Pancreatic Cancer

Treatment for Pancreatic cancer

2008-08-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

by peterhutch

The pancreas is a spongy, tube-shaped organ about 6 inches long. It is located in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. The narrow end of the pancreas, called the tail, extends to the left side of the body.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas ï¿½" a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas. Each year about 33,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with this condition, and more than 60,000 in Europe. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor, with few victims still alive five years after diagnosis, and complete remission still extremely rare

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Unintended weight loss is a common sign of pancreatic cancer. Weight loss occurs in most types of cancer because cancerous (malignant) cells deprive healthy cells of nutrients, and this is especially true in pancreatic cancer.

As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.

Jaundice is caused by a buildup of bilirubin (a substance produced in the liver) that causes a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Jaundice may also cause brown urine and clay-colored stools. It is important to note that jaundice may be caused by a number of less dangerous conditions, such as anemia. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are generally vague and can easily be attributed to other less serious and more common conditions. This lack of specific symptoms explains the high number of people who have a more advanced stage of disease when pancreatic cancer is discovered.

Treatment for Pancreatic cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. You may receive radiation treatments before or after cancer surgery, often in combination with chemotherapy. Or, your doctor may recommend a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments when your cancer can't be treated surgically.

Surgery may be done to remove all or part of the pancreas. Sometimes it is necessary to remove a portion of the stomach, duodenum, and other nearby tissues. This operation is called a Whipple procedure. In cases where the cancer in the pancreas cannot be removed, the surgeon may be able to create a bypass around the common bile duct or the duodenum if either is blocked. Endoscopic stent placement: A stent (flexible tube) is placed in the bile duct to drain the bile into the small intestine or outside the body as needed. This is done when the tumor is blocking the bile duct and there is a build up of bile to prevent further build up.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. This can lead to side effects, which depend on the type of drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Short-term side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the bone marrow, where new blood cells are made, blood cell counts might become low.

Red Wine Antioxidant Fights Cancer and Activate a Longevity Gene

2008-08-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

by Paul Rodgers

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in high concentration in red grapes, red wine, peanuts, and pines. Resveratrol is thought to be the reason why French people can consume large quantities of fat in their diet and remain relatively unaffected by the diseases normally associated with a high fat diet. Resveratrol is a broad-spectrum agent that stops cancer in many diverse ways, from blocking estrogen and androgens to modulating genes. Resveratrol is now available in supplement form, so you can experience all of its health benefits without the side effects of increased alcohol consumption.

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells proliferate rapidly and lose the ability to respond to cell death signals by undergoing apoptosis. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in a number of cancer cell lines. When added to cells cultured outside the body, resveratrol has been found to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of human cancer cell lines, including those from breast, prostate, stomach, colon, pancreatic and thyroid cancers. The strongest evidence of anti-cancer action of resveratrol exists for the tumors it can come into direct contact with, such as skin and gastrointestinal tract tumors.

Until more is known about the estrogenic activity of resveratrol in humans, women with a history of estrogen-sensitive cancers, such as breast, ovarian and uterine cancers, should avoid resveratrol supplements. Laboratory experiments showed that resveratrol:Reduced the function of proteins in the pancreatic cancer cell membranes that are responsible for pumping chemotherapy out of the cell, making the cells chemo-sensitive. The study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted -- pre-treated with the antioxidant, resveratrol, and irradiated -- the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, an important goal of cancer therapy.

Resvinatrol Complete Offers:

* Powerful Antioxidant Action
* Helps Prevent Free Radical Damage to Cells.
* 100 mg resveratrol in every serving.
* Capsules are sealed in a nitrogen environment.
* Combines ellagic acid from pomegranates and raspberries.

Resveratrol Complete nutritional supplements, first sourced from ground dried grape skins and seeds (sometimes from residual byproducts of winemaking), are now primarily derived from the cheaper, more concentrated Japanese knotweed which contains up to 187 mg/kg in the dried root. It is for this reason that many people prefer dietary supplements as their source for resveratrol. Most of these supplements contain resveratrol obtained from the herb called polygonum cuspidatum. Resveratrol became the first-ever supplement known to activate a longevity gene. Itâ€™s possible that if a person regularly takes supplemental resveratrol, they will be more likely to withstand a stroke or other injury to the brain. To obtain the amount of resveratrol present in one serving of this outstanding supplement, you would need to consume more than 46 glasses of red wine.

Resveratrol is not known to be toxic or cause adverse effects in humans, but there have been few controlled clinical trials. Resveratrol is vulnerable to light and oxygen; as such, the red wine should be stored away from sun light, in air-tight, cool temperatures to protect its resveratrol potency. Studies have demonstrated that resveratrol is a potent antioxidant, has the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation (sticking together) and has anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and anti-cancer characteristics.

Top 5 kinds of Food Anti-Cancer

2008-08-10T22:12:00.000-07:00

by Win.Ho

1. Tomato

Tomato can substantially reduce the risk of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, it is the best source of vitamin C. Lycopene in tomatoes can prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, also can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer, the tomato juice without salt does really good for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Nutrition experts recommend: we eat 1 or 2 fresh tomatoes a day for our health.

2. Nuts

Nuts, incluing peanut and almond fruit, not only raise good cholesterol and lower triglycerides in the blood, also can prevent heart diseases. Nuts are the essence of the plants, rich in proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, contribute to human growth and development, enhance physical fitness, also prevent cancers.

Nutrition experts recommend: eating nuts should be noted that eating 30 grams a day for people will be fat eating more.

3. Oat

Consumption of oat cereal a day can lower cholesterol, it is rich in fiber and make people feel enough to eat, so can reduce the intake of other greasy food. Daily consumption of 35 grams oats can provide adequate nutrition and maintain long-term vitality.

4. Garlic

Apart from the rich in antioxidants, garlic has recently been found to prevent colon cancer. Japanese scientists found that those who eat garlic daily less suffering from colorectal cancer.

Nutrition experts recommend: those sedentary white-collar crowd should eat garlic.

5. Red wine

Red wine contains alcohol and tannin, can inhibit bacterial growth. It contains Vitamin C, E, and carotenoids, has anti-oxidation function, can effectively prevent cataracts, immune barriers, artery atherosclerosis, cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases and cancers.

Nutrition experts recommend: moderate consumption of red wine does good to health, generally 1 to 3 cups per day (each cup capacity of 120 milliliters).

Pancreatic cancer surgery in India at affordable cost

2008-08-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

by Ravi Jeswani

With the advancement in the surgical techniques of cancer surgery in India it is now possible to get the pancreatic cancer surgery in India at affordable cost. Indian cancer surgery hospitals provide best treatment facilities and most experienced surgeons of India for pancreatic cancer surgery. Because of the low cost of treatment, availability of best medical treatment facilities and very good medical infrastructure in India, Indian cancer surgery hospitals are getting more popularity in abroad and many abroad patients are getting attracted to India for getting their pancreatic cancer surgery in India. The medical treatment centers for pancreatic cancer surgery in India are at Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Pune. The treatment facilities provided by the cancer surgery hospitals of India are best also at lowest cost as compared to the cost of cancer surgery hospitals of abroad.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which normal cells in the pancreas malfunction and begins to grow uncontrollably. These cancerous cells can eventually interfere with proper functioning of the pancreas and spread to other parts of the body. The pancreas is a pear-shaped gland located in the abdomen between the stomach and the spine. It is about 6 inches in length and is composed of two major components: exocrine and endocrine. The exocrine component, made up of ducts and acini (small sacs on the end of the ducts), produce enzymes, which are specialized proteins released into the small intestine that help the body digest and break down food, particularly fats. It is the cells lining these pancreatic ducts that most frequently turn cancerous. These are called ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas and represent the most common subtype of pancreatic cancer. It is important to distinguish neuroendocrine tumors from adenocarcinomas of the pancreas because the tumors act very differently. Pancreatic cancer often does not cause specific symptoms early on in its development; pancreatic cancers may not be detected until the cancer has metastasized beyond the pancreas to other areas of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or the peritoneum. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most cases occur in people older than 60. More men are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than women. Sometimes, people with pancreatic cancer do not show any of these symptoms. Doctors often refer to pancreatic cancer as a silent disease because it usually does not cause any symptoms in the beginning. As the cancer grows, symptoms may include Yellow skin and eyes, darkening of the urine, itching and clay-colored stool, which are signs of obstructive jaundice that may occur during the early stage of the disease, pain in upper abdomen or upper back, burning feeling in stomach or other gastrointestinal discomforts, floating stools with a particularly bad odor, due to malabsorption of fats, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss with no known explanation. The treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the person's overall health.

Medical tourism in India provides very good assistance to abroad patients in their medical trip for pancreatic cancer surgery in India. Medical tourism in India take care of the accommodation, tickets arrangement and provision of best cancer treatment to abroad patients for which they are coming India. Many abroad patients are getting attracted to India for their pancreatic cancer surgery because of the low cost and treatment facilities provided by the cancer surgery hospitals of India. Medical tourism in India arranges different tours for the abroad patients to different beaches of Goa and many Indian historical places and converts their medical tour to holiday cum medical tour. All these facilities are provided by medical tourism of India. For further details of affordable cost pancreatic cancer surgery in India visit: - http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com or mail us at enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com

Affordable cost Laparoscopic pancreatic treatment in India

2008-08-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

by Ravi Jeswani

India is becoming hub for laparoscopic pancreatic treatment because of the availability of most advanced surgical techniques for the treatment and availability of most experienced laparoscopic pancreatic surgeons for the treatment. The low cost of treatment attracts many patients of abroad to India for their treatment and the availability of best medical infrastructure in India is also one of the reasons for abroad patients to select India as a destination for their treatment. As the surgery is performed by most experienced laparoscopic surgeons the risk involved in the process of treatment is very less and the success rate is also very good, In these circumstances Indian laparoscopic pancreatic surgery hospitals becomes most preferable choice for abroad patients for getting their treatment done. Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery in India is most advanced technique available for the treatment and most experienced surgeons perform it thus, the risk involved in the process is very less.

Laparoscopic pancreatic treatment is most advanced technique invented for the pancreatic treatment. This is a complex surgical technique and is to be performed by most experienced laparoscopic surgeons so that there should not be any post surgery complication. Now days many new technologies and advanced laparoscopic techniques to develop new laparoscopic operations for pancreas, liver and bile duct diseases. New laparoscopic hand-access devices allows the surgeon to place a hand into the abdomen during laparoscopic surgery and perform many of the different functions with the hand that were previously possible only during open surgery. Most experienced laparoscopic surgeons utilize this new device to develop laparoscopic surgical procedures such as the Whipple operation, distal pancreatectomy and liver resection. Benefits of minimally invasive or laparoscopic procedures include less postoperative discomfort since the incisions are much smaller, quicker recovery times, shorter hospital stays, earlier return to full activities and much smaller scars. Furthermore, there may be less internal scarring when the procedures are performed in a minimally invasive fashion compared to standard open surgery. It is estimated that 10 to 15% of all patients who are thought to have cancer confined to the pancreas on preoperative x-ray studies including CT scan are shown to have metastatic disease at the time of surgery. To avoid unnecessary open surgery, a diagnostic laparoscopic procedure is performed before making a large open incision. A complete examination of the abdomen is performed to rule out the presence of metastatic disease. The surgical procedure of laparoscopic pancreatic treatment is most advanced thus the recovery time after the surgery is very less, the risk involved in the process is very low and the success rate of this surgical procedure is very good.

Indian laparoscopic pancreatic treatment centers provide most experienced laparoscopic surgeons of India for the laparoscopic pancreatic treatment. Because of the low cost of treatment in India and the provision of clinical care by laparoscopic surgery hospitals is very good, many abroad patients are getting attracted to India for getting their treatment done from India. In India medical treatment centers for laparoscopic pancreatic treatment are at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. For further details of low cost laparoscopic pancreatic treatment visit: - http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com and mail us at enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com

Fish Oil Supplement for Cancer Prevention and Cures

2008-06-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Author: Angie Ng

The inevitable increase of cancer cases in the world today is mainly rooted from the advancement of technology and the industry. The different kinds of cancer suffered by some people include brain, lung, breast and colon cancers and these are often inflicted by pollution and some harsh chemicals from factory emission.

Cancer would also be suffered by those who have bad diets and who opt for unhealthy foods. Yet, it can be noted that these bad habits can be prevented so as to refrain from attracting the disease to inflict a person.

The good news is there are significant scientific researches showed that omega-3 fatty acids supplement produced positive results on cancer prevention and cures.

Bad fats cause cancer.
Noted as the substances that encourage abnormalities in the cell division, the bad fats are the ones which often lead to some fatal disease of the heart, diabetes. The bad fats are also the substances body accumulate and give away poisonous free radicals. These free radicals cause damage and cancer when the natural defenses of the body get overwhelmed.

Fish oil as good inhibitor of cancer.
Prevention of cancer is very difficult especially when the products available in the market today are filled with so many carcinogens. However, it was found that the fish oil which contains long chain omega-3 fatty acids is a good nutrient in the blood which can prevent a person from suffering cancer. A lot of cancer patients were found to have poor nutritional level of the omega-3.

In one research study of 71 newly diagnosed, untreated cancer of esophageal, lung and pancreatic patients and 45 healthy subjects. Researchers measured and found that the levels of omega-3 fatty acids were reduced in pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, but not altered in esophageal cancer. Thus lung and pancreatic cancer patients would benefit from an omega-3 supplement to improve the omega-3 content of their blood.

In another study of 24 European countries, consumption of fish oil has shown to protect against the later promotional stages of colorectal cancer. Omega-3s were shown to decrease colon cancer at both the initiation and promotion stages in experiments with animals.

One of the most common types of cancer in North America is skin cancer. Research studies have shown Omega-3 fatty acids from fish have a protective effect on the skin; fish oil benefits the skin by producing prostaglandins that are anti-inflammatory, acting to reduce inflammatory components induced from ultraviolet light exposure.

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil on animal studies have demonstrated positive results to slow the growth of cancer; increase the efficacy of chemotherapy and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy or of the cancer. Fish oil works on suppressing the proliferation (rapid growth) of cancer cells; allowing cancer cells to die; and reducing cancer-induced cachexia (extreme loss of weight and muscle mass).

Fish oils are also widely recognized for many other health benefits for both children and adults to improve brain function, mental illnesses, learning and behavior disorder, heart function and more. Visit www.keyfishoilbenefits.com.

Health Benefit of Green Tea: Cancer Prevention

2008-06-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

Author: Patricia Hammond

There have already been numerous studies that prove that green tea helps protect drinkers against cancer. Statistics show that cancer rates are lower in countries where people regularly drink green tea. Research has shown that polyphenols are one source of the health benefit of green tea. Researchers believe that these substances found in green tea are influential in preventing the development of cancer.

Studies involving animal tests have shown that green tea reduces the formation of tumors for cancers of the skin, esophagus, bladder, pancreas, ovary cancer and prostate. The antioxidant activity in green tea has

been reported to produce such results. Researchers are also of the belief that polyphenols are essential in destroying cancerous cells and stopping their progression.

Skin Cancer

Scientific research suggests that the main polyphenol in green tea, which is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and other green tea polyphenols possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. One study

has been done on the health benefit of green tea on the skin. The study showed that drinking tea helps prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors.

Esophageal Cancer

Animal studies have also been conducted and they showed that green tea polyphenols help stop the growth of esophageal cancer cells. However, studies done on people have various results regarding the health

benefit of green tea. One study showed that green tea consumption is an effective way to be protected from esophageal cancer, specifically among women. But another study showed that drinking green tea increased

the risk of developing esophageal cancer. This shows that before green tea can be recommended for esophageal cancer prevention, more research has to be done.

Bladder Cancer

A few studies have been conducted on the health benefit of green tea on the human bladder. Research has been done to determine if there’s a connection between bladder cancer and consumption of green tea. One

study revealed that women who drank green tea reduced their probability of developing bladder cancer. The study was followed with another one revealing that patients with bladder cancer, specifically men, who

consumed green tea had a significantly improved chance of surviving compared to those who did not drink tea.

Pancreatic Cancer

Research has also been done on the health benefit of green tea on the pancreas. A study found that men and women who drank green tea had lesser chances of developing cancer in the pancreas. However, the study

didn’t particularly point out that green tea was exclusively responsible for reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers still need further studies before they can start recommending green tea for pancreatic

cancer prevention.

Ovarian Cancer

In China, a study was conducted on patients with ovarian cancer. It was observed that women who drank a cup of green tea a day were able to survive longer and lived the longest compared to women who did not drink

tea at all.

Prostate Cancer

Green tea extracts have been shown in laboratory studies to prevent the development of prostate cancer cells in test tubes. A large study showed that people who drank green tea with increasing frequency, quantity

and duration reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer.

Pancreatitis – Causes and Symptoms of Pancreatitis

2008-06-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Author: peterhutch

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Pancreatitis occurs most commonly after an episode of acute pancreatitis and is the result of ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. In more than 70% of the cases, chronic pancreatitis is caused by prolonged alcohol use. Other, less common causes include metabolic disorders. Very rarely, patients have chronic pancreatitis that tends to run in families (hereditary pancreatitis). Damage to the pancreas from excessive alcohol use may not cause symptoms for many years, but then the person may suddenly develop severe pancreatitis symptoms, including severe pain and loss of pancreatic function, resulting in digestion and blood sugar abnormalities.

Causes of Pancreatitis

Some people have more than one attack and recover completely after each, but acute pancreatitis can be a severe, life-threatening illness with many complications. About 80,000 cases occur in the United States each year; some 20 percent of them are severe. Acute pancreatitis occurs more often in men than women.

In many people with chronic pancreatitis, the condition is caused by prolonged alcohol drinking, resulting in pancreatic damage and scarring. In other cases of chronic pancreatitis, the cause may be metabolic, hereditary, or simply unknown.’

Pregnancy can also cause pancreatitis, but in some cases the development of pancreatitis is probably just a reflection of the hypertriglyceridemia which often occurs in pregnant women. Pancreas divisum, a common congenital malformation of the pancreas may underlie some cases of recurrent pancreatitis.

Gallstones form from a buildup of material within the gallbladder, another organ in the abdomen (please see previous illustration). A gallstone can block the pancreatic duct, trapping digestive juices inside the pancreas. Pancreatitis due to gallstones tends to occur most often in women older than 50 years of age.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few days. The pain may be severe and may become constant—just in the abdomen—or it may reach to the back and other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as a mild pain that gets worse when food is eaten.

Acute pancreatitis may be the first sign of gallstone disease. The link between gallstones and acute pancreatitis is the anatomical union of the ducts that drain the gallbladder and pancreas, called the ampulla or major papilla of the duodenum.

Sometimes a person cannot stop vomiting and needs to have a tube placed in the stomach to remove fluid and air. In mild cases, a person may not eat for 3 or 4 days and instead may receive fluids and pain relievers through an intravenous line.

The pain occurs more often and lasts longer. You will begin to lose weight and show symptoms of diabetes, including increased thirst, appetite, urination, fatigue, and weight loss. Although it is unusual, chronic pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic cancer. In very severe cases called necrotizing pancreatitis, the pancreatic tissue begins to die from the tissue damage. In patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, the area between the ribs and the hip bone will be reddish-purple or greenish-brown, called Turner’s sign.

How Vegetable Juicing Helps With Acute Pancreatitis

2008-06-02T16:57:00.001-07:00

Author: Alien

An effective way to incorporate more vegetables into a diet is through juicing.

Pancreatitis is effectively treated and improved by a diet rich in plant-based foods.

Pancreatitis is a term that refers to the inflammation of the pancreas.

The pancreas is a small organ that is completely surrounded by the stomach and small intestine and found in the upper part of the abdomen.

The pancreas has two key functions. It is responsible for producing digestive enzymes for the small intestine and also for producing the hormones insulin and glucagons that help to regulate blood sugar.

There are two main types of pancreatitis – chronic and acute, although it has also been found that some cases of pancreatitis are hereditary.

Someone suffering from chronic pancreatitis exhibit abdominal pain, malabsoprtion, and acute flare-ups. Usually, this is caused by alcoholism and can result in scarring and destruction of the pancreatic tissues. Chronic pancreatitis can also lead to more severe digestive problems and diabetes.

Acute pancreatitis involves severe abdominal pain, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Additionally, fever, increased heart rate, abdominal distension, affected blood pressure, and abnormal stools may accompany these symptoms.

Usually, gallstones, excessive alcohol consumption, viral infection, certain drugs, or pancreatic cancer causes acute pancreatitis.

Depending on the type and severity of the pancreatitis will determine the best route for treatment. General treatments include pain relief medications, proper hydration and salt levels, monitoring symptoms, and modification of the diet.

A diet rich in vegetables is an effective tool in fighting pancreatitis. Vegetables are an important source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that are especially beneficial to the pancreas.

While eating steamed or cooked vegetables is acceptable, the best way to get the most from them is to eat them raw. In fact, for those suffering from acute pancreatitis, doctors limit the diet to fluids and broths only to reduce pancreatic inflammation.

For this route, juicing for pancreatitis is ideal. Fresh vegetable juice draws out the enzymes and antioxidants essential for pancreatic health in its raw, most absorbable state.

Many holistic doctors and internists will recommend that a pancreatitis patient modify his or her diet through the act of vegetable juicing. Pancreatitis improves with an increase of raw vegetables in the diet.

It is known that vegetables are extremely beneficial for the pancreas. For example, string beans are rich in potassium, which helps to restore a deficient or tired pancreas and Brussels sprouts contain alkalizing elements that are particularly good for the pancreas.

One pint of each juice daily is a step in the right direction for a healthier pancreas. Typically, our bodies absorb only about 10% of the nutritional value of the food we eat.

If the food is ingested as a juice, the absorption level increases up to 92%. Because of this increase in absorption, doctors highly recommend juicing. Pancreatitis sufferers will get more benefits from vegetables in the form of a juice this way.

When juicing vegetables, it is important to do so properly and safely and this starts at the store. Always purchase produce that is as fresh as possible and not bruised.

Always bag your produce separately from meats, poultry, and fish. When you arrive home with your groceries be sure to always store them properly in clean receptacles.

Right before juicing, always make sure that you thoroughly wash your hands as well as each and every vegetable before juicing it, even if you plan on peeling it. Harmful bacteria could be in the same soil in which those vegetables were grown.

Extracted juices should always be ingested immediately and always refrigerated. Safe practices of juicing for pancreatitis will ensure an improved condition as well as diverting any food borne illnesses.

Treatment Of Pancreatic Cancer Has Saved Middle Aged People

2008-05-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

Author: Riley Hendersen

Pancreas lies horizontally behind the stomach. It serves to release enzymes that help digestion, and hormones that serve to regulate carbohydrates metabolism. It helps regulating the sugar level (glucose) of your body.

Pancreatic cancer spreads very fast and it is difficult to spot it, therefore, it is a major cause of death among cancer illnesses. It is a cancer that spreads very rapidly to other parts and organs of the body, making surgical intervention useless in protecting the patient from death.

How does cancer develop in your pancreas? Most tumors form in the cells that produce digestive enzymes. These tumors that are called adenocarcinomas account for nearly 95% of cancer pancreatic.

Endocrine tumors that form in the islet cells are less common. Upon existence, they produce too much hormone. Very serious are the ampullary cancers that form in the ampulla of Vater, it is where your bile and pancreatic ducts are emptied into your small intestine. These tumors when blocking the bile duct, lead to jaundice.

The developing of pancreatic cancer happens when the DNA is damaged, and the growth and division of healthy cells becomes uncontrolled. Thus, a tumor is formed which is a formation of malignant cells.

A small number of people develop this cancer due to genetic predisposition. In 90% of the cases environmental factors, lifestyle, smoking, diet, and chemical exposure lead to the formation of cancer.

According to surveys, black men and women are at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer, being overweight and working with petroleum compounds also play a risk factor.

How do you suspect that you may have developed cancer in your pancreas? First of all, you lose your appetite, develop sharp abdominal pain, suddenly lose weight, and have jaundice, yellowing of the skin. It is important to mention Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that infect your mucus and your stomach. In many cases it is asymptomatic.

Courvoisier's law predicts that jaundice and a painless gallbladder that is distended are together indicative of pancreatic cancer. This cancer can be spotted while carrying out liver function tests, along with ultrasound and abdominal CT examinations. Endoscopic ultrasound is a painful, but effective way of spotting the tumor.

Patients having cancer in their pancreas have a poor prognosis due to the cancer not causing evident symptoms in the early stage. Mortality is around 99% in the United States, ranking cancer pancreatic as the number one fatal cancer in America.

This cancer may result in diabetes which turns out to be a life-long illness exposing the patient at discomfort and high risk of death if not treated properly. The American Cancer Society promotes high consumption of vegetables and fruits and lower consumption of red meat. Like with all other cancers, smoking proves a major factor in developing this cancer as well.

Prevention of cancer is vital. Long-term examinations have proved that taking vitamin D helps in decreasing the risk of cancer with 50%. Lately, younger generations have been affected, however, these patients have responded well to treatment in the UK, for example. There is hope for better treatment and diagnosis, these cases have proved the general statistics wrong. For further details, please consult the Pancreatic Cancer UK organization.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptom

2008-04-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Author: hijau

An epidemiologic study suggested eating a lot of fruit and vegetables may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in men.

The case-control study involved 585 pancreatic cancer cases and 4,779 controls in eight Canadian provinces between 1994 and 1999. The dietary habits were surveyed and analyzed using a multivariate analysis method. Identified and grouped were three dietary patterns, WESTERN characterized by high intake of meat, sugar, and refined grains; FRUIT/VEGETABLES characterized by high intake of fresh fruits and cruciferous vegetables; DRINKER characterized by high intake of liquor, wine and beer.

The study found that those who ate the highest amount of fruit and vegetables (highest quartile) are 50 percent less likely to have pancreatic cancer than those who used the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables (lowest quartile). There was no association with the Western dietary and drinker patterns.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and the fifth in women. As predicted by the American Cancer Society, about 32,180 people in the US will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 31,800 will die of the disease.

The study was conducted by André Nkondjock and collegues from University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada and other organizations. The results were published in the May 1 issue of International Journal of Cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer

by: Dr. John Roberts

Find more about Pancreatic cancer at this site:
http://pancreatic--cancer--symptom.blogspot.com/

Pancreatic Cancer – Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

2008-04-25T18:47:00.001-07:00

Author: peterhutch

The pancreas is a spongy, tube-shaped organ about 6 inches long. It is located in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. The narrow end of the pancreas, called the tail, extends to the left side of the body.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas — a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas. Each year about 33,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with this condition, and more than 60,000 in Europe. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor, with few victims still alive five years after diagnosis, and complete remission still extremely rare

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Unintended weight loss is a common sign of pancreatic cancer. Weight loss occurs in most types of cancer because cancerous (malignant) cells deprive healthy cells of nutrients, and this is especially true in pancreatic cancer.

As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.

Jaundice is caused by a buildup of bilirubin (a substance produced in the liver) that causes a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Jaundice may also cause brown urine and clay-colored stools. It is important to note that jaundice may be caused by a number of less dangerous conditions, such as anemia.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are generally vague and can easily be attributed to other less serious and more common conditions. This lack of specific symptoms explains the high number of people who have a more advanced stage of disease when pancreatic cancer is discovered.

Treatment for Pancreatic cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. You may receive radiation treatments before or after cancer surgery, often in combination with chemotherapy. Or, your doctor may recommend a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments when your cancer can't be treated surgically.

Surgery may be done to remove all or part of the pancreas. Sometimes it is necessary to remove a portion of the stomach, duodenum, and other nearby tissues. This operation is called a Whipple procedure. In cases where the cancer in the pancreas cannot be removed, the surgeon may be able to create a bypass around the common bile duct or the duodenum if either is blocked.

Endoscopic stent placement: A stent (flexible tube) is placed in the bile duct to drain the bile into the small intestine or outside the body as needed. This is done when the tumor is blocking the bile duct and there is a build up of bile to prevent further build up.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. This can lead to side effects, which depend on the type of drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Short-term side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the bone marrow, where new blood cells are made, blood cell counts might become low.

Pancreatic Cancer-One of the Deadliest Cancers

2008-04-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Riley Hendersen

The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, about 37,170 people in the United States will be found to have pancreatic cancer and about 33,370 will die of the disease. Pancreatic is one of the deadliest of all cancers with one of the lowest survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, only about 5% of pancreatic cancer patients will be alive 5 years after the cancer is found. Even for those with local disease (it has not spread to other organs), the 5-year relative survival rate is only 16%.

Many people don't know what pancreatic cancer is because they are not familiar with the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland found behind the stomach. It is shaped a little bit like a fish. It is about 6 inches long and less than 2 inches wide. It extends across the abdomen. The pancreas serves two functions. It breaks down the fats and proteins in the food we eat so the body can use them. The pancreas also makes hormones to help balance the amount of sugar in the blood.

While pancreatic cancer can strike anyone, the American Cancer Society has identified several risk factors for pancreatic cancer:

* Almost percent of pancreatic cancer patients are older than 55.
* Men have this cancer more often than women.
* African Americans are more likely to have this cancer than are whites.
* The risk of this cancer is higher among smokers.
* There may be a link with eating a lot of red meat and pork, especially processed meat (such as sausage and bacon).
* Very overweight people are 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
* Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with diabetes.
* Some chemicals such as certain bug sprays, dyes, or gasoline products may raise the risk of this cancer.
* Cancer of the pancreas seems to run in some families. It seems to account for about 1 in 10 cases.

Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society are:

* Pain in the belly area (abdomen) or in the middle of the back is a very common sign of advanced pancreatic cancer. Again, such pain is often caused by something other than cancer.
* Losing weight (without trying) over a number of months is very common in patients with this cancer. They may also feel very tired and have a loss of appetite.
* If the cancer blocks the release of the pancreatic juice into the intestine, problems such as trouble breaking down fat can result. Stools might be pale, bulky, greasy, and float in the toilet. Other problems may include nausea, vomiting, and pain that tends to be worse after eating.
* The doctor may find that the gallbladder is enlarged.

Many patients are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prolong their life. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, you should contact a doctor for testing. Early diagnosis and treatment can help increase your chance of surviving pancreatic cancer.

Fruit, vegetables may reduce pancreatic cancer risk

2008-04-08T22:40:00.001-07:00

by: Dr. John Roberts

An epidemiologic study suggested eating a lot of fruit and vegetables may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in men.

The case-control study involved 585 pancreatic cancer cases and 4,779 controls in eight Canadian provinces between 1994 and 1999. The dietary habits were surveyed and analyzed using a multivariate analysis method. Identified and grouped were three dietary patterns, WESTERN characterized by high intake of meat, sugar, and refined grains; FRUIT/VEGETABLES characterized by high intake of fresh fruits and cruciferous vegetables; DRINKER characterized by high intake of liquor, wine and beer.

The study found that those who ate the highest amount of fruit and vegetables (highest quartile) are 50 percent less likely to have pancreatic cancer than those who used the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables (lowest quartile). There was no association with the Western dietary and drinker patterns.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and the fifth in women. As predicted by the American Cancer Society, about 32,180 people in the US will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 31,800 will die of the disease.

The study was conducted by André Nkondjock and collegues from University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada and other organizations. The results were published in the May 1 issue of International Journal of Cancer.

Processed Meats Raise Pancreatic Cancer Risk

2008-04-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

by: Dr. John Roberts

Eating a lot of processed meats such as hot dogs, sausages and luncheon meats may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a study presented on April 19 at the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

In the study, researchers investigated the dietary information and pancreatic cancer death among 190,545 men and women of African-American, Japanese-American, Caucasian, Latino and Native Hawaiian origin. The data were originated from the Multiethnic Cohort Study in Hawaii and Los Angeles, which involved those 190,545 subjects. During a 7-year follow-up, 482 cases of pancreatic cancer were recorded.

It was found that those who consumed the highest amounts of processed meats including all types are 67 percent more likely to acquire pancreatic cancer compared with those who used the lowest amounts. Those who consumed the highest amounts of pork and red meat increased the risk by 50 percent.

There was no association between consumption of poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs with the pancreatic cancer risk. Nor was there a link between the cancer risk and overall intake of total fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.

Previous studies already found that those who heavily consumed red meat and processed meat were 50 percent more likely to get colorectal cancer compared with those who did not use much processed meats.

The researchers suggested that some reactions might generate carcinogens or cancer-causing agents such as heterocyclic amines or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the meat processing, which might be responsible for the increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

In the U.S. 32,180 cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year and 31,800 are expected to die of it. The pancreatic cancer risk is the same for men and women.#