting. Some medications to help with side effects can also cause nausea and vomiting. For instance, pain medications commonly cause stomach problems.

Types of Nausea and Vomiting Caused By Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

  • Delayed nausea and vomiting usually start more than 24 hours after treatment and can last up to a few days after treatment ends. 
  • Anticipatory nausea and vomiting are learned or conditioned responses. It appears to result from previous experiences with treatment that led to nausea and vomiting, in which the brain pairs some parts of the treatment, such as the sights, sounds, and smells of the treatment area, with vomiting. 
  • Breakthrough nausea and vomiting happen even though treatment has been given to prevent it. When this happens, you may need more or different medicines to help prevent further nausea and vomiting.
  • Refractory vomiting is when you’reyou get medicines to prevent or control nausea and vomiting, but the drugs are not working. Your nausea and vomiting have become refractory to the medicines you’reyou take to prevent it. You may need more or different medicines to stop nausea and vomiting. 

Nausea and vomiting can be caused by radiation therapy based on the following:

  • Total body irradiation is linked to a high risk of nausea and vomiting if treatment is not given to prevent it. Patients may also get high doses of chemo to prepare for the transplant, raising the chance of nausea and vomiting.
  • The part of the body being treated. The risk is greatest when the brain is treated or the area of the body being treated includes a large part of the upper abdomen.
  • The dose of radiation given. The bigger the radiation dose given, the higher the risk for nausea and vomiting.

Treatment, Management, and Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting

woman having a glass of water

You can take steps to reduce your risk of nausea and vomiting. For example:

  • Eat what appeals to you. It’s best, however, to avoid sweet, fried or fatty foods. In addition, cool foods may give off less bothersome odours.
  • Eat small meals. Stagger small meals throughout the day rather than eating fewer, larger meals. If possible, don’t skip meals. Eating a light meal a few hours before treatment also may help.
  • Drink lots of fluids. Try cool beverages, such as water, unsweetened fruit juices, tea or ginger ale that’s lost its carbonation. It may help to drink small amounts throughout the day rather than larger amounts less frequently.
  • Cook and freeze meals before treatment to avoid cooking when you’re not feeling well. Or have someone else cook for you.
  • Avoid unpleasant smells. Pay attention to what smells trigger nausea and limit your exposure to unpleasant smells. Fresh air may help.
  • Use relaxation techniques. Examples include meditation and deep breathing.
  • Make yourself comfortable. Rest after eating, but don’t lie flat for a couple of hours. Try wearing loose fitting clothing and distracting yourself with other activities.
  • Consider complementary therapies. Complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and aromatherapy, may help you feel better when combined with your doctor’s medications. Tell your doctor if you’re interested in trying these treatments. He or she may be able to recommend a practitioner who works with people undergoing cancer treatments.

A recommended prescription that can be used for nausea and vomiting:

What is Multiple Myeloma

What is Multiple Myeloma?

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Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer that affects your plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells and part of your immune system. Plasma cells make antibodies. These antibodies, called immunoglobulins, help fight infection.

Multiple myeloma happens when healthy cells become abnormal cells that multiply and produce abnormal antibodies called M proteins. This change starts a cascade of medical issues and conditions affecting your bones, kidneys, and body’s ability to make healthy white and red blood cells and platelets.

Factors that may increase your risk of multiple myeloma include:

  • Family history of multiple myeloma – If a brother, sister, or parent has multiple myeloma, you risk the disease more.
  • They are increasing in age – Your risk of multiple myeloma increases as you age, with most people diagnosed in their mid-60s.
  • Male sex – Men are more likely to develop the disease than women.
  • Black race – Black people are more likely to develop multiple myeloma than people of other races.
  • Personal History of a Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) – Multiple myeloma almost always starts as MGUS, so having this condition increases your risk.

What Are The Symptoms?

Chest pain

Symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary, and there may be none early in the disease. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mental fogginess or confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent infections
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness or numbness in your legs
  • Excessive thirst

Complications of multiple myeloma include:

  • Frequent infections – Myeloma cells inhibit your body’s ability to fight infections.
  • Bone problems – Multiple myeloma can also affect your bones, leading to bone pain, thinning, and broken bones.
  • A reduced kidney function – Multiple myeloma may cause problems with kidney function, including kidney failure.
  • Low red blood cell count – As myeloma cells crowd out normal blood cells, multiple myeloma can cause anemia and other blood problems.

How Do You Treat It?

If you are experiencing symptoms, treatment can help relieve pain, control complications of the disease, stabilize your condition, and slow the progress of multiple myeloma. 

The combination of treatments you’ll likely receive will depend on whether you’re considered a good candidate for a bone marrow transplant. Treatment depends on the risk of your disease progressing, age, and overall health.

  • If you’re considered a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, your initial therapy will likely include a combination of treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, corticosteroids, and sometimes chemotherapy. Your blood stem cells will likely be collected after undergoing a few months of treatment. If it occurs, you may experience a bone marrow transplant soon after your cells are collected, or the transplant may be delayed until after a relapse. In some situations, doctors recommend two bone marrow transplants for people with multiple myeloma. After your bone marrow transplant, you’ll likely receive targeted therapy or immunotherapy as a maintenance treatment to prevent myeloma recurrence.
  • If you’re not considered a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, your initial therapy will likely include a combination of treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, corticosteroids, and sometimes chemotherapy.
  • If your myeloma recurs or doesn’t respond to treatment, your doctor may recommend repeating another course of the treatment that initially helped you. Another option is trying one or more of the other treatments typically used as first-line therapy, either alone or in combination. Research on several new treatment options is ongoing, and you may be eligible for a clinical trial to gain access to those experimental treatments. Talk to your doctor about what clinical trials may be available to you.
Medications for Migraine

Because multiple myeloma can cause several complications, you may also need treatment for those conditions. For example:

  • Bone pain – Pain medications, radiation therapy, and surgery may help control bone pain.
  • Kidney complications – People with severe kidney damage may need dialysis.
  • Infections – Your doctor may recommend certain vaccines to prevent infections like the flu and pneumonia.
  • Bone loss – Your doctor may recommend bone-building drugs to help prevent bone loss.
  • Anemia – If you have persistent anemia, your doctor may recommend medications to increase your red blood cell count.
What Are The Major Risk Factors For Lung Cancer

What Are The Major Risk Factors For Lung Cancer?

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Lung cancer is known to be the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. The major risk factors that research has found may increase your chances of getting lung cancer. 

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can’t be changed.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer cells are categorized under the microscope into two major types. Depending on the type of lung cancer you have, your doctor will make treatment decisions.

The two general types of lung cancer include:

  • Small Cell Lung Cancer: This occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers and is less common than non-small cell lung cancer.
  • Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: This is an umbrella term for several types of lung cancers. Non-small cell lung cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
smoking cigarettes

Major Risk Factors of Lung Cancer

  • Smoking

The number one risk factor for lung cancer is smoking cigarettes. Cigars and pipes are also tobacco products that increase lung cancer risk. More than 7,000 chemicals are present in tobacco smoke. Smoking increases a person’s risk the longer they smoke and the more cigarettes they smoke each day. 

  • Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke (smoking from someone else’s cigarettes, pipes, or cigars) can also cause lung cancer. Inhaling secondhand smoke is like smoking. 

  • Radon

In the United States, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Water, soil, and rocks all contain radon, a naturally occurring gas. There is no way to see, taste, or smell it. By getting into homes or buildings through cracks or holes, radon can get trapped and build up in the air. Radon levels are high in homes and buildings where people live or work. Lung cancer can be caused by radon over long periods.

  • Personal or Family History of Lung Cancer

There is a risk that you may develop another lung cancer if you are a lung cancer survivor, especially if you smoke. Your risk of lung cancer may be higher if your parents, siblings, or children have had lung cancer. This could be true because they also smoke, or they live or work in the same place where they are exposed to radon and other substances that can cause lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Treatment for Lung Cancer 

A treatment plan is based on several factors such as overall health, the stage of your cancer, and the type. In some cases, you may choose not to undergo treatment. For instance, you may feel that the side effects of treatment will outweigh the potential benefits. When that’s the case, your doctor may suggest comfort care to treat only the symptoms the cancer is causing. 

Treatment may include:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Stereotactic body radiotherapy
  • Targeted drug therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Palliative care 
What Are The Types Of Breast Cancer

What Are The Types Of Breast Cancer?

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There are many types of breast cancer and many different ways to define them. The different type of breast cancer is defined by where in the breast they begin and how much they have grown or spread. These types of breast cancer you’ve been diagnosed with will help you and your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease where cells in the breast grow out of control. This type of cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.

Types of Breast Cancer

A type of breast cancer is determined by the specific cells in the breast that become cancer.

1. Invasive Breast Cancer

Invasive breast cancer has spread into the surrounding breast tissue. The two most common types of invasive breast cancer are defined by where in the breast they begin to grow:

  • Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)

Some types of invasive breast cancer have features that affect how they develop and how they are treated.

2. Non-Invasive Breast Cancer

When breast cancer is called non-invasive it means it has not spread beyond the breast tissue where it started. There are two main types of non-invasive breast cancer:

mammogram result on screen
  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is non-invasive breast cancer that has not spread outside the milk ducts where it started.
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), is non-invasive breast cancer that has not spread outside the lobules where it started.

3. Cancerous Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare. Most phyllodes tumors are benign but about 25% are cancerous.

What Are The Symptoms Of Breast Cancer?

  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
  • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
  • Pain in any area of the breast
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

Treatment for Breast Cancer

Treatment for breast cancer depends on the type of breast cancer you have. Your doctor also considers your overall health and your preferences. Most women undergo surgery for breast cancer and many also receive additional treatment after surgery. Chemotherapy might also be used before surgery in certain situations.

The medication you can use if you have breast cancer:

Metastatic Breast Cancer

What Are The First Signs Of Metastatic Breast Cancer?

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Metastatic Breast Cancer is known as stage IV which has spread to another part of the body, most commonly to the bones, lungs, brain, or liver. Breast cancer can have different signs for different people. Most don’t notice any signs at all. The most common sign is a lump in your breast or armpit. Others include skin changes, pain, a nipple that pulls inward, and unusual discharge from your nipple.

What Are the Early Signs of Metastatic Breast Cancer?

migraine with aura

Without treatment, breast cancer can spread to other parts of your body. You may have:

  • Bone pain
  • Double vision
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Headache
  • Changes in brain function
  • Trouble breathing
  • Belly swelling
  • Muscle weakness 
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

What Causes Metastatic Breast Cancer?

A cancerous cell can invade nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels. The cancer cells then travel through lymph vessels or blood vessels throughout the body. Fluids and blood flow through these vessels. Small tumors can form when cancer cells migrate to new locations.

Who Is At Risk For Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Some people are at higher risk for metastatic breast cancer after finishing certain cancer treatments. The risk depends on various features of cancer including:

  • The stage at your first diagnosis
  • Tumor characteristics (type of cancer cells)
  • Treatment received
Blood tests

Diagnosis for Metastatic Breast Cancer

If you have a history of breast cancer and develop any signs of metastatic breast cancer, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to see if cancer has returned:

  • Blood tests 
  • Whole-body bone scan, with or without x-rays of specific bones
  • MRI of the spine or brain
  • CT scan of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, or brain
  • PET scan
  • X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen or chest
  • Biopsy of any suspicious area
  • Bronchoscopy, if you have a constant cough or trouble breathing
  • A tap, removal of fluid from the area with symptoms to check for cancer cells

Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer

The main treatment for metastatic breast cancer is a systemic therapy. This treatment cures the entire body. Systemic therapy may be linked with a combination of:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormonal therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy

Your health care team will plan your treatment based on:

  • Past breast cancer treatments
  • Symptoms
  • Body parts cancer has reached
  • Tumor biology, or how the cancer cells look and behave

Medication can be used for Metastatic Breast Cancer:

This medicine is a hormone-based drug that works by binding to estrogen receptors and blocking the effects of estrogen, a natural female hormone in the breast tissue. This slows down the growth and multiplication of breast cancer cells. As a result, it slows the progression of metastatic breast cancer. 

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. Although this cancer may occur in both men and women, it’s far more common in women. 

Breast cancer is cancer that starts in breast tissue. It happens when cells in the breast change and grow out of control. The cells usually form a tumor. Sometimes cancer does not spread any further. It may just spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Or cancer may metastasize through the lymph system or the blood.

mammogram result on screen

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

  • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
  • A newly inverted nipple
  • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
  • Change in the size, shape, or appearance of a breast
  • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple or breast skin

Causes of Breast Cancer

Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when certain breast cells grow abnormally. The cells multiply more rapidly than healthy ones do, forming lumps or masses as they accumulate. Your breast cancer cells may spread (metastasize) to your lymph nodes or other parts of your body.

Most breast cancers start in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Invasive lobular carcinoma may also develop in the glandular tissue called lobules (breast cancer).

Several factors can increase your risk of breast cancer, including hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors. However, it is not known why some people with no risk factors develop cancer while others with risk factors never do. Breast cancer is likely caused by a combination of your genetic makeup and the environment you live in.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

  • Increasing age
  • Being female
  • A personal history of breast conditions
  • A family history of breast cancer
  • Radiation exposure 
  • Obesity
  • Beginning your period at a younger age
  • Beginning menopause at an older age
  • Having your first child at an older age
  • Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer
  • Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children.
mammogram machine

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include:

  • Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Removing a sample of breast cells for testing (biopsy)
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Mammogram
  • Breast exam

Depending on your situation, other tests and procedures may be used. 

Treatment and Medications for Breast Cancer

Almost all women who have breast cancer undergo surgery, and many also receive additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation. Chemotherapy is sometimes used before surgery as well.

You may feel overwhelmed as you make complicated decisions about breast cancer treatment. Consider seeking a second opinion from a breast specialist in a breast center or clinic. Talk to other women who have faced the same decision.

Medications used for Breast Cancer:

Genetic Ovarian Cancer

Genetic Ovarian Cancer

Disease,

Genetic Ovarian Cancer diagnosis is considered when there are multiple cases of ovarian cancer on the same side of the family. The chance of having the disease increases in any of these situations:

  • One or more women are diagnosed at age 45 or younger
  • There are ovarian cancer in multiple generations on the same side of the family
  • There is a history of ovarian cancer in the family

What Causes Genetic Ovarian Cancer?

The gene mutation is the most common cause of hereditary ovarian cancer. Mutations in other genes are also associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, but scientists have not identified all of the genes involved.

Genes are instructions made from DNA that tell our cells how to function. Every cell in our body contains genes that decide and control how it functions, grows, and appears. Genes are duplicated in each person, one from the mother and one from the father.

Genes enable our cells to function normally. Occasionally, inherited genes may have small changes, known as mutations or alterations. The alteration or mutation of one of our genes can sometimes result in an increased risk of developing certain illnesses, compared to people who do not have the genetic change. The chances of passing on a gene mutation to a child are 50%.

obese tape measure

Other Causes and Risk Factors

Risk factors for ovarian cancers in addition to genetic mutations include:

  • Getting older
  • Being obese or overweight
  • Having children later or not at all
  • Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Using fertility treatments
  • Beginning menstruation early or before the age of 12
  • Smoking
  • Starting menopause later or after the age of 50

Diagnosis of Genetic Ovarian Cancer

People with new signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer lasting longer than 2 weeks must see a doctor for testing. These may include:

The doctor may use various tests to diagnose ovarian cancer including ultrasound, MRI scan, and CT scan. Diagnosis can also involve blood tests, colonoscopy, or biopsies. Early detection is vital to successfully treating ovarian cancer.  

thyroid surgery

Treatment for Genetic Ovarian Cancer

Doctors will recommend treatment options based on the severity of cancer and the overall health of the patient. Ovarian cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery to remove the cancerous tissue and chemotherapy to kill the remaining cancerous cells.

Targeted therapy is sometimes used by doctors. It involves identifying and attacking specific cancer cells with drugs. Chemotherapy typically causes more side effects.

Ovarian Cancer

Survival Rate of Ovarian Cancer

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Living with ovarian cancer may make you wonder about the prognosis. While knowing the prognosis could be helpful, it is important to know that it is only a general guideline. The individual outlook depends on several factors such as age and overall health or wellbeing. 

Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of an individual with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time after they were diagnosed. They can’t tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful. 

A 5-Year Relative Survival Rate 

A relative survival rate compares people with the same type and stage of cancer to people in the overall population. For instance, if the 5-year relative survival rate for a certain stage of ovarian cancer is 80%, it means individuals who have that cancer are, on average, about 80% as likely as people who don’t have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed. 

Rate for Ovarian Cancer 

Survival Rate for Ovarian Cancer 

These rates are adjusted to account for women with ovarian cancer who die of other causes. 

  • If ovarian cancer is confined to the ovary when it’s found, the 5-year survival rate is about 92%. Note that few ovarian cancers are found at this stage.
  • For all stages of ovarian cancer combined, the overall 5-year survival rate is 46%. Women who are younger when diagnosed tend to do better than older women with ovarian cancer. 
  • Ovarian cancer that’s grown just outside the ovary into nearby tissues has a 5-year survival rate of about 73%.
  • The 5-year survival rate for women with ovarian cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body is about 28%. 

What Affects Survival?

Your outcome depends on the stage of cancer when it was diagnosed. This means how big it is and whether it has spread. The type and grade of ovarian cancer affect your likely survival. Grade means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope. Your likely survival can be affected as well by whether the surgeon can remove all the tumors during the initial surgery.

Your overall health and fitness may also be affected by your survival. Doctors have a way of grading how well you are. This is called performance status. Women who have a good performance status have a better outlook. In addition, age may also affect the outcome and survival. 

About the survival rates and what you might expect, you may ask your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that statistics are based on large groups of people. They cannot be used to say what will happen to you. No two people are exactly alike. Treatment and how well people respond to treatment vary.

Lung Cancer

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer

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Lung cancer is the third most common cancer. This type of cancer occurs when cells divide in the lungs uncontrollably which causes tumors to grow. These can decrease a person’s ability to breathe and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer causes changes in the cells that are otherwise healthy. The cells grow too fast, without dying off.  

There are two main types of lung cancer are small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It depends on how they appear under a microscope. Anyone can develop lung cancer, but cigarette smoking and having exposure to smoke, inhaled chemicals, or other toxins can increase the risk. 

Lung Cancer Symptoms

People with lung cancer may not have symptoms until a later stage. If symptoms do appear, they can resemble those of a respiratory. Some possible symptoms include:

Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath and wheezing 
  • Chest pain
  • A lingering cough that may start to get worse
  • Swelling in the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest 
  • Frequent chest infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis 
  • Changes to a person’s voice 

In time, a person may also experience more severe symptoms such as:

Risks and Causes of Lung Cancer 

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can’t be changed. 

But having a risk factor, or even several does not mean that you will get the disease. Also, some people who get the disease may have few or no known risk factors.

Several risk factors can make you more likely to develop lung cancer. These factors are related to the risk of lung cancer in general:

  • Exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens
  • Exposure to radon gas
  • Family history of lung cancer
  • Previous radiation therapy
  • Smoking 
Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

An annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scanning may be beneficial for people at increased risk of lung cancer. An elderly person who has smoked heavily for a long time or has given up smoking in the past 15 years is generally offered a lung cancer screening. Consult your doctor about your lung cancer risk. Depending on your risk, lung cancer screening might be of great help. 

Lung Cancer Treatment 

Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences. In several cases, you may choose not to undergo treatment. For instance, you may feel that the side effects of treatment will outweigh the potential benefits. When that’s the case, your doctor may suggest comfort care to treat only the symptoms the cancer is causing, such as pain or shortness of breath.

Medication used for lung cancer treatment:

  • Ondansetron – used to prevent nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. The medicine works by blocking one of the body’s natural substances (serotonin) that causes vomiting. 
Lymphoma

Lymphoma: Symptoms and Causes

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Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that begins in the lymph system. The two main types of lymphoma are:

  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – spreads through the lymphatic system in a non-orderly manner.
  • Hodgkin lymphoma – spreads in an orderly manner from one group of lymph nodes to another.

Lymphoma cancer can occur in adults, teens, and children of any age. 

Causes of Lymphoma 

Lymphoma is caused by a mutation in a disease-fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte. A mutation causes the cell to multiply rapidly, leading to many diseased lymphocytes that continue to multiply.

Mutations also allow the cells to continue to live when other normal cells would die. Having too many diseased and ineffective lymphocytes in your lymph nodes causes swelling in your lymph nodes, spleen, and liver.

itchy skin

Symptoms of Lymphoma

The symptoms of Lymphoma may include:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Itchy skin
  • Night sweats
  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Fever
  • Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin

Risk Factors of Lymphoma

Factors that increase the risk of Lymphoma include:

  • Developing certain infections: Some infections are associated with an increased risk of lymphoma, including the Helicobacter pylori infection and Epstein-Barr virus.
  • Having an impaired immune system: Lymphoma is more common in people with immune system diseases or in people who take drugs that suppress their immune system.
  • Being male: Males are slightly more likely to develop lymphoma than are females.
  • Your age: Some types of lymphoma are more common in young adults, while others are most often diagnosed in people over 55.

Diagnosis for Lymphoma

Diagnosis for Lymphoma

Tests and procedures used to diagnose lymphoma may include:

  • Imaging tests
  • Removing a sample of bone marrow for testing
  • Blood tests
  • Removing a lymph node for testing
  • Physical exam

Depending on your situation, other tests and procedures may be required. To develop an effective treatment plan, you need to know what type of lymphoma you have. Expert pathologists review biopsy samples to improve the chances of an accurate diagnosis, according to research. Ask a specialist for a second opinion to confirm your diagnosis.

Treatment and Medications for Lymphoma

Your lymphoma treatment choices depend on the type and stage of your disease, your overall health, and your preferences. During treatment, the goal is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible and bring the disease into remission.

Treatment for lymphoma include:

  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Active surveillance

Medications approved to use in Lymphoma:

1. Bone marrow stimulant – helps bone marrow produce new blood cells.

  • Pegfilgrastim – used to reduce the chance of infection in people who have certain types of cancer and are receiving chemotherapy medications that may decrease the number of neutrophils.
  • Filgrastim – used to treat neutropenia (low white blood cells) that is caused by cancer medicines. Filgrastim helps the bone marrow to make new white blood cells.

2. Steroid – modifies or simulates hormone effects, often to reduce inflammation or for tissue growth and repair.

  • Prednisone – treats many diseases, especially those associated with inflammation.  
Ovarian Cancer

Causes and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

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Ovarian cancer is a malignant growth of cells within the ovaries. These cells reproduce rapidly, causing damage to healthy tissues.

There are two ovaries in the female reproductive system, one on either side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size of an almond, and it produces eggs (ova) and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. In most cases, ovarian cancer is treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

ovarian cancer

Cause of Ovarian Cancer 

Scientists believe ovarian cancer is caused by cells located in or close to the ovaries that become mutated (changed). A cell’s DNA carries instructions for its function. Cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly when they are altered, forming a mass of cancer cells. At the same time, healthy cells die, cancer cells live on. Cancer cells can break off from an initial tumor and invade nearby tissues so they can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). 

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

As ovarian cancer develops, it may not cause any noticeable symptoms. This disease is usually attributed to other more common conditions when the symptoms occur. The symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

  • A frequent need to urinate
  • Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
  • Back pain
  • Fatigue
  • Discomfort in the pelvic area
  • Weight loss
  • Quickly feeling full when eating
  • Abdominal bloating or swelling

Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer 

Factors that increase your risk of ovarian cancer include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Older age
  • Family history of ovarian cancer 
  • Inherited gene changes 
  • Endometriosis
  • Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy 
  • Age when menstruation started and ended 
doctor holding 2 vials of blood test

Diagnosis for Ovarian Cancer 

Tests and procedures used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:

  • Blood tests
  • Pelvic exam 
  • Imaging tests
  • Genetic testing
  • Surgery 

Your doctor will assign a stage to your cancer once you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The stages range from 1 to 4, which are often denoted with Roman numerals I to IV. The lowest stage indicates that the cancer is confined to the ovaries. 

Prevent Ovarian Cancer

There are no exact ways how you can prevent ovarian cancer, but there may be ways to lessen your risk:

  • Consider taking birth control pills. You may ask your doctor whether birth control pills may be right for you. Taking birth control pills reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. 
  • Discuss your risk factors with your doctor. If you have a family history of ovarian cancers, bring this up with your doctor. Your doctor can define what this may mean for your own risk of cancer. If you’re found to have a gene change that increases your risk of ovarian cancer, you may consider surgery to remove your ovaries to prevent cancer. 

Treatment and Medication for Ovarian Cancer 

Treatment of ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Other treatments may be used in certain situations.

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy 
  • Targeted therapy 
  • Hormone therapy
  • Immunotherapy 
  • Supportive (palliative) care 

Medications approved to use for the treatment of ovarian cancer include:

  • Melphalan
  • Lynparza (Olaparib)
  • Olaparib
  • Niraparib Tosylate Monohydrate
  • Paclitaxel 
  • Bevacizumab
  • Carboplatin
Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Disease, health and medicine,

Colorectal Cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine which is the final part of the digestive tract. This cancer typically affects older adults, even though it can occur at any age. It usually begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers. Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, which is a term that combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which begins in the rectum.

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer begins when healthy cells in the colon develop changes in their DNA. A cell’s DNA has a set of directions that tell a cell what to do. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. However, when a cell’s DNA is damaged and becomes cancerous, cells continue to divide even when new cells are not necessary. The cells form a tumor as they accumulate.

With time, the cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy normal tissue nearby. Cancerous cells can also travel to other parts of the body to form deposits there.

man smoking cigarettes

Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer

  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Radiation therapy for cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Low-fiber, high-fat diet
  • A sedentary lifestyle
  • Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk
  • Family history of colon cancer
  • A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
  • Inflammatory intestinal conditions
  • Older age

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent abdominal discomfort
  • A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
  • A persistent change in your bowel habits, including constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the consistency of your stool
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

Several people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

doctor holding 2 vials of blood test

Diagnosis for Colorectal Cancer

If your signs and symptoms indicate that you could have colon cancer, your doctor may recommend one or more tests and procedures, including:

  • Blood tests
  • Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon (colonoscopy)

Treatment and Medications for Colorectal Cancer

Treatments for colorectal cancer depends on the severity of the condition, its stage, and your other health concerns. Treatment for colon cancer usually involves surgery to remove cancer. Other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, might also be recommended. Your doctor will also recommend some anti-cancer medications for specific treatment period.

Prostate Cancer

Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

Disease, health and medicine, ,

Prostate Cancer occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that makes the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. This type of cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Various prostate cancer grows slowly and is confined to the prostate gland where they may not cause any harm. On the other hand, some types of prostate cancer may grow and need minimal or no treatment, other types are also aggressive and might spread quickly. 

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

Doctors know that prostate cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of prostate cells. The DNA of a cell contains instructions for how to function. As a result, the cells grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells. They continue to live even when other cells would die.

Invading tissues can be caused by the accumulating abnormal cells. Over time, abnormal cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body (metastasize).

Who are at risk for Prostate Cancer?

Factors that increase your risk of prostate cancer may include:

  • Family history – if you have a blood relative who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk may be increased. If you have a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer or a very strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of having prostate cancer may be higher. 
  • Obesity – Obese people may have a higher risk of prostate cancer. The cancer is more likely to be more aggressive and more likely to return after initial treatment. 
  • Older age – Your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age which could be the most common when you are at 50 already. 

What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

In the early stages, prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms. More advanced prostate cancer may cause signs and symptoms such as: 

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Bone pain
  • Blood in the semen and urine 
  • Decreased force in the stream of urine
  • Trouble urinating
Prostate Cancer 

Diagnosis for Prostate Cancer 

If prostate cancer screening detects an abnormality, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer, such as:

  • Collecting a sample of prostate tissue
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Ultrasound

Treatment and Medications for Prostate Cancer  

Prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing as well as the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment. 

  • Surgery to remove the prostate
  • Radiation therapy
  • Freezing or heating prostate tissue
  • Hormone therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted drug therapy

The medication approved for the treatment of Prostate Cancer is:

  • Bicalutamide – is a prescription medicine belonging to a class of medicines called non-steroidal androgen receptor inhibitors. This is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Bicalutamide is given in combination with another medicine called a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone that helps prevent the testicles from producing testosterone. 
CervicalCancer

Cervical Cancer

Disease, , , , ,

Cervical Cancer remains one of the most common causes of death for women globally. Women 35 to 44 years of age are most likely to get it. This condition begins in the cervix which connects the vagina to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The cervix is made of two parts and is covered with two different types of cells:

  • The endocervix is covered with glandular cells. It is the opening of the cervix that leads into the uterus.
  • The ectocervix is covered in squamous cells. During a speculum exam, it can be seen by the doctor because it is the outer part of the cervix.

The transformation zone is the place where these two cell types meet in the cervix. Its exact location changes if you give birth and as you get older. Most cervical cancers begin in the cells in the transformation zone

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) certainly play a role in causing Cervical Cancer. HPV has two certain proteins which turn off some tumor suppressor genes. It allows the cells lining the cervix to grow too much and to develop changes in additional genes which in some it may lead to cancer. Being infected with HPV does not mean you will develop Cervical Cancer. Your immune system removes the massive majority of HPV infections within two years.

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer at an early stage produces no signs or symptoms. More-advanced cervical cancer signs and symptoms include:

  • Pain during intercourse or pelvic pain
  • Bloody or watery vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause

After it has spread, cancer may cause:

  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Lack of appetite
  • Bone pain
  • Kidney failure
  • Swollen legs
  • Trouble peeing
  • Pelvic pain

Risk Factors of Having Cervical Cancer

You may be at a high risk of having Cervical Cancer if you:

  • Have multiple sexual partners
  • Started having sex before age of 16 or within a year of starting your period
  • Smoke cigarettes
  • Take birth control pills especially for longer than 5 years
  • Have a weakened immune system or STD

Safety Precautions

To lessen your risk of Cervical Cancer:

  • Inquire your doctor about the HPV vaccine

Getting a vaccination to avoid HPV infection may decrease your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. You may ask your physician if an HPV vaccine is suitable for you.

  • A routine Pap tests

Pap tests may notice precancerous illnesses of the cervix. They can be checked or treated to avoid cervical cancer. Most medical organizations recommend beginning routine Pap tests at age 21 and repeating them each few years.

  • Practice safe sex

Lessen your risk of cervical cancer by taking action to avoid sexually transmitted infections. You can use a condom each time you have sex and regulating the number of sexual partners you have.

  • Do not smoke

If you do smoke, discuss with your doctor strategies to help you quit.

Treating Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is very treatable if you catch it early. The treatments for this cancer are:

  • Targeted therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery

Sometimes these treatments are combined to make them more effective. However, there are other ways you can do to help your condition get better especially at home. Certain things can ease the mental and physical stresses of Cervical Cancer treatment.

  • Get mild physical activity to keep up your energy level. Make sure it does not wear you out.
  • Get enough rest at night. Take naps if you need.
  • Do not drink alcohol. You may not be able to drink alcohol while having medications.

Medications for Cervical Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Disease, , , ,

Skin Cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells that often develop on skin being exposed to the sun. This is a common type of cancer that also occurs on areas of skin that are not usually exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer:

  1. Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma begins in the basal cells which is a type of cell within the skin that makes new skin cells as old ones die off.  It frequently looks like a little transparent bump on the skin. Basal Cell Carcinoma often befalls on parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun such as the neck and head.

  1. Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that progresses in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. It is not a life-threatening condition but can be aggressive. Squamous Cell Carcinoma can grow large or may spread to other areas of the body that can cause serious complications if left untreated.

  1. Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that makes melanin. This can form in your eyes and rarely in your body such as throat or nose. Melanoma usually affects people under 40 especially women.

What Causes Skin Cancer?

Skin Cancer begins in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. It is a thin layer that provides a protective cover of skin cells that your body sheds continually. This type of cancer happens when alterations happen in the DNA of skin cells. The changes cause the cells to develop uncontrolled and form a mass of cancer cells.

Having lots of damage to DNA in skin cells results from UV radiation found in sunlight. Being exposed to the sun does not explain skin cancers that mature on skin not normally exposed to sunlight. This means that other factors might contribute to your risk of skin cancer such as having a condition that weakens your immune system or being exposed to toxic substances.

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma seems like a change in the skin such as a sore that won’t heal. These changes usually have one of the following characteristics:

  • A blue, brown, or black lesion
  • A pearly white, pink, or skin-colored bump that is translucent
  • A waxy, scar-like lesion without a clearly defined border
  • A flat, reddish patch with a raised edge is more common on the chest or back.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma signs and symptoms include:

  • A new sore on an old scar
  • A firm, red nodule
  • A wart-like sore on or on your genitals or in the anus
  • A red sore inside your mouth

The main Melanoma symptoms frequently are:

  • The progress of an unusual-looking or a new pigmented growth on your skin
  • A change in an existing mole

Melanoma does not always begin as a mole. It may also occur on otherwise normal-appearing skin.

Risk Factors of Having Skin Cancer

These are the lists of factors that may increase your risk of developing Skin Cancer:

  • A history of sunburns
  • A weakened immune system
  • A personal history of skin cancer
  • A family history of skin cancer
  • Moles
  • Fair skin
  • Excessive sun exposure
  • Precancerous skin lesions
  • Sunny or high-altitude climates
  • Exposure to arsenic
  • Exposure to radiation

Safety Precautions

Most skin cancers are preventable. To protect yourself, here are some prevention tips:

  • Wear protective clothing
  • Wear sunscreen year-round
  • Avoid the sun during the middle of the day
  • Avoid tanning beds
  • Be mindful of sun-sensitizing medicines. Some of these can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
  • Check your skin regularly and report changes to your doctor.

Treating Skin Cancer

Skin cancer treatment depends on what type of skin cancer you are treating. Small skin cancer limited to the outward of the skin might not need treatment beyond a first skin biopsy that eliminates the full growth. If additional treatment is needed, options may include:

  • Freezing early skin cancer with liquid nitrogen
  • Curettage and cryotherapy or electrodesiccation
  • Excisional surgery cuts out the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Biological therapy
  • Photodynamic therapy

Medications for Skin Cancer

For Basal Cell Carcinoma:

  • Imiquimod
  • Vismodegib
  • Fluorouracil Cream
  • Sonidegib

For Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

  • Pembrolizumab
  • Cemiplimab-rwlc

For Melanoma:

  • Ipilimumab
  • Dacarbazine
  • Dabrafenib
  • Cobimetinib
  • Aldesleukin
  • Trametinib Dimethyl Sulfoxide
  • Vemurafenib
Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Disease, health and medicine, , ,

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the ovaries of women. Ovaries are the small organs in the reproductive system of a female that produces eggs. This type of cancer might be hard to detect because it frequently does not cause any symptoms until later stages. Usually, this is because ovarian cancer symptoms are not visible in the early stages of the illness. They can also imitate common digestive and stomach issues that are often mistaken for minor diseases. Once a woman has ovarian cancer, it can be treated with chemotherapy and surgery to remove any tumors.

Ovarian cancer types include:

  • Stromal tumors: This begins in the ovarian tissue that has hormone-producing cells. These tumors are typically identified at an earlier stage than other ovarian tumors.
  • Epithelial tumors: This begins in the thin layer of tissue that covers the outside of the ovaries.
  • Germ cell tumors: This begins in the egg-producing cells. These uncommon ovarian cancers tend to befall younger women.

What Causes Ovarian Cancer?

It’s not clear what causes ovarian cancer. However, doctors have identified factors that increase the risk of this disease. In general, cancer starts when a cell develops mutations in its DNA. It tells the cell to develop and reproduce quickly. Wherein, it also creates a mass of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells remain alive when healthy cells will die. They can attack nearby tissues and separate from a primary tumor to spread elsewhere in the body. 

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

The most common signs and symptoms are:

  • A need to urinate frequently or urgently
  • Abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Early satiety or difficulty eating
  • Bloating

Less common symptoms may include:

  • Menstrual changes
  • Constipation or upset stomach
  • Acid reflux
  • Unusual belly swelling
  • Weight loss
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Back pain
  • Pain during sex

Women with persistent symptoms for more than several weeks or who notice a change in their ovarian health must consult a doctor. In advanced stages of ovarian cancer, an individual may experience gastrointestinal and other digestive disorders along with diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea.

Risk Factors of Having Ovarian Cancer

The following are the listed factors of getting the disease:

  • The possibility of developing this disease gets higher with age. This disease is rare in women younger than 40. Most ovarian cancers start to develop after menopause.
  • Obesity is known to be linked to a higher risk of developing many cancers. Obese women probably have a high risk of developing ovarian cancer but not certainly a serious type of cancer. Being obese may as well negatively affect the overall survival of a woman with ovarian cancer.
  • Having children after the age of 35 or who never carried a pregnancy.
  • Women using estrogens alone or with progesterone after menopause has an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer than those who have never used hormones.
  • Ovarian cancer can run in families. Having a family history of ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer can make your risk higher in developing this cancer.

We Care for Your Safety

  • Diet and Exercise: The risk of ovarian cancer decreases by maintaining a weekly exercise and healthy diet.
  • Oral Contraceptives: Women who have a history of taking contraceptives have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer.
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Avoiding the use and exposure of tobacco products may not only lower the risk of this cancer but other types also. It is recommended to limit your alcohol consumption.
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Women who have birthed at least one child before 30 years of age have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. Those who breastfeed their children also have a lower risk of developing this cancer.
  • Avoiding Carcinogens: These are a substance that is capable of causing cancer. Avoiding certain products that contain Carcinogens lowers the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Some of these products include vaginal deodorants, makeup, or baby powder.

Treating Ovarian Cancer

The treatment of ovarian cancer will depend on how far it has spread and your overall health. Most people have a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.

The goal of the treatment is to cure cancer. If the cancer is too advanced to be cured, the goal is to relieve the symptoms and control cancer for as long as possible. 

Medications for Ovarian Cancer

Two medications can change the way cells works. It also helps to stop cancer from increasing and spreading:

  • Olaparib
  • Niraparib
Buy Tamoxifen

Medication for Women with Breast Cancer

health and medicine, ,

Tamoxifen is a prescription medication used for women with breast cancer.  

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of this medicine in 1998. Tamoxifen has become one of the most widely used medication for breast cancer.  

What condition does Tamoxifen treat? 

Tamoxifen can help men and women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This drug can lower the risk of breast cancer in: 

How does Tamoxifen work? 

Tamoxifen is a type of hormonal therapy known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The medicine ascribes to hormone receptors in breast cancer cells. As soon as the medication is inside the cells, it stops cancer from retrieving the hormones they want to grow. 

There are a lot of people who used Tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer. Tamoxifen may lower the risk of:  

  • Initial breast cancer diagnosis by up to 40% 
  • Breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women by 40% to 50% 
  • Breast cancer reappearance in premenopausal women by 30% to 50% 
  • Breast cancer in the opposite breast by 50 
  • Aggressive breast cancer after the diagnosis of early-stage, non-invasive breast cancer by up to 50% 

Tamoxifen gives other health benefits that are not related to the treatment of cancer. Tamoxifen is a SERM that selectively either activates or blocks estrogen’s action on exact cells. While Tamoxifen blocks estrogen’s action on breast cells, it starts estrogen’s bone and liver cells’ movement. So Tamoxifen can help stop bone loss after menopause and lower cholesterol levels. With its benefits, it is very worth it for the price of Tamoxifen.  

What is the dosage of Tamoxifen? 

  • Tamoxifen is to be taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. 
  • Each dose of Tamoxifen is either taken with or without food.  
  • For best result, take Tamoxifen at around the same time each day.  
  • If you are having this as your treatment to prevent breast cancer, you will probably take it for five years. 
  • Your doctor will pick how long your treatment will last if you take Tamoxifen to treat breast cancer.  
  • Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor.  

What are the precautions using Tamoxifen? 

  • Rarely, Tamoxifen might cause serious problems such as strokes or eye problems.  
  • This medicine may also cause congenital disabilities. You must not take Tamoxifen if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are currently pregnant.  
  • Call your doctor or healthcare provider right away if you experience fever, signs of a stroke, swelling, uncontrolled vomiting, and shortness of breath.  
  • Before taking, Tamoxifen let your pharmacist know that you are allergic to the drug or any allergies.  
  • This medication might increase the threat that you will progress to other cancers. Discuss with your doctor about this risk.  
  • It is still needed to look for early signs of breast cancer since it is possible to develop breast cancer even during treatment.  

Cost of Generic Tamoxifen vs. Nolvadex  

The generic Tamoxifen only costs $30 per 90 tabs and $0.37 per pill. A first choice drug for premenopausal women and is still the right choice for postmenopausal women who can’t take an aromatase inhibitor. The generic Tamoxifen is immensely cheaper than Nolvadex. Nolvadex is the brand name and is an immensely more expensive one that costs $83.09 per 90 tabs and $0.92 per pill.

Treating Health Problems Such Allergies, Skin Disease, Lupus, Cancer Etc.

Treating Health Problems Such Allergies, Skin Disease, Lupus, Cancer Etc.

health and medicine, , , ,

Prednisolone is a type of medicine known as steroid. It is used to treat a wide variety of health problems such allergies, skin disease, blood disorder, lupus and even cancer.

If you think you may be suffering from one of these health problems don’t suffer in silence. Prednisolone can be your good choice. Talk to your doctor now. You can buy this drug only with your doctor’s prescription. It is available in the following forms:

  1. Oral tablets
  2. Oral suspension
  3. Syrup
  4. Disintegrating tablet
  5. Oral delayed-release tablet

What are the uses of Prednisolone?

Prednisolone can treat:

How does Prednisolone works?

Prednisolone works by decreasing the inflammation in your body. It blocks the release of substance in your body that causes inflammation.

What is the dosage for Prednisolone?

Your dose depends on:

  • Strength of medicine
  • Time allowed between each doses
  • Number of doses you take each day
  • Medical problems

The recommended dose:

  • Adult- The usual initial dose is 5 mg to 60 mg a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
  • Children- Their dose is based on their body weight. The usual dose is .14 to 2 mg per kg. Take the dose 3 or 4 times a day.

How to take Prednisolone?

  • Take this medication as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Take the medication by mouth with a glass of water.
  • Do not take Prednisolone longer than the recommended time and dose.
  • It is best to take this drug as a single dose after breakfast.
  • Take the medicine with food to prevent stomach upset.
  • For liquid medications, measure the liquid using syringe or dosage cup.
  • If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
  • Do not stop taking the medication without telling your doctor.
  • Take the lowest possible effective dose.

What are the precautions in taking Prednisolone?

  • Before taking this medication tell your doctor if you have:
  • Allergic reactions to this medicine with symptoms such as:
  1. Wheezing
  2. Chest tightness
  3. Skin rashes
  4. Trouble breathing
  5. Swelling of lips, mouth and tongue
  • Health conditions such as:
  1. Glaucoma
  2. Herpes simplex
  3. Heart disease
  4. Diabetes
  5. Stomach problems
  6. Liver disease
  7. Mood disorders
  8. Seizures
  • You’re taking any medications.
  • This drug can cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden.
  • It can weaken your immune system. Stay away from people who are sick.
  • This drug can slow down the normal growth of children if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
  • Do not miss a dose to get the most benefits.
  • Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.

Costs of Generic Prednisolone vs Pravachol

The generic brand Prednisolone is cheaper than the brand name Pravachol. Prednisolone 20 mg costs $0.83 per unit price or $25.00 for 30 tabs. While the branded Pravachol 20 mg costs $4.11 per unit price or $123.44 for 30 tabs.

Skin Cancer

Types of Skin Cancer: Causes, Signs, Symptoms Prevention and Treatment

health and medicine, , ,

Skin cancer is a condition of abnormal growth of cells. It occurs when the cells changes. And multiply uncontrollably. When the cancer cells invade other organs, it is called “Metastasis”.

Skin cancer is the common form of human cancer in the US. The number has reach about 3 million people having this condition. The main cause of the skin cancer is overexposed to UV Light.

There are 3 types of Skin cancer such as:

  • Basal Cell
  • Squamous Cell Carcinomas
  • Melanoma

CAUSES OF SKIN CANCER

The main cause of skin cancer is a direct exposure to UV light. Some other cause may include:

  • Cells involved in skin cancer
  • Use of tanning lotion
  • Immunosuppression
  • Exposure to high levels of X-rays
  • Contact with certain chemicals-arsenic

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The following are signs and symptoms of skin cancer. It may vary depending upon the types of cancer.

BASAL CELL SYMPTOMS:

  • A pearly or waxy bump
  • A flat or brown-scar like lesion
  • A depression in the center
  • Bleeding possibly with oozing

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA SYMPTOMS:

  • A firm red nodule
  • A flat scaly lesion
  • A rough patch inside your mouth
  • A new sore on the old scar
  • A wart-like sore in the anus

MELANOMA SYMPTOMS:

  • A large brownish spot with darker speckles
  • The moles are changing in size, shape, and color
  • A small lesion with irregular border and portion
  • Dark lesion on your palms, toes, nose, vagina, and anus

RISK FACTORS

The risk factors may vary depending on the types of skin cancer. There are some general factors at risk of developing skin cancer such as:

  • A fair skin
  • A Family History of the Cancer
  • A Personal History of Skin Cancer
  • Excessive exposure to the sun
  • History of sunburns
  • Exposure to Radiation
  • Weak Immune System
  • Exposure to certain substances
  • A blue or green eyes
  • Moles
  • Having a Precancerous skin lesions
  • Sunny or High Altitude Climate

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK  OF HAVING SKIN CANCER?

The following are ways to help reduce your risk of the Cancer:

  • Avoid indoor tanning.
  • Stay in the shade.
  • Wear a hat.
  • Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
  • Wear sunglasses.

HOW TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER

The skin cancer is preventable. You can have your ways to prevent the disease by following the tips below:

  • Avoid the sun between 11am to 3pm.
  • Always wear sunscreen when exposing to UV light.
  • Wear protective clothing.
  • Avoid tanning beds.
  • Be careful and aware of sun-sensitizing medication.
  • Observe extra caution near water and sand.

SKIN CANCER TREATMENT

The treatment option for skin cancer known as “Actinic Keratoses”. It varies depending on the size, type, and location of the lesions.

The treatment includes:

  • Freezing
  • Excisional Surgery
  • Mohs Surgery
  • Cryotherapy
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Photodynamic Therapy
  • Biological Therapy

MEDICATION

There are medications approved in treating the skin cancer. Depending on its type. These are some common drugs:

FOR BASAL CELL:

  • Erivedge Oral
  • Sonidegib
  • Odomzo

FOR SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA:

  • Bleomycin
  • Cetuximab
  • Erbitux

FOR MELANOMA:

  • Cotellic (Cobimetinib)
  • Mekinist (Trametinib)
  • Opdivo (Nivolumab)
Buy Ondansetron

Medication to Prevent Nausea & Vomiting Caused by Cancer Therapy

health and medicine, , ,

Cancer is a disease that is caused by body’s own cells. There are different types of cells like liver cells, brain cells etc. In cancer, they undergo uncontrolled division of cells. It leads to a mass cell known as tumor or cancer.

Treatment in cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy etc. It also includes killing or damaging cancer cells in the certain area. Therapy also shows side effects like vomiting and Nausea.

Ondansetron is useful in preventing nausea and vomiting. These are caused by cancer therapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

How does Ondansetron work?

Ondansetron is in the class of medication called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist.

  • Serotonin is present in the vomiting Center of the brain.
  • Above drug is design to block uptake of the chemical resulting to minimize nausea and vomiting.
  • Serotonin receptors are present in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) within the medulla oblongata.
  • When serotonin is blocked by Ondansetron there is less serotonin that enters the CTZ (vomiting center).
  • This decreases the communication with the vomiting center.
  • Thus, the drug helps to reduce the feeling of nausea and vomiting in the cancer patient.

How to take Ondansetron?

Ondansetron is available in the form of a tablet of 4 mg and 8 mg. Take this medicine only a directed by your doctor. You can take the tablet with or without food. The dosage and the number of times you take the drug will depend on,

  • Your age.
  • The condition being treated.
  • How severe your condition is.
  • Other medical condition you have.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. You can follow your Doctor’s advice or the directions given on the label.

What are the uses of Ondansetron?

Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting in treating,

  1. Cancer treatment causing moderate vomiting and nausea.
  2. Cancer treatment causing high vomiting and nausea.
  3. Post operation condition.
  4. Radiotherapy in patients receiving,
  • Total body exposed to radiations.
  • Single high dose fraction to the abdomen.
  • Daily fraction to the abdomen.

What are the precautions in taking Ondansetron?

  • It is Important to inform your doctor regarding certain conditions while taking this medicine. Ask or tell your doctor if you have/are.
  • Allergic to above drug and other similar medicines.
  • Any other allergies.
  • Medical history of irregular heartbeat.
  • Severe liver disease.
  • Stomach / intestinal problems.
  • Pregnant.
  • Breastfeeding.
  • Some patients may experience ECG changes including QT prolongation. Inform your doctor regarding the condition.
  • Safety and efficacy are unknown in the age group of below 4 years.

Cost of Ondansetron [Generic & Brand]

Generic and Brand drugs contain the very same active ingredient. The difference lies in their cost. Generic drugs are cheaper than Brand versions. They apply different cost-cutting means to provide cheap medicine to our customers.

Cost of Generic Ondansetron.

  • Pack of 10 tablets of 4 mg costs $ 10, per unit cost is $ 1.
  • Pack of 10 tablets of 8 mg costs $ 16, per unit cost is $ 1.6.

Cost of Brand Zofran.

  • Pack of 30 tablets of 4 mg costs $ 736.92, per unit cost is $ 24.56.
  • Pack of 30 tablets of 8 mg costs $ 1,221.78, per unit cost is $ 40.73.
Buy Letrozole

Medication for the Treatment of Early and Advanced Breast Cancer

health and medicine,

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is considered as the second main cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

Symptoms:-

  • Lump or thickening of the breast
  • Changes to the skin or nipple.
  • Pain in breast area consistently.
  • A rash around or on the nipples.
  • Change in size or shape of breast.
  • Sealing or peeling of the skin on the breast or nipple.

Many breast lumps are not cancerous consultation is necessary to confirm it. Letrozole is FDA approved for the treatment of early and advanced breast cancer. It occurs in post-menopausal women with hormone receptor positive, or hormone receptor unknown disease.

How does Letrozole work?

Letrozole belongs to the class of drug called as nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors Aromatase is an enzyme responsible from the conversion of estrogen from androgen. The drug inhibits the action of the enzyme aromatase. Thus estrogen levels are suppressed. It may stop or slow the growth of certain type of breast tumors that need estrogen to growing the body.

Letrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

How to take Letrozole?

It is available in the form of tablet of 2.5 mg and 5 mg. It is used for oral administration.

  1. Early Breast cancer

General Dose- 1 tablet, 1 time in a day.

You can take it with or without food.

Treatment duration- 5 years.

  1. Advanced Breast cancer-Continue treatment till tumor progress is evident.

The dose may be based on.

  • The condition being treated.
  • Other medical conditions you have.
  • How you respond to the drug.
  • Your age.
  • Your weight.
  • Your live function etc.

Your doctor may increase dose as needed.

Comment:-

  • In case of stomach upset, you can take it with food.
  • Take the tablet around same time each day.

What are the uses of Letrozole?

  1. Letrozole is used to treat postmenopausal women who.
  • Have previous treatment with tamoxifen for 5 year.
  • Untreated breast cancer that has spread within the breast or to other areas of the body.
  • Have hormone receptor positive early stage breast cancer and have other treatment such as radiation or surgery to remove a tumor.
  1. It also help to prevent cancer from returning.
  2. Helps to slow or reverse the growth of breast cancer.
  3. Decrease the amount of hormone estrogen responsible for growth of breast cancer.
  4. It can be an affective fertility treatment for women with ovulation problems.

What are the precaution in taking Letrozole?

  1. It is necessary to take precaution in certain condition while taking Letrozole. Consult your health provider if you are/have.
  • Allergies Letrozole or other ingredient in the drug.
  • Glaucoma or other issues with increased pressure in eye.
  • Any other allergies.
  • Hyper sensitivity
  • Pregnant
  • Premenopausal women
  • Liver disease
  • Osteoporosis or low bone mineral density
  • High cholesterol
  1. Inform your doctor if you also take tamoxifen
  2. Be careful while driving or other work that need to be alert. The drug may cause dizziness or feel faint.
  3. The safety and efficiency in pediatric patient is unknown.

Cost of Letrozole (Generic & Brand)

Generic medicines are cheaper and show same effect on the patient. The difference lies with the money, time and effort put toward the marketing of the brand.

Cost of Generic Letrozole.

  • 30 tablets of 2.5 mg costs $ 69,per unit costs $ 2.3
  • 30 tablets of 5mg costs $ 80, per unit costs $2.67

Cost of Brand Femara.

  • 30 tablets of 2.5 mg costs $ 741.54, per unit costs 24.72.