Two Types of Tumors: Benign and Malignant

The basic thing is whenever one old cell dies, that cell should be replaced by a new cell instead of it. In cancers, new cells start to grow even though there is no need for them. All tumors are not lethal in nature. Benign tumors are not dangerous kind. They are obvious in whatever portion of the body part, such as small brownish spots on the skin called freckles, pigmented spots called moles or swellings called lumps. These benign or harmless tumors do not make any troubles, otherwise create some cosmetic problems. By surgical methods, physicians can remove these kind of benign tumors and some tumors can be left as it is, as it may create some problems while surgery. The main good thing about benign tumors is they will not invade or spoil the nearby healthy tissues. The bad thing about malignant cancers is their lethality to the person and they spoil the healthy good tissues surrounding the cancer area. Malignant tumors have no edge to the surface of its cells and also these tumors invade the adjacent cells. They metastasize to the nearby organs and cells by rooting out from any cells they contact and so spread rapidly.

The depth and rate of spread of cancer is called metastasis. Whenever one patient goes to check for cancer, any physician would test the depth of metastasis, as the cancer may have spread at any degree in the silent state. In the micro levels of spread, any cancer would not be visible to the eyes and/or to the tests. Cancer spread cannot be traced in these hidden stages. So cancer staging test is important before starting treatment methods, whether it is radiological or surgical. Even though all cancers have the common characteristic features, as stated above, these cancers act in a specific ways of each. The treatment methods, diagnosis, and staging processes differ from cancer to cancer.

Benign tumors are totally opposite to the malignant type tumors. Malignant tumors mainly spread to the blood vessels and lymph vessels, but the benign tumors spread superficially and so do not affect the interior organs. Benign tumors grow strictly at one place, but malignant tumors spread to the multiple organs and tissues.

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Tags:  can a benign tumor turn malignant, can a benign tumor become malignant, malignant tumor vs benign tumor, malignant and benign difference, difference between benign and malignant, malignant vs benign, benign vs malignant, benign versus malignant, malignant versus benign

11 Ways to Skip the PSA Test

The United States Preventative Services Task Force has done it again. They have made the absurd claim that men should not be checking routine PSA levels. This recommendation is on the heels of recommendation against mammography for under 50s. What's up? Doesn't routine PSA testing save lives?

I think I need to start this with a quick story. Last week I had a 52 year old patient who confided in me that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2 months ago. They plan on doing the daVinci robotic surgery in the next 6 or 7 months. The outcomes for these are generally good, but impotence is on the list of potential side effects.

Here's the problem. He was completely unaware that prostate cancer was anything but luck of the draw. He's not alone. Luckily, there are many things he can begin to implement in his lifestyle to change his trajectory. Who knows--maybe if his PSA changes in the next 6 months the surgery can be avoided.

Back to the USPSTF PSA screening recommendations.

Over 5 years ago we already had research strongly suggesting that PSA and DRE testing does not save lives. Obviously this research was brushed under the rug because and actually seems to have fueled an opposite reaction--I hear more of a push for men to get screened for prostate cancer then ever before. I don't remember large POP (prostate on-site project) events or billboards promoting DREs a few years ago.

The problems with prostate PSA screening are much the same as those with mammography.

First, prostate specific antigen (PSA), is not actually specific to cancer. Other factors like heavy exercise, prostatitis, BPH, age, large prostate volume and sexual activity can lead to elevated PSA. Some temporary, some permanent. Because of this, there is a heavy variation in what "normal" is. To confuse this issue, a little over 1/3 of prostate cancers have PSA levels within the "normal" range. This means that setting a value as "elevated" is going to catch a percentage of men who do not have prostate cancer and miss a large number of cases of prostate cancer. This weakens the value of the testing.

Next, prostate cancer, by its nature, has a tendency to be slow growing. Because of this, many die with prostate cancer, not of prostate cancer. Many procedures are done as a result of PSA testing. These include surgery, biopsies, chemotherapy and radiation implants. So what happens when these procedures are done because of an elevated PSA due to non-cancer causes or procedures are done on slow growing cancers that would not have caused significant problems? The society costs are dramatic and result in no true life extension. If sure is easy to make it look like treatment is powerful at saving lives when the life was not at risk in the first place.

Third, and most importantly, PSA testing does not seem to trigger an educational process for the patient to lower their risk of progression. The factors that play a role in prostate cancer prevention are the same that can help with treatment. These include:

1) Increase your intake of non-GMO, unprocessed soy products (tofu, miso, soy milk, edemame)
2) Increase your intake of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (pumpkin, flax, walnuts)
3) Avoid dairy products
4) If you drink juice, stick with darker juices like pomegranate and cherry
5) Increase your intake of cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, radish, bok choy, brussels sprouts)
6) Add Vitamin E in the mixed tocopherol form (NOT just alpha-tocopherol)
7) Increase intake of the red carotenoid lycopene (tomotoes, grapefruit, watermelon)
8) Cut back on your calories
9) Avoid BPA in plastic water bottles and many canned goods
10) Maintain an anti-diabetic lifestyle and maintain an ideal body weight
11) Take a vitamin D supplement

So overall, there are many things we can do to lower our risk of prostate cancer. As always, I am not against cancer screening. I am, however, very strongly against using cancer screening as prevention. With all this knowledge about how to prevent prostate cancer, we should not rely on an uncertain test like the PSA to save our lives. Makes these changes to lower your risk of prostate cancer.

Skin Cancer - Do You Know What To Look For?

Skin cancer is on the rise and approximately 20% of North Americans will experience some form of it in their lifetimes.

What are the reasons behind these findings? Ozone depletion and people refusing to use sunscreen are factors. But, more people are now submitting to screening, so more cases are being detected than ever before.

More than one member of my family have dealt with mild cases, so my doctor is trying hard to keep me vigilant when it comes to my skin.

A self-examination is easy to do, and an important key in early detection. Start with the areas that are always exposed, such as the head and neck. Bald men should also look carefully at their scalps. Everyone is at risk, no matter what your skin color is, but fair-haired people with light-colored eyes are a higher risk group.

The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. When treated early, they seldom create further problems. Melanoma is the more serious form of the disease. Often found on skin newly exposed with the arrival of warmer weather, such as backs and legs as people shed heavier clothing for shorts and sundresses.

Tanning beds continue to be a huge factor in contracting melanoma. Regular users of this practice are 75% more likely to contract this, the most dangerous form of the disease. In the United States alone, over a million people regularly use tanning beds and the number is on the rise. Prompting congress to add a 10% percent tax, that will yield billions in tax dollars, and hopefully make people think twice about using them.

If you find any kind of abnormality on your skin that doesn't go away within 30 days, have a doctor take a look at it.

Check your skin regularly. Look for moles with irregular shapes. Do they have indentations or "cauliflower" like borders? Has a mole changed color, or is it uneven in its color? Look for any new changes, such as a mole that has grown in size.

Remember to put on sunscreen, at least half an hour before going outside. The Cancer Society suggests an SPF of 30 or greater. The sun's UVA rays cause wrinkling and UVB rays cause burning, both cause cancer. Look for a sunscreen that will protect you from both, and apply about as much as it would take to fill up an egg cup on yourself, and more on a child. Once applied remember to reapply it every two hours while enjoying the outdoor weather.

Skin Cancer Prevention - Ten Ways to Protects Yourself From UV Rays

Skin cancer is considered one of the most widespread form of cancers accounting for about 50% of all cancers. It is associated with life-time exposure to ultraviolet radiation, therefore most skin cancers appear after age 50. It is actually more widespread than you may think, one in every 5 Americans will develop it during their life time. It is the leading cancer in the United States, which affects two million people each year.

According to recent reports, 40 to 50 percent of US citizens who survive until age 65 are going to have skin cancer at one time or another. High-risk groups consist of farm owners, laborers, mariners, campers, athletes, individuals going through military training, beach lovers, and picnickers. Research indicates that extreme sunburns during childhood maximize the chance of developing skin cancer later on in life.

The most effective method to prevent developing cancer of the skin will be to protect your skin by keeping yourself away from afternoon sunlight, applying sun screens when out under the sun and also to stay away from sun tanning beds. But besides early diagnosis, you can and really should try everything within your capacity to protect against cancer of the skin from ever happening to begin with.

Top Ten Ways to Protect Yourself From UV Rays

1. Use sun screen lotion that has a Sun-protection Factor (SPF) that is at least 15. Ensure it is water-resistant and re-apply every 2 hours, specially right after swimming or excessive sweating.

2. Apply sun screen lotion 30 minutes prior to going outdoors so that your skin has a chance to absorb it.

3. Be generous in use of sun screen lotion. One ounce of sun screen lotion ought to cover the face, neck, legs and arms of the average adult.

4. Dress in protective clothing, like hats, sun glasses, pants and long-sleeved shirts

5. Look for shade whenever possible, specially during the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm when the sun rays are strongest.

6. Steer clear of sun tanning beds as ultra-violet light can result in skin cancer and wrinkles. Use a self-tanning product but also use sun screen lotion with it.

7. Safeguard small children by reapplying sun screen lotion frequently with an SPF that is at least 15, having them play in the shade and dress in protective clothing.

8. Children younger than 6 months should never ever be in direct sunlight and should always dress in a hat and clothes that safeguards them from ultra violet rays.

9. Adults ought to perform regular self-exams. It's a good way to detect abnormalities

10. Consult with your dermatologist and have a full body scan once per year.

What if my whole life has been wrong?

"Don't die with your music still inside you. Listen to your intuitive inner voice and find what passion stirs your soul. Listen to that inner voice, and don't get to the end of your life and say, 'What if my whole life has been wrong?"

-Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

I saw the quote above in one of my email newsletters today and it struck a chord with me. My family is grieving the death of one of my aunts. She passed away a couple of weeks ago and for me, its still tough to accept. She struggled with lupus for 15 years and ultimately, a rare autoimmune disease weakened her body to the point of death. Notice I said, weakened her body. Not her mind and not her spirit. As I understand it, she was able to let her sons know her last wishes and to let them know when she was ready to go. The rest of us may be still grappling with her death because it seems so sudden and unexpected, but I am very sure that my aunt died in peace.

Because of this unexpected loss, my mom and I have been discussing family and death quite a bit. During a recent conversation about last wishes and funerals she made the comment that she didn't want to die. As in, she never ever wants to leave this earth. I found that remark really strange, even though she's mentioned that before. Just seems strange to me to want to live forever.

I told her that I could die tomorrow and be ok. But of course, I say that as a relatively healthy young woman and not as someone who is currently facing the end of her life. Its very likely that if I were a metastatic breast cancer patient instead of a survivor in remission, I might think differently. However, right now, I'm not afraid of the end of my life. I'm just not. This world will go on whether I'm here or not. And I'm quite okay with that.

What does concern me is what this quote above mentions... my life ending and coming to the realization that I've simply done things all wrong.

*shaking my head* 

Now, that is a frightening thought.

One of my current mantras is... Life is too short. I find myself saying that several times a day in response to everything from "should I eat this slice of pizza?" ... to "are those shoes really cute enough to buy?" and it covers all the space in between. Many times a day, I shrug my shoulders or shake my head and say... "Life is too short" and then proceed to go on with whatever it is that is making me pause. I am not living my life with the thought that I'm not worthy of this or that any more. I'm thinking big about a lot of things... and when I find myself getting comfortable with that, then I push a little harder at the edges and try to expand that thought more.

For example, I want to go back to school. I mentioned it to my best friend a few weeks ago and I explained to her why I was thinking about it. She was encouraging and yet cautious. When I told her the school that I was intending to go to she asked me to consider forgoing that effort and focusing instead on taking the classes that I needed at the local community college.

*shrug*  Life is too short. I ain't doing it. (laughs)

Three years ago (before breast cancer), I may have agreed with her. I would have beat her to the punch about not going for a degree program and just taking a few classes to get the specific understanding that I wanted -- saving myself money and time which would allow me to jump right into the project that I'm planning. But now? These days? *shaking my head* Nope. I'm not going for that.

So, that big name Ivy school that I've dreamed of attending since I was a high school kid... yeah, I'm going for that. I hesitated at first because it will require me to relocate to another state. But when I thought about that for a moment, even that isn't a deterrent.

Look... life is too short. Things change in a damn instant. What I don't want to do is to find myself in a hospital bed one day, knowing that the end is close enough to touch and find myself asking..."what if my whole life was wrong?"

I can afford to risk and lose. But I'm betting on myself to risk and win. I will not live another day thinking that I'm living this life wrong.

What about you?

No kids for me...

When you're a single woman of a certain age, inevitably the topic of children will come up in conversation. If you are a single woman without children, like me, also inevitably the question will pop up "do you want to have kids?" And if you're a single woman without kids who has been through breast cancer treatment... the answer isn't a simple one.

Prior to my diagnosis, I thought that I wanted children. I thought that the holdup in my life was that I did not have a husband. The year that I was diagnosed, I set out with all diligence to find that guy to complete the partnership that I desired so that I could have the child that my heart told me that it wanted. I can be honest in hindsight. I was terrified of the thought of being a mother. But, I did want that. I wanted to give my parents the grandchild that they really longed for. And I felt that I was ready to move my life into the next lane. I was an adult, fully grown and all that. It was time. Right?

Well... before I could get started on that journey I found out that I had breast cancer and the only thing that I could focus on was getting rid of the cancer. When I learned that the chemotherapy would probably kill my fertility I panicked. And then I researched my options. Time was critical and money was short... so harvesting eggs and all that just wasn't in the cards for me. The next best option was to have my ovaries put to sleep and hope that they resurrected after my treatment ended. And two years later they did. Only to stop a few months later.

So, now I am a relatively young woman entering menopause and while I enjoy the freedom of life without my menses, I did grieve the loss of having kids for months. I bring all this up today because the other day I had a brief conversation with a girlfriend who is contemplating having children right now and she asked me the inevitable question about my own choice to have children at this point. Because she's my friend I was honest with her. Its not going to happen for me. And for the first time in this journey with breast cancer, that reality doesn't make me weepy and sad.

Right now, I am healthy (relatively) and cancer-free but there is no magic mirror that will tell me whether it will always be this way. If I met my future-husband today and we were married and ready for a family within the next few months... I believe that I would still feel this way. No kids for me. I love children, I do. But it feels totally selfish to think of having kids knowing that they may have to deal with my cancer recurrence in the future. That's not the life that I want for my babies.

This statement may turn off the guys planning to woo me in the future. I am sorry about that. But I think that it will be enough of a challenge to just love me and be able to handle all the many moods of Nicole. I hope that loving me alone will be sufficient for my husband.

I am so ready for Fall

This is probably the first time in my life that I am eagerly looking forward to autumn. But I really and truly am ready for summer to end. I like summer, I really do. It is one of my favorite times of year (spring is my all-time favorite season ever). However, it seems that this year I have answered more questions about this stupid compression sleeve than I ever imagined possible.

I hate this lymphedema CRAP!

I'm not mad with my friends or my acquaintances -- or even the strangers on the street -- who have inquired about my various sleeves. Just like this beautiful girl in this picture with her compression sleeve... it looks odd. I know it does. But I cannot help that. I have to wear a sleeve every day.

I have several sleeves that I interchange depending on my mood and my outfits. The only time I don't wear the sleeve is if I'm feeling really particularly vain -- going to a party or something and I'm wearing a nice dress -- and when I'm bathing or something like that. I have sleeves that are close (or supposed to be) to my skin complexion. I have a sleeve that looks like a sleeve of tattoos. I have a sleeve that is bejeweled with a very pretty and feminine design. All of that. And basically, all of my efforts to look fashionable are well... limited because at the end of the day my entire arm (and sometimes my hand too) is covered in a huge bandage. It is depressing some days.

I got used to wearing the sleeve soon after I started wearing it. Its not painful, and neither is the swelling in my arm most of the time. However, I'd be stretching the truth if I said that it was sexy or appealing in any way. *shrug* A girl has to do what a girl has to do.

I do my stretches and arm exercises. I massage my arm a few times a week. Usually with my hand but sometimes I'll use my large electric massage unit. But, I don't know... I guess I thought that after awhile this would go away. I know they said I'd probably be dealing with this for the rest of my life but I really thought that it would stop. That it would get better. That my arm would go down and I wouldn't have to maintain this crazy lopsided look. But... here I am a year later and the full realization that this could be forever is hitting me like a ton of bricks.

I've been upset for the past two weeks because my hand has been swollen. For me, that's unusual unless I'm traveling. The worst part of my swelling is in my upper arm area. About a week or so ago, my hand joined in the chorus and actually had the nerve to ache and hurt. *BLOWN!* I thought that perhaps I slept on it wrong. Or that it was a temporary issue because of the weather but when wearing the gauntlet didn't help immediately (the gauntlet is the small glove-like sleeve for your hand)... I had a deep revelation and all I could do was sigh. Once again, this mess is serious. I hate that there isn't a cure or a fix for this. I've been researching alternative options because I just refuse to go through this forever.

That's why I'm excited for fall to arrive. I need sweaters and long sleeve shirts. I need coats and long gloves. I need to hide this thing. At least for a few months. Long enough so that I can regain a little bit of mental freedom from breast cancer.

I've been shopping a little bit. Trying to prepare for the coming chilly weather. I haven't purchased a lot but I am keeping my eyes open for cute and sassy outfits that will allow me to feel sexy and hide this stupid sleeve. 'Cuz I'm sick of it.

~Nic

PS. I think the problem is that I've been over-exerting my left arm; carrying packages that are too heavy, working it out too vigorously... etc. So, I've scaled back a bit and I've resumed keeping my arm raised above my heart several times a day and things are getting back to normal. Of course, that's the new normal... not the old normal -- you know, the normal where things on my body actually match.