How to Prevent Pituitary Cancer

Introduction

The pituitary gland is found inside the skull, connected to the hypothalamus section of the brain. It's responsible for triggering the secretion of various hormones throughout different parts of the body. Most cancers of the pituitary involve the anterior portion. While the cause of this form of cancer isn't precisely known, steps to prevent the disease do exist.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Learn About Pituitary Cancer Risk Factors

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection
• Computer

Steps

1

Step One

Understand that a healthy life starts with a nutritional diet and regular exercise. Studies show that sedentary individuals have a higher rate of almost all forms of cancer.

2

Step Two

Research the 1 major risk factor associated with pituitary cancer. If anyone in your family has multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, or MEN1, you are at a much higher risk of developing pituitary cancer.

3

Step Three

Observe your overall health, age and well-being. People with other forms of cancers run the risk of the infected cells spreading to other parts of the body. Also, older people also have a statistically higher chance of developing cancer.

4

Step Four

Report any major weight changes, moodiness and other unexplained health issues to your doctor immediately, as they may be indicators that something is wrong.

Make Changes in Your Life to Help Prevent Pituitary Cancer

Steps

1

Step One

Study your family's health history carefully and note any prevalent signs of cancer.

2

Step Two

Eat well and stay active.

3

Step Three

Avoid prolonged exposure to harmful substances such as chemicals and even the sun.

4

Step Four

Accept that pituitary cancer has no official known methods of direct prevention. It's imperative that you request hormone monitoring and other tests on a regular basis to watch for early signs.

How to Prevent Uterine Cancer

Introduction

Uterine cancer, sometimes referred to as uterine sarcoma, is a disease that affects the muscle and supporting tissues of a woman's uterus. To date, the exact cause of uterine cancer has yet to be determined, but doctors and scientists have discovered several key risk factors. Finding out if you're at risk and discovering the steps you can take to help prevent the disease are critical to maintaining a cancer-free existence.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Become Familiar With Uterine Cancer Risk Factors

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection

Steps

1

Step One

Find out the details of your family's medical history. Cancer has been shown to be somewhat hereditary, so this is a critical risk factor.

2

Step Two

Learn about the primary risk factors associated with uterine cancer. Top triggers include previous pelvic radiation therapy, race (African-American women are twice as likely to develop the disease), obesity, some forms of hormone therapy and infertility.

3

Step Three

Find out which preexisting health issues can also cause uterine cancer. Examples include diabetes, early menstruation (before age 12) and delayed menopause (after age 52).

Help Prevent Uterine Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Steps

1

Step One

Realize that there are no surefire ways to prevent uterine cancer. You can only take steps to aid your overall health, but there are no guarantees.

2

Step Two

Work hard to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle full of nutritious foods and regular exercise. It's been proven that individuals who are active have a much lower risk of contracting any form of cancer.

3

Step Three

Consider halting the usage of birth control and other hormone therapies, as these have been associated with uterine cancer.

How to Recognize Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Symptoms

Introduction

A rare, abnormally acting cancer, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei affects a person's abdomen through a build up of a mucus, jelly-like fluid termed mucin. Typically the malignant growth begins in the appendix, bursts through the wall, spreading cancerous cells to the abdominal lining. The mucin build up causes most of the symptoms; however, many of these symptoms are present in other conditions, so diagnosis may be difficult.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Steps

1

Step One

Notice a slow increase in your waist size or unusual abdominal bloating. Pseudomyxoma Peritonei spreads internally along abdominal surfaces.

2

Step Two

Report any chronic abdominal pain or discomfort to your doctor. Many doctors confuse Pseudomyxoma Peritonei in women with ovarian cancer, as they share the same major symptom of a swollen and painful abdomen.

3

Step Three

Note any changes in appetite, such as a loss of appetite or changes in bowel habits.

4

Step Four

Keep track if you're having trouble getting pregnant. Untreated Pseudomyxoma Peritonei causes women to become incapable of becoming pregnant.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people don't have any of the above symptoms, making diagnosis extremely difficult. And many of the symptoms affecting the abdomen, even if present, are associated with other medical conditions.
• It can take years to experience symptoms of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei.
• Mucinous tumor cells cover everything in the peritoneum, including the outer bowel, liver, womb, gallbladder and ovaries.

How to Recognize the Symptoms of Cancer

Introduction

Cancer is a cluster of diseases caused mostly by improper splitting of cells. These uncharacteristic cells damage the normal body tissue and usually spread throughout the patient’s body. In other words, cancer is caused by damage to the DNA. Normally, DNA controls the growth of cells but in cancer, the DNA loses control over the cells. The cells keep multiplying in a chaotic way. Rapid multiplication of such cells results in tumors. In some cases, it secretes substances that immensely harmful to other organs of the body.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Understand that cancer is of various types. If not treated in the initial stage, it can be fatal.

2

Step Two

Find out the weight of the patient at specific intervals. Patients suffering from cancer are likely to lose weight in a short time without any obvious reason.

3

Step Three

Find out if the patient has constant fever. Cancer patients are likely to have high temperature as their immune system is weakened by the virus.

4

Step Four

Inquire if the patient complains of fatigue or loss of energy.

5

Step Five

Note if the patient is suffering from constant pain in particular region of the body. Such complaints need to be immediately handled by a specialist doctor with related tests.

6

Step Six

Inquire if the patient is experiencing unusual bleeding or discharge. Blood discharge can be found in phlegm, stools or urine. There can be vaginal bleeding.

7

Step Seven

Verify if the patient has any lumps on the body. Cancerous lumps can be found in breasts, glands and soft tissues of the body.

8

Step Eight

Ask if the patient is suffering from prolonged hoarseness. If the hoarseness of the throat lasts for more than 3 weeks, it should be immediately reported to the doctor.

9

Step Nine

Check the patient for non-healing sores. If a sore fails to heal, it should be brought to a doctor’s notice. For non-healing sores in the mouth and other organs, a doctor should be consulted without delay.

How to See a Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Specialist

Introduction

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is a tumor in the lining of the abdominal cavity that secretes large amounts of mucus. It consequently causes increasing abdominal girth, the so called "jelly-belly." Because it is a relatively rare condition, its treatment is best handled by specialists familiar with its treatments and the newer treatment regimens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Check the review article on the website of the Sugarbaker oncology associates. It has a flow chart that graphically depicts the treatment options and how they should be pursued. It also links to a detailed discussion of cytoreductive surgery, the primary surgical means of removing the tumors.

2

Step Two

Discuss treatment with your primary care physician (PCP). He or she will have an idea of what initial options are available for treatment. These will be dependant upon your insurance.

3

Step Three

Begin your search for a specialist by following the recommendation of your PCP. In all likelihood, this will be an appointment with a local cancer specialist (oncologist).

4

Step Four

Contact one of the national centers for cancer therapy like M.D. Anderson hospital at the University of Texas in Houston. This hospital has reported a surgical series of 45 patients with pseudomyxoma and obviously has experience. You may not need to go to a national center for treatment, but they may have resources for you with regard to choice and local physicians familiar with the disease.

5

Step Five

Discuss treatment alternatives with your oncologist and your PCP. Ask the oncologist how many cases of pseudomyxoma he or she has seen. Also, discuss how sure everyone is of your diagnosis. There are a number of different tumors that can produce the same symptoms.

6

Step Six

Seek a second opinion regardless of what the oncologist suggests. This is not an affront to the oncologist. For a rarer tumor like a pseudomyxoma, it is simply an appropriate precaution. If possible, get an opinion from a local medical school. All medical schools are referral centers and see greater numbers of uncommon problems.

7

Step Seven

Go through the same process if surgery is recommended--seeing the surgeon to whom you are referred but seeking a second opinion. Keep your PCP in the loop at all times. Your PCP must be the anchor of your treatment since only he or she knows you and understands all of your medical problems. In addition, as you move through these various stages of treatment, your PCP will be an invaluable source of support.

8

Step Eight

Go through whatever steps are needed to go to a national center like M.D. Anderson if you are uncomfortable after having pursued all your local options. While national centers are not always a best solution since followup is difficult and a patient is often rushed through treatment in an impersonal fashion, going to one may be necessary if you have discomfort with your local options.

Tips & Warnings

• As you go through your search for a specialist, make sure you collect copies of all pertinent reports, histories and physicals, pathology reports, lab reports, and consultations. Have an extra copy of the reports available in case a specialist needs them, but keep your own copies intact at all times. This greatly hastens your treatment.
• Do NOT discount trust as being an important part of your treatment. Trusting your surgeon and oncologist is a crucial part of successfully combating any disease but particularly one like pseudomyxoma which can have confusing options and one that is being explored with new treatments.

How to Support Eye Cancer Patients

Introduction

Eye cancer can occur in 1 of the 3 main sections of the eye. These sections include the orbit, the globe and the adnexal structures. Individuals battling cancer of the eye have a huge list of factors to deal with on a daily basis, from deciding on treatments to facing one's mortality. If your friend or family member has been diagnosed with eye cancer, take an active role in learning how to support them through this difficult process. It will help enrich both of your lives, and may just give the necessary boost to make a full recovery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Learn How to Support Eye Cancer Patients Before Treatment

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection
• Computer

Steps

1

Step One

Know that there are close to 2,500 eye cancer patients every year, with the wide majority of them aged 50 or over.

2

Step Two

Offer to accompany your loved one to one or more doctor visits. Remembering all the right questions to ask and retaining the valuable information can be overwhelming, and having a trusted companion can help tremendously.

3

Step Three

Help them decide the right treatment choice by researching methods and allowing them to discuss all their options at length.

4

Step Four

Make an unbiased list of pros and cons for treatment options.

5

Step Five

Encourage the individual to ask their doctor every conceivable question or concern. It's important they gather all the information they can before making a treatment selection.

Learn How to Support Eye Cancer Patients During and After Treatment

Steps

1

Step One

Offer to take over some of your loved one's responsibilities during the treatment process, such as childcare or house cleaning.

2

Step Two

Volunteer your time and effort to help with every day tasks like babysitting, transportation and house cleaning.

3

Step Three

Make an extra effort to do fun things that can take your loved one's mind off their cancer.

4

Step Four

Plan surprise dinners, gifts and outings can help keep the patient in a positive frame of mind.

5

Step Five

Research what your loved one can expect once treatment is complete. In some cases, vision will be damaged or all together destroyed. If this is the case, help them start adjusting to a sightless lifestyle before the blindness takes effect.

How to Support Uterine Cancer Patients

Introduction

Receiving a diagnosis of uterine cancer triggers a wide range of emotional responses. Individuals facing this disease must prepare for difficult decisions, a fair amount of physical pain and significant stress. Learning to support a loved one through this ordeal is one of the best ways you can contribute to her recovery and overall health. It's not easy, but with support and understanding, patients can heal and live a full, cancer-free life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Support Uterine Cancer Patients Before Treatment

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection
• Oncologist

Steps

1

Step One

Give extra attention and support to individuals who have recently received a uterine cancer diagnosis. The shock and emotional nature of this news requires a loving, open environment to fully process.

2

Step Two

Talk through the various treatment options with your loved one. Resist the urge to offer your advice, but allow her to discuss the methods at length, as it will help her reach a conclusion she is completely sure about.

3

Step Three

Find out additional questions she should ask her doctor, such as the stage of the cancer, the benefits and risk of different treatment options and how to protect the patient's fertility.

Support Uterine Cancer Patients During and After Treatment

Steps

1

Step One

Offer to take over some of your patient's responsibilities during the treatment process, such as childcare or house cleaning.

2

Step Two

Take her to scheduled appointments and treatments. It will help tremendously to have a supportive friend along for the journey.

3

Step Three

Encourage your friend or family member to take care of her physical and emotional states during and after treatment. A balanced diet and regular exercise will help her mind, body and spirit.

4

Step Four

Attend a uterine cancer support group with the patient.