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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States – an estimated million cases are diagnosed annually and around 20% of people will show signs of skin cancer at some point during their lifetime. Less than 1,000 people die from skin cancer in a typical year, although if you have any skin cancer symptoms or experienced any skin cancer warning signs, it’s important to have them checked.

People of all skin tones can develop skin cancer, including those with darker skin tones; and it’s important to know what some of the skin cancer warning signs are. Skin cancer tends to develop more on those parts of the body that are more often exposed to the sun – face, neck, chest, back, arms and legs – although it can also develop on areas not usually exposed to sunlight.

There are several types of skin cancer; melanoma is the most serious and causes the most deaths. Anyone can get melanoma, although if there is a history of it in your family, you are more susceptible. And if you spend lots of time outdoors, live at a higher altitude where UV rays are not filtered as effectively, or have had several bad sunburns, you also have a higher risk of developing melanoma.

Moles and freckles are two of the biggest warning signs of melanoma. A melanoma can not only form on the skin, but will frequently grow from an existing mole or freckle. One of the biggest differences between normal moles and melanomas is the color – a normal mole or freckle is black or brown, with a well-defined edge; a melanoma is often multicolored, has different shades, or may ooze fluid.

It’s possible to examine your own body regularly to try to keep track of any freckles, moles or blemishes. Be particularly careful of any that seem to grow in size, are different colors or won’t heal. If in doubt, always have any suspicious moles or freckles examined by a doctor – the sooner they are treated, the less chance of the disease spreading to other parts of the body.

Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest form of the disease also. Warning signs include a flesh-colored or brown lesion on the back or chest, or a waxy bump on the neck, face or ears. This type of skin cancer is not likely to spread to other areas of the body; it’s also fairly easy to treat. Squamous cell carcinoma is also easily treated; warning symptoms of this include a lesion with a crusty surface on the arms or face; or a red nodule on the face, neck or arms.

There are several less common forms of skin cancer. Merkel cell carcinoma is rare, although it can spread rapidly. The warning signs are firm, shiny nodules found in hair follicles and just below the skin on areas of the body exposed to the sun. Also rare is Kaposi’s sarcoma, found mainly in people with a weakened immune system; warning signs are purple patches on the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinoma is characterized by hard nodules on the body, especially on the eyelid.

Skin cancer is completely curable, if found and treated early enough. The hard part is perhaps determining what the warning sign of skin cancer is and what is normal – if in any doubt, have it checked out by a doctor or skin specialist.

It’s important to go through the cancer journey with a positive and hopeful attitude. Today, more cancer patients than ever are beating the disease and living productive lives for many years. However, we all know that there are times when the outcome is not what we had hoped. In such cases, it’s important for close family members and caregivers to understand the process of death and be prepared for it.

No doubt you’re facing your loved one’s death with heartache and sadness. But, you may be facing it with trepidation, too. If you’ve never experienced the actual process of a loved one dying, you may be fearful and unsure of what to expect. Our minds hold images and predispositions about the experience of death that may be difficult to shake. Learning more about a person’s last earthly days can help us get through this experience with more comfort and can help us actually experience the event, rather than shrinking away from it.

Fiona’s first experience with the end of a loved one’s life came when her mother passed away. “I can tell you with in absolute truth that it changed my feelings about death forever,” she said. “I spent the last five days of my mother’s life by her side, and I will be forever grateful that I had this opportunity. I now truly see death as a part of a cycle because I witnessed a peaceful and prepared transition by my mother”. If you’re preparing to experience a loved one’s death with them, there are some things you might want to know.

The body can take days to shut down. During this time, it’s difficult to know how long your loved one will be cognizant. But, during their times of awareness, they are likely to be at peace about dying and intently working on their transition. In many cases, they will have some “unfinished business” that they need to attend to. This may be as simple as saying goodbye to a number of people, or they may have “revelations” that they need to make to certain loved ones. They may wish to give away certain items. Don’t try to stop your loved one from having these conversations or even giving away possessions. Their passing is easier for them when they feel that they have “finished up”.

At some point, your loved one may lose contact with their current setting. They may talk to you about past times and they may fret out loud about things they worried over in the past. Reassure them, but don’t try to convince them that their musings are not real. Their mind is combing through their life. Let them relive it at their own pace.

Your loved one may also begin to spend time in the “afterlife”. This concept may fall outside of your realm of beliefs, but it is not uncommon to hear those near death talking to loved ones who have gone on before them. Regardless of your own beliefs about an afterlife, allow them these conversations without prejudice. If you can, take comfort that they are seeing those they have loved and may be looking forward to reuniting with them.

During this time of transition, your loved one will lose interest in the trappings of this life. They’re not likely to ask for food or drink. As their body shuts down, they will no longer feel hungry or thirsty. Forcing food and drink at this time may actually cause them discomfort, as their body will have more trouble with digestion as it begins to shut down.

Finally, your loved one may lose consciousness for some time before death occurs. This is normal, and you can rest assured that they are likely in no pain or discomfort. You can still feel free to talk to them and reassure them. Experts on death typically say that hearing is the last sense to fade away. They may feel your presence and your words even though they cannot respond.

Death will likely come very quietly. And, you may be surprised to find that you are more comfortable sitting with your loved one’s body than you expected. It’s ok to take some time before letting their body be transported away.

We’ve all had a loved one die – but not all of us have been a part of another’s final experiences. The prospect of being with a person when they die can be very frightening. However, it can also be a fitting end to a long relationship and a life experience that you will treasure years down the road.

Cancer that begins in the bone is called primary bone cancer. Primary bone cancer is relatively uncommon in comparison with secondary or metastatic cancer (cancer that occurs initially in another organ and then spreads to bone tissue).

   Cancer may also develop in associated bone structures, including the marrow and the connective tissues. Some types of bone cancer may spread to other organs. With modern therapies, the outlook for many patients (especially those with primary bone cancer) has improved significantly.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer:

1.Pain and tenderness in the affected bones. The pain is usually dull and localized and is often worse at night.
Swelling or a noticeable tumor or mass around the site of a primary tumor. (Swelling generally does not occur with metastatic tumors.)
2.Greater susceptibility to bone fractures (as healthy bone cells are replaced by malignant ones).

Causes of Bone Cancer:
1.The cause of primary bone cancer is unknown, but hereditary factors, environmental factors, trauma, or excessive radiation therapy (to treat other types of cancer) may be involved.
2.Metastatic bone cancer most often stems from cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, thyroid, or kidney. Multiple myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow) may also affect the bones.
3.The incidence of bone cancer is higher in patients with Pagets disease, a degenerative bone disease.

Treatment:

    The treatment of cancer of the bone, especially metastatic cancer, has two goals: management of the neoplasm and management of the symptoms produced by the local lesion. Prognosis is affected by a patient's age, the size of the primary tumor, grade and stage, degree of lymphatic and blood vessel invasion, the duration of symptoms and the location of the tumor on the arm, leg or trunk.
There are two ways bone metastasis is treated. Systemic therapy, aimed at cancer cells that have spread throughout the body, includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. Local therapy, aimed at killing cancer cells in one specific part of the body, includes radiation therapy and surgery.

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

    Try to eliminate suspected food allergens, such as dairy (milk, cheese, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives and chemical food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
    Eat foods high in B vitamins, calcium, and iron, such as almonds, beans, whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
Eat cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower).
    Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell pepper).
Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
    Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein. Quality protein sources, such as organic meat and eggs, whey, and vegetable protein shakes, should be used as part of balanced program aimed at gaining muscle mass and preventing wasting that can sometimes be a side effects of cancer therapies.
    Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
    Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in such commercially baked goods as cookies, crackers, cakes,    French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
    Drink soy milk, for bone health.
    Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
    Exercise, if possible, 5 days a week.

Nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

   A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
Calcium citrate, 500 - 1000 mg daily, for bone support.
   Vitamin D, 400 IU daily, for bone support.
Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ), 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
   Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 tbsp. of oil one to two times daily, to help decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources.
   Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg one to two times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.
   Lycopene, 5 mg one to three times daily, for antioxidant and anticancer activity.
   Alpha lipoic acid, 25 - 50 mg twice daily, for antioxidant support.
   Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 to 200 mg daily, to help decrease inflammation and for antioxidant effects.
   Glucosamine Chondroitin combination supplement, 500 - 1,000 mg three times daily with food, for support of bone and connective tissue health.
   Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant, immune, and muscular support.

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