pancreas cancer

Pancreatscancer in the early stage are hard to diagnosis

2008-07-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

Pancreas cancer is a kind of disease in which a malignant cell are found in our tissue of our pancreas. Most of pancreatic cancer in the early stage are hard to diagnosis until the pancreatic is in advanced stage as symptoms of pancreatic cancer are also related to other causes. Surgically is the most common in treating pancreatic cancer by removing the malignant parts in our pancreas and rerouting the stomach and the bile ducts from the liver to the small intestine.

People who is at high risk of infected with pancreas cancer are people who smoke very heavy. Old age is another factor and male gender are more to experience such disease then female gender. African-American people and people whose diet is high in red meat. Occupation that is exposure to chemical such as dyes, pesticides and related to gasoline. Family history.

Most of the sign and symptoms of pancreas cancer are loss in appetite, unexpected weight loss, and pain in the upper abdomen. The occurs of jaundice due to the tumor grows bigger and obstructs the bile ducts. Eating health with more green and daily exercises can prevent you from many diseases and sickness.

Person who is at risk of suffering from pancreas cancer

2008-05-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

Most of the person who is at risk of suffering from pancreas cancer people of older age. As age increased our pancreas became weaker and when a person reach the age sixty, they are easy to develop pancreas cancer. Survey also found people from African American men and women are at greater risk of developing the disease. Smokers is another cause of developing pancreatic cancer and doctors find that smokers are two or three more times to get pancreatic cancer than non smokers. Diabetes is a condition in which one's insulin levels are not normal and this patient can result in developing pancreas cancer. Men are more then women to diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. Family history when a person's mother, father, sister, or brother had the disease. Also, a family history of colon or ovarian cancer increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

The symptoms of pancreas cancer are not always cause symptoms in the early stage and and most refer to people as a silent disease. Sometimes when the symptoms is out it already spread to many parts of the body. Symptoms may include or as the cancer grows you may notice your skin and eye are yellowish and your urine are dark in color. Pain in the upper abdomen and upper back. Weight loss, nausea, weakness and loss in appetite. But sometimes sign of the symptoms pancreas can be of other disease. See your doctor as your doctor can diagnose the cause of a the symptoms.

The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer is jaundice

2008-03-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

Pancreatic cancer if early treated, the survival change is very high if the cancers are surgically removed while the tumor is still small and had not spread to others parts of the lymph nodes. It is the forth deadly killer cancer among men and women around the world. Pancreas is located deep in the abdomen and between our stomach and spine. Due to its location most of the symptom of pancreas when unnotice until the tumor grows large enough to interfere with the function of nearby structures such as the stomach, duodenum, liver, or gallbladder.

Most of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are abdominal pain and may then spread to others parts of the body, It is cause by our tumor press against the organs and nerves in our abdominal cavity. This pain will then spreads to others others parts of the pain. The pains will sometimes occur very often in our stomach or will occur once in a while. Loss of appetite and weight loss due to changes of appetite. The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer is jaundice due to the bile flow gets blocked by the tumors. This results in yellowing of the skin, which is characteristic of jaundice.

Others symptoms are itching which are cause by excessive bile accumulating in the skin. having digestive problems and later cause nausea may be result in blockage of the digestive tract. This pancreatic cancer are more in the advanced stage.

The Functional structure of a pancrease

2007-11-26T22:05:00.000-08:00

The Functional structure of a pancrease that produce and releases hormones likes insulin that reduce blood glucose level and glucagon that increases blood glucose. Men are twice likely to suffer from pancreatic cancer than women. The symptom of pancreatic cancer are always slow to show off while some had a very few symptoms. Most of the time when the symtoms of pancreatic show off, it already in advance stage where the cancer had already spread to others parts of the body, typically the lymph nodes in the abdomen and the liver. Diabetes patients and people working in or contact with organic chemicals.

The symtom of pancreatic cancer are abdominal pain. Generalized itching, pale colour of the stool, Weight loss and Jaundice people. When the pancrease cancer started in the head of the pancrease which is the closest to the doudenum area, The patients were show itchness and suffer from jaundice and weight loss. If the pancreatic cancer started in the tail of the pancrease which is away from the doudenum, the tumor can grow to larger sizes before causing symptoms. This condition can result in the obstruction of bile excretion.

Heavy smokers are the biggest risk people to develop pancreatic cancer

2007-09-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

Symptom of pancreas are always slow to show and its always lack of symptoms and when detected its has spread to many parts of the body and its to late or unsuccessful to be treated. Men are likely to get pancreas cancer than women and it also show that black people are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than white people.

Heavy smokers are the biggest risk people to develop pancreatic cancer and their are nearly three times more likely to develop this type of cancer than those who do not smoke. Alcohol drinking and people who take diet that is high in animal fats and who seldom comsumed fruits and vegetable in their meals are also one of the high risk people to develop pancreatic cancer. Look after health and diet to avoid unwanted diseases. As Pancreas its almost hidden in the body and is hidden behind our stomach and this cause it hard to diagnose cancer of the pancrease.

The cause and symptom of pancreas cancer

2007-07-22T22:50:00.000-07:00

Pancreas,is a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of our stomach. Pancreatic cancer seldom show symptoms at the early stages but by the time when most patients diagnoses with the symptoms, the disease has already spread to others parts of the body where performing surgical removal is no longer possible.
Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly in our body for this it is consider one of the most serious of cancer.

Most symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in our upper abdomen and may radiate to your middle or upper back. Besure to discuss with your doctor about your symptoms and coditions. Others sign are loss in appetite and the most commom sign of pancreatic cancer is unintentional weight loss. Jaundice pantients where their eyes is white and the skin is yellow. May eventually leads to vomiting, nausea and itching, this happen mostly in last stages of pancres cancer.

Men develop pancreatic cancer more than women. People who is heavy in smoking cigaretter. Diabetes patients and overweight persons. People who work with petroleum companys or associated with pertoleum, gasoline and others chemicals and lastly unhealth diets, a diet high in animals fats and people who seldom or never fruits and vegetable.

Pancreatic cancer seldom detected in its early stages

2007-06-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers and it can spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages. The signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced and has already spread to other parts of our body where surgical removal is no longer possible. This lead to major cause of death cancer.

When sign and symptoms of pancrease do appear, they may include Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your middle or upper back and its is a common symptom of advanced pancreatic cancer.Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice), Itching, Nausea and vomiting and Digestive problems.

People that are high risk to pancreatic cancer are heavy smokers as it known to be the greatest risk of develop pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers are, men are at higher risk then women, People who are overweight, diabetes patients, and people who seldon take fruits and vegetable and consume a diet high in animal fats. Survey also found black people are more likely to develop pancreas cancer.

Cancer can be prevented by people

2007-05-17T02:10:00.000-07:00

Infact cancer can be prevented by people if want is willing to look after his or her health. Disease such as pancreas cancer is mostly cause by our daily bad habits. Heavy smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol and unbalance diets such as high consumption of red meats. To avoid this disease ones has to get rids of this bad habits. Taking more nutrition food and seeing your stomach is only half full is a way of preventing pancreas cancer. Tobacco, Alcohol and Unbalanced Diet incresed the risk of pancrease cancer and colon cancer and eventually leads to lung cancer and heart attack.

Taking cooked vegetable like tomatoes and low fat diet such as tau fu and high consumption of fish, seaweed and drink green tea to reduce the risk of getting cancer, like pancreas cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer.

Taking red meats, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer

2007-04-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

A diet high in red meat appears to raise the risk developing pancreatic cancer, for those who often eat beef or pork and also people who mostly enjoy processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, and bacon, have a higher risk of pancreas cancer but the good news is that consumption of poultry may cut the risk of pancreas cancer.

For people who reported eating the most beef or pork had a 60 percent higher risk of pancreas cancer than people who eat fish, poultry, dairy foods, or eggs. People who takes alots of vegetables or on a vegetarian diets has a very low percentage of getting pancreas cancer. Cutting red meats, pork and processed meat not only reduce the risk of getting of pancreas cancer it also help to reduce the risk of heart disease and colon cancer.

Smoking bad for health and cause cancer

2007-03-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

Smoking is the main cause and the most high risk of getting cancer. About eighty percent of cancer patients are heavy smokers. Many countries in the world are banning smoking in most public area such as restaurant, public transport, air con room and even pub. Women who smoke are most risk to Pancreas cancer then man.

Almost one-third of cases of pancreatic cancer can be attributed to cigarette smoking. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater the risk of having lung cancer, pancreas cancer and eventually leads to heart attack. Diet and high consumption of red meat also cause the risk of many other cancers, including cancers of the lung, prostate, stomach, esophagus and pancreas cancer.

prevention of pancreas cancer is better than cure

2007-01-31T19:54:00.000-08:00

Smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and unbalanced diet expecially high consumptom of red meats is increasing our risk of having pancreas cancer, colon cancer and even lung cancer which eventually leads to heart attack. smokers are at more high risk to suffer from many cancer diesaese then non smokers.

As people said prevention is better than cure so looking after our health now is betting than to look after it when we are already suffer with the disease.

Cancer of the pancreas

2006-11-19T23:25:00.000-08:00

Early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms and refer to many people as a silent diseases as the cancer grows and spreads. The pain mostly develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back and the pain can be very painful when a person lies down or after hie meals. pancreatic cancers start in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices and when the cancer spreads outside of the pancreas, lymps nodes where cancer cells are often found in nearby. Sometimes pancreas cancer will spreads to the peritoneum and the tissue that lines the abdomen.

Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.

Many cause of cancer

2006-10-26T02:57:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All cancers begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. Cells make up tissues, and tissues make up the organs of the body. There are two types of tumors : Benign and Malignant.
Benign tumor is not considered as a cancer but Malignant is considered as a Cancer. Cancers are also of many types mainly caused at different specific regions of the body and have different general causes.

Seventy to eighty percent of cancers are due to smoking. Smoking is a majoy risk and a cause to get cancers in noticeable parts of the body like the Respiratory tract, Esophagus, Larynx, Bladder, Pancreas and liver, kidney and stomach.Women who smoke are most risk to Pancreas cancer then man.

Alcohol is another major factor to cause of Liver cancer. If alcohol and tobacco are taken together, then they are the major risk factors in the cause of Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx and Esophageal cancers.

A virus called as Human Papilloma Virus, is known to cause cancer of the Cervix. This is sexually transmitted between the individuals. Also women who are without children are usually having risk of Ovarian or Breast Cancer.

Improper Diet is also a major cause of cancers. About 40 percentage of the cancers caused are due to imbalanced diet and heavy taking of foodssuch as Colon, Rectum, Pancreas, Prostrate, Gall Bladder, Ovaries and Uterus.

Smoking cause many diseases including pancreas cancer

2006-10-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Cigarette smokers double their risk of heart attack. They are at even more risk from sudden cardiac death. Stroke kills more young smokers than nonsmokers.

Smoking tobacco harms almost every organ of human body, resulting in many diseases and effecting adversely to the overall health of smokers. Two of the most common ailments caused by smoking is heartburn and acid reflux. Tobacco weakens the sphincter in the oesophagus, therefore allowing stomach acid to flow upward into the oesophagus. Tobacco has also been known to double your chance of developing a peptic ulcer and chemicals in tobacco also hinder the healing of ulcers and make sufferers more likely to develop additional ulcers later in life. Doctors also believe that there is a link between the development of Crohn’s disease and the possible development of gallstones in tobacco users.

Cigarettes that have machine-measured yield of tar and nicotine do not have actual health benefit and can cause many kind of including bladder, esophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral, and throat cancers, chronic lung diseases, coronary heart and cardiovascular diseases, as well as reproductive effects and sudden infant death syndrome. The list has been long-drawn-out to include acute myeloid leukemia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cataract, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, pneumonia, stomach cancer, and periodontitis.

Almost one-third of cases of pancreatic carcinoma can be attributed to cigarette smoking. Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. Smokers are five to ten times more likely to suffer from lung cancer than nonsmokers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater the risk of lung cancer.

Red meat increase the risk pancreas cancer

2006-09-28T03:16:00.000-07:00

Diet affects the risk of many other cancers, including cancers of the lung, prostate, stomach, esophagus and pancreas cancer.
High consumption of meat, especially red meat, substantially increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Vegetables, especially cooked tomatoes, reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Japanese women's low fat diet such as tau fu, high fish consumption, seaweed and drinking green tea also decrease their breast cancer risk.

Tobacco, Alcohol and Unbalanced Diet incresed the risk of pancrease cancer and colon cancer

Green tea prevents cancer

2006-09-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

Scientists have found that certain cancers, such a stomach, rectal, breast, skin and pancreatic cancer are lower in people who consume green tea regularly than those who don't.
Green tea can successfully suppress oxidative DNA damage in both the liver and pancreas. This is good news for anyone fighting cancer.

Green Tea is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize mutations within the DNA that could lead to the formation of a tumor. Green tea prevents cancer cells from reproducing.

A brand new research now shows that the phytochemicals in green tea are absolutely incredible. Something that the Asian cultures have known throughout their history, in fact it is quite well known that green tea is known to prevent many forms of cancer such as; Leukemia, Pancreatic cancer, Colon cancer, Lung cancer and Breast cancer. Some say that if green tea was a medicine or drug it would be considered more of a wonder drug than most other cancer drugs. Green tea is considered by many to be a powerful herb, which would be wise to incorporate into your diet.

Don't limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about pancreas cancer. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what's important.

pancreas cancer : Moving On After Treatment

2006-09-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Pancreas cancer
Completing treatment can be both stressful and exciting. You will be relieved to finish treatment, yet it is hard not to worry about cancer coming back. (When cancer returns, it is called recurrence.) This is a very common concern among those who have had cancer.

It may take a while before your confidence in your own recovery begins to feel real and your fears are somewhat relieved.

Follow-up Care

After your treatment is over, it is very important to keep all follow-up appointments. During these visits, your doctors will ask about symptoms, do physical exams, and order blood tests or imaging studies such as CT scans or x-rays. Follow-up is needed to check for cancer recurrence or spread, as well as possible side effects of certain treatments. This is the time for you to ask your health care team any questions you need answered and to discuss any concerns you might have.

Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects. Some may last for a few weeks to several months, but others can be permanent. Don’t hesitate to tell your cancer care team about any symptoms or side effects that bother you so they can help you manage them.

It is also important to keep medical insurance. Even though no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, it is always a possibility. If it happens, the last thing you want is to have to worry about paying for treatment.

Seeing a New Doctor

At some point after your cancer diagnosis and treatment, you may find yourself in the office of a new doctor. Your original doctor may have moved or retired, or you may have moved or changed doctors for some reason. It is important that you be able to give your new doctor the exact details of your diagnosis and treatment. Make sure you have the following information handy:

a copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery

if you had surgery, a copy of your operative report

if you were hospitalized, a copy of the discharge summary that every doctor must prepare when patients are sent home from the hospital

finally, since some cancer-treatment drugs can have long-term side effects, a list of your drugs, drug doses, and when you took them
Lifestyle Changes to Consider During and After Treatment

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be time-consuming and emotionally draining, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. Maybe you are thinking about how to improve your health over the long term.

Make Healthier Choices

Think about your life before you learned you had cancer. Were there things you did that might have made you less healthy? Maybe you drank too much alcohol, or ate more than you needed, or smoked, or didn’t exercise very often.

Now is not the time to feel guilty or to blame yourself. However, you can start making changes today that can have positive effects for the rest of your life. Not only will you feel better but you will also be healthier.

You can start by working on those things that you feel most concerned about. Get help with those that are harder for you. For instance, if you are thinking about quitting smoking and need help, call our Quitline at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Copyright 2006 © American Cancer Society, Inc.

pancreas cancer : What's New in Pancreatic Cancer Research?

2006-09-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

Research into the causes and treatment of pancreatic cancer is going on in many medical centers throughout the world.

Scientists are learning more about some of the changes in DNA that cause cells to become cancerous. In some families an inherited risk greatly increases the chance that members will have this cancer.

Finding cancer early: There are some tests that can help find early changes in the pancreas, changes that could later cause cancer. But these tests are only used if there is a strong reason to think that the person might be at risk.

Patients with family members who had pancreatic cancer may be offered certain new tests. The tests look for early changes that might point to pancreatic cancer. These tests, though, are only an option for people with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer rather than for people at normal risk who have no symptoms.

Immunology: Treatments that boost the patient’s immune system to fight cancer are being tested in clinical trials.

Chemotherapy: Many clinical trials are going on to test new ways to combine chemotherapy drugs. Other studies are testing the best ways to combine chemotherapy with radiation or other treatments.

Anti-angiogenesis factors: All cancers depend on the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to provide nourishment to the cells. New drugs that can block this growth and thus starve the tumor are being studied in clinical trials.

Other methods to block the growth and spread of cancer cells are also being studied.

Copyright 2006 © American Cancer Society, Inc.

pancreas cancer : Types of Tumors of the Pancreas

2006-09-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

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 is really 2 separate glands inside the same organ. The exocrine gland makes pancreatic juice that has enzymes to break down fats and proteins in foods so the body can use them. Most of the cells in the pancreas are part of the exocrine system. A smaller number of cells in the pancreas are endocrine cells. These cells are arranged in clusters called islets (or islets of Langerhans). They make hormones (such as insulin) that help balance the amount of sugar in the blood.

Types of Tumors of the Pancreas

Both the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas can form tumors. But those formed by the exocrine pancreas are much more common. Not all of these tumors are cancer. A small number of tumors are benign (not cancer).

It is important to know whether a tumor is from the exocrine or endocrine part of the gland. Each type of tumor has distinct signs and symptoms, is found using different tests, is treated in different ways, and has a different outlook for survival (prognosis).

Tumors of the exocrine part of the gland are likely to be cancer. These cancers are called adenocarcinomas. About two thirds of these cancers are found in the head of the pancreas; the rest are in the tail. There are several sub-types. But treatment of cancer of the exocrine pancreas is mostly based on the stage of the cancer, not its exact type. The stage of the cancer describes how far it has progressed. Staging is explained later in this document.

Tumors of the endocrine pancreas are much less common. They are known as islet cell tumors. There are also several sub-types. Most of these are benign, but there are a few that are cancerous. This overview does not cover islet cell cancers.

A special type of cancer (ampullary cancer) can occur where the bile duct (from the liver) and the pancreatic duct empty into the small intestine. Because this type of cancer often causes signs such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, it is usually found at an earlier stage than most pancreatic cancers. Finding it early means that the chances of successful treatment are better.

Copyright 2006 © American Cancer Society, Inc.

pancreas cancer : Will a Daily Shot of Wheatgrass Juice Help? (2)

2006-08-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

How do studies on people shape up?

Intervention studies show that cellular measures of chromosome damage are minimized when people take more than 200 – 400 μg folic acid and more than 2 μg vitamin B12 each day. Controlled studies suggest that intakes of 700 μg folic acid and 7 μg B12 are appropriate intakes for young adults. It is expected but not yet proven that high folate and B12 consumption will protect against all cancers. Thus far there are studies that prove that taking a supplement with folic acid protects against colon cancer. There is also evidence that high folate counteracts the effects of drinking alcohol, which otherwise increases the risk of breast cancer in women.

Wheat Grass Juice Wheat grass juice is a fantastic health supplement and is an incredibly rich source of folic acid. One 100 gm shot will give you 1,110 μg folic acid and at the same time supply you with most of the other B group vitamins, Vitamin A, C and E as well as the minerals you need. Unlike most vegetables, it also contains Vitamin B12 although 0.8 μg, not as high as the concentrations advocated by the studies. So whilst you can use Wheatgrass to really top up on your vitamins, minerals and folic acid, you will need some extra B12 to reach the levels recommended by the invention studies. If you want to get this from food, the highest food sources of B12 are shellfish and crustaceans. Fish are quite a rich source but have far less than the other sea-foods. Dairy and eggs have similar amounts to wheatgrass itself so a combination of wheatgrass with an egg and a piece of cheese or glass of milk will give sufficient intake. For strict vegetarians, it is wise to supplement.

Although there are other steps that are important in cancer prevention, a daily shot of wheatgrass will put you well ahead in your optimal health program.

Dr Judy Ford, an internationally respected geneticist has researched causes of cancer and steps that can be undertaken to prevent cancer or greatly reduce personal risk. Dr Ford worked for 30 years in Cancer Research, specializing in how genetic material can be damaged by some chemicals and radiations and why cells sometimes misdivide. She now works as a Science Communicator, explaining Science in lay terms and showing people how to modify their lifestyles to reduce their risks of cancer.
pancreas cancer

By Judy Ford

pancreas cancer Will a Daily Shot of Wheatgrass Juice Help? (1)

2006-08-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

Cancer seems to hit suddenly yet it has usually been developing in the victim’s body for many years. There could be some cancer lurking away in the hidden parts of most of our bodies. Some of us could be facing a cancer diagnosis in the near future. It is very frightening but is there anything we can do?

Most of the publicity about cancer is focused on cures. Some of the information discusses risk factors but this latter information is usually fairly difficult to interpret. We know, for example that smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. But we also know of people who smoked all their lives without developing lung cancer. Leaving aside the negatives, let’s look at folic acid, a nutrient that seems to be universally good for our health.

Folic Acid turns up again and again as one of the “good guys”. However it works in cooperation with Vitamin B12 so both need to be consumed simultaneously. Folic acid supplementation prevents birth defects known as neural tube defects. It also reduces birth defects in women taking antiepileptic drugs, which themselves cause folate deficiency. It also lowers blood homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease.

As a geneticist I often studied cells grown in culture with low folic acid. It is well known that deficiencies of folic acid are associated with breaks in chromosomes and that giving extra folic acid corrects the problem. Since a break is usually the first event in the evolution of a cancer cell, it is critical to minimize breaks. The initial genetic damage is often caused by other toxic agents but the folic acid plays a critical role in the repair of this damage.
pancreas cancer

By Judy Ford

pancreas cancer : Discover The Green Tea Benefit In Cancer

2006-08-29T23:36:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a scary word. Many people do not realize that there are things that can be added to your everyday diet to prevent cancer and stall the development of cancer.

Green Tea

Green Tea is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize mutations within the DNA that could lead to the formation of a tumor. Green tea prevents cancer cells from reproducing.

Researchers at the University of Murcia in Spain (UMU) and the John Innes Center (JIC) in Norwich, England have shown that a compound called EGCG in green tea prevents cancer cells from growing by binding to a specific enzyme.

We have shown for the first time that EGCG, which is present in green tea at relatively high concentrations, inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is a recognized, established target for anti-cancer drugs, " Professor Roger Thorneley, of JIC, told Reuters.

Green Tea In Cancer

Scientists have found that certain cancers, such a stomach, rectal, breast, skin and pancreatic cancer are lower in people who consume green tea regularly than those who don't.

A study in the Journal Biofactors 2000 concluded that supplemental green tea can successfully suppress oxidative DNA damage in both the liver and pancreas. This is good news for anyone fighting cancer.

Studies suggest that 3 cups of green tea daily may provide protection against cancer. Green tea supplements are manufactured for people who do not want to consume large amounts of tea daily. You can often find these supplements at the health food store.

Green tea can be purchased in bags or as loose tea at your grocery store, health food store or online. Why not start drinking some green tea today?

Please note that this natural health guide does not replace the advice of your doctor or health practioner.

By Jeannie Crabtree

pancreas cancer : Major Factors That Cause Cancer

2006-08-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a disorder of genes. Genes are a small part of DNA which are made up of proteins. The genes mainly produce proteins which are involved in controlling cell growth and division. But due to errors or mutations(a sudden change), the abnormal change in the no. of cell divisions occurs and this increases to an uncontrollable change. This change is called a “Tumor”. There are two types of tumors : Benign and Malignant.

Benign tumor is not considered as a cancer but Malignant is considered as a Cancer. Cancers are also of many types mainly caused at different specific regions of the body and have different general causes.

The following are the factors that cause Cancer :

1. Tobacco : Eighty to ninety percent of cancers are due to tobacco usage, mainly smoking. Smoking is shown to cause cancers in noticeable parts of the body like the Respiratory tract, Esophagus, Larynx, Bladder, Pancreas and liver, kidney and stomach also in a few cases.

2. Alcohol : Alcohol is the major factor involved in the cause of Liver cancer. If alcohol and tobacco are taken together, then they are the major risk factors in the cause of Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx and Esophageal cancers.

3. Sexual Behavior : A virus called as Human Papilloma Virus, is known to cause cancer of the Cervix. This is sexually transmitted between the individuals. Also women who are without children are usually having risk of Ovarian or Breast Cancer.

4. Pollution : The main polluting agent which is closely related to cause of cancers is Asbestos particles. The other dangerous cause of cancer from pollution is from the chemicals that are released from the sewage released from the industries. The chlorine added to water also is a minor cause of Cancer. Only one percent of cancer deaths are due to Pollution.

5. Unbalanced Diet : Alteration in the diet of the people is a major cause of cancers. About 35% of the cancers caused are due to imbalanced diet and that too due to excessive intake of food. Over eating causes Obesity which is responsible for many type of cancers like cancers of Breast, Colon, Rectum, Pancreas, Prostrate, Gall Bladder, Ovaries and Uterus.

6. Hazards in Occupation: People in occupation involved in working of elements that are a cause of cancers are about 4% of all cancer deaths.

A few types of cancers and their occupational hazards are listed here that are reported by researchers:

a) Lung cancer is caused due to excess of Asbestos exposure.
b) Bladder cancer mainly in Dye, rubber and gas workers.
c) Skin and Lung cancer in smelter, gold miners and arsenic workers.
d) Leukemia(Blood Cancer) in Glue and varnish workers.
e) Lung cancer in PVC manufactures.
f) Uranium miners are effected with Lung cancer and bone marrow cancer.

By Chetan Bhawani

pancreas cancer : Seaweed Can Help Cure Cancer!

2006-08-24T01:54:00.000-07:00

What’s in the SEAWEED that’s helping so many cancer sufferers and attracting scientists world-wide?

“CURRENT APPROACHES TO CANCER TREATMENT ARE WRONG! CANCER CELL IS NOT A THREAT TO US IF WE CAN CAUSE IT TO COMMIT SUICIDE JUST LIKE ANY NORMAL CELL DOES!” Dr. Ando from Japan boldly stated at his seminar.

“Things I can only explain as miracles are happening right in front of my eyes right now,” he continued.

“Last year, I recommended it to my recurrent lung cancer patient, and my thoughts about cancer treatment completely changed. Because the patient was very old, any more treatment would only have done more damage to him, and he was dying very fast. But 3 months after he was admitted to my hospital, his cancer cells were completely gone. That’s not all. He is now living a healthy life with the rest of his friends. If I had him treated under modern medical care, I might have extended his life a little longer, but, frankly, I am not sure if he could’ve ever lived a healthy life again.” Dr. Ando raised his voice overwhelmed with emotion.

Medical professionals and scientists around the world are excited to finally discover the 3,000 year old secret of life saving gift, from the ocean, the ‘fucoidan’.

Despite the rapid growth of the modern medicine, there are still many diseases that the doctors don’t have treatments for. Amongst these many difficult to treat diseases, the #1 issue is the CANCER.

The reason cancer cells are so deadly is because they do not die. Our body is made up of about 60,000,000,000,000 cells. Old cells die, and new cells are born. This is normal. And this normal dying process is called, ‘APOPTOSIS,’ meaning programmed cell death. However, unlike the normal cells, cancer cells do not die. They don’t have apoptosis. They live and multiply forever.

Then in 1996, a miraculous substance called fucoidan from seaweed was first introduced at the 55th Japan Cancer Convention. It was reported that fucoidan causes apoptosis to cancer cells without affecting the normal cells.

The idea of using seaweed to prevent or treat diseases goes back at least as far as ancient Egypt. What’s so great about seaweed? Evidence shows that ancient Egyptians used seaweed to treat breast cancer. Much more recently, scientists have theorized that seaweed in the Japanese diet might be an important reason postmenopausal Japanese women have only one-ninth the amount of breast cancer as do women in the United States.

So far there are about 659 studies on fucoidan that can be found in www.pubmed.gov. Here are 2 briefs.

(1) In a study done at Fukuoka University, Japan, researchers discovered that fucoidan inhibited the invasion of cancer cells. They discovered that fucoidan specifically inhibited the attachment of cancer cells to laminin.

(2) In the Laboratory de Pharmacologie Marine, in Nantes, France, researchers studied the anti-tumor and anti-proliferative properties of fucoidan extracts from brown sea plants. They discovered that fucoidan exerts a reversible antiproliferative activity in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Their study also showed anti-tumor activity in mice bearing non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma cancer. Their study indicates that fucoidan exhibits inhibitory effects both in vitro and in vivo as a potent anti-tumor agent.

Fucoidan is a complex polysaccharide composed largely of fucopyranoside and natural sulfate found in certain brown seaweeds. Researches indicate that the higher the sulfate group counts in a plant, the higher its therapeutic potential.

Following is the clinical results from Dr. Akira, MotoKuniribkushu Cancer Center in Japan. (The percentages show either total disappearance of cancer cells or reduction by more than half since taking Fucoidan.)

Cancer of tongue 83%
Breast Cancer 78%
Cancer of Pharynx 81%
Uterine Carcinoma 72%
Esophageal Cancer 84%
Ovarian cancer 58%
Stomach Cancer 84%
Pancreatic cancer 48%
Colon Cancer 80%
Leukemia 84%
Synchronous Primary Lung Cancer 86%
Prostatic Cancer 73%
Lung Cancer (adenocarcinoma) 75%
Bladder tumor 72%
Lung Cancer(small cell carcinoma) 79%

Based on more than 30 years of studies on fucoidan, an American company, The Limu Company, spent millions of dollars and decades of research to develop a chemical free extraction process. And the product is called the original limu which constitutes 83% fucoidan.

By William Seo

pancreas cancer : The Pancreatic and Biliary Disease Cause and Treatment

2006-08-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Causes
The cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. Smoking seems to be the main preventable risk factor. Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at higher risk of getting pancreatic cancer. It is quite common among patients with a hereditary form of pancreatitis. A hereditary form of pancreatic cancer has also been identified, though it is quite rare. Diabetes has not been shown to be a risk factor.

Screening and Prevention
There is no way to screen for pancreatic cancer, but since smoking is the only known risk factor, quitting is the best and only way to prevent contracting this deadly disease.

Treatment
Once cancer has been confirmed, the doctor will estimate how advanced the cancer is using a process called staging. The cancer's stage guides how the tumor is treated. Here are the four stages of pancreatic cancer:

Resectable: The cancer has involved only the pancreas, a rarity in pancreatic cancer. The doctor may remove the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine and some surrounding tissue (Whipple procedure). Or the entire pancreas and surrounding organs may come out (total pancreatectomy). Or the body and tail of the pancreas are removed (distal pancreatectomy). Radiation and chemotherapy may also follow surgery. The patient may be invited to take part in a clinical trial to test new treatments and advance medical science.

Locally advanced cancer: The cancer has spread to nearby organs, blood vessels, the intestine or all of these. Removing the tumor isn't usually an option. Treatment typically involves radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy), surgery or other procedures to reduce symptoms. Depending on the medical center, the patient may be invited to join clinical trials (which use combinations of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy).

Metastatic cancer: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (liver, abdomen or lungs). Treatment may involve combinations of chemotherapy, pain relief, and surgery to reduce symptoms, clinical trials (e.g., experimental therapy to fight the cancer).

Recurrent: After successful treatment, the cancer may reappear in the pancreas or another part of the body. Treatment options include any of those used in the metastatic stage, as well as radiation therapy to reduce symptoms.

Since the survival rate is so poor, much pancreatic cancer treatment focuses on relieving pain and discomfort. Endoscopic therapy is an often used, noninvasive way to relieve jaundice and the pain and nausea caused by tumor blockages in the duodenum. Some studies have found stents to work well to relieve the pain and upset stomach that can go with blockages, which also lead to jaundice. Relieving jaundice symptoms improves patients' appetites and emotional well being. Doctors can also relieve biliary blocks by inserting stents in the main pancreatic duct using an endoscope or traditional surgery. One advantage of endoscopic stent treatment is a shorter hospital stay and lower morbidity and mortality.

© Copyright 2000-2006 Cedars-Sinai Health System.

pancreas cancer : The Pancreatic and Biliary Disease

2006-08-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

Pancreatic Cancer
The fourth leading cause of cancer death, pancreatic cancer, will probably kill about 29,000 Americans in 2001. It strikes men and women equally. Like so many other cancers, the earlier it's caught, the greater the chances of survival. However, there is no way to screen for it. By the time symptoms appear, it's usually too late for a cure.

The Pancreatic and Biliary Disease Program in conjunction with the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute diagnoses and treats pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis
The exocrine part of the pancreas (which produces the digestive fluids that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates) is where 95% of all pancreatic cancers, or adenocarcinomas, begin. The other 5% grow in the endocrine section, where hormones like insulin are made. It's important to identify which type of tumor it is, since they behave, develop and respond to treatment differently.

Pancreatic cancer's symptoms are like those of many other pancreatic conditions. Early on, there may be no symptoms at all. As the tumor develops, the patient may have abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice. Other symptoms include itching, brown urine and light clay-colored stools. But these symptoms can point to other conditions as well. That's why it's important to be seen by an expert, who may use any of the following tests:

Lab tests: basic blood work; a test called CA19-9.
Ultrasound: though not a definitive test for tumors, it is a good way to find gallstones or cysts in the pancreas.
Computed tomography (CT): these three-dimensional X-rays are the most accurate test for cancer. A CT scan is also used to guide a biopsy needle exactly to the tumor to take a tissue sample for lab analysis.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): this uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissue. A special type, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), can find blockages in the pancreatic and bile ducts.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): The doctor uses an endoscope (a flexible tube with an optical device) to reach the duodenum and injects a dye to outline the bile and pancreatic ducts. He or she may take a fluid sampling, remove a gallstone or unclog a blockage. This is considered the 'gold standard' for pancreatic and biliary diagnosis, but there is a 2 to 5% risk of causing pancreatitis.

© Copyright 2000-2006 Cedars-Sinai Health System.

pancreas cancer : Cancer and Carbs

2006-08-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

The National Brain Tumor Foundation in Oakland, California is so convinced by the studies linking carbohydrate and insulin to cancer growth they recently revised their dietary guidelines in a dramatic way.

In the group's published dietary guideline entitled The Healing Power of Your Fork: A Brain Tumor Survivor's Eating Plan, they advise brain cancer patients to avoid low fat diets and to cut out sugar and refined carbohydrate instead. They warn patients that eating refined carbohydrate not only feeds cancer cells it suppresses the immune system as well.

Another study From Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2002: A Harvard research team used 18 years of data from 88,000 women who were participating in the famous Nurses Health Study to investigate whether a diet high in foods that easily raise blood glucose levels increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

They found that women who were overweight, sedentary, and had the highest glycemic load increased their risk of pancreatic cancer by 250%.

And there's more. As reported recently by the Associated Press, a Mexican study of nearly 200 women showed that those who consumed a high-carb diet (more than 60% of calories from carbohydrates) were MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY to

develop breast cancer as women who adopted a lower-carb approach to eating.

This study supports a similar body of research from last year that linked a greater risk of breast cancer among women to a diet high in sugar (especially soft drinks and desserts), the most damaging of all carbohydrates.

Scientists who believe in the carb/cancer link hypothesize that the extra insulin released to process the simple carbs and sugars we ingest far too much of causes cells to divide and also leads to higher levels of estrogen in the blood. Both of these factors (cellular division and blood estrogen) can contribute to cancer.

As for me and my tribe we are minimizing our sugar consumption and staying with the slow digesting carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables and especially beans.

The cardiologist looked up from the treadmill report and grimly stated, "You are a walking time bomb. You need to go to the hospital immediately." Two days later a heart surgeon sawed open Gene Millen's chest and stitched in bypasses to six clogged arteries.

"A six way heart bypass isn't a record" said Gene, "but it's not bad for a skinny 59 year old with normal cholesterol and blood pressure. The villains and heroes in the heart attack melodrama may surprise you as they have me."

by Gene Millen

pancreas cancer : How Diet Influences Cancer Risk

2006-08-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Diet is a double edged sword. Improper diet increases the risk of cancer but a proper, well balanced diet reduces the cancer risk.

Diet is one of the most important lifestyle factors and has been estimated to account for up to 80% of cancers of the large bowel, breast, and prostate. Diet affects the risk of many other cancers, including cancers of the lung, prostate, stomach, esophagus and pancreas cancer.

Prostate Cancer:

High consumption of meat, especially red meat, substantially increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Vegetables, especially cooked tomatoes, reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In one clinical trial, the role of Vitamin E as a prostate cancer reducing factor was established. In this study there was a 32% decrease in prostate cancer incidence and 41% decrease in prostate cancer mortality in people receiving Vitamin E supplements when compared to controls.

Breast Cancer:

In Japan, people consume Tofu, a soya product. It contains isoflavones that moderate the estrogen receptors in the body such as breast tissue. The incidence of breast cancer is low in Japan when compared to Western women; only 1/4th of the mortality rate of Western women. Japanese women's low fat diet, high fish consumption and drinking green tea also decrease their breast cancer risk.

One case control study found that regular consumption of soy foods was associated with a marked decrease in breast cancer risk in premenopausal women. No effect in post-menopausal women.

A Japanese case-control study also found that tofu intake (3 times/wk compared with less than 3 times/wk) was associated with decreased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Again, soy intake was not protective against post-menopausal breast cancer.

In one study conducted in America, the relation between soy intake and breast cancer risk found that tofu consumption was protective in both premenopausal and post menopausal Asian women.

Lung Cancer:

Lung cancer risk is substantially decreased by a variety of carotenoids. Carotenoids act as antioxidants and thus minimize cell damage.

One study in Boston focused on the effect of different types of carotenoids on lung cancer risk. It was observed that lung cancer risk was significantly lower in subjects who consumed a diet high in a variety of carotenoids. This was especially true with non-smokers who had 63% less risk.

One study conducted in Hawaii reported further evidence for a protective effect from certain carotenoids against lung cancer and that greater protection was afforded by consuming a variety of vegetables compared to only foods rich in a particular carotenoid.

Stomach Cancer:

Nitrates in food and other preservatives added to food including meat are converted into 'nitrites' in the human stomach. The nitrites undergo nitrosation to form 'nitrosamines' and 'nitrosamides'. This increases the risk of stomach cancer in people eating vegetables from nitrate rich soil.

In one study, Vitamin C appeared to protect against the risk of stomach cancer by inhibiting formation of nitrates in stomach.

Cancer of the stomach is 5 times more common in Japanese people compared to Western populations. When Japanese people migrated to the United States, they progressively acquired the low incidence of the US due to changes in their diets.

In one study conducted in Hawaii that involved both Japanese and Caucasians, the stomach cancer risk was associated with consumption of rice, pickled vegetables, and dried/salted fish, and a negative association with vitamin C intake.

One ecological study in Belgium showed a relation between the nitrate and salt consumption and stomach cancer. The analysis of this model showed that the significance of nitrate as a risk factor for stomach cancer mortality increased markedly with higher sodium levels.

Dietary habits and stomach cancer risk was studied in Shanghai, China. According to this study, risks of stomach cancer were inversely associated with high consumption of several food groups, including fresh vegetables and fruits, poultry, eggs, plant oil, and some nutrients such as protein, fat, fiber, tea and antioxidant vitamins.

By contrast, risks increased with increasing consumption of dietary carbohydrates, frequent consumption of preserved, salty or fried foods and hot soup/porridge, with irregular meals, speed eating and binge eating. This provides evidence that diet plays a major role in stomach cancer risk.

No single food can completely prevent cancer but a balanced combination of different groups can help. Appropriate diet can prevent 3-4 million cancers each year.

Cancer is One of the Main Causes of Death Among Humans.

By Alex Fir

pancreas cancer : A Refreshing Way to Fight Cancer

2006-08-02T03:39:00.000-07:00

This article first appeared in Health Today magazine - http://www.healthtoday.net)

Lowering your cancer risk has never been this refreshing. More and more studies suggest that tea, tomato juice, carrot juice, red wine and soymilk contain compounds that can fight certain types of cancer.

TEA TIME
Tea contains polyphenols, which are natural plant antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to prevent free radical damage to DNA and other molecules. Polyphenols may prevent cancer by reducing abnormal cell growth and inflammation.

Green tea is very rich in polyphenols and has been associated with protection against lung cancer, stomach cancer, and its pre-cancerous condition, gastritis. A study in Japan found that regular consumption of green tea (more than three cups a day) might protect the body against recurrence of early-stage breast cancer.

Laboratory animals given different tea extracts, tea polyphenol mixtures, purified tea components and tea infusions exhibited lower incidence rates of cancer of the colon, esophagus, liver, stomach, lung, breast, pancreas and skin.

YOU'LL LIKE LYCOPENE
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a natural pigment that gives tomatoes their red color. Lycopene has potent antioxidant properties, and is believed to be the key to the tomato's cancer-fighting powers.

Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes is absorbed more efficiently by the body if processed into juice, sauce, paste and ketchup. Temperature changes in the processing of tomatoes convert lycopene into a more absorbable form.

In the body, lycopene is deposited in the liver, lungs, prostate gland, colon and skin. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be higher than all other carotenoids, a class of natural fat-soluble pigments that give veggies and fruits their various hues (orange, red and yellow).

Studies have shown that people with a high intake of tomatoes or a high serum level of lycopene have a significantly lower risk of certain types of cancer, like prostate, lung and stomach cancers.

There is also evidence suggesting a lowered risk for cancers of the pancreas, colon and rectum, esophagus, oral cavity, breast and cervix.

In a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (March 2002), researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found that eating tomatoes and tomato products may help men reduce their risk of prostate cancer. Men with higher levels of lycopene in their blood had statistically significant lower rates of cancer than did men with lower blood levels of lycopene.

"Previous studies have shown a relationship between tomato consumption and risk of cancer," according to study lead author Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D. of BWH and HSPH. "This study, in which we carefully examined the full diet of study participants, provides us further evidence that increased consumption of tomatoes is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer."

WHAT'S UP, DOC?
Carrot contains the pigment beta carotene. Beta carotene has powerful antioxidant properties and can be converted to vitamin A. Both beta carotene and vitamin A are rich sources of antioxidants.

If you're an urban dweller, regular consumption of carrot juice may be good for you. Some studies show that carrots protect the lungs from environmental pollutants. Carrot juice is also recommended for those living in polluted cities or those whose work exposes them to toxic fumes (e.g., metal workers, those handling chemicals, cleaners, etc.) as well as smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.

A word of caution, though: Excessive intake of beta carotene can turn the skin and whites of the eyes to an orange-yellow color.

CHEERS TO GOOD HEALTH
Red wine contains a strong anticancer agent known as quercetin, a flavonoid found in fruits, flowers and vegetables. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties that help protect against disease, inflammation and allergic reactions.

Quercetin may be beneficial in the treatment of skin cancer and may help prevent other cancers such as those of the ovary. Red wine is one of the primary dietary sources of quercetin. Research on quercetin and its purported health benefits continues.

Remember: Drink moderately.

SOY GOOD
Soy comes from soybean, a legume native to China. The health benefits of soy come, in part, from a group of compounds known as isoflavones. Soy isoflavones are plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). Similar in chemical structure to human estrogen, they bind to estrogen receptors around the body. However, soy phytoestrogens are much weaker, which is why scientists believe soy foods may help prevent breast cancer. One prominent isoflavone is genistein, which is believed to inhibit cancer cell and tumor growth.

A diet rich in soy is also linked to a lowered risk of prostate cancer.

Several animal studies have shown that soy isoflavones reduce the growth of prostate tumors.

To incorporate more soy into your diet, substitute soymilk for cow's milk by the glass (8 ounces of soy milk contains 20 mg of isoflavones) or mix soy protein power into milk, juices, shakes and smoothies.

MAKE PREVENTION DELICIOUS
Fighting cancer can be delicious, fun and inexpensive. We recommend a good blender or mixer and a hefty stock of fresh tomatoes and carrots. Start looking for recipes that let you experiment with other fruits or vegetables. If you want to make your own soymilk, check out your local appliance stores for soymilk makers. In fighting cancer, prevention is still the key. "Prevention and early detection are still the most important and effective weapons in the battle against cancer," says Nenette Umali, senior clinical dietitian at the St. Luke's Medical Center. With these healthful thirst quenchers, cancer prevention can certainly be a refreshing undertaking.

by Connie Luayon

pancreas cancer : Pancreatic Cancer

2006-08-02T03:33:00.000-07:00

Pancreas is responsible for producing insulin which regulates the sugar level in the body. All those who know what diabetes is would know the importance of insulin in body (and hence the importance of pancreas). Pancreas also produces pancreatic juice which helps in digestion of food. When abnormal growth of cells (malignant cells) occurs in the pancreas, it is called pancreatic cancer. Like other types of cancer, pancreatic cancer too is life threatening.

Cause of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is again one of those that happen to older people (generally those above the age of 60). Chronic pancreatitis, which is caused by consumption of large amounts of alcohol, can act as a predecessor of pancreatic cancer. Some people tend to associate pancreatic cancer to genes and family history but there doesn’t seem any concrete evidence to suggest one or the other. Generally speaking, pancreatic cancer doesn’t seem to have a relation to family history.

Symptoms and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Again, none of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are such so as to give confirmatory indications of pancreatic cancer. Pain in the abdomen, tiredness and loss of appetite are said to be symptoms of pancreatic cancer but these can really be caused by so many other things that it might not even occur to you that this could be caused by pancreatic cancer. However, if you are skeptical and want to make sure that everything is ok, you can always consult a qualified doctor to vet out your fears. Jaundice is another symptom of pancreatic cancer but this too can be caused by other things. So, really, it comes to proper tests and diagnosis to detect pancreatic cancer. The doctors would generally go for a urine test (for bile) and a blood test as the first screening tests for pancreatic cancer. In case these tests suggest pancreatic cancer, there could be need for x-rays and other tests (as deemed fit by the doctor).

Treatment of pancreatic cancer

As is the case with any type of cancer, the chances of survival with pancreatic cancer is governed by how early you are able to catch the symptoms and diagnose pancreatic cancer. The treatment for pancreatic cancer is dependent on the size of the cancer, the stage of cancer and your general health. A major consideration is the size of the cancer and whether it has spread around or is localized. For pancreatic cancer too, the best treatment is removal of the cancer through surgical procedure (and it’s a major surgery). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are other ways of treating pancreatic cancer.

By Karen Lavender and Warren

pancreas cancer : Mangosteen Pills

2006-07-31T00:29:00.000-07:00

Mangosteen pills are manufactured from the mangosteen’s fruit pulp and pericarp (skin). Their medicinal value lies in the fact that these pills have a concentration of certain powerful antioxidants called xanthones.

Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent the oxidization of other chemicals. This, in turn, prevents the production of free radicals, which damage tissue and cause infections. Some other useful antioxidants are beta carotene (vitamin A), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E and selenium.

Just as the inclusion of antioxidants prevents certain foodstuffs from deteriorating, xanthones theoretically prevent body tissue from suffering wear and tear to a certain extent. The polysaccharides (or complex carbohydrates) inherent in the mangosteen fruit and pericarp are also considered useful constituents of mangosteen pills.

In general, pills containing mangosteen are said to support overall biological integrity and balance, help in joint flexibility, boost the immune system and nourish the brain. They are therefore considered extremely valuable dietary supplements. Further, many claim that mangosteen pills have antidepressant properties and can even effect reversal in diseases from microbial infection to leukemia and cancer.

Mangosteen pills are also said to be highly effective in slowing down certain atherosclerotic processes. Additionally, they are used to reduce fever, pain, vertigo and energy depletion. Many adherents believe them to be beneficial in certain types of diabetes since they can bring down blood sugar levels and therefore replace some of the functions of a failing pancreas.

All this is largely hypothetical, and many users of mangosteen pills have reported adverse reactions such as itchiness to the point of insomnia. Whatever the case may be, mangosteen pills are medicines: botanical medicines, but still medicines. Since their ingredients may have sparked off unwanted reactions under certain conditions, they should not be taken outside medical supervision.

Mangosteen provides detailed information about mangosteen, mangosteen fruit and more. Mangosteen is affiliated with Bottled Water Companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith

pancreas cancer : Key Concepts of Gastric Ulcer

2006-07-31T00:16:00.000-07:00

Medically speaking, gastric ulcer or peptic gastric ulcer is a damage on the normal tissues that line the stomach. It is different from the duodenal ulcer, which pertains to damage on the normal tissue lining of the initial part of the bowel or the duodenum. Though gastric ulcer is a common disease among Americans, diagnosis is still quite hard to perform since the clinical presentations of disease vary. Manifestations may range from asymptomatic or showing of no symptoms to nausea, acute-life foreboding internal hemorrhage, epigastric pain, and iron-deficiency anemia.

Gastric ulcer is produced from torn or sored protective layers of the stomach lining. These layers produce the mucus that protects the stomach from becoming injured by harsh digestive gases and stomach acids.

Causes
Gastric ulcer is basically due to the imbalanced secretion of stomach enzymes and acids as well as the components released in the mucosal lining of the stomach. This then will get inflamed that may be aggravated by aspirin and NSAIDs or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. NSAIDs are commonly taken to combat the symptoms of other ailments such as back pain and kidney pain.

Gastric ulcer is also a result of the following conditions:
· The presence of Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for causing gastric ulcer.
· Lessen capacity of the stomach lining to resist the stomach acids.
· Increase in production of the stomach acids.

Risk factors
Risk factors are some of the causes that may intensify the susceptibility of a person against a disease. In this case, gastric ulcer.
· Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and drugs such as aspirin and naproxen
· Chronic gastritis
· Smoking
· Mechanical ventilation
· Increased age
· Helicobacter pylori infection

Interestingly enough, stress and a number of emotional problems are not labeled as risk factors to gastric ulcer. Yet there are studies that may show otherwise. They point out that stress may be a contributing factor to the aggravation of the ailment.

The chance of developing gastric ulcer is further increased by regular smoking and over-use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Symptoms
· Abdominal indigestion
· Extreme abdominal pain that may subject the patient to sleeplessness at night.
· Blood in stools or black stools
· Fatigue
· Nausea
· Unplanned weight loss
· Vomiting, especially vomiting blood
· Heartburn

It must be noted though that there may be no manifestations of symptoms in some gastric ulcer cases.

Differentiation of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer
· Classic gastric ulcer pain is often characterized by pain attacking after every meal. The use of antacids may not be as effective and may only provide temporary and very minimal relief.

· The gastric ulcer pain is typically sited at the epigastrium yet it may also be founded in the upper right quadrant of the stomach area and elsewhere.

· Unlike with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer pain usually sets hours after meals and during night. This may be relieved using antacids and specific foods.

· Pain that radiates to the back may suggest of complications involving the pancreas.

· There are cases of bleeding gastric ulcers and these may show significant signs of melena, hematemesis, and attacks of presyncope.

Treatments of gastric ulcer are very effective yet recurrence is possible and complications are most likely to develop. Three percent of all gastric ulcer cases advance to becoming as stomach cancer so it is extremely important to inform your health care provider of all conditions that you fell during attacks.

freenetpublishing.com is a free information site that offers articles and resources. If you want to read or share information on Health-and-Fitness, you're always welcome!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Langdon

pancreas cancer : Are Coffee Colonics The Real Thing?

2006-07-28T23:24:00.000-07:00

Coffee colonics detoxify the liver, as well as cleans the colon. Some people claim that they provide immediate relief to toxicity symptoms, such as congestion, indigestion, pain and headaches.

There are even some small studies that suggest that coffee colonics can aid in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

At the very end of the colon, before reaching the rectum, is an "S" shaped segments called the sigmoid colon. There is a special circulatory system between this portion of the colon and the liver.

This is because stool at this point in the colon contains putrefied material and needs to be handled carefully in order to avoid toxicity leaking into the bloodstream.

This system of veins enables toxins to be sent directly to the liver for detoxification, rather than them passing through the bloodstream to the rest of the body and vital organs.

During coffee colonics, the caffeine in the coffee goes straight to the liver where it becomes an extremely strong detoxifying chemical called glutathione-S-transferase. The coffee itself also stimulates the liver to make more bile.

The bile comes from the gallbladder and draws out environmental and metabolic toxins, as well as the toxins from Candida albicans and other parasitic organisms. The colon is responsible for ridding the body of these toxins.

In addition, the liver is then stimulated to produce enzymes that clean the blood since it’s no longer needing to work as strenuously on the colon. The coffee itself never enters the bloodstream as long as the coffee colonic is performed properly.

Only organic coffee can be used for coffee colonics. Non-organic coffees contain herbicides and pesticides that will hinder the coffee colonics healing properties, as do instant and decaffeinated coffees.

Organic coffee is available through natural food stores, both in person or online.

How often you perform coffee colonics really just depends on what your goals may be. In the first few months of a more intensive regimen, many people prefer to take a coffee colonics as many as three to seven times each.

For people in a more relaxed regimen or in the latter, established stages of an intensive regimen, this is much too much.

At this point, it is recommended that you limit your colonics to only when you feel they are needed; you may feel constipated, have Candida overgrowth, or just generally feel out of sorts.

Currently, there is a clinical trial underway at the Columbia University Department of Surgery to test the so-called “The Gonzales Protocol.”

(1) This clinical trial is currently in its Phase III randomized study after the first two phases showed as much as three times the average life expectancy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

(2) The Gonzales Protocol involves a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, supplements, and detoxifying colonics, including coffee colonics.

In this study of seventy-two to ninety patients, half will receive standard chemotherapy and half with receive The Gonzales Protocol. The doctor hopes to recreate the promising results found in his pilot study in this more involved Phase III clinical trial.

While many within the medical community find The Gonzales Protocol extremely difficult to accept, it’s difficult to dispute its pilot study’s results.

The median survival rate for patients in the stage of pancreatic cancer as those in the pilot study is four to six months. Some of Dr. Gonzalez’s patients are still alive after three years.

This indisputable evidence has led some skeptics to acknowledge that maybe there’s something to the protocol that includes coffee colonics as a base part of the program. If nothing else, the skeptics feel that the results warrant further study.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee such as Colombian Coffee and Arabica Coffee.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Wilson

pancreas cancer : How To Choose The Right Type Of Ginseng To Suit Your Needs

2006-07-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

Ginseng is perennial herb that has been used to treat some medical problems all over the world especially in Asia and North America. Because of its health benefits, there are many commercial products in the market today that contain ginseng. This includes capsules, teas, tablets, and candies. Some scientific studies prove that Ginseng is a natural energy-boosting herb and that it contains hormone contents and vitamins to nourish the body.

Due to increasing awareness about the benefits one can get from ginseng, more and more people are entice to try it. However, few of them know that in order to make a ginseng work for them, they must first evaluate their personal needs and requirements to avoid harmful side effects.

There are three major types of ginseng. These are the following:

1. Asian or Panax ginseng.

This is considered the most stimulating type of ginseng. It enhances breathing and digestion. There are two types of Asian Ginseng: the White and Red ginseng.

Red ginseng is grown in Korea which is much stronger compare to the white ginseng. It speeds up the circulation and metabolism to boost the energy. Red Ginseng is recommended for people who have diminishing physical and mental health particularly the elderly.

Asian ginseng is also believed to have anti-cancer compounds. A study conducted shows that people who are regularly taking Asian ginseng reduced their chances of having different types of cancer particularly liver, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.2. American Ginseng.

This type of ginseng is grown mostly in North America. It can also be found in some forests in Canada and United States. American ginseng earned its popularity due to its effectiveness in nourishing the body particularly the lungs. This ginseng is highly recommended for people who are smoking. In addition, it is believed to restore physical or mental condition especially wound or inflammation.

American ginseng has more soothing or cooling agent compare to Asian ginseng. That is why it is considered the “therapeutic ginseng” especially for older people. It is also recommended for people who would like to increase their mental efficiency and stamina.

3. Siberian ginseng.

This type of ginseng is highly recommended for athletes and people who have active lifestyles because it restores energy and combats fatigue. It contains compounds that have positive effects to the adrenal glands. As a result, people will have increased capability in handling physical stresses and increased resistance to certain diseases. This type of ginseng is highly recommended for people who would like to relieve exhaustion or muscle pain that are associated with energy-depleting activities.

Siberian ginseng is also being used to help the reproductive organ. Studies show that males using this herb have increased their sperm counts and boost their testosterone levels that fight certain causes of male impotence.

The female population can also benefit from Siberian ginseng. No more painful menstrual disorders. Siberian ginseng has positive effects on the hormones and has the ability to tone the uterine muscle. Through this, it eases the pains associated with menstruation and other menopausal symptoms.

Experts agree that in order to get the best results, people must know how to make the best choice by analyzing their body’s characteristics and needs first before purchasing any type of ginseng.

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pancreas cancer : Pavarotti wants to complete tour

2006-07-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Tenor recovering from cancer op, hopes to be back early '07

(ANSA) - Rome, July 24 - Luciano Pavarotti hopes to be back singing next year to complete his farewell tour, which was interrupted by surgery for pancreas cancer earlier this month .

"I want to finish my tour," said the superstar singer, who turns 70 in October .

"I can't give precise dates because I have to consult my doctors but I think I'll resume it at the beginning of next year". Speaking to La Stampa daily over the phone from his New York home, Pavarotti said he had taken the tumour "philosophically" .

"You see, I've had everything from life. If everything is taken away, the Good Lord and me are quits" .

Pavarotti said he was hoping to be back in Italy, where his wife Nicoletta and baby girl Alice are anxiously waiting for him, in about ten days. The singer's doctors found the tumour at the beginning of July .

He had a successful operation to remove it at an unspecified New York clinic a few days later .

Pavarotti is making a strong recovery .

The legendary singer has had a number of health problems in recent years .

He had to cancel a number of concerts in his open-ended farewell world tour because of back pain earlier this year .

The dates included Sarajevo - which gave him the freedom of the city for his work on behalf of war orphans - in April .

Vienna was another April casualty, followed by several US and Canadian performances and seven English and Scottish dates earlier this month .

Pavarotti's last appearance was at the Turin Winter Olympics when he sang his signature Nessun Dorma aria at the opening ceremony .

In retirement he intends to dedicate his time to teaching and opera direction .

He may still occasionally perform with his Three Tenors' partners Jose Carreras - himself a cancer survivor after a battle against leukemia in the '80s - and Domingo Placido on special occasions .

© Copyright ANSA. All rights reserved

pancreas cancer : New Treatments For Pancreatic Cancer

2006-07-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

July 6 - KGO - Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest form of the disease. Almost all who are diagnosed with it will die within six-to-12-months. But there is some exciting research taking place. Meet one patient who's beating the odds, and a Bay Area company hoping to offer a powerful solution.

Ed Marra, pancreatic cancer patient, 2004: "The first oncologist told me I would likely live nine months."

That was two year ago. Ed Marra quickly learned he was facing the biggest challenge of his life.

The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 34,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. More than 32,000 will die from it.

Ed moved to the Bay Area to undergo treatment at UCSF.

Dr. Margaret Tempero is deputy director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a nationally renowned expert in pancreatic cancer.

Margaret Tempero, M.D., UCSF director of clinical sciences: "It's diagnosed often late, and the reason for that is it has very few early signs or symptoms."

Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer is operable in less than a quarter of patients -- and treating it is tricky. Chemo does not shrink the tumors as it does with other forms of cancer.

Margaret Tempero, M.D., UCSF director of clinical sciences: "We started learning if you paid attention to how people felt for example or focused more on survival, which are much more important end points than whether a measurement is changing, that you could do a lot better in sifting through the treatments that we were trying, and finding ones that were actually effective."

Ed's treatment regimen couples chemotherapy every three weeks with bevacizumab -- known as Avasitin -- a Genentech drug approved for treating colorectal cancer.

Ed Marra, pancreatic cancer patient: "This is the best I've felt. I'm cycling, I'm exercising, and I feel mentally strong."

Margaret Tempero, M.D., UCSF director of clinical sciences: "What we found by adding the bevacizumab to our chemotherapy, we seem to be getting much better results."

But a stage three clinical trial studying the effectiveness of Avastin in treating pancreatic cancer was called off last week because the drug did not have a statistical impact on survival rates of patients.

For a disease with so few treatment options, this was a tough blow. But there is promise in the form of vaccine research.

Tom Dubensky, Ph.D., v.p. research, Cerus Corporation: "The goal is to re-educate the immune system so they recognize, in fact, that the cancer is foreign."

Tom Dubensky is vice president of research for Concord-based Cerus. The company is combining exciting vaccine research from Johns Hopkins with Listeria research out of UC-Berkeley.

Listeria is a deadly food-borne bacteria, but Cerus scientists have genetically engineered it to trigger an immune response without causing illness.

Tom Dubensky, Ph.D., V.P. research, Cerus Corporation: "Essentially what we're doing is using Listeria to hijack the immune system, thinking that it's been infected with this food borne contaminate, but in doing so, recognizing Listeria, it will also generate these cytotoxic T-cells that are specific for mesothelin and the pancreas cancer."

The idea is the killer T-cells will then attack pancreatic tumor cells anywhere in the body. Phase one clinical research focused on safety should begin next year.

Tom Dubensky, Ph.D., v.p. research, Cerus Corporation: "If we can stimulate an immune response specifically for pancreas cancer, that when necessary we can give those patients a booster."

And by continuing to boost patient's immune response, pancreatic cancer could become more of a chronic condition rather than a fatal disease.

Tom Dubensky, Ph.D., v.p. research, Cerus Corporation: "That infected metastasis that turned into an abscess is now just a hole."

Ed Marra remains confident he can beat this cancer despite the poor odds. He's always had "a passion to win." It's a philosophy he's now applying to his battle with cancer.

He's determined to raise awareness and money for this woefully under-funded disease.

Ed Marra, pancreatic cancer patient: "The advances being made in cancer are a function of funding and focus, and getting the best and brightest minds researching cancer and doing the clinical trials."

He's hopeful the work being done at Cerus could mark a turning point.

For more information:

UCSF Cancer Center cancer.ucsf.edu

Johns Hopkins pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/vaccine.cfm

Copyright 2006, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.

pancreas cancer : We Know the Cause and the Cure

2006-07-24T03:32:00.000-07:00

One has to wonder why after the billions of dollars put into research and development of cancer treatments it is reported that you have a higher chance of getting cancer today than you did in 1950. As a matter of fact if you are diagnosed with cancer today your chances of survival are what they were in 1950, in a lot of cases, most in fact.

Our health care system and our government have been lying and misleading the public about the effectiveness of the traditional medical treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy, drugs, surgery, and radiation are the most profitable health industry services and products on planet. There is more profit in the treatment of cancer than any other disease. Most of us have no idea what a big business this is. Some families make billions of dollars a year in profits from treating cancer. When we say treating cancer that’s exactly what is meant. There is much less profit in curing it. Think if we cured cancer now so that cancer were eradicated from the planet trillions of dollars would be lost! And the treatments are government mandated. So those at the top of this economic pyramid would rather you had cancer than not. You are forced to treat it in the manner that makes money for those who profit from disease. And that is obviously true since they actively keep alternative cures off the market or make it very difficult to provide and to choose an alternative method to cure cancer.

With any disease if you find the cause then the cure follows. So, then what is the cause of cancer? Researchers tell us that we don’t know the cause. That is just not true. According to “Natural Cures They Don’t Want You To Know About”, by Kevin Trudeaux, “The causes of cancer are known at the highest levels of the health industry, and this information is being suppressed and hidden from the American public. This is exactly the same situation that occurred with big tobacco and with Ford and General Motors. Big tobacco knew as early as 1950 that their product caused cancer and disease. They lied about this to the American public, and even in congressional hearings. They hid the truth. Ford and General Motors knew that some of their products, including the Pinto and Corvair, would cause people to be maimed, deformed, injured, and die. They hid this information and lied about it. Today, the pharmaceutical companies and the heads of various organizations know the various reasons people come down with cancer. They have this empirical data, but they are lying about it and hiding this from the public.”

There are those such as Kevin Trudeaux and Dr. Hulda Clark who are actively getting the word out and helping numerous people. Dr. Hulda Clark has been doing extensive research and actively curing this disease for many years. Below is taken from The Cure for All Cancers, which you can purchase from the www.drclarkuniversity.org

“The Cause

The Cause For many years we have all believed that cancer is different from other diseases. We believed that cancer behaves like a fire, in that you can't stop it once it has started. Therefore, you have to cut it out or radiate it to death or chemically destroy every cancerous cell in the body since it can never become normal again. NOTHING COULD BE MORE WRONG! And we have believed that cancers of different types such as leukemia or breast or pancreas cancer have different causes. Wrong again!

In this book you will see that all cancers are alike. They are all caused by a parasite. A single parasite! It is the human intestinal fluke. And if you kill this parasite, the cancer stops immediately. The tissue becomes normal again. In order to get cancer, you must have this parasite.

How can the human intestinal fluke cause cancer? This parasite typically lives in the intestine where it might do little harm, causing only colitis, Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel syndrome, or perhaps nothing at all. But if it invades a different organ, like the uterus or the kidneys or liver, it does a great deal of harm. If it establishes itself in the liver, it causes cancer! It only establishes itself in the liver in some people. These people have isopropyl alcohol in their bodies.

All cancer patients have both isopropyl alcohol and the intestinal fluke in their livers. The solvent, isopropyl alcohol, is responsible for letting the fluke establish itself in the liver. In order to get cancer, you must have both the parasite and isopropyl alcohol in your body.”

From the book "The Cure for all Cancers." Page 1.

Cancer can now be CURED:

From the book The Cure for All Cancers: Cancer can now be CURED, not just treated. We are not accustomed to thinking about a cure for cancer. We think of remission as the only possibility. But this book is not about remission. It is about a cure. This is possible because in 1990 I discovered the true cause of cancer. The cause is a certain parasite, for which I have found evidence in every cancer case regardless of the type of cancer. So lung cancer is not caused by smoking, colon cancer is not caused by a low-roughage diet, breast cancer is not caused by a fatty diet, retinal blastoma is not caused by a rare gene, and pancreatic cancer is not caused by alcohol consumption. Although these are all contributing factors, they are not THE cause. Once the true cause was found the cure became obvious. But would it work? I set a goal of 100 cases to be cured of cancer before publishing my findings. That mark was passed in December, 1992. The discovery of the cause and cure of all cancers has stood the test of time and here it is!

It is the pollutants in food and other products that leave us vulnerable to parasites and disease. Dr. Clark has invented a device called the Syncrometer, which is used to identify various toxins in food and products and ourselves. She has also developed a device called the zapper which kills the parasites in the body.

From the book "The Cure for all Diseases." Before contents, by Dr. Hulda Clark, and also available at www.drclarkuniversity.org or www.drhuldaclark.org . “You may not have time to read this entire book first if you have cancer and are scheduled for surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatment. You may wish to skip the first pages which describe how cancer develops.

Go directly to the cancer curing recipe and order your supplies. Using the herbal recipe together with the zapper is best. It only takes days to be cured of cancer regardless of the type you have. It does not matter how far progressed the cancer is, you can still stop it in 5 days.

After you have stopped the cancer, you can turn your attention to getting well. Read the case histories to see how easy it is to stop even terminal cancer. Learn from them to avoid mistakes.

Does this mean you can cancel your date for surgery, radiation or chemotherapy? YES! After curing your cancer with this recipe it cannot come back. This is not a treatment for cancer: It is a cure! But if you do not wish to make your doctor angry, you could follow her or his wishes, too. Be careful not to lose any vital anatomical parts in surgery though, because you may need them later when you are healthy!

Remember that oncologists are kind, sensitive, compassionate people. They want the best for you. They have no way of knowing about the true cause and cure of cancer since it has not been published for them. I chose to publish it for you first so that it would come to your attention faster.”

From the book "The Cure for all Diseases." After cover. Different solvents accumulate in different organs, in the liver, Isopropyl alcohol, which completes the life cycle of Fasciolopsis, intestinal fluke. This begins the malignant process.

From the book Cure For All Diseases, also available at www.drclarkuniversity.org:

…The killing of all parasites and their larval stages together with removal of isopropyl alcohol and carcinogens from the patients' lifestyle results in remarkable recovery, generally noticeable in less than one week. Cancer could be eradicated in a very short time…

Cancer The success rate for advanced cancer is about 95%. So you can count on this method, not merely hope it will work for you. It is a total approach that not only shrinks tumors, but also normalizes your blood chemistry, lowers your cancer markers, and returns your health. The small failure rate (5%) is due to clinical emergencies that beset the advanced cancer sufferer. However, if you combine the advice in this book with access to hospital care, even "hopeless" patients can gain the time necessary to become well again.

The promise

Step into a new world a world without chronic diseases. Step out of your old world. It has kept you a prisoner. Try something new.

The prison has no walls. It has only lines; Lines that mark the ground around you. Inside the lines are your old ideas. Outside are new ideas that invite you to step over and escape your prison. Dare to try these new ideas and your illness promises to recede. In a few weeks it can be gone.

From the book "The Cure for all Diseases." Page 1.

I highly recommend any of Dr. Clark’s books. They are remarkable and once you read them I believe you to will be convinced that the cause and the cure are now readily available and very affordable. In the Cure for All Diseases you will find cures for cancer, diabetes, MS, and many, many others it is a book I would not want to be without. If you already have cancer you might want to also pick up The Cure for All Cancers, and or the Cure for All Advanced Cancers.

Michele Michaels has been active in raising awareness for alternative and natural methods of curing and treating all manner of illnesses.

Available at http://www.drclarkuniversity.org/

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pancreas cancer : Preventing Cancer with Green Tea?

2006-07-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

We are constantly hearing ideas and claims of what we should eat to keep us from getting cancer. There is always new research somewhere showing how eating this or that will help us and potentially protect our bodies from getting cancer. Some of the studies are valid, some are not; some of the research shows that it cannot completely prevent it, simply reduce our chances by this percentage or that percentage providing we are male or female, black or white, old or young, etc.

Well few of these things are as good as green tea researchers say, of course the Chinese have been saying it for 10,000 years. A brand new research now shows that the phytochemicals in green tea are absolutely incredible. Something that the Asian cultures have known throughout their history, in fact it is quite well known that green tea is known to prevent many forms of cancer such as; Leukemia, Pancreatic cancer, Colon cancer, Lung cancer and Breast cancer. Some say that if green tea was a medicine or drug it would be considered more of a wonder drug than most other cancer drugs. Green tea is considered by many to be a powerful herb, which would be wise to incorporate into your diet.

There are presently no known side effects for green tea, yet it appears to be one of the most incredible anti-cancer compounds around. Think on this.

Lance Winslow

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pancreas cancer : How important is finding an experienced surgeon?

2006-07-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Recent data from the National Cancer Database indicate that pancreaticoduodenectomy (the Whipple procedure: designed to remove the head, neck and uncinate process of the pancreas as well as the majority of the duodenum) is the most commonly performed cancer-directed operation for pancreatic cancer, although it is used in only 9% of patients. In this large national database, the five-year survival rate for patients treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy in 1985 was 3%. In contrast to these national figures, specialized centers have reported decreasing operative mortality rates and improving long-term survival rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. For example, the five-year survival rate for patients treated surgically at Johns Hopkins now exceeds 20%. Many factors are likely to be responsible for the improving safety of pancreaticoduodenal resection, including improvements in intensive and critical care, improved surgical experience with decreases in operative time and less need for blood replacement, and regionalization of patient care to specialized "Centers of Excellence," such as Johns Hopkins.

In the April 11, 2002 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Birkmeyer and colleagues from Department of Veterans Affairs, Vermont, report their analysis of surgical mortality in the United States (N Engl J Med 2002 Apr 11;346(15):1128-37). Using information from the national Medicare claims database and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample they examined the relationship between hospital volume (total number of procedures performed each year) and mortality (death in hospital or within 30 days) for a variety of surgical procedures. The mortality rate for Whipple procedures (pancreaticoduodenectomy) at low-volume centers (16.3%) was much greater than the mortality rate at high-volume centers (3.8%). From their analyses the authors conclude that patients "can significantly reduce their risk of operative death by selecting a high-volume hospital." High-volume centers were defined in this study as centers that perform more than 16 whipples per year. Last year close to 240 whipples were performed at Johns Hopkins.

A recent analysis performed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital has determined the factors which favor long-term survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Between April 1970 and April 1994, 208 patients underwent a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The preference of surgeons at Johns Hopkins is to perform partial pancreatectomy whenever possible, leaving the pancreatic body and tail in place. Distal gastrectomy is typically reserved for tumor involvement of the distal stomach or first portion of the duodenum. Multiple factors were analyzed including patient demographics, intraoperative factors, tumor characteristics, and post-operative use of adjuvant therapy. The primary outcome variable analyzed was survival. The results of this review, which is the largest single institution experience reported to date, allowed assessment of 201 of the 208 patients. Seven patients had incomplete outcome data and were excluded. For the group of 201 patients comprising the study population, the overall postoperative in-hospital mortality rate was low, with the current figure being 0.7% (for the last 149 patients). This means that survival data for patients treated at Johns Hopkins reflect an operative mortality rate of less than 1%. The mean age of the patients was 63 years, with a slight male predominance (108 men and 93 women). There were no differences in survival based on age, gender, or race. The actuarial one, three and five-year survival rates for all 201 patients were 57%, 26%, and 21% respectively, with a median survival of 15.5 months. There were 11 five-year survivors, 7 six-year survivors, and one fifteen-year survivor. By univariate statistical analysis, a significant improvement in survival has been observed from the decade of the 1970s, through the decade of the 1980s, to the decade of the 1990s. Patients resected in the 1970s had a median survival of 7.5 months and a three-year survival of only 14%, while patients undergoing resection in the 1990s had a median survival of 17.5 months and a three-year survival of 36%.

Multiple intraoperative factors were analyzed in order to determine their impact on survival. Using multivariate analysis, the type of pancreatic resection, the intraoperative blood loss, the number of packed red blood cell transfusions and the operative time were not found to be significant prognostic factors. However, multivariate analysis revealed that many tumor characteristics were important in predicting patient survival. Patients with tumors less than 3 cm in diameter had significantly longer median survival and better five-year survival compared with patients with tumors 3 cm or more in diameter. The status of the lymph nodes in the resected specimen proved to be a highly significant factor predicting survival. The status of the resection margins also proved to be a highly significant factor, with patients undergoing resection with negative margins having a median survival of 18 months and a five-year survival of 26%, whereas those resected with positive margins had a median survival of only 12 months and a five-year survival of 8%. The DNA content of the pancreatic cancer cells, as determined by image cytometry, proved also to be a highly significant determinant of survival. Patients with diploid tumors had a median survival of 24 months and a five-year survival of 39%, significantly better than the median survival of 11.5 months and five-year survival of 8% observed in patients with aneuploid tumors.

Since the completion of this review of 201 patients with pancreatic cancer, nearly 400 additional pancreatic cancer patients have been treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. It is likely that more pancreas cancer surgery is performed at Johns Hopkins than at any other hospital in the world.
Summary
In recent years the surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the head, neck or uncinate process of the pancreas via pancreaticoduodenectomy has been associated with falling postoperative morbidity and mortality rates and improving long-term survival. The results from our recent single institution experience demonstrate an actuarial five-year survival of 21% for all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenal resection for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Importantly, the actuarial five-year survival is improved for patients resected with tumors less than 3 cm in diameter (28%), negative margins (26%), negative nodal involvement (36%), or diploid tumor DNA content (39%). Multivariate analysis indicated that the parameters that serve as the strongest independent predictors of favorable outcome are tumor DNA content, tumor diameter, status of resected lymph nodes, margin status, and decade of resection (resection in the 1990s being most favorable). The increasing use of postoperative combined modality chemoradiation therapy appears to be another factor favoring long-term survival.
This large series from The Johns Hopkins Hospital provides room for cautious optimism in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The development of more promising adjuvant therapies, such as strategies combining chemoradiation with immunotherapy, may further enhance survival. Additionally, developments in the field of molecular genetics hold promise for the earlier detection of pancreatic cancer, possibly using gene-based diagnostic modalities.

Copyright ©1996-2006 The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

pancreas cancer : What does the future hold for patients with cancer of the pancreas?

2006-07-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Scientists at hospitals and medical centers all across the country are studying pancreatic cancer. They are trying to learn what causes this disease and how to prevent it. They are also looking for better ways to diagnose and treat it.

The NCI is supporting may studies of new treatments for pancreatic cancer. Researchers are exploring new drugs and drug combinations, new forms of radiation therapy, biological therapy, and combinations of these treatments.

Researchers are also looking at new ways to give radiation. For example, they are studying giving radiation therapy two or more times a day, or during surgery (intraoperative radiation), or with drugs that help protect normal tissue so that higher doses can be given.

Biological therapy is a new type of cancer treatment that uses natural and laboratory-produced substances to stimulate or restore the body's immune system so it can fight disease more effectively. This kind of treatment is being studied in patients with advanced or recurring cancer of the pancreas.

When laboratory research shows that a new treatment method has promise, it is used to treat cancer patients in clinical trials. These trials are designed to answer scientific questions and to find out whether a new treatment is both safe and effective. Patients who take part in clinical trials make an important contribution to medical science and may have the first chance to benefit from improved treatment methods. A person with cancer of the pancreas who is interested in taking part in a trial should discuss this option with his or her doctor.

One way to learn about clinical trials is through PDQ, a computerized resource of cancer treatment information. Developed by NCI, PDQ contains an up-to-date list of trials all over the country. Doctors can obtain an access code and use a personal computer to get PDQ information, or they can use the services of a medical library. Also, the Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can provide PDQ information to doctors, patients, and the public.

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.

pancreas cancer : Vaccine Improves Survival

2006-07-13T05:33:00.000-07:00

An experimental vaccine for pancreatic cancer has produced promising results in an early trial, researchers report.

The survival rate for 60 patients getting the vaccine in addition to surgery and chemotherapy was 88 percent after one year and 76 percent after two years, doctors at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center reported Tuesday at a cancer meeting in Philadelphia. That is a marked improvement over the traditional 63 percent one-year survival rate and 42 percent two-year survival rate.

But it is a relatively small study that requires intensive follow-up before the findings can enter medical practice, Dr. Daniel Laheru, an assistant professor at the center, told a joint meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, the National Cancer Institute and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

"There are clearly important challenges one has to overcome in designing a cancer vaccine," Laheru said. The major challenge is to get the body's immune system to recognize and attack the special proteins that distinguish cancer from normal cells.

"In disease, the key proteins are known," he said. "We don't know them for pancreatic cancer. Also, many cancer cells can secrete substances that allow them to evade the immune mechanism."

The Hopkins vaccine, developed by Dr. Elizabeth Jaffe, uses irradiated cancer cells, grown in a laboratory, that cannot multiply but secrete a substance, GM-CSF, which attracts immune cells.

A first vaccine shot is given eight to 10 weeks after surgery, with four booster shots in addition to chemotherapy and radiation.

The new trial follows an earlier study of 14 patients. Three of them are alive seven years later, an impressive result considering that all were at high risk, Laheru said. Blood studies showed that the immune systems of those three patients recognized specific cancer cells, he said.

While the Hopkins researchers continue to follow survivors of the 60-patient trial, plans are being made for a larger study, which will include 500 to 600 patients, Laheru said. At best, the vaccine would not be available for clinical use until much later in the decade, he said.

A successful vaccine would be a great help, said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. The current prospect for most pancreatic cancer patients is not good, in part because the disease is usually not detected early, he said. There are 32,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the United States each year, and about the same number of deaths, Lichtenfeld said.

"When compared to the historical data, these patients are doing better with this vaccine, and that is exciting," he said. "But while we have exciting results, there is a lot of work yet to be done."

One cautionary note is that the Kimmel Center is unusually good at treating pancreatic cancer, so it's not known whether other centers would get the same results, Lichtenfeld said.

Still, the Hopkins report is another sign that cancer vaccines, a hope for three decades, might now be working out, he said, citing recent successful reports on vaccines for melanoma and prostate cancer.

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

pancreas cancer : How do patients and families adjust to cancer of the pancreas?

2006-07-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can change the lives of cancer patients and the people who care about them. These changes in daily life can be difficult to handle. It is natural for patients and their families and friends to have many different and sometimes confusion emotions.

At times, patients and their loved ones may feel frightened, angry, or depressed. These are normal reactions that people have when dealing with a serious health problem. Others in the same situation have found that they cope with their emotions better if they can talk openly about their illness and their feelings with those who care about them. Sharing feelings with loved ones can help everyone feel more at ease, opening the way for others to show their concern and offer their support. Many patients find that it helps to talk with others who are facing problems like theirs. They can meet other cancer patients through self-help and support groups such as those described in the next section.

Worries about tests, treatments, hospital stays, and medical bills are common. Talking with doctors, nurses, or other members of the health care team may help to calm fears and ease confusion.

Patients can take an active part in decisions about their medical care by asking questions about pancreatic cancer and their treatment choices. Patients, family, or friends often find it helpful to write down questions to ask the doctor as they think of them. Taking notes during visits to the doctor helps them remember what was said. Patients should ask the doctor to explain anything that is not clear.

Patients have many important questions, and the doctor is the best person to answer them. Most people ask about the extent of their cancer, how it can be treated, and how successful the treatment is likely to be.

Patients are naturally concerned about their future and may try to use statistics they have heard to figure out what the future holds. It is important to remember, however, that statistics are averages. They are based on the experiences of large numbers of patients, and no two cancer patients are alike. The doctor who takes care of the patient and knows his or her case is the best person to discuss the patient's prognosis.

The doctor can give advice about treatment, working, or limiting activities. Patients also may wish to discuss their concerns about the future, family relationships, and finances. If it is hard to talk to the doctor about feelings and other very personal matters, it may be helpful to speak with a nurse, social worker, counselor, or a member of the clergy.

Learning to live with the changes brought about by cancer is easier for patients and those who care about them when they have helpful information and support services. Often, the social service office at the hospital or clinic can suggest local and national agencies that will help with emotional support, financial aid, transportation, or home care.

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

pancreas cancer : How is cancer of the pancreas treated?

2006-07-11T03:36:00.000-07:00

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on a number of factors. Among these are the type, size, and extent of the tumor as well as the patient's age and general health. A treatment plan is tailored to fit each patient's needs.

Treatment Methods

Cancer of the pancreas is curable only when it is found in its earliest stages, before it has spread. Otherwise, it is very difficult to cure. However, it can be treated, symptoms can be relieved, and the quality of the patient's life can be improved.

Pancreatic cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Researchers are also studying biological therapy to see whether it can be helpful in treating this disease. Sometimes several methods are used, and the patient is referred to doctors who specialize in different kinds of cancer treatment.

Surgery may be done to remove all or part of the pancreas. Sometimes it is also necessary to remove a portion of the stomach, the 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.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-powered rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiation is usually given 5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks. This schedule helps to protect normal tissue by spreading out the total dose of radiation. The patient doesn't need to stay in the hospital for radiation therapy.

Radiation is also being studied as a way to kill cancer cells that remain in the area after surgery. In addition, radiation therapy can help relieve pain or digestive problems when the common bile duct or duodenum is blocked.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The doctor may use just one drug or a combination. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth or by injection into a muscle or vein. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles; a treatment period followed by a recovery period, then another treatment period, and so on.

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

pancreas cancer : What causes cancer of the pancreas?

2006-07-11T03:32:00.000-07:00

While it can seldom be explained why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another doesn't, it is clear that the disease is not contagious. No one can "catch" cancer from another person.

Although scientists to not know exactly what causes cancer of the pancreas, they are learning that some things increase a person's chance of getting this disease. Smoking is a major risk factor. Research shows that cigarette smokers develop cancer of the pancreas two to three times more often than nonsmokers. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and a number of other diseases.

What are symptoms of cancer of the pancreas?

Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker. This condition is called jaundice.

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.

A rare type of pancreatic cancer, called islet cell cancer, begins in the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones. Islet cells are also called the islets of Langerhans. Islet cell cancer can cause the pancreas to produce too much insulin or hormones. When this happens, the patient may feel weak or dizzy and may have chills, muscle spasms, or diarrhea.

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems. If an individual is experiencing symptoms, a doctor should be consulted

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved

pancreas cancer : Complementary and alternative medicine

2006-07-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

More and more people are interested in nontraditional approaches to healing, especially when standard treatments produce intolerable side effects or aren't able to provide a cure. To address this growing interest, the National Institutes of Health established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

The center's mission is to explore nontraditional therapies in a scientifically rigorous way. NCCAM and the National Cancer Institute have teamed up specifically to look at the role complementary and alternative medicine may play in the treatment of cancer.

In general, alternative medicine refers to therapies, such as mistletoe or coenzyme Q-10, that may be used instead of conventional treatments. Complementary or integrative medicine, on the other hand, usually means therapies used in conjunction with traditional treatments.

Rather than simply addressing a problem with the body, complementary and alternative treatments often focus on the entire person — body, mind and spirit. As a result, they can be especially effective at reducing stress, alleviating the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, and improving quality of life. However, these products aren't regulated by the FDA, so you can't be sure of a product's quality. Additionally, some of these substances can interfere with your treatment. Check with your doctor before taking alternative medications.

NCCAM's findings are available on its Web site. You can also talk to information specialists at NCCAM's clearinghouse by calling (888) 644-6226.

by: Chemotherapy.com

pancreas cancer : Coping skills

2006-07-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

Learning you have any life-threatening illness can be devastating. But coping with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be especially difficult. The more advanced the disease when it's discovered, the less likely the chance of real recovery. As a result, you may feel especially overwhelmed just when you need to make crucial decisions. Although there are no easy answers for people dealing with pancreatic cancer, some of the following suggestions may help:

Learn all you can about your illness. Learn everything you can about pancreatic cancer — how the disease progresses, your prognosis and your treatment options, including both experimental and standard treatments and their side effects. Be sure you understand whether a particular approach is used to treat cancer or provide palliative care. Don't be afraid to seek a second opinion and to explore treatments available through clinical trials. You will have many decisions to make in the weeks and months ahead. The more you know, the more active a role you can take in the decision-making process.

In addition to talking to your medical team, look for information in books and reputable sources on the Internet. Some reliable sites are listed at the end of this article. In addition, the National Cancer Institute offers a toll-free information line called the Cancer Information Service that you can reach at (800) 4-CANCER, or (800) 422-6237.

Maintain a strong support system. Strong relationships are crucial to dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Although friends and family can be your best allies, in some cases they may have trouble dealing with your illness. Or you may not have a large social network. If so, the concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, pastoral or religious counselor, or even a formal support group can be helpful. Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can sometimes be a good resource for practical information about your disease. You may also find strength and encouragement in being with people who are facing the same challenges you are.

If you're interested in learning more about support groups, talk to a doctor, nurse, social worker or psychologist. They may be able to put you in touch with a group in your area. Or check your local phone book, library or cancer organization. The National Cancer Institute also can provide a list of support groups. After deciding to participate in a group, try it out a few times. If it doesn't seem useful or comfortable, you don't have to continue.

Come to terms with your illness. Coming to terms with your illness may be the hardest thing you've ever done. For some people, having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than themselves makes this process easier. Others seek counseling from someone who understands life-threatening illnesses, such as a medical social worker, psychologist or chaplain. Many people also take steps to ensure that their end-of-life wishes are known and respected.

A great fear of many people with a life-threatening illness is being subjected to treatments they don't want or spending their last weeks or months in a hospital away from loved ones and familiar surroundings. The welcome news is that many choices exist for people with a terminal illness.

Hospice care, for example, provides a special course of treatment to terminally ill people. This allows family and friends — with the aid of nurses, social workers and trained volunteers — to care for and comfort a loved one at home or in hospice residences. It also provides emotional, social and spiritual support for people who are ill and those closest to them. Although most people under hospice care remain in their own homes, the program is available anywhere — including nursing homes and assisted-living centers. For people who stay in a hospital, palliative care specialists can provide comfort, compassionate care and dignity.

Although it can be extremely difficult, discuss end-of-life issues with your family and medical team. Part of this discussion will likely involve advance directives — a general term for oral and written instructions you give concerning your medical care should you become unable to speak for yourself.

One type of advance directive is known as a durable power of attorney (POA) for health care. In this case, you sign a legal document authorizing a person you respect and trust to make legally binding medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so. A POA is often recommended because the appointed person can make decisions in situations not covered in a regular advance directive. Whatever you decide, it's important to put your wishes in writing. Laws regarding advance directives and POAs vary from state to state, but a written document is more likely to be respected.

To learn more about advance directives, you can contact the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at (800) 658-8898.

This center sponsored by: Chemotherapy.com

pancreas cancer : Understanding Cancer

2006-07-04T01:39:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All cancers begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. Cells make up tissues, and tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old and die, new cells take their place.

Sometimes this orderly process breaks down. New cells form when the body does not need them, or old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant:

Benign tumors are not cancer. Usually, doctors can remove them. In most cases, benign tumors do not come back after they are removed. Cells from benign tumors do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.

Malignant tumors are cancer. They are generally more serious and may be life threatening. Cancer cells can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. That is how cancer cells spread from the original cancer (primary tumor) to form new tumors in other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Most pancreatic cancers begin in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices. Cancer of the pancreas may be called pancreatic cancer or carcinoma of the pancreas.

A rare type of pancreatic cancer begins in the cells that make insulin and other hormones. Cancer that begins in these cells is called islet cell cancer. This booklet does not deal with this rare disease. The Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER) can provide information about islet cell cancer.

When cancer of the pancreas spreads (metastasizes) outside the pancreas, cancer cells are often found in nearby lymph nodes. If the cancer has reached these nodes, it means that cancer cells may have spread to other lymph nodes or other tissues, such as the liver or lungs. Sometimes cancer of the pancreas spreads to the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the abdomen.

When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. For example, if cancer of the pancreas spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are pancreatic cancer cells. The disease is metastatic pancreatic cancer, not liver cancer. It is treated as pancreatic cancer, not liver cancer.

A Service of the National Cancer Institute

Pancreatic Cancer: Who's at Risk?

2006-07-04T01:36:00.000-07:00

No one knows the exact causes of pancreatic cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another does not. However, it is clear that this disease is not contagious. No one can "catch" cancer from another person.

Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop pancreatic cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors:

Age -- The likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most pancreatic cancers occur in people over the age of 60.

Smoking -- Cigarette smokers are two or three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer.

Diabetes -- Pancreatic cancer occurs more often in people who have diabetes than in people who do not.

Being male -- More men than women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Being African American -- African Americans are more likely than Asians, Hispanics, or whites to get pancreatic cancer.

Family history -- The risk for developing pancreatic cancer triples if a person's mother, father, sister, or brother had the disease. Also, a family history of colon or ovarian cancer increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Chronic pancreatitis -- Chronic pancreatitis is a painful condition of the pancreas. Some evidence suggests that chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Other studies suggest that exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace or a diet high in fat may increase the chance of getting pancreatic cancer.

Most people with known risk factors do not get pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, many who do get the disease have none of these factors. People who think they may be at risk for pancreatic cancer should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.

A Service of the National Cancer Institute

pancreas cancer : Red meat linked to pancreatic cancer

2006-07-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

A diet high in red meat appears to raise the risk developing pancreatic cancer, Swedish researchers report in the International Journal of Cancer. The good news is that consumption of poultry may cut the risk.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, due, in large part, because it is seldom detected at an early, curable stage.

Surgical removal offers the only chance for a cure, but only a small percentage of patients are candidates for this therapy. In many cases, removal is not possible when surgery reveals that the cancer has actually spread outside the pancreas.

"Findings from our study," lead investigator Dr. Susanna C. Larsson told Reuters Health "suggest that high consumption of red meat is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer."

Larsson of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and colleagues conducted a study of more than 61,000 women. The investigators were interested in the possible effects of meat, fish, poultry and egg consumption. During 17 years of follow-up, 172 of these women were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Long-term consumption of red meat was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, whereas consumption of poultry was linked to a decreased risk.

There were no significant associations with consumption of processed meat, fish or eggs. "These findings," Larsson concluded, "raise the possibility that individuals may lower their risk of pancreatic cancer by reducing red meat consumption."

© 1997- 2006 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved

pancreas cancer : Pancreatic cancer vaccine shows promise

2006-07-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

More than 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and about the same number die. Chances of surviving more than five years with this disease are low, but researchers at Johns Hopkins University hope to reverse that trend with a new vaccine.

The vaccine uses genetically altered cells to create a molecule. The molecule lures immune cells and retrains them to recognize the tumor as cancer and fight it.

So far, the results have been encouraging. With the vaccine, 76 percent of patients are alive after two years -- compared to 42 percent of patients who only received chemotherapy and radiation.

Copyright © 2006
ABC & KTBS 3

pancreas cancer : RESEARCHERS FIND REGION OF GENE FOR INHERITED PANCREATIC CANCER ( 2 )

2006-06-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

Researchers were able to gather sufficient genetic data for this study through the cooperation of a large Northwestern family known in scientific communities as "Family X." Family X is the largest pancreatic cancer family ever studied. Twenty affected family members were studied; nine have died of the disease, including five out of six brothers. Dr. Brentnall has been working with Family X for more than seven years.

The DNA samples collected by Brentnall's University of Washington group from Family X were genotyped by a team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Dr. Whitcomb. The Pitt group sequenced DNA from hundreds of areas of the genome known to contain a high degree of genetic variability. This information was then sent to Kruglyak's group at Fred Hutchinson, who, by using sophisticated computer software, were able to determine which genetic variations are always present in the family members with pancreatic cancer or its precursor, dysplasia.

Virtually every member of Family X with pancreatic cancer or its precursor was found to harbor a specific genetic marker on the long arm of chromosome 4, where the single-gene mutation responsible for pancreatic cancer is thought to exist. None of the unaffected family members inherited this marker, supporting the significance of the findings.

According to researchers, identifying these markers may lead to the discovery of a specific pancreatic cancer gene - a finding that will allow doctors to screen people for genetic risk for pancreatic cancer with a simple blood test.

Dr. Whitcomb stresses the importance of the collaborative effort that resulted in this advancement. "Those of us who are working with complex and mysterious medical problems like pancreatic cancer recognize that no independent physician or scientists can go from the bed to the bench and back again alone. It takes physician-scientist teamwork, as demonstrated here, to make the big breakthroughs."

Of the 29,000 Americans who this year will learn they have pancreatic cancer, all but 100 will die within 12 months of diagnosis. While pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, it is one of the least well-funded areas of cancer research.

Due to the limited knowledge about pancreatic cancer, researchers stress that patients seeking treatment for pancreatic cancer or who are looking to be screened for the disease should visit a center that specializes in pancreatic disorders such as the Digestive Disease Center at the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Washington.
Support for this study was provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; the National Institute of Mental Health; the National Pancreas Foundation; the Lustgarten Foundation; the Center for Genomic Sciences, University of Pittsburgh; and the Chiron Corporation.

http://www.cancer-info.com/pancreas.htm

pancreas cancer : RESEARCHERS FIND REGION OF GENE FOR INHERITED PANCREATIC CANCER ( 1 )

2006-06-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington School of Medicine have mapped the location of a gene associated with inherited pancreatic cancer, which accounts for about 10 percent of all such malignancies.

Study co-directors David C. Whitcomb, M.D., Ph.D., director of the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh; Leonid Kruglyak, Ph.D., a Fred Hutchinson statistical geneticist; and Teresa Brentnall, M.D., a UW gastroenterologist report their findings in an early electronic edition of the April issue of the
American Journal of Human Genetics. The discovery marks the identification of the first genetic defect that is directly linked to pancreatic cancer. By locating the region of the mutation, researchers will now be able to sequence the gene, which has the potential to yield promising new insights into pancreatic cancer.

"By understanding the genetics of pancreatic cancer, we can begin to understand the mechanism by which the disease develops, availing new methods of how to detect, prevent and treat this deadly cancer," said Dr. Whitcomb, who is also director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Genomic Sciences.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat in that it is undetectable by a physical exam, asymptomatic, and progresses quickly - most patients die within 6 months of diagnosis. These factors also limit the amount of data available for research, hindering significant advances in the understanding of the disease.

"Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive cancer with extremely low survival rates," said Ronald B. Herberman, M.D., associate vice chancellor for research, health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. "Until now, we have had very limited ability to identify people at high risk for this disease or to make the diagnosis of the disease before it has invaded the rest of the body. This discovery represents a significant finding that may permit identification of individuals at risk so that they can be monitored regularly, to detect the cancer when it can be treated while still in an early stage, which might substantially enhance the likelihood of survival."

http://www.cancer-info.com/pancreas.htm

pancreas cancer : What are the side effects of treatment for cancer of the pancreas?

2006-06-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

The methods used to treat pancreatic cancer are very powerful. It is hard to limit the effects of treatment so that only cancer cells are destroyed. Healthy tissue may also be damaged. That is why treatment often causes unpleasant side effects. Side effects depend on the type of treatment used and on the part of the body being treated.

Surgery for cancer of the pancreas is a major operation. While in the hospital, the patient will need special medications and may be fed only liquids. During recovery from surgery, the patient's diet and weight will be checked carefully.

During radiation therapy, the patient may become very tired as the treatment continues. Resting as much as possible is important. Skin reactions (redness or dryness) in the treated area are also common. Good skin care is important at this time, but the patient should not use any lotions or creams on the skin without checking with the doctor. Radiation therapy to the upper abdomen can cause nausea and vomiting. Usually, dietary changes or medications can ease these problems.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs that are given. In addition, each person reacts differently. Chemotherapy affects rapidly growing cells, such as blood-forming cells, those that line the digestive tract, and those in the skin and hair. As a result, patients can have side effects such as a lowered resistance to infection, less energy, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. Patients may also lose their hair.

Weight loss can be a serious problem for patients being treated for cancer of the pancreas. Researchers are learning that well- nourished patients usually feel better and may be better able to withstand the side effects of their treatment. Therefore, nutrition is an important part of the treatment plan, and doctors may have a number of suggestions to help their patients get enough calories and protein. In many cases, patients feel better if they take food and beverages in very small amounts. Many patients find that eating several small meals and snacks throughout the day is easier than having three large meals.

In addition, treatment for cancer of the pancreas may interfere with production of insulin and pancreatic juices. The patient must take medicines to replace these; otherwise the level of blood sugar may be wrong and digestion may be affected. Even so, taking these medicines can often upset digestion. Careful planning and checkups are important to help the patient avoid weight loss and the weakness and lack of energy caused by poor nutrition.

Patients and family members are often afraid that cancer will cause pain. Cancer patients do not always have pain, but if it does occur, there are many ways to relieve or reduce it. It is important for the patient to let the doctor know about pain, because uncontrolled pain can cause loss of sleep and poor appetite. These problems can make it difficult for the patient to respond to treatment.

The side effects that patients have during cancer therapy vary for each person. They may even be different from one treatment to the next. Attempts are made to plan treatment to keep problems to a minimum. Fortunately, most side effects are temporary. Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can explain the side effects of cancer treatment and can suggest ways to deal with them. Helpful information about cancer treatment and coping with side effects is given in the National Cancer Institute publications Radiation Therapy and You, Chemotherapy and You, and Eating Hints.

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

pancreas cancer : What are the side effects of treatment for cancer of the pancreas?

2006-06-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

pancreas cancer : What are symptoms of cancer of the pancreas

2006-06-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker. This condition is called jaundice.

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.

A rare type of pancreatic cancer, called islet cell cancer, begins in the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones. Islet cells are also called the islets of Langerhans. Islet cell cancer can cause the pancreas to produce too much insulin or hormones. When this happens, the patient may feel weak or dizzy and may have chills, muscle spasms, or diarrhea.

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems. If an individual is experiencing symptoms, a doctor should be consulted

©1996-2006 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

pancreas cancer : CA 19-9

2006-06-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

How is it used?
CA 19-9 is not sensitive or specific enough to be considered useful as a tool for cancer screening. Its main use is as a tumor marker:

to help differentiate between cancer of the pancreas and bile ducts and other non-cancerous conditions, such as pancreatitis;
to monitor a patient's response to pancreatic cancer treatment; and
to watch for pancreatic cancer recurrence.
CA 19-9 can only be used as a marker if the cancer is producing elevated amounts of it; if CA 19-9 is not initially elevated, then it usually cannot be used later as a marker.

When is it ordered?
CA 19-9 may be ordered along with other tests, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), bilirubin, and/or a liver panel, when a patient has symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer, including abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, and jaundice.

If CA 19-9 is initially elevated in pancreatic cancer, then it may be ordered several times during cancer treatment to monitor response and, on a regular basis following treatment, to help detect recurrence
What does the test result mean?
Low amounts of CA 19-9 can be detected in a certain percentage of healthy people, and many conditions that affect the liver or pancreas can cause temporary elevations.

Moderate to high levels are found in pancreatic cancer, other cancers, and in several other diseases and conditions. The highest levels of CA 19-9 are seen in excretory ductal pancreatic cancer -- cancer that is found in the pancreas tissues that produce food-digesting enzymes and in the ducts that carry those enzymes into the small intestine. This tissue is where 95% of pancreatic cancers are found.

Serial measurements of CA 19-9 may be useful during and following treatment because rising or falling levels may give your doctor important information about whether the treatment is working, whether all of the cancer was removed successfully during surgery, and whether the cancer is likely returning.
Is there anything else I should know?
Unfortunately, early pancreatic cancer gives few warnings. By the time a patient has symptoms and significantly elevated levels of CA 19-9, their pancreatic cancer is usually at an advanced stage.

©2001-2006 American Association for Clinical Chemistry

pancreas cancer : Pancreas Function Tests

2006-06-17T01:41:00.000-07:00

Secretin stimulation test
The secretin stimulation test measures the ability of the pancreas to respond to the hormone secretin. The small intestines produce secretin in the presence of partially digested food. Normally, secretin stimulates the pancreas to secrete a fluid with a high concentration of bicarbonate. This fluid neutralizes stomach acid and is necessary for a number of enzymes to function in the breakdown and absorption of food. People with diseases involving the pancreas (for example, cystic fibrosis or pancreatic cancer) might have abnormal pancreatic function.

In performing a secretin stimulation test, a health care professional places a tube down the throat, into the stomach, then into the duodenum (upper section of small intestine). Secretin is administered and the contents of the duodenal secretions are aspirated (removed with suction) and analyzed over a period of about two hours.

Fecal elastase test
The fecal elastase test measures elastase, an enzyme found in fluids produced by the pancreas. Elastase digests and degrades various kinds of proteins. During this test, a patient’s stool sample is analyzed for the presence of elastase.

Computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast dye
This scan can help rule out other causes of abdominal pain and also can determine whether tissue is dying (pancreatic necrosis). CT can identify complications such as fluid around the pancreas, a collection of pus (abscess), or a collection of tissue, fluid, and pancreatic enzymes (pseudocyst).

Abdominal ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound can detect gallstones and fluid from inflammation in the abdomen (ascites). It also can show an enlarged common bile duct, an abscess, or a pseudocyst.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
During an ERCP, a health care professional places a tube down the throat, into the stomach, then into the small intestine. Dye is used to help the doctor see the structure of the common bile duct, other bile ducts, and the pancreatic duct on an X-ray.

Endoscopic ultrasound
During this test, a probe attached to a lighted scope is placed down the throat and into the stomach. Sound waves show images of organs in the abdomen. Endoscopic ultrasound might reveal gallstones and can be helpful in diagnosing severe pancreatitis when an invasive test such as ERCP might make the condition worse.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
This kind of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to look at the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct.

© Copyright 1995-2006 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved

pancreas cancer : Screening and diagnosis

2006-06-13T00:45:00.000-07:00

Detecting pancreatic cancer in its early stages is difficult. Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until the cancer is large or has spread (metastasized) to other tissues. And because your pancreas is relatively hidden — tucked behind your stomach and inside a loop of your small intestine — small tumors can't be seen or felt during routine exams.

For this reason, and because pancreatic cancer spreads so quickly, researchers have focused on finding a reliable screening test. At one time, scientists thought a substance called CA 19-9 was the answer. CA 19-9 is produced by pancreatic cancer cells and can be detected by a blood test. But by the time blood levels are high enough to be measured, the cancer is no longer in its early stages. Currently there is no effective screening test for pancreatic cancer.

If your doctor suspects pancreatic cancer, you may have one or more of the following tests to diagnose the cancer:

Ultrasound imaging. In this test, a device called a transducer is placed on your upper abdomen. High-frequency sound waves from the transducer reflect off your abdominal tissues and are translated by a computer into moving images of your internal organs, including your pancreas. Ultrasound tests are safe, noninvasive and relatively brief — a typical test takes less than an hour.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan. This imaging test allows your doctor to visualize your organs, including your pancreas, in two-dimensional slices. Split-second computer processing creates these images as a series of very thin X-ray beams pass through your body. Sometimes you may have a dye (contrast medium) injected into a vein before the test. The clearer images produced with the dye make it easier to distinguish a tumor from normal tissue. A CT scan exposes you to more radiation than do conventional X-rays, but in most cases, the benefits of the test outweigh the risks.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Instead of X-rays, this test uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create images of your pancreas. During the test, you're placed in a cylindrical tube that can seem confining to some people. The machine also makes a loud thumping noise you might find disturbing. In most cases you'll be given headphones for the noise.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography (ERCP). In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is gently passed down your throat, through your stomach and into the upper part of your small intestine. Air is used to inflate your intestinal tract so your doctor can more easily see the openings of your pancreatic and bile ducts. The bile ducts are thin tubes that carry bile, a fluid produced in your liver that helps digest fats. These ducts are often the site of pancreatic tumors. A dye is then injected into the ducts through a small hollow tube (catheter) that's passed through the endoscope. Finally, X-rays are taken of the ducts. Your throat may be sore for a time after the procedure, and you may feel bloated from the air introduced into your intestine.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). In this test, an ultrasound device is passed through an endoscope into your stomach. The device directs sound waves to your pancreas. A computer then translates the sound waves into close-up images of your pancreas and your bile and pancreatic ducts. The images are superior to those produced by standard ultrasound and are particularly useful for detecting small pancreatic tumors.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). In this test, your doctor carefully inserts a thin needle into your liver while you lie on a movable X-ray table. A dye is then injected into the bile ducts in your liver, and a special X-ray machine (fluoroscope) tracks the dye as it moves through the ducts. Any obstructions should show up on the X-ray. The table is rotated several times during the procedure so you can assume a variety of positions. During the test, you may have a feeling of pressure or fullness, or have slight discomfort in the right side of your back.
Biopsy. In this procedure, a small sample of tissue is removed and examined for malignant cells under a microscope. It's the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer. Biopsies of the pancreas and bile ducts can be performed in several ways. If you have a mass that can be reached with a needle, your doctor may choose to perform a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) — a procedure in which a very thin needle is inserted through your skin and into your pancreas. An ultrasound or CT scan is often used to guide the needle's placement. When the needle has reached the tumor, cells are withdrawn and sent to a lab for further study. Tissue samples can also be removed during ERCP or EUS. Sometimes, in a procedure similar to ERCP, your surgeon uses an endoscope to pass a catheter into your bile duct where it empties into your small intestine. But instead of injecting dye, your surgeon uses a small brush introduced through the catheter to scrape cells and bits of tissue from the lining of the duct.
Laparoscopy. This procedure uses a small, lighted instrument (laparoscope) to view your pancreas and surrounding tissue. The instrument is attached to a television camera and inserted through a small incision in your abdomen. The camera allows your surgeon to clearly see what's happening inside you. During laparoscopy, your surgeon can take tissue samples to help confirm a diagnosis of cancer. Laparoscopy may also be used to determine how far cancer has spread. Risks include bleeding and infection and a slight chance of injury to your abdominal organs or blood vessels.
Staging pancreatic cancer
Staging tests help determine the size and location of cancer and whether it has spread. They're crucial in helping your doctor determine the best treatment for you. Pancreatic cancer may be staged in several ways. One method is to use these terms:

Resectable. All the tumor nodules can be removed.
Locally advanced. Because the cancer has spread to tissues around the pancreas or into the blood vessels, it can no longer be completely removed.
Metastatic. At this stage, the cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the lungs and liver.
Your doctor may also refer to your cancer as stage 1, 2, 3, or 4:

Stage 1 pancreatic cancer is confined to the pancreas.
Stage 2 pancreatic cancer has spread somewhat, possibly to the lymph nodes, but not into large blood vessels nearby.
Stage 3 pancreatic cancer has invaded large blood vessels, may be in the lymph nodes, but hasn't spread to distant sites.
Stage 4 means the cancer has spread to a distant site or sites in your body

This center sponsored by: Chemotherapy.com

pancreas cancer : Risk factors

2006-06-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

The vast majority of pancreatic cancers occur in people older than 65. Other important risk factors include:

Race. Black men and women have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.
Sex. More men than women develop pancreatic cancer.
Cigarette smoking. If you smoke, you're two to three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers are. This is probably the greatest known risk factor for pancreatic cancer, with smoking associated with almost one in three cases of pancreatic cancer.
Abnormal glucose metabolism. Having diabetes may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer. Insulin resistance or high insulin levels may also be risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Hereditary pancreatitis. Your chances of developing pancreatic cancer increase if you have hereditary chronic pancreatitis. Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a rare genetic condition marked by recurrent attacks of pancreatitis — a painful inflammation of your pancreas.
Excess weight. People who are very overweight or obese may have a greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer than do people of normal weight.
Diet. A diet high in animal fat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer.
Chemical exposure. People who work with petroleum compounds, including gasoline and other chemicals, have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer than people not exposed to these chemicals.

This center sponsored by: Chemotherapy.com

pancreas cancer : Medical Treatment

2006-06-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, many cancers of the pancreas are not resectable at the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the main treatments offered to patients whose entire tumor cannot be removed surgically ("unresectable cancers"). The chemotherapeutic agent most commonly used to treat cancer of the pancreas is Gemzar®, but Dr.Dan Laheru is currently exploring new approaches.
A particularly novel method now being developed at Hopkins by Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee is immunotherapy. This method employs an anti-cancer "vaccine" made from the cancer cells themselves, and preliminary data suggest that this vaccine can be an effective and safe treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Basic Science Research
Despite these successes there is clearly a great need to improve our understanding of the fundamental nature of cancer of the pancreas. The paradigm currently being examined in basic science laboratories here at Johns Hopkins is that cancer of the pancreas is caused by the accumulation of mutations (changes in the DNA code) in specific cancer-causing genes. Researchers, therefore, are looking at genes at both the level of the chromosome and at the DNA level.
One way to detect chromosome abnormalities in cancer is to measure the DNA content in each tumor cell. This can be done by either flow cytometry or absorption photocytometry, two techniques that measure the nucleic acid content of the individual cells. Ploidy analyses are, however, only a gross measurement of the overall loss or gain of large numbers of chromosomes. With this in mind, Dr. Constance Griffin in the Department of Pathology has karyotyped over 70 cancers of the pancreas, looking at the patterns of genetic changes in these tumors. Karyotyping is the process of analysing chromosomes for abnormalities, as is done with fetal chromosomes to assess for the presence of Down Syndrome or other changes in the number or structure of the chromosomes. Dr. Griffin has found that most cancers of the pancreas have abnormal chromosome patterns and that the chromosomes numbered 18, 13, 12 and 6 are frequently lost. These findings suggest that genes which cause cancer of the pancreas may be located on these chromosomes.

Drs. Scott Kern, Mike Goggins and Ralph Hruban in the Departments of Pathology and Oncology are looking at the genetic changes in cancer of the pancreas using "molecular biologic" techniques. Molecular biology uses techniques such as the "PCR" reaction to look at the actual DNA code in cancers. Dr. Kern's laboratory has found frequent mutations in specific cancer-causing genes (called "K-ras," "p53" and "p16") in cancers of the pancreas, and his laboratory is now hunting for new, previously undiscovered genes. It is hoped that a better understanding of the genetic changes which cause cancer of the pancreas will lead to the development of new techniques to diagnose and treat this disease. Dr. Goggins' laboratory is dedicated to finding new screening tests to detect pancreas cancer early.

The National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry
Family studies can add a great deal to our understanding of the genetic changes responsible for the development of a cancer. While most cancers of the pancreas do not run in families, we can learn a lot about this cancer by studying the families in which more than one family member has been stricken by this disease. Because of the relative rarity but extreme value of families afflicted by pancreas cancer, a national registry for the study of familial pancreas cancer has been established here at Johns Hopkins. This registry is called The National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry, it is directed by Dr. Alison Klein. It is supported by Michael Landon, Jr., the son of the late TV actor, and it is currently urging persons from families in which more than one family member has had cancer of the pancreas to register their families.

Copyright ©1996-2006 The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

pancreas cancer : Overview of Pancreas Cancer

2006-06-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This year approximately 32,000 Americans will die from cancer of the pancreas. The disease is not only common, it is also extremely difficult to treat. For these and other reasons, cancer of the pancreas has been called "the challenge of the twenty-first century." Recently Published Article Provides Comprehensive Overview of PC
Current Problems in Cancer: Pancreatic Cancer
July/August 2002 • Volume 26 • Number 4
Theresa Pluth Yeo, MSN, MPH, et al.

The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions has become the leading center for the treatment and study of pancreas cancer. We created this web page to:

Educate patients and family members with the hope of empowering them as they make complex medical decisions; and
Provide a virtual Web family of support and caring for those facing this disease.
This site details the research and clinical developments in the fight against pancreatic cancer (with the very latest described in the "What's New" page), and introduces you to the members of the multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists assembled here at Johns Hopkins to fight pancreas cancer. It also has a very active "chat room" for patients and family members to share ideas and support, and an "Ask our Social Worker" page where our Social Worker Maureen Coyle provides resource information and other social work related support. This web site also contains an extensively illustrated frequently asked questions section, written for the layperson. We also wish to inform the public of the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry based at Johns Hopkins, in the hopes of encouraging persons having more than one family member afflicted with pancreas cancer to register their families.
Cancer of the pancreas is a major clinical and research focus here at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. We hope you find this web site not only educational, but also a source of support. Numerous links are provided throughout the site, so please click on the highlighted headings for more detailed information.

Surgical Treatment
Surgical removal ("resection") of the cancer is currently the only chance for a cure for patients with cancer of the pancreas. Fortunately, great strides have been made in the surgical treatment of this disease. The surgical resection of most pancreas cancers is called a "pancreaticoduodenectomy" or "Whipple procedure." These operations are very complex, and unless performed by surgeons specially trained and experienced in this procedure, they can be associated with very high rates of operative morbidity and mortality. Close to 1,000 resections have been performed here at Hopkins since 1970, and the surgery is now safe and effective at our center. The five-year survival rate for patients who underwent a Whipple procedure for cancer of the pancreas here at Hopkins is now approaching 25% (40% for some patient subgroups), compared with a five-year survival rate of less than 3% overall for patients who do not receive treatment. Furthermore, because the procedure is safer when performed at Hopkins, patients treated here have fewer complications, and the overall hospital charges are significantly lower than when it is performed at less experienced institutions. The surgeons with a strong interest in treating cancers of the pancreas at Johns Hopkins include Drs. Kurtis Campbell, John Cameron, Frederick Eckhauser, Christopher Wolfgang, and Richard Schulick.

Copyright ©1996-2006 The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

pancreas cancer ; Stages Of Cancer Of The Pancreas

2006-06-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Once cancer of the pancreas is found, more tests will be done to find out if the cancer has spread from the pancreas to the tissues around it or to other parts of the body. This is called staging. The following stages are used for cancer of the pancreas:

Stage I Cancer is found only in the pancreas itself, or has started to spread just to the tissues next to the pancreas, such as the small intestine, the stomach, or the bile duct.

Stage II Cancer has spread to nearby organs such as the stomach, spleen, or colon, but has not entered the lymph nodes. (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body; they produce and store infection-fighting cells).

Stage III Cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the pancreas. The cancer may or may not have spread to nearby organs.

Stage IV Cancer has spread to places far away from the pancreas, such as the liver or lungs.

Recurrent Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the pancreas or in another part of the body.

How Cancer Of The Pancreas Is Treated

There are treatments for all patients with cancer of the pancreas. Three kinds of treatment are used: surgery (taking out the cancer or relieving symptoms caused by the cancer) radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells) chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells).

The use of biological therapy (using the body's immune system to fight cancer) is being tested for pancreatic cancer.

Surgery may be used to take out the tumor. Your doctor may take out the cancer using one of the following operations:

A Whipple procedure removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, and some of the tissues around it. Enough of the pancreas is left to continue making digestive juices and insulin.

Total pancreatectomy takes out the whole pancreas, part of the small intestine, part of the stomach, the bile duct, the gallbladder, spleen, and most of the lymph nodes in the area.

Distal pancreatectomy takes out only the tail of the pancreas.

If your cancer has spread and it cannot be removed, your doctor may do surgery to relieve symptoms. If the cancer is blocking the small intestine and bile builds up in the gallbladder, your doctor may do surgery to go around (bypass) all or part of the small intestine. During this operation, your doctor will cut the gallbladder or bile duct and sew it to the small intestine. This is called biliary bypass. Surgery or x-ray procedures may also be done to put in a tube (catheter) to drain bile that has built up in the area. During these procedures, your doctor may make the catheter drain through a tube to the outside of the body or the catheter may go around the blocked area and drain the bile to the small intestine. In addition, if the cancer is blocking the flow of food from the stomach, the stomach may be sewn directly to the small intestine so you can continue to eat normally.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in the vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells outside the pancreas.

Biological therapy tries to get your own body to fight cancer. It uses materials made by your own body or made in a laboratory to boost, direct, or restore your body's natural defenses against disease. Biological therapy is sometimes called biological response modifier (BRM) therapy or immunotherapy. Biological therapy is being tested in clinical trials.

http://www.cancer-info.com/pancreas.htm

pancreas cancer : Description of Pancreatic Cancer

2006-06-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

Cancer of the pancreas is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is about 6 inches long and is shaped something like a thin pear, wider at one end and narrowing at the other. The pancreas lies behind the stomach, inside a loop formed by part of the small intestine. The broader right end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow left end is the tail.

The pancreas has two basic jobs in your body. It produces juices that help you break down (digest) your food, and hormones (such as insulin) that regulate how your body stores and uses food. The area of the pancreas that produces digestive juices is called the exocrine pancreas. About 95% of pancreatic cancers begin in the exocrine pancreas. The hormone-producing area of the pancreas is called the endocrine pancreas. Only about 5% of pancreatic cancers start here. This statement has information on cancer of the exocrine pancreas. For more information on cancer of the endocrine pancreas (also called islet cell cancer) see the PDQ Patient Information Statement on Islet Cell Carcinoma.

Cancer of the pancreas is hard to find (diagnose) because the organ is hidden behind other organs. Organs around the pancreas include the stomach, small intestine, bile ducts (tubes through which bile, a digestive juice made by the liver, flows from the liver to the small intestine), gallbladder (the small sac below the liver that stores bile), the liver, and the spleen (the organ that stores red blood cells and filters blood to remove excess blood cells). The signs of pancreatic cancer are like many other illnesses, and there may be no signs in the first stages. You should see your doctor if you have any of the following: nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss without trying to lose weight, pain in the upper or middle of your abdomen, or yellowing of your skin (jaundice).
If you have symptoms, your doctor will examine you and order tests to see if you have cancer and what your treatment should be. You may have an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to find tumors. A CT scan, a special type of x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the inside of your abdomen, may also be done. Another special scan called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnetic waves to make a picture of the inside of your abdomen, may be done as well.

A test called an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) may also be done. During this test, a flexible tube is put down the throat, through the stomach, and into the small intestine. Your doctor can see through the tube and inject dye into the drainage tube (duct) of the pancreas so that the area can be seen more clearly on an x-ray. During ERCP, your doctor may also put a fine needle into the pancreas to take out some cells. This is called a biopsy. The cells can then be looked at under a microscope to see if they contain cancer.

PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) is another test that can help find cancer of the pancreas. During this test, a thin needle is put into the liver through your right side. Dye is injected into the bile ducts in the liver so that blockages can be seen on x-rays.

In some cases, a needle can be inserted into the pancreas during an x-ray or ultrasound so that cells can be taken out to see if they contain cancer. You may need surgery to see if you have cancer of the pancreas. If this is the case, your doctor will cut into the abdomen and look at the pancreas and the tissues around it for cancer. If you have cancer and it looks like it has not spread to other tissues, your doctor may remove the cancer or relieve blockages caused by the tumor.

For more information on pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the pancreas, visit www.pancreas.org or the National Pancreas Foundation at www.pancreasfoundation.org. For more information about the University of Pittsburgh divisionof gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition visit their Web site at http://www.gi.pitt.edu.

pancreas cancer : Spanish singer Rocío Jurado dies after long illness

2006-06-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

Rocío Jurado, a well-known and much loved Spanish singer from Andalucía, died at her Madrid home early on Thursday morning after a long illness. The 61-year-old singer had been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas two years ago and had been treated at Houston, Texas.
Her brother and manager, Amador Mohedano, visibly affected by his sister’s death, made the announcement to the media waiting outside the singer’s home at La Moraleja. He added that she had died “peacefully” and “surrounded by her family as she wished”.

After a private wake in her home, at 11.17 on Thursday morning her body arrived under police escort at Madrid Cultural Centre for the general public to pay their last respects to the singer considered the greatest in the country in her genre. Her coffin was covered with the Spanish and the Andalusian flags. Her remains are to be flown to Jerez de la Frontera airport and then transferred to Chipiona, her birthplace, by road today, Friday, for burial in San José Cemetery at 5 p.m.

Flags on the Cadiz Provincial Government building were at half-mast, as they were in Chipiona, where the Mayor, Manuel García, announced three days of mourning for the singer

Rocío Mohedano Jurado was born in 1945 in the town of Chipiona, in the province of Cadiz, and started her career singing flamenco, especially fandangos, before branching out into a more popular style. In her youth she also worked as an actress in a number of Spanish-style musical films - extremely popular in their day. Her fame and success as a singer spread to Latin America and the USA..

In 1986 she was awarded the Andalusian Medal for exceptional merit and services to the region.

In her personal life she was married first to boxer Pedro Carrasco, by whom she had a daughter, Rocío, and second, in 1995, to classical bullfighter José Ortega Cano from Cartagena, Murcia. The couple adopted a boy and a girl in 1999 and the singer also had two grandchildren, the children of her elder daughter.

© Copyright Diario SUR Digital, S. L.

pancreas cancer : Aspirin May Ward Off Pancreas Cancer

2006-06-02T00:31:00.000-07:00

Aspirin, already widely used by people hoping to ward off a heart attack, may also be helpful in preventing pancreatic cancer.
In recent years reports of the benefits of aspirin have increased, including modest reductions in the polyps that can lead to colon cancer.

Now, University of Minnesota researchers report an apparent association between taking aspirin and reducing rates of often-deadly pancreatic cancer by as much as 43 percent. "This is an intriguing study, more along the lines of hypothesis generating as opposed to testing," said Dr. Ernest Hawk of the National Cancer Institute, who was not part of the research group.

"I think that aspirin may very well have this sort of activity but I wouldn’t consider it definitive that this point," he said. "They will have to work out the risks and benefits." Hawk noted that this was an observational study, not a randomized, controlled trial.

"It provides information that needs to be tested in a controlled study," he said. There have been prior studies of pancreatic cancer that didn’t see any statistical effect in aspirin use, Hawk added.

Because aspirin can also have side effects, he said that people may not want to run out and start taking it just on the basis of this study, but added that "researchers may want to run out and do (more) studies."

The research team, led by Kristin E. Anderson and Dr. Aaron R. Folsom, studied the use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by 28,283 postmenopausal women who responded to health questionnaires in the Iowa Women’s Health Study from 1992 to 1999.

Women who took aspirin had a 43 percent lower rate of pancreatic cancer than nonusers and the risk of the cancer declined with increasing frequency of aspirin use, the team reported.

Of 80 cases of pancreatic cancer found in the study, 33 were women who never used aspirin and 27 used it less than once a week. There were 10 cases among women who took aspirin two to five times a week and 10 among those using it six times or more weekly.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer are not known and it is often rapidly fatal with few treatment options.

Pakistan News Service © PakTribune.com Pvt Ltd 2003-2004

Silent but deadly: the body's hidden organ - the pancreas [2]

2006-05-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Type 2 diabetes can actually occur at any age. The body produces plenty of insulin, but the cells have become resistant to its message. Type 2 diabetic patients are, more often than not, overweight, leading some to postulate that the constant barrage of refined carbohydrates (which release glucose into the bloodstream quickly after ingestion of table sugar or white flour) is at the heart of the disease.

Under normal circumstances, before a meal, we should have about one to two teaspoons of sugar circulating in our bloodstream. After a meal that is rich in refined carbohydrates (which break down quickly into glucose), there is a significant spike.

For example, a person might eat a hamburger with a bun, a small order of "french fries," and even a diet cola for lunch. Because of the way he digests certain foods, his blood sugar (glucose) level spikes quickly; he has just dumped as many as 12 teaspoons of sugar into his system. As a result of that burst of sugar, a healthy pancreas releases a burst of insulin, telling the body to take up the overload.

A healthy liver responds by taking up as much of the overload as it can (about 30 percent for short-term storage). Another 30 percent is used immediately as energy. The rest of it (up to 70 percent, depending on the actual amount taken up by the liver) is stored as fat. You might recognize that feeling of a temporary burst of energy, accompanied by feeling really good, followed by a marked decline and usually a mild case of "the blues." (4)

As a result of chemical reactions, including the fact that our brains need blood sugar to function, the body and the brain signal for more food, and we crave, in particular, carbohydrates having a high glycemic index. Our body receives a "signal" to obtain more sugar immediately. About halfway through the afternoon, we might find ourselves picking away at just half that candy bar we saved. A quick sugar spike, an immediate insulin spike, and more frantic messages to take up that sugar.

Just for a moment, imagine a friend or a loved one who constantly barrages you with frantic demands, such as "Quick, do this," or "Hurry up, do that!" Perhaps this will give you an idea of why our bodies begin to turn a deaf ear to the constant insulin scream that we subject ourselves to by eating a diet tilted toward carbohydrates, especially highly refined carbohydrates.

The "good" carbohydrates are low on the glycemic index; they release glucose more slowly, and spikes are avoided. "Bad" carbohydrates are high on the glycemic index and create spikes.
Nutrition Health Review, Spring, 2003 by Gail Gorman

Silent but deadly: the body's hidden organ - the pancreas [1]

2006-05-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

In human adults, the pancreas is a flattened gland, about six to eight inches long. It is buried deep in the abdomen behind the stomach, where it connects the small intestine at the duodenum, just under the stomach. Also called the "hidden organ," the pancreas is not readily accessible and is thus difficult to examine by conventional methods. It is hidden, too, from our understanding, to a large extent.

Symptoms of a pancreas disorder often mimic other common health problems, including simple indigestion. Little is known about the cause of such disastrous diseases as chronic pancreatitis, with as many as 40% of adult cases labeled "idiopathic," meaning of unknown origin. (1, 2) Even pancreatic cancer is not well understood; so far, the most consistently reported risk factor for tumor development is cigarette smoking. (3) We do know this type of cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and around the world. It is nearly always fatal; more than 98% of patients die, and its incidence is on the rise in industrialized nations.

Diabetes is, by far, the most renowned form of pancreatic disease wherein the pancreas either does not produce sufficient insulin, or, as is sometimes the case in adult-onset diabetes, the cells of the body simply do not respond to insulin's message. Other, even more silent and potentially more deadly disorders include (1) acute and chronic pancreatitis, each often very painful; (2) cystic fibrosis, which affects pancreatic function; and (3) organ tumors, either benign or malignant.

Finally, a little-known disease in which the symptoms might sound familiar is pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. This disorder can be mistaken for indigestion, and patients experience few or no symptoms at all while it slowly robs the body of important nutrients. When the disorder is left untreated, severe malnutrition can result.

Classification

There are two types of diabetes, type (juvenile onset) and type 2 (adult onset). In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin. Patients must have daily insulin injections, and they live on the balance beam between diabetic coma (too much acid in the blood from an inability to use blood sugar) and insulin shock (too much insulin taken to protect against diabetic coma).

continue...

Red meat & the pancreas cancer

2006-05-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

People who eat more beef or pork, especially in processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, and bacon, have a higher risk of pancreas cancer, says the largest study that has tracked healthy people for years before they were diagnosed with the deadly illness.

The Multiethnic Cohort Study followed more than 190,000 residents of California and Hawaii for seven years. Those who reported eating the most beef or pork (but not fish, poultry, dairy foods, or eggs) had a 50 percent higher risk of pancreas cancer than those who reported eating the least.

Those who said they ate the most processed meats (roughly one ounce a day for a 2,000-calorie diet) had about a 70 percent higher risk than those who said they ate the least (no more than around an ounce a week).

The researchers calculated that the pancreas cancer rate was about 40 out of 100,000 for those who ate the most processed meat in this study, but only half as high for those who ate the least.

They suggest that carcinogens caused by cooking red meat at high temperatures or the nitrites in processed meats may explain the link.

What to do: Until more studies are done, it's not certain that processed or red meat causes pancreas cancer. But it's worth cutting back anyway to reduce the risk of heart disease and colon cancer.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 97: 1458, 2005.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Center for Science in the Public Interest
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Full-Featured Wireless Router, Print Server, and Audio Gateway

2006-05-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

I've had the AirPort Express for over a year. I've used both Macs and PCs connected to it wirelessly with no difficulties. My AirPort Express is set up as both a print server and "AirTunes" audio gateway so that both Macs and PCs on my home network can play through my home stereo system using iTunes. It performs both these functions flawlessly. I have an HP ink jet printer connected to it via USB and print to it from my PowerBook and from my Sony Vaio desktop PC.

Wireless range while in 802.11g only mode is sufficient to reach throughout the entire 2 bedroom apartment (1100 sq. ft). Range is average to above average for a 802.11g access point. The AirPort Express automatically picks the wireless channel with the least interference and seems to do this successfully. It supports (and I use) WPA2 128-bit encryption and has a number of configurable options both for wireless routing and for wired routing of computers connected to it's 1 Ethernet port. If you're wondering how the AirPort Express compares to the AirPort Extreme Base Station or a Linksys (or other) wireless router, it is full-featured and competitive.

Overall, I've been very happy with the AirPort Express. I'd recommend it to any Windows or Mac OS user.

Written by Nathan, Fresno, CA

Sonos ZonePlayer ZP80 (UK Power cable)

2006-05-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

This wireless digital music player seamlessly integrates your home theater, stereo, powered speakers, or any other amplified audio device into your multi-room digital music system. Comes with digital and analog out for connecting to external amplifiers. Includes Sonos System Setup software.

Wireless, Multi-room digital music
Built-in wireless capability
ZonePlayers can go anywhere and connect wirelessly when a wired Ethernet connection is not available. ZonePlayers and Controllers will establish their own secure wireless mesh network. The first ZonePlayer you install must connect to your home network using a standard Ethernet cable.
SonosnetTM
A secure AES encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless mesh network that streams music wirelessly to other ZonePlayers, avoiding sources of wireless interference.
Multi-zone synchronous playback
Plays the same song simultaneously in up to 32 different zones without echoes or delays.
Multi-stream playback
Plays different songs simultaneously in up to 32 different zones.

Home theatre integration
Designed to connect to an external amplifier
The ZP80 seamlessly integrates your home theater and other audio devices into your Sonos multi-room digital music system.

Superior audio quality with digital output
Analog and digital audio output
Enjoy your music anywhere by connecting to your home theater receiver or amplifier with analog, optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. We also provide fixed or variable audio output volume control.
Analog input with digital encoding
Music from an external audio source (such as a CD player, radio or MP3 player) can be connected to a ZP80 and played by all ZonePlayers in the system.
Tone and volume controls adjustable for each zone
Optimize sound performance for each zone using zone-specific bass, treble, balance, and loudness controls. Adjust volume by zone or group of zones.

Ease of set up and use
Automatic set up
Automatic wired or wireless set up. Initialize new ZonePlayers with one button-press.
Expandable system design
Allows you to expand your digital music system room by room.
Compact size
So small, it fits almost anywhere.
2-Port Ethernet switch
Enables multiple direct connections to routers, PCs, and other ZonePlayers. Ideal for houses with installed Ethernet wiring.
Front-panel volume controls Provides quick access to volume and mute controls when you don't have a Controller in hand.

Support for multiple music sources
Support for multiple music sources
Accesses music stored on up to 16 PCs, Macs, or NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices on your home network, as well as Internet radio and legacy A/V devices, such as CD players.
Playback of popular audio file types
Support for compressed MP3, WMA, AAC (MPEG4), Ogg Vorbis, Audible .AA (format 4), Apple Lossless, Flac (lossless) music files, as well as uncompressed WAV and AIFF files.
Native support for 44.1kHz sample rates. Additional support for 48kHz, 32kHz, 24KHz, 22kHz, 16KHz, 11KHz, and 8KHz sample rates.
Apple "Fairplay" and Microsoft "Plays-for-sure" DRM-encrypted and WMA Lossless formats not currently supported. Firmware upgradeable to support future audio formats.
Playback of Internet radio
Plays Internet radio stations using "streaming MP3 and WMA" format. ZonePlayer comes with over 100 pre-programmed radio stations and it's simple to add more via the Sonos Desktop Controller. **
Analog audio input with digital encoding
Music from an external audio source (such as a CD player, radio or MP3 player) connected to a ZP100 can be played by all other ZonePlayers in the system.
Audio services supported
Audible
Album Art Supported
JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF
Playlists Supported
Rhapsody®, iTunes®, WinAmp®, Windows Media Player®, and MusicMatchTM
(.m3u, .pls, .wpl)

Privacy Policy | Site Map | unsubscribe | ©2004-2006 Sonos, Inc

JACKPOT ROULETTE

2006-05-10T01:44:00.000-07:00

Attract new Players and Increase Roulette Revenues

Jackpot Roulette® is designed to increase turnover on conventional Roulette by using bonus jackpots and other prizes.

This innovative game can be easily fitted to any Roulette table without affecting the standard procedure and rules of the game.

Jackpot Roulette® introduces fantastic animated graphics to your Roulette games - attracting new players whilst retaining the loyalty of regular Roulette players.

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Players get more from Roulette with the chance to play their normal numbers whilst benefiting from the chance of winning fantastic jackpot prizes.

Jackpot Roulette® uses lively animated graphics that are bright, fun and appealing to players. The graphics continuously update the amounts and selected prizes for the ‘High Hit’ and ‘High Pay’ jackpots that are available.

Easy for Operators and Players
By simply playing ‘straight up numbers’ players can win big money or token prizes if the jackpot hits at the same time as their winning wager.

Jackpot Roulette® is fully automated and only requires minimal dealer intervention when jackpots are paid. It maintains the normal pace of your Roulette tables because a mystery jackpot is only paid to a player who places a bet straight up on the winning number when the jackpot is triggered by the system.

The game works by means of a patented dolly device which uses radio signals and detection fields, installed underneath the table layout. Every time the dolly is picked up and moved out of the dealer’s home base and placed on the winning number in the betting detection area, the computer counts one game.

Increases Your Roulette Table Revenue
More straight up players create more spins, more tips and more profit per table. Predicted annual Roulette revenue will typically increase by approx. 5-10% as a result of installing Jackpot Roulette®.

©2006 TCSJOHNHUXLEY. All rights reserved. E&OE. design::netsight

Better double up on the spicy Asian food

2006-05-05T05:28:00.000-07:00

Ginger can kill ovarian cancer cells while the compound that makes peppers hot can shrink pancreatic tumors, researchers told a conference on Tuesday. Their studies add to a growing body of evidence that at least some popular spices might slow or prevent the growth of cancer. Being a big fan of the above spices, I’m psyched. If they could only find that generic diet sodas reduced your chance of breast cancer, I’d be set.

30 Responses to “Better double up on the spicy Asian food

Published by Amanda Marcotte

Update on The Coast

2006-05-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

A flurry of hurricanes raced through the South earlier this year. Here's the latest on your favorite coastal vacation spots.

You may wonder how some of the tourist destinations in Alabama and Florida are doing in the aftermath of the storms that whirled through this year. We've toured the areas hardest hit, seen the cleanup and repair efforts firsthand, and talked to people in the know.

Mobile, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, and Point Clear: Although many trees and limbs were downed, most towns and attractions fared well, including the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, (251) 861-7500; the Battleship USS Alabama, 1-800-426-4929; downtown Mobile, 1-800-566-2453; Fairhope, (251) 928-6387; and Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 1-800-247-8420.

Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach: "Recovery is well under way following Hurricane Ivan," says Bebe Gauntt, public relations manager for the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. Bebe advises people to call the CVB at 1-800-745-7263, or visit www. gulfshores.com for updates on lodging and attractions.

Pensacola and Navarre Beach: Damage in these cities extended to the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's visitors information center at the foot of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Most of the hotels and all of the attractions are now operating. "We expect to be totally up and running by spring," says CVB director Ed Schroeder. For more information call 1-800-874-1234, or visit www.visitpensacola.com. For updates on Navarre Beach, call the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council at 1-800-480-7263, or visit www.beaches-rivers.com.

Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island: Some of the damage to lodging and restaurants was extensive. For current information call the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., 1-800-322-3319, or visit www.destin-fwb.com.

Beaches of South Walton, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach, and Rosemary Beach: Damage was light except to walkways over the dunes, which are quickly being rebuilt. Contact the Walton County Tourist Development Council at 1-800-822-6877, or visit www.beaches of southwalton.com.

Florida peninsula: Most of the major tourist destinations, including Orlando, are operating as usual. Areas that did have damage-mainly Charlotte County and Lee County along the southwestern Florida coast and Vero Beach, St. Lucie County, and Palm Beach County on the southeastern coast-are rebounding with amazing speed.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Dec 2004

Win or Lose The Battle To Sell Your Paintings on Day One by Darrell Crow

2006-04-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from students is, "Do you have any suggestions on how to sell our paintings. My paintings are much better than going to a flea market to try and sell." When I hear this question, a couple of thoughts really flood my mind. Actually, it's more like a King Kong Stampede. First, people who attend Flea Markets, yard sales and block offerings are looking for what? Low, dirt low prices. So unless your work is of flea market quality, I suggest you don't consider becoming the Flea Market Dog of Art. You have to go to places that establish you as an artist. First things first. Sit down and ask yourself some very tough, soul searching questions. Why do you want to sell your art? And the reason I ask that question, is because most people don't know. The first reason to sell your art is because by golly, you want to make some money. All other reasons are secondary. If they're not.....than the question should not be about how to sell your paintings. So if you're going to want to make money, the next logical question to ask is ....'So who will give you money for your art?" This is called establishing a market niche. It just means a group of people, who have something in common, who would be interested in buying your art. All battles for selling paintings are won and lost on the first day you pick your market. You when or lose depending on 'Who" you choose. Successful marketing of your paintings is not so much about "What paintings" you market, "What style you use," or "How" you market or go about selling them as it is about "Who. To whom do you chose to market. If you get the "Who" right, than everything else will fall into place. If you don't, not even the greatest marketing in the world will help you. When you go about determining "Who" to chose, remember, some markets are hard and some markets are easy. Simply said, some people are easier to reach than others, some people are easier to sell than others. I prefer easy. Given a choice between hard and easy, I'll choose easy any day. Now just what do I mean by an 'easy' market? How can you easily identify an easy market? Good question. Easy markets typically have three characteristics, and once you find a market that has the following three characteristics, the easier your life will be in marketing and sales of your paintings. 1. The market is easy to reach. 2. The market has a burning "need" for the type of art you paint. 3. The market has demonstrated through past behavior their ability and willingness to spend money on the kinds of things you paint. This is why flea markets are the ideal example of the wrong 'Who' for oil paintings. 1. Out of all of the attendees, how many really came to buy an oil painting. So finding out 'Who' among all flea market attendees that buy oil paintings is not easy. Its hit and miss at best. 2. Flea market is synonomous with "Cheap prices", "bargains", impulse buying and so forth. No 'burning desire, no quantifiable number of people specifically within your market area, 3. Flea markets have typically demonstrated that $100 paintings are not frequently sold. 4. So the 3-point test is not passed at all by the Flea Market. Most people make the mistake of approaching the process of selling paintings by creating one that they're sure the world will love. Or they simply hear that the Internet is a great place to make money. So they pour tons of money advertising in eBay, or they develop an award winning, graphically inspired web site. None of this will produce sales until you know "Who." Ken McCarthy, a dear friend of mine and author of the book, System Secrets, says in his book, "....these approaches remind me of the old expression 'putting the cart before the horse.' The fanciest cart on earth - the best product, the slickest web marketing campaign - won't get you anywhere without a good market 'horse to pull it.

In contrast, with the right horse you don't have to worry too much about the cart. Nature will take care of itself."

Richard Sears, founder of the Sears Catalog said, "If it is the right offer to the right person at the right time, I can write it on the back of an old paper bag in crayon and it will sell." The most critical thing you can do is pick the right market. Not the paintings, not the website. But to whom would buy your paintings.

The best approach initially is to focus on creating one or a few paintings for your selected 'who' market. * Do several paintings for that market with a specific theme. * Write articles that go into depth about the reasons why you painted each particular painting. * Share the story behind each of your paintings. * Publish these articles on-line through article directories. * Put them on your website and send them as press releases to traditional media as well as on-line media. * Put voice recordings people can listen to next to each painting you're selling. * Talk to the people in your market. Find out what they like, then pull their heartstrings with your paintings.

For example, I had a student artist who wanted to make money selling his paintings. We talked about the type of paintings he created, his hobbies and interests. When I asked what prompted him to learn to paint, he talked about painting his favorite golf hole. This was a definite 'Who' clue. Probing further, I asked if other golfers would like to have paintings of their favorite golf holes. He was getting real excited thinking about 'who' he knew that would want to have their favorite golf hole on canvas. He went to the golf club, talked to a lot of members and ended up identifying the 6 favorite holes that excited members. He then composed paintings of each and offered them for sale. He wrote articles, and shared the stories he heard around the watering hole by golfers who'd conquered or been defeated by these golf holes. He than began painting. His paintings covered the gamut of emotions known so well by the lamenting and cheering 'golfer'. He made more money on his paintings than any student I'm aware. You win or lose your battle on the first day. My advice for you is to go back to the fundamentals and figure out WHO is your market. Resolve to put at least half or more of your time and energy into studying specific markets and once you've addressed 'Who' is your market, than the What, How's and all those other questions become real easy to answer.

Find the easy market .... the groups of people you can easily reach, that have a burning 'need' or 'desire' for your paintings and who have already demonstrated their willingness and ability to buy paintings. Present your paintings to sell to your 'Who'. Back at the golf course, who do you think were the first to line up and buy Sid's paintings.......the very ones who shared their successes and failures. Let me know how you do.

About the Author
Darrell Crow is fast becoming one of America's favorite oil painting instructor. With his step-by-step instructions, anyone can learn to oil paint. Guaranteed. Get a free sample of his 2-hour comprehensive Basic Technique of Oil Painting Water video at www.darrellcrow.com/videos

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