Stay Away From These 11 Deadly Foods That Could Cause Cancer

You may know that optimal health starts in the kitchen, and but did you know that diet is at the heart of many cancers?

In fact, up to 70% of cancers are thought to be preventable through diet. The other 30% has to do with genetics and environmental factors that you can’t control.


Still, those are solid odds to encourage better eating! Stick with us for all the foods you would do best to avoid in order to minimize your chances of ever developing cancer.

At the end, we’ll show you an easy way to determine what stuff is actually good to eat.

11. Canned Products
Canned food tends to contain really high levels of salt and/or sugar, but that’s not the main reason it is bad for you. It’s actually the cans that contain the food.

They are often lined with the dangerous chemical BPA, which is a known hormone disrupter that has also been linked to cancer. BPA will leech into whatever food comes in contact with it, especially things that are naturally acidic, such as tomatoes.

Eat your produce fresh or frozen instead, or only buy canned products that are labeled as BPA-free.

10. Soda Pop
We are not telling you anything you don’t already know when we say that soda is bad for you. Sugar is necessary in small amounts, but is also cancer cells’ favorite food, and sodas contain enough to choke a horse.

It also has no redeeming nutritional value and puts you at greater risk of cancer due to the artificial chemicals and colorings that are added. If it’s a caffeine energy boost you need, a much healthier option is lightly sweetened tea or coffee, both of which have anti-cancer properties.

To get the bubbles in soda without the negative health consequences, buy carbonated water and add a touch of citrus juice for flavor.

9. Potato Chips
Chips aren’t healthy because they contain a lot of salt and saturated fat which is overwhelming to your body’s digestive system.

The reason they increase your cancer risk is something called acrylamide, a carcinogenic chemical that occurs anytime food is cooked to a high temperature.

Frying potatoes produces a lot of it, but it’s also the reason why health experts advise against charring your meat during cooking. Acrylamide is also found in cigarettes and is part of the reason they are so deadly.

8. Smoked And Processed Meats
Red meat in general should be limited due to its high fat content, but any meat that has been processed is best avoided almost entirely. That won’t be easy because a lot of tasty products are on the list, including bacon, lunch meat, sausage, jerky, and smoked barbeque.

A lot of these foods are preserved using nitrates and nitrites, which are linked to cancer. And even though smoking is an age-old technique for preserving food, it causes meat to take on tar in the process. It’s bad in cigarettes and just as dangerous in food.

7. Farmed Salmon
You may be wondering what is left that you can eat, especially in terms of protein, but rest assured that fish can still be a very healthy choice. Naturally lean, it contains high levels of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids that your body really needs.

Unfortunately, farmed salmon live an overcrowded, high stress life and are fed an unnatural diet full of antibiotics and cancer-causing chemicals. As a result, their meat is high in PCBs, dioxins, and mercury – all dangerous stuff for humans to consume.

However, wild sockeye salmon is a whole different story, and a great meal choice if you can find it at the grocery store.

6. Microwave Popcorn
Much like canned foods, the problem with microwave popcorn is the way it is stored. Most microwave bags are lined with a product called PFOA, which has been linked to the occurrence of pancreas, kidney, liver, bladder, and testicular cancer.

When you pop the corn in the microwave, PFOA coats the finished product right along with the artificial trans fat “butter”. Popcorn itself can be a healthy snack, however, if you use an air popper and then toss it with a little bit of garlic-infused olive oil or a flavorful dried herb mix.

5. White Flour
Whole grains are very healthy, but the processing that creates refined white flour completely strips away the value. White flour is also given its color by a blast of chlorine gas, not something you want to be eating.

Besides being nutritionally void, white flour has an extremely high glycemic index, which means that it breaks down into sugar in the body, spiking blood glucose and insulin levels along with it. This state in the body is thought to feed cancer cells. Try to stick to baked goods that use whole grain flours.


4. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup is dangerous because, even though it comes from natural corn, the sweetness is highly concentrated. Foods that contain it are likely to put your blood sugar through the roof and create the perfect environment for cancer cells to thrive.

It is not thought to cause cancer directly, but it’s dangerous to create conditions in your body that are ideal for cancer to grow. Avoiding packaged foods and cooking at home is the best way to avoid high fructose corn syrup all together.

3. Alcohol
Excess alcohol consumption is bad for you for lots of reasons. Drinking to excess makes your liver and kidneys work extra hard, not to mention triggers a whole host of bad decisions from your stupefied brain.

Studies also indicate that consuming too much alcohol puts you at greater risk for cancer of the mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, and rectum. How much is too much? In general, one drink per day for women and two for men is considered safe, but there’s no real health benefit to drinking at all. Red wine does contain some heart healthy resveratrol, but so do red grapes.

2. Pickled Foods
Pickling is another form of processing that adds nitrates or nitrites, salt, and artificial coloring to food. In much the same way that too much alcohol can cause cancer in the parts of the body it touches directly, pickled foods are linked to cancer of the digestive track, especially the stomach and colon.

If you really love pickles, take the time to make them at home so that you can control the level of salt and avoid artificial pickling solutions.

1. Hydrogenated Oils
You might think that oil from vegetables ought to be healthy, but this is another case where processing of natural products makes them dangerous. Oil cannot be extracted from whole vegetables naturally, so they undergo a chemical extraction process.

Then, the oil is colored and the natural scent is removed to make the finished product look appealing. This chemical process is what makes the oil hydrogenated.

It is found in many processed foods, added for texture and to preserve them, but hydrogenated oils affect the cells’ structure and flexibility, upping the chance for cancer to develop.

Can you sense the common thread in these cancer-causing foods? Yep, they are all highly processed from their natural form into something more convenient or aesthetically pleasing.

Unfortunately, the processing almost always strips the whole food of its nutrients and adds a level of seasoning with sugar and salt that can be quite harmful to human bodies.

The easiest way to cancer-proof your diet is to focus on buying whole foods at the store and cooking at home, so that you control the processing. When you leave the packaged stuff behind, you can be sure that you know exactly what’s going into your body.

12 Important Things You Need To Know About Bladder Cancer

Every year approximately 80,000 Americans get diagnosed with bladder cancer. Out of this number, around 17,000 people lose their lives to this fatal disease. In order to diagnose bladder cancer and be able to effectively treat it before it reaches the advanced stages, here’s what you need to understand about it. Bladder cancer symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms of other conditions like bladder infection or kidney stones. However, one needs to always be cautious about these signs as it could mean that something serious is still yet to be detected.


1. Bladder Cancer is more prominent among men
In comparison to women men are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, as it is the fourth most common type cancer affecting mainly men. While doctors aren’t exactly sure of the reason, studies suggest that it may be connected to a group of hormones known as androgens which influence the growth of tumors within the bladder.

Although men are at a higher risk of contracting bladder cancer, women have a higher mortality rate with bladder cancer, as per the American Society for Clinical Oncology. This is one reason why people need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer.

2. What are the signs and symptoms to look out for?
The first symptom for those who are diagnosed with bladder cancer is blood being visibly present in the urine. But, this should not be confused with a urinary tract infection or menstruation. Also, blood can be present in the urine but it may not be visible to the naked eye. In this case, you should always get any blood in the urine or other symptoms such as burning or pain during urination and lower back, pelvic or abdominal pain evaluated. In doing so your doctor can then prescribe the necessary tests which you will need to take.

3. Bladder cancer detected at stage 0 gives you a 95% survival rate
David Dimick, a successful businessman, husband and father of two children, once noticed blood in his urine in 2013. It was later confirmed by his doctor that he had an aggressive form of bladder cancer for which immediate treatment was recommended. Dave was indeed shocked to receive such bad news, but he knew he needed to take action as soon as possible. The American Cancer Society states that if bladder cancer is detected at stage 0 which is its initial stage, there is 95 % five-year survival rate.


4. In case you have symptoms, here is what you should do:
When you have any such symptoms, you will have to do a series of tests as prescribed by your doctor like a urine culture test to check for any infections. For men, a digital exam will be prescribed to check for any issues with the prostate.

5. Further tests may be required like cystoscopy
Your doctor will only perform further tests once those issues are ruled out. These further tests include cystoscopy which is examining the interior of the bladder or taking small biopsy samples for confirming diagnosis.

6. The most common form of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma
The most common form of bladder cancer which is detected is urothelial carcinoma, which comprises 90% of the cases. 1 in every 3 newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients the case is usually that cancer has spread into deeper layers without leaving the bladder. It is from here onwards that cancer spreads into the lymph nodes which is then known as locally advanced, or to further areas of the body and is labeled metastasized.

7. All cancer cases are unique
Dr. Marc Matrana, M.Sc., F.A.C.P., Senior Medical Oncologist at Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center concluded that every cancer case is unique in its own way. However, there is still hope for even those with advanced bladder cancer, if they work closely with and completely cooperate with their healthcare team to find the best path to move along.

8. The proper treatment
Bladder cancer has a variety of treatment options. Depending on the type and stage of your individual cancer, your doctor will work along with you to determine the best treatment option. It’s still a fact that treatment options generally include surgery which involves removing part of the bladder, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Sometimes some treatments are done together like surgery followed by chemotherapy.

Also, it is necessary to take into account the medical history and current disease status of the patient when evaluating them for treatment, as this helps in determining the best possible treatment option for their particular type of cancer.


9. Treatment includes multiple rounds which is often necessary
People diagnosed with early-stage bladder cancer need to be concerned about the risk of new cancers forming in other parts of the bladder over time. When the cancer is locally advanced or metastatic, most of the time, cancer reappears. There is an 86% chance of locally advanced and metastatic cancer progressing within a two years’ time period.

10. Management of the disease is important
For those who have undergone and progressed beyond their first line of treatment, the treatment journey will definitely seem overwhelming and frightening. However, one should never give up, and persist throughout. Managing the disease is still possible even after progressing beyond the first line of treatment because there are other treatment options available too.

11. Patients can gain some new hope with Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment which works on the immune system, making it locate the cancer cells and destroy it. Immunotherapy directly affects your immune system by enabling it to fight against cancer. IMFINZI (durvalumab) is a currently FDA approved immunotherapy medicine. However, it does cause serious side effects such as inflammation. But, these side effects can be controlled, treatment can be resumed.

12. Consult your doctor
Bladder Cancer is pretty widespread and people diagnosed with such a disease should know that there is always hope and should, therefore, be proactive and consult a doctor regarding to learn about the treatments available.

Talking to your doctor will help you better understand what treatments would best for you and whether IMFINZI. Without discussing all the medical option available to you with your team, you may never know about the various options that have recently emerged, and which can be used in treating your type of cancer.

Only 1% of All Women Recognise This Symptom of Ovarian Cancer

Being aware of these symptoms of ovarian cancer can make a big difference
It’s something we all hope we’ll never have to deal with: cancer. We feel like more and more people are suffering from this horrible disease. One type of cancer that is awfully prevalent is ovarian cancer. This type of cancer appears in one or both of the ovaries.


A lot of women who have this disease don’t notice that they’re ill because it doesn’t have that many clear symptoms like breast cancer or skin cancer. We will inform you about some of the most common symptoms in this article.

Only one per cent of all women recognise the most common symptom of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer
According to Shannon Westin, doctor and associate professor of oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the symptoms of ovarian cancer aren’t very easy to recognise. “They’re very discreet, easy to ignore and can be attributed to other things, like a change in diet.” Unfortunately, ignoring the symptoms leaves the disease room to develop which means that it will be more difficult to treat when it is discovered. “It often leads to a late diagnosis,” Westin explains. Although the symptoms are quite vague, it’s important to visit your doctor if you experience one or more of the symptoms we explain below.


Research
A British survey conducted by Target Ovarian Cancer showed that only one per cent of all women recognise the most common symptom of ovarian cancer. Per day (!) no less than 11 women pass away due to this disease in England alone, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms. The symptom so few women recognise is the fact that you need to go to the toilet much more often than before.

These are seven of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer.

1. Persisting pain in the abdomen or pelvis
According to Mitchel Hoffman, a gynaecological oncologist at the Moffitt Cancer centre, persisting pain in the abdomen or pelvis is usually a sign that the cancer has spread. “When we do surgery on people with ovarian cancer, the majority has metastases,” he explains. Tumours can occur in the upper part of the abdomen, the large intestine and all the way to the midriff. Ovarian cancer can also cause fluid retention. All of these factors can cause pain

2. Nausea and decreased appetite
When ovarian cancer spreads, it can start to influence the way your bowel operates. You might feel full sooner or you could feel like you can eat less than you did before. If this is the case, it could be that your stomach has less space than before because of a growing tumour, or there might be a buildup of fluid in the way.

3. Constipated
“Ovarian cancer can cause a bloated feeling because of the decreased bowel function,” Hoffman explains. “To make sure your bowel functions properly, the muscles in the bowel must be strong enough to push things through.” However, when cancer develops on the outside of the intestine (which is what happens when ovarian cancer spreads) it can affect the muscle function. A bloated feeling is especially suspicious if there haven’t been any changes in your diet or exercise regime.


4. You have to pee a lot
We already mentioned this symptom, but having to pee often can be a symptom of ovarian cancer, Hoffman explains. “There’s only a limited amount of space in the pelvis,” he says. “If a woman develops a tumour there, it will press on the bladder and reduce its capacity.” This can make your bladder feel more full and cause you to have to pee more often.

5. Irregular menstrual cycle
This symptom is important, Hoffman says. When there’s a tumour in your ovary, it can disrupt the normal function of your blood and eventually disrupt your cycle as well. So, pay attention when you notice a big change in your menstrual cycle (more often, less often) and visit your doctor.

6. Pain during intercourse
There are multiple causes of experiencing pain during intercourse and some of them are related to ovarian cancer. Hoffman explains: “It could be that an ovarian tumour presses on your vagina, which leads to pressure, which can cause pain. Another possibility is that the hormonal changes that occur in your body when you have ovarian cancer can lead to dryness. This can cause discomfort or pain as well.”

7. Stomach acid or heartburn
“Since ovarian cancer messes with your bowl, it can also have an influence on the rest of your body,” Westin explains. “Things are pushing into your stomach which makes your oesophagus push back. Everything goes in the wrong direction and that can cause hearburn or stomach acid.”

Older women
Ovarian cancer is more common in older women so if you’re still young and you are experiencing one of these symptoms, there’s a considerable chance they’re symptoms of something else. Nevertheless, it’s important to remain vigilant and to keep a careful eye on your body. If you’re worried something might be wrong, you should visit your doctor.


What Causes Cancer And What Can We Do To Avoid It?

Not eating right, being overweight, smoking, leading an inactive life, or even something as simple as not wearing sunscreen could raise your cancer risk. Thankfully, lowering your risk can be just as easy if you take charge of your health. Cut down alcohol and tobacco use, eat fresh, nutritious plant-based food, and exercise for around half an hour every day. Get screened regularly for preventable forms of cancer.

Your chances of developing cancer in your lifetime, what experts call “lifetime risk,” used to be over 1 in 3. But now, this has gone up to 1 in 2. Reason enough to do your best to prevent the disease from rearing its head. Alternative therapy and lifestyle changes can help things along, cutting your risk of developing cancer. Most important, being prepared and reducing your risk can help sidestep this hurdle life may throw your way.

What Is The Big C?
Your body constantly replaces old cells that die with new ones. Unfortunately, this process of producing new cells can sometimes go awry. Cancer is, simply put, an abnormal division and growth of cells in a living organism. And there are over a 100 different kinds of cancers that can affect you. Any cell in the body can multiply uncontrollably into surrounding tissue and be termed cancerous. This interferes with the normal functioning of the body and the organs or parts it affects. It can even prove fatal as these tumors take over the body, bit by bit.

Causes Of Cancer
So what’s causing millions of cases of cancer around the world – and about 1.6 million new cases in America alone – every year?

An early theory on cancer causes came from Nobel laureate Dr. Otto Warburg in the 1960s. He suggested that cancerous cells are created by a combination of an acidic environment and lack of oxygen.

Since then, modern science and research have revealed other risk factors and possible triggers you should be aware of.

6 Cancer Triggers You Should Watch Out For

1. Toxic Assault
Prolonged exposure to toxins, especially in combination with cells which have not been properly nourished, oxygenated, hydrated, and cleansed, is thought to be the primary cause of cancer. Over time, the stress and inflammation caused by these toxins lead to a dysfunction in the cellular mitochondria. Our current lifestyles prompt us to eat more processed food containing chemicals and preservatives like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) that can be toxic. We also work and live in hazardous, polluted environments where we encounter carcinogens like asbestos. All of these can precipitate a toxic buildup and cause cancer.

2. Genetics And Hereditary Roots
Sometimes, cancer can strike you simply because of your genetic makeup. Which is why medical history on cancer incidence in the family, especially among close relatives, is an important part of a doctor’s arsenal. This information helps with diagnosis, treatment, and importantly, prevention.

About 5 – 10 percent of all instances of cancer have a link to inherited genetic mutations. There are around 50 different “hereditary cancer syndromes” that are precursors to developing certain cancers. Knowing what they are and screening can help you catch a possible problem early or even before it strikes.

3. Acquired Genetic Changes
Sometimes, your genetic makeup can undergo changes during your lifetime even if your genes were fine at birth. These acquired or somatic changes could be due to things like tobacco usage or exposure to radiation from UV light.

The most commonly impacted genes that tend to mutate are the TP53 gene which should normally suppress tumor formation; BRCA1 and BRCA2 which are linked to ovarian and breast cancers; and the PTEN gene that puts you at higher risk of developing cancers in the endometrium, thyroid, or breast.


4. Poor Diet And An Inactive Lifestyle
The American Cancer Society cautions that a bad diet and an inactive lifestyle could seriously raise your chances of cancer. This could be a fallout of unhealthy or poor eating. For instance, plant food is considered ideal, while too much red meat and alcohol are bad. Being overweight or undernourished can both have a role. Data from the World Cancer Research Fund says one-fifth of all cancer cases in the US have their origins in these causes.

Deficiencies of essential micronutrients have also been suggested as one possible cause of cancer. According to the researchers, these deficiencies can cause DNA damage in much the same way radiation exposure can! So you’ll need to watch your intake of folic acid, vitamins B6, B12, C, and E, as well as zin and iron, or risk chromosome breaks.

5. Smoking And Tobacco Usage
Tobacco smoke has at least 70 known carcinogens or cancer-causing substances in it. No wonder that smoking and tobacco usage have been implicated in cancer. hey can raise your risk of cancers of the throat, esophagus, mouth, voice box, and lung. The National Cancer Institute has also linked tobacco use to cancers of the liver, kidney, stomach, bladder, cervix, colon, rectum, and pancreas! Even acute myeloid leukemia risk may go up due to smoking. On the other side, stopping these can cut your risk significantly.

6. Radiation And Carcinogen Exposure
Exposure to radiation can also cause DNA to be damaged and trigger cancers. If you are exposed to gamma rays, radon, X-rays, or other high-energy radiation (for instance, if you work at a nuclear facility), you need to be aware of the risks. Even medical checkups and diagnostic tools like CT scans, X-rays, and PET scans expose you to radiation that could potentially bring on cancer. You may also be exposed to carcinogens like lead, arsenic, or radon through your cosmetics or even cell phone usage. Some workplaces could expose you to carcinogens like formaldehyde, benzene, or asbestos.


Preventing Cancer: What You Should Do
When it comes to cancer, prevention and early detection are more important than you’d imagine. Even if your body is already under attack, finding out early will give your doctors a chance to choose from a wider range of treatment options. Early detection can also mean milder or less invasive treatment. You may also be able to avoid major surgery. And while being screened or checking for cancer may not be the most pleasant experience of your life, it will be well worth it.

Screening regularly can even help prevent precancerous lesions from turning into full-blown cancer. Which is why the Centers for Disease Control recommend you get checked for cervical and colorectal cancers regularly. Cancer of the breast can also be controlled well if caught early.

Just as important is knowing what lifestyle changes could help cut your risk of developing cancer in the first place. Here are some things you can do:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and cereals free of pesticides and chemical additives. Limit red meat and processed foods, and switch to whole grain foods.

Cut alcohol intake, restricting it to no more than a drink a day if you’re female and no more than two drinks if you are male.

Get ample physical activity. This can work wonders in keeping the immune system ready for battle. Aim for 75-minutes of vigorous intensity or 150-minutes of moderate intensity of exercise every week.

Quit smoking! Within just five years of quitting you cut your risk of developing throat, bladder, esophagus, or mouth cancer by half.

Protect your skin from sun damage. Cover up your arms and legs if you can between 10am and 4pm when rays are at their strongest. Always wear sunscreen – ideally, one that’s got broad spectrum protection capability to shield you from both UVA and UVB rays. The American Cancer Society recommends SPF 30 and over.

Investigate any unexplained, sudden symptoms, be it a lump, pain, or bleeding.

Keep your BMI under 25.

Get screened if you feel your genetic risk is very high. Your doctor will take your medical history to see whether your risk merits a genetic test.

If you are in a workplace that exposes you to carcinogens, be sure to wear adequate protection to avoid or minimize exposure. Get screened for cancer more often, as recommended by your doctor.


11 Cancer Prevention Rules You Are Probably Violating

Just thinking about cancer – the Big C – is a terrifying ordeal. There are very few of us who have not been touched by the disease in some way, whether personally or in a loved one.

But fear not, studies show that up to 70% of common cancers can be prevented through lifestyle choices.


Here are the 11 strict cancer prevention factors you are probably ignoring, listed from the most obvious to some you’ve probably never thought of.

1. Eat right and maintain a healthy weight.
Let’s start with the basics. To greatly reduce your risk of developing cancer, you’ve got to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.  This means consuming lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting fatty meats, especially those that are processed or charbroiled.

Refined sugars are linked to inflammation in the body, which can also up your risk of cancer. Avoiding processed or packaged foods can help reduce sugar intake.

2. Get your body moving.
A sedentary lifestyle carries a whole host of health risks, including cancer. Exercise is thought to boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, and speed up your metabolism.

All things that limit the effects of carcinogens on the body. Experts recommend a minimum of 2 ½ hours of moderate aerobic activity per week to reduce your risk.


3. Don’t use tobacco.
Although doctors once prescribed cigarettes to calm anxious mothers, we now know that smoking kills. It is strongly linked to lung, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix, and kidney cancers.

Chewing tobacco is no better and has been linked to mouth and pancreas cancer. If you need help to quit smoking, the good news is that there are a lot of resources available to help. You might start with your doctor for recommendations.

4. Drink filtered tap water.
The President’s Cancer Panel suggests that public water is a safer bet then bottled, which is no better and sometimes worse than what you get from the tap.

Filtering at home will help reduce your exposure to carcinogens and hormone-disrupting chemicals that may be present. Also avoid drinking anything out of plastic bottles that contain BPA – stainless steel or glass containers are great alternatives.

5. Consume alcohol in moderation.
Studies have shown that drinking alcohol can increase your risk of esophageal, colorectal, head and neck, liver, and breast cancer.

Unfortunately, simply quitting alcohol won’t immediately lower your cancer risk. Your best option is to avoid drinking to excess. You can also choose to drink red wine – it contains resveratrol, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties.

6. Protect your skin from the sun.
Sunburns are agony and increase your risk of skin cancer. To be skin smart, slather up with sunscreen and avoid the midday sun (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

Wear a hat and cover exposed skin – one Spanish study even suggests that choosing clothing that is blue or red protects better than clothing that is white or yellow.

Keep reading for some of the non-obvious cancer prevention factors.

7. Rethink your vitamin regimen.
It’s super convenient to take one multi-vitamin a day, but your favorite one may actually give you too much of certain nutrients.

For example, B vitamin (folic acid) is essential for women who are or may become pregnant, but consuming too much of the synthetic form has been linked to a higher risk of colon, lung, and prostate cancer. It may be healthier to choose individual vitamins for your specific needs rather than take one multi-vitamin.

8. Get sufficiently immunized.
Certain viral infections can also increase your cancer risk, so get sufficiently immunized. Hepatitis B has been linked to liver cancer.

The Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted virus that is linked to cervical and other genital cancers, as well as squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. Your doctor can help you decide if further vaccinations could help you.


9. Be careful with cell phones.
Yep, it can be a struggle to put down that smart phone! But a number of review studies suggest a link between cell phone use and brain cancer due to large amounts of radio frequency energy pressed right up against the skull.

Minimize your risk by using the speakerphone, and when you do put the phone to your head, try to keep it short. It might also be wise to store your phone in a purse or briefcase when not in use, rather than in a pocket pressed against your body.

10. Skip the drycleaner.
The primary solvent used in dry cleaning is called perchloroethylene, or perc for short. Workers who are regularly exposed to perc have been shown by the EPA and the National Academies of Science to have a higher risk of liver and kidney cancers as well as leukemia.

So it stands to reason that having perc pressed against your skin is not the healthiest choice. Many clothes can be hand-washed and air dried, or spot cleaned with white vinegar, for a much less toxic alternative.

11. Don’t top off your gas tank.
The risk here is that pumping any more gas after the automatic shut off has been triggered can lead to spills. We know that it feels better psychologically to get to an even dollar amount on the sale, but it’s not worth it!

A spill foils the tank’s vapor recovery system, meaning that carcinogenic chemicals like benzene get into the air and then on your skin or into your lungs.

Conclusion
There’s no getting around it – cancer is scary. But you have so much more power over it than you might think. Incorporating the tips provided here can make a huge difference in your lifetime risk.

With a commitment to education and the willingness to change our habits, one day we could wipe out this horrible disease entirely.

Besides these prevention factors, it’s incredibly important to be fully aware of certain cancer symptoms. Studies show, that spotting cancer early can significantly increase your chances of survival.


Steps To Diagnose Breast Cancer At Home

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Although its risk is lower in men, due to high death rate its awareness and early detection is necessary among both the genders. This can increase the success of treatment and survival rate. Following steps can help you to diagnose the breast cancer at home.


STEP 1: Getting familiar with the breasts
It is important that the female should know how her breasts look or feel. For this she should get familiar with their texture, contour and size. Notice any change in them.


STEP 2: Breast self examination (BSE)
Second important step is the breast self examination, which includes visual as well as manual BSE:

Visual BSE
Observe the changes in breast size, shape, tenderness and appearance. Observe changes in the area around breast.

The changes may be:
  • Redness or rash
  • Swelling or tenderness
  • Nipple changes such as itching, redness
  • Any discharge from the nipple, which can be bloody, clear or yellow
Manual BSE
  • Manual BSE can be done when the breast is less tender i.e. after a few days of menstrual cycle
  • Following steps are performed for manual BSE
  • Lie flat and place your right hand under your head.
  • Use the finger pads of your left hand to palpate the breast
  • Apply pressure with your finger pads all over the breast to feel the tissue. Make sure to apply equal pressure.
  • Breast tissue also extends to the area of the armpit known as tail. This area should also be examined.
  • Feel the tissue all over the chest.
  • Repeat the process on your left breast.
  • Pressure is applied to feel any kind of lump or tumour.
STEP 3: Recognition of specific symptoms
After the self-examination, you would be able to notice any symptoms related to breast cancer. The symptoms can be:

Changes in breast size or shape.
Tumour or any kind of infection of the breast can cause swelling, which can change the size and shape of the breast. This change often occurs in one breast, but can be on both sides.

Swelling of the breast
Swelling can occur in the breast, collarbone or in the armpit area. In some specific type of breast cancer, swelling can occur before the lump or tumour. So swelling is an early symptom of breast cancer before feeling the tumour.


Unusual discharge from the nipple
If you are not currently breast feeding, then any discharge from the nipple is unusual. This discharge can be clear, yellow or bloody. The discharge can occur with or without squeezing the nipple or the breast.

Changes in the nipple
Tumours close to the nipple can cause changes in the nipple .The nipple can be inverted by the tumour.

Dimpling of breast skin
  • Tumours near the skin of breast can cause the dimpling of skin.
  • Skin thickness, redness, warmth or itching
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and a specific type of breast cancer which has symptoms similar to inflammation or infection of the breast.These symptoms inlcudes thickened and red skin, warm tissue and itching of the tissue.

Unusual pain in the breast
If you feel pain in your breast or nipple area which does not resolve quickly, this can be a symptom of breast cancer because breast tissue is not normally painful and pain can be due to any infection, lump or tumour.

The tenderness of breast during pregnancy or menstruation is normal, but if the pain is not related to pregnancy or menstruation, this can be a symptom of breast cancer.

Some other symptoms
Having the following symptoms does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but they should be examined for further investigation:
  • Weight loss
  • Bonepain
  • Shortness of breath
Ulceration of the breast i.e. having sores in the breast which may be red, itchy, painful, ooze pus or clear fluid

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, the clinical examination should be conducted. It is required that the women keep a close observation for the changes occurring in their breast regions. This would not only help in early diagnosis of the disease but could manage to save some worthy lives.


10 Early Warning Signs of Anal Cancer That Many Are Too Embarrassed To Talk About

There are many health problems which people agonizingly suffer daily but are too embarrassed to talk about much less consult a doctor. Social taboos, judgmental attitudes over hygiene and simple fear stop many from getting an early diagnosis and have a happy painless life.


Anal cancer is rare
Anal cancer is one such rare form of cancer which violates your self-esteem. I hear those sex workers who work on websites similar to https://www.watchmygirlfriend.xxx/ are slightly more likely to develop anal cancer. It also adds the fear of ultimate painful fatality as well. But still people shy out and foolishly overlook the symptoms of this deadly disease, till it’s too late. How do you recognize the early symptoms of this malady so that you can mentally prepare yourself for getting medical intervention as early as possible? Here are some tell-tale signs of anal cancer which would put us on guard and act fast.

What causes anal cancer?
Before we begin we must clearly understand the causes of anal cancer which is caused by genetic mutations turn healthy normal cells into abnormal ones. These abnormal mutated cells do not finish their normal life cycle and never die and are usually out of control. Since they do not perish naturally they create a mass tumor.


The symptoms could be embarrassing no doubt but if treated they can be life saving. Everyone has cancer cells in their bodies but they are usually dormant, until triggered by poor lifestyles, unhealthy diets and weakened immunity. Once active, they spread to nearby tissues and throughout the body, which can be a truly scary scenario; there are some certain risk factors such as anal copulaton, which has been medically linked with anal cancer but also HIV. HPV (another form of sexually transferred infection) is another risk which triggers the chances of re-triggering anal cancer.

Pain in the anus
In general cases the pain the anus is related to fissures and hemorrhoids, but in some cases this is a red flag for anal cancer as well. It begins with mild pain but is constant. Gradually the pain gets unbearable when the cancer starts spreading.

Itchy Anus
Most of the time it’s what it is, an itch in your backside, which needs to be, well, scratched! However, when this seemingly harmless itch is coupled with other symptoms, it’s time to sprint to the hospital.

Anal Bleeding
Now we start talking about serious symptoms, this is a sure shot first sign of anal cancer. People usually confuse the bleeding with hemorrhoids which might be correct but if you rely on self-medication, then you are headed for huge problems. Anal bleeding in some cases may be due to a harmless fissure but whenever this happens, remember it is also regarded as the first sign of anal cancer.

Discharge from the Anus
In case of anal cancer the discharge is usually mucus which is a sure sign of cancer. Usually, the mucus is wrapped around the stool if this happens frequently; go see your doctor immediately.

Lump Outside the Anus
If you notice a lump outside your anus, you should start monitoring it. If the lump increases in size, it’s a tumor. Once the tumor increases, pain will soon follow, because that means it’s growing and spreading all across the body.

Unusual Bowel Movements
The symptoms of anal cancer are unfortunately similar to many other trivial diseases and infections. But chronic unusual bowel movements should be closely monitored. If you are going to much or too little to the washroom, contact your specialist immediately.

Anal fissure
Another painful sign of possible anal cancer is the rupturing of the anoderm which is the tissue line between anus and anal canal. Most of the time due to trauma or cancer this tissue fissures, causing extreme pain during bowel movements, creating more ripping and abrasions in an area which is dense with sensory nerves.


Difficulty passing stools
Constipated patients might confuse this as their problem, but anal cancer does not stem from just hard stool. The blockage here is because of an anal cancer tumor obstructing the way. Again the feeling may seem like constipation or pain and pressure in the belly and possible pain once you manage to go, but do not take it lightly and see a doctor when such things happen.

Anal Swelling
Constant irritation of itching, allergies, pinworms, yeast etc all these can form a nasty swelling all around the anus region making it uncomfortable to lie down or sit. Usually, it’s triggered through anal itching as discussed earlier called Pruritus Ani which is irritation of skin near the rectum.

Fecal incontinence
If a patient is undergoing regular fecal inconsistencies, instead of self medicating for diarrhea, one must rush to the doctor as it’s a red flag for anal cancer. This symptom is always accompanied by gas, bloating, swollen muscles and nerve damage, typical complications caused by cancer.

Anal abscess
When small glands located inside the anus gets clogged, we have the classic case of an anal abscess. This is usually caused by bacterial infection occurred in the tissues. The abscess itself will be quite draining, but it points towards a more dangerous problems like anal cancer, pain and swelling in anus, fever, chills and fatigue and needs instant hospitalization.

The risk factors of anal cancer
• HPV (Human papiloma Virus)
• Other cancers like cervix cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer
• AIDS
• Multiple partners
• Smoking
• Gender ethnicity

How to prevent anal cancer
The causes of many anal cancers is unknown which is why there isn’t much information to prevent the disease, but there is much you can do to decrease the risk of the disease such as:

• HPV
• Usage of Condoms
• Continuation of HIV treatments and medication
• Quitting smoking


The Main Signs Your Bloating And Stomach Pain Is a Sign of Cancer

Bloating is a frequent and common problem among many. But while bloating could be a result of many other underlying factors like indigestion or even lactose intolerance, it can also be a sign of stomach cancer. The problem with most kinds of cancer is that severe symptoms only manifest in advanced stages which is why people tend to neglect early warning signals and attribute the same to some common minor condition.


Bloating can be common but not if it occurs frequently
It’s not uncommon for a number of people to experience bloating and this invariably happens after eating a big meal or eating hard to digest foods. Bloating can also be due to food intolerance and IBS or Irritable bowel syndrome but it can also be due to certain types of cancer like ovarian cancer, stomach or bowel cancer. The problem is how you know if it’s just a common problem or cancer.

When your bloating may be more serious
One telltale sign that your bloating could be something more serious is when it happens too frequently in spite of medication that is given to treat a common problem. For any type of cancer for that matter, the less severe symptoms that start in the early stages will occur quite frequently making people pop over the counter pills instead of having a thorough medical checkup. If you have a persistent bloating problem, here are the other signs and symptoms to look out for.


Bowel cancer
One of the most common types of cancer is bowel cancer that affects thousands of people worldwide. But what’s worrying about it is that it never starts with serious symptoms but subtle ones. They may not even make you feel ill at all but just uncomfortable and may at first go away with OTC medication. However, as it gets worse, the symptoms occur frequently and may not respond to the same dosages or the same medication.

Abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort
One of the other symptoms of bowel cancer is abdominal pain, and discomfort along with bloating especially after eating. There will also be a marked change in stool habits where you may experience constipation some days and diarrhea on others. While in the majority of cases, it may not be cancer, doctors advise that a checkup is necessary if such symptoms keep occurring for more than a month.

Other symptoms
There are other symptoms of bowel cancer which is also like colorectal cancer. You could experience rectal bleeding.  It could also cause the feeling of not having emptied your bowels completely. There may be discomfort, gas and even pain. As the disease progresses, there could be weight loss, weakness and fatigue.

Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer isn’t a common disease and affects around 7,000 people in the UK every year. The early symptoms are a nagging stomach ache, bloating especially after meals, wind and gas, constant burping and belching, indigestion and heartburn. The heartburn and flatulence does not even go away with medication although there may be some relief only to occur after the next meal again.

Advanced stomach cancer
When the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, there may be blood in the stools,  poor or no appetite, weight loss and like bowel cancer, there will be irregular bowels such as constipation one day and diarrhea the next.



Besides cancer, here are some more causes of bloated stomach.

Too much Raw Food
While raw food is considered healthy because of the preserved nutrients in it, cooked food can be more digestible because cooking makes the food easier to digest in the stomach. In fact contrary to popular belief, cooking also releases the availability of the nutrients. Another thing that makes raw food indigestible is the excess fiber that can easily cause gas and bloating. There should be a balance between raw and cooked food in any diet.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is another big culprit that causes bloating and even possibly diarrhea in some cases.  Many people suffer from lactose intolerance without even knowing it. This is because the human body was not designed to digest milk after 5 years of life. Dairy products except yoghurt can also cause lactose intolerance.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This is one nasty disease can that get anyone down simply because it can affect you at the oddest of times. Irritable bowel syndrome is a gut condition that is highly sensitive to certain foods and results in the uncomfortable experience of bloating, gas, flatulence and diarrhea. IBS has no cure and an elimination diet may pinpoint the cause. Dairy products and gluten could help with the problem.

Hormonal Fluctuations
Many women suffer hormonal imbalances at some stage of their menstrual cycle. Hormonal fluctuations can also change your metabolism resulting in pain and bloating. Bloating can also be accompanied with constipation in women who are facing pre-menopause or pregnant.

Excess Sodium in Your Diet
If you are prone to eating excessive salt, this can be one of the reasons for a bloated stomach.  Too much sodium causes a buildup of fluid in the body making you bloated and full. In this day and age when processed food is sold everywhere, monitoring sodium consumption is difficult as all processed food is high in sodium.

Carbonated Drinks
This is one of the culprits that cause bloating because of the synthetic material in carbonated drinks as well as carbon dioxide. Excess carbonated drink consumption leads to buildup of gas in your digestive system causing a bloated stomach.

Sugar-Free Foods
Artificial sweeteners that are a substitute for sugar cannot be easily digestible by our bodies. They sit in our gut, remain undigested and then become fodder or microbes that results in excess gas, flatulence and bloating. Always check on the label what sweetener is contained in the package.

Eating too fast
When you eat too fast, you can throw your system in disarray. You aren’t supposed to eat too fast. Instead, you need to chew your food well. Eating fast will also cause you to ingest a lot of air along with your food because air is trapped in the stomach. To avoid bloating, chew and eat your food slowly.


Testicular Cancer, 5 Facts You Must Know

Testicular cancer is often first detected by the patient discovering a lump or swelling in a testicle; other symptoms include testicular pain or discomfort; testicular enlargement; aches in the abdomen, back, or groin; or a fluid collection in the scrotum.


What do you need to know about it?

Difference between testicular cancer and prostrate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, the gland that produces the fluid that makes up semen while testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), which are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. Sanjay Basu, MD, a primary care physician with Nashoba Valley Medical Center in the US says:  “Typically, older men over the age of 65 are affected by prostate cancer while testicular cancer is most common among young men, 15 to 35 years old.”

Types of testicular cancer
The two main types of testicular germ cell tumors are seminomas and nonseminomas. These 2 types grow and spread differently and are treated differently. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly than seminomas. Seminomas are more sensitive to radiation. A testicular tumor that contains both seminoma and nonseminoma cells is treated as a nonseminoma.

Causes of testicular cancer
Likely causes of testicular cancer are: Undescended testicle(s), congenital abnormalities like kidney or penile abnormalities, family history or personal history of testicular cancer in one testicle.

Symptoms and signs

 See your doctor if you notice any of the following:
  • A painless lump or swelling in either testicle.
  • A change in how the testicle feels.
  • A dull ache in the lower abdomen or the groin.
  • A sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum.
  • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
Treatment options
There are several treatment options depending on if it is recurring. Radiation therapy, surgery to remove testicle and so on are among them.


16 Foods That May Cause Cancer

Our bodies are designed to thrive on a variety of whole foods, so the more processed our meals, the less healthy they become. Additives, preservatives, and more salt and sugar than is ever found in nature all work together to put an incredible strain on the body. And the harder our bodies have to work to digest meals, the more stressed and fatigued they become, upping the chance for cancer to gain a foothold.


Even worse, products that are specifically marketed as healthy can be anything but, and certain preparation practices done in our own kitchen may also be increasing cancer risk. Following are 16 foods that may be causing cancer for any of these reasons.

#1: Soda
The main danger in soda is the sugar, usually in form of high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is the most challenging form of sugar for your body to handle. With more than a full day’s worth of sugar in one can, it sends your blood sugar through the roof and yet doesn’t make you feel full, potentially leading to overeating later.

Colas also contain caramel color, which sounds innocent but is actually an artificial coloring that has the carcinogenic chemical 4-MEI as a byproduct.

Instead – Sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice is a good alternative.

#2: Grilled red meat
Experts recommend limiting your intake of fatty red meat to just a couple of servings per week to reduce your cancer risk. When you do indulge, you may want to avoid those char marks, as tasty as they are.

Food cooked to a high temperature produces acrylamide, a known carcinogen. And meat cooked on the grill, unless it’s electric, also takes on unhealthy stuff from the charcoal or wood.

Instead – Reduce your overall intake of red meat, choose organic, grass fed beef, and be careful not to overcook it.

#3: Microwave popcorn
Popcorn is a healthy snack in general, but prepared in a microwave bag, it becomes a cancer-causing nightmare. First, the “butter” flavoring often contains diacetyl (or a close cousin) that is known to be toxic. The bags themselves are lined with a chemical called PFOA, which studies show is carcinogenic.

And lastly, popcorn growers are not required to report whether or not their kernels are GMO, but they most likely are – more than 93% of corn planted in the US alone is genetically modified.

Instead – Buy organic kernels and pop them in an air popper or on your stove. Olive oil and a combination of your favorite dried herbs is a great healthy topping.

#4: Canned food, especially tomatoes
Canned vegetables tend to be jam packed with added salt as part of the preservative process, and fruits are often canned in straight sugar syrup. That is problematic in itself, but even worse is the fact that the cans are lined with a chemical called BPA. A known hormone disrupter that has been linked to cancer, BPA leaches into the food that comes in contact with it.

The effect is amplified with foods that are naturally acidic, so tomatoes are especially risky to eat from a can.

Instead – Eat fresh or frozen produce, or at least look for cans that are low-sodium and labeled BPA-free.

#5: Hydrogenated oils
Oils that cannot be extracted from their source naturally become hydrogenated by the chemical processing required. Vegetable oils, for example, are not just chemically extracted, they are also colored and then have their natural scent removed.

The end product looks nice, but is full of unhealthy omega-6 fats. Unfortunately most commercial baked goods use hydrogenated oils, not to mention fried snack foods.

Instead – Choose naturally extracted olive, soy, or canola oil for home cooking, and avoid store bought cakes and cookies.

#6: Farmed salmon
Wild-caught salmon is a very healthy protein and is safe to serve as a staple in your diet. It may be hard to find, however, as most salmon found in grocery stores today is farmed. Once again, human intervention with a natural product has rendered it unhealthy.

Farmed salmon live an overcrowded stressful life and are force fed unnatural diets that include antibiotics. The result is filets containing cancer-causing PCBs, mercury, and dioxins. Farmed salmon are also fattier than their wild cousins.

Instead – Eat wild-caught sockeye salmon or augment your diet with a purified fish oil supplement.

#7: Artificial sweeteners
There is much debate over the safety of artificial sweeteners, but given that they do not actually help to control blood sugar, there is little reason to choose them over real sugar. Sweeteners prevent the body from being able to accurately recognize your daily calorie consumption and actually cause you to crave more sweets.


Aspartame is at the top of the suspect list when it comes to cancer-causing chemicals, but all are thought to break down into a toxin called DKP during digestion, which then releases further carcinogenic chemicals. In this way, artificial sweeteners have been linked to brain tumors.

Alternatives – If really prefer a sweetener, use plant-based Stevia. However, it may be best to just have the real sugar but limit how much you consume. Find ways to substitute applesauce or other healthier ingredients in your home cooking.

#8: Refined white flour
Whole grains are a healthy part of any diet, but when they go through the refining process to produce white flour, all of the vital nutrients are stripped away. Then the flour is blasted with chlorine gas in order to make it nice and white. What you’re left with is a product that’s not only drenched in poison, it is a pure carbohydrate, ready to break down to simple sugar in your system.

That leads to a blood sugar spike and crash. Don’t forget that sugar is cancer’s favorite fuel, so leaving a lot of excess cycling in your blood every day sets up a perfect environment for cancer cells to grow.

Instead – Unfortunately, this product is in most commercially produced baked goods, so you may want to bake at home more. Choose unbleached, whole wheat flour for that purpose, and read labels carefully to determine how much of the white stuff is in packaged products. Your grocery’s bread aisle should actually have a number of whole grain choices alongside of the white bread.

#9: Non-organic fruits & vegetables
Commercial growers are in a bind when it comes to using pesticides. On the one hand, pests can absolutely destroy a crop. On the other, produce coated in poison presents a health risk to consumers. But while safe organic methods of farming do exist, they cost a bit more, so it’s consumers who end up having their wellbeing put at risk. Non-organic produce is contaminated with dangerous pesticides including atrazine, thiodicarb, and organophosphates.

Atrazine alone has been found to cause severe health and reproductive issues in humans. Always behind the curve in terms of consumer safety, the US continues to use atrazine regularly, even though it has been banned in European countries.

Instead – Buy organic produce as much as you can afford, especially those items on the Dirty Dozen list, which have the highest levels of pesticide residue. And of course, carefully wash all produce before eating.

#10: Processed meat
Almost any processing of meat before or during cooking can make it more dangerous. Products like bacon, hot dogs, deli meats, and sausage are loaded with huge amounts of salt plus cancer-causing chemicals like nitrate and nitrite. All that junk makes the product look better and last longer, but does no favors for your body.

Unfortunately, even meats that are naturally smoked still take on tar during processing, which is just as bad for you in food as it is in cigarettes. Incidentally, studies have shown that eating red meat every day increases the lifetime risk of cancer by 22%.


Instead – Buy from your local butcher; they tend to offer fresher, less processed meats and are happy to answer questions about their products. From the grocery store, choose organic meats and other products labeled as free of nitrate and nitrite.

#11: Potato chips
Potatoes are mostly carbohydrate, but can be healthy when baked and eaten in their whole form (skin too). Potato chips, on the other hand, are one of the least healthy snacks you can choose. For one thing, they are fried in trans fats and then positively coated in salt. They also usually contain chemical preservatives and artificial coloring.

All of these additives have a negative effect on heart health as well as circulation, even before the hit of carbohydrates spikes your blood sugar. More troubling is the presence of acrylamide, a carcinogen found in all foods that are heated to a high temperature, as chips are when fried.

Instead – Choose pretzels, air popped popcorn, dried apple or banana chips, and baked whole grain pita chips dipped in hummus or guacamole.

#12: GMO foods
The debate rages on about the safety of genetically modified foods, but little has been done in the way of conclusive studies on the matter. First introduced to the market in 1994, we are only just getting to the point where the long term safety can be studied – however, as the “recipe” for genetically modified produce is always changing, the issue is complicated. What we do know is that in a rat study on the effects of GMOs, every one of the subjects developed pre-cancerous cell growth within 10 days of exposure.

Most GMOs are banned in Europe, but not in the United States. Major agricultural companies like GMOs because they resist pests better, last longer, and are easier to transport long distances. But is the risk to human health really worth it?

Instead – Show your support for nature’s recipe by buying organic produce and meats. When you choose packaged foods, always look for a Non-GMO label.

#13: Alcohol
Before you panic, the studies that link alcohol to cancer all refer to excess alcohol. You can still consume up to one drink per day for women and two for men and be in the safe zone, but know that there is really no redeeming health reason to drink alcohol at all.

The National Cancer Institute reports that exceeding the safe zone ups your risk of mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, and rectal cancers. In fact, drinking to excess is thought to be the number two preventable cause of cancer worldwide, after smoking cigarettes.

Instead – Most of us would hate to give up the occasional social drink, and you don’t have to. But try to avoid drinking when you’re just bored and definitely don’t rely on it for stress relief. Red wine is a relatively healthy choice, as it contains a cancer-fighting compound called resveratrol.

#14: Refined sugars
The worst offender in the category of refined sugars is high fructose corn syrup, which you probably know is found in a ton of processed foods and drinks. One soda, for example, contains 15 teaspoons of the stuff! Cancer loves to feed on sugar, but fructose is especially troublesome because of how hard your body must work to process it.


Unable to be used as fuel in its whole form, your liver must first break it down. When too much hits your system at once, the liver ends up storing a lot as fat, leading to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD is in itself a risk factor for liver cancer.

Instead – Once you start reading labels faithfully, you will be horrified by the amount of refined sugar in packaged foods. It is best to satisfy your sweet tooth with whole fruit rather than candy, but antioxidant-containing dark chocolate can also be a smart splurge.

#15: Margarine
Originally developed as a healthier alternative to butter, margarine is actually just the opposite. Made from vegetable oils, it is full of trans fats. Recent studies have shown that eating a diet high in trans fats ups your risk of early death by a staggering 34%, mainly from heart related issues.

But margarine may also pose a cancer risk. By-products of heating vegetable oil to a high temperature during production are the chemicals lycidol and 3-MCPD. When these chemicals are digested, it releases toxins into the body.

Instead – Butter is actually the better choice, but go easy as it does contain a lot of saturated fat. An even better choice to drizzle on bread, substitute in recipes, and dress vegetables is olive oil flavored with your favorite herbs.

#16: Diet foods
In yet another sign of the unconscionable practices of many food manufacturers, products that are marketed as diet foods may actually be way worse for you. The problem is that once fat is removed from these foods, they don’t taste very good. So the fat is replaced with a ton of artificial sweeteners and sodium. Packaged foods in general may also contain various addictive chemicals and are linked to an increased cancer risk. Once you factor in the risk of overeating based on a false understanding of the food’s healthiness, diet products aren’t a great choice overall.

Instead – Skip the packaged stuff and eat fresh, whole foods instead. Fruits and veggies can be purchased pre-cut and washed if your time is limited.

Choosing the best foods for you and your family can be quite overwhelming, especially in the face of lazy agricultural practices that care only about saving money, topped with deceitful marketing that misleads consumers about what they’re getting. However, choosing food that lowers your risk of cancer can be boiled down to a couple basic principles. First, buy local and organic as much as you possibly can. And second, skip the packaged stuff (including soda) in favor of creative home cooked meals. It may take more time in the moment, but it has the potential to extend your overall lifetime by many years.


11 Cancer Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Nobody likes the “C” word. Cancer is the scariest disease out there but if you catch it early, you have a big chance of survival.

Obviously, some of the symptoms associated with the disease can also be contributed to other minor illnesses but it’s ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry and get yourself checked out by a doctor if you have any concerns.


Below are 11 cancer symptoms that you ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT ignore. Take special care about the last one, since can often be misinterpreted.

1. Persistent tiredness
Feeling tired or experiencing fatigue often can be down to many things, one of those being cancer.

Both colon cancer and leukemia can generate this symptom. If you are tired more than what you feel is normal or for a longer period of time, seek medical help.

2. Drastic and unexplained weight loss
If you are experiencing weight loss quickly and don’t really have an explanation for it, there could be a deeper reason.

Most cancers will cause you to lose weight at some point so keep an eye on those numbers.

3. Persistent pain
Constant pain that seemingly has no cause or reason can be a sign of cancer, especially if you are taking treatment but it is not working.

Depending on where the pain is in your body means it might be a symptom of a brain tumor, rectum, ovary or colon cancer.

4. A weird lump
If you find a lump in your body or are just noticing a thickening or “change”, this could be an indicator that everything is not as it should be.

Even though some changes in your body are normal, pay close attention and trust your gut instinct.

5. Frequent fever
Cancer affects the immune system which results in a regular fever for what seems like no reason at all.

It’s more common during later stages of some cancers but it shows up early in cancers of the blood including lymphoma and leukemia.

6. Changes on the skin
I bet you didn’t know this but skin cancer is actually the most common kind of cancer and the best way to detect this is by noticing changes in your skin.

Keep an eye on any unusual and new freckles, moles or warts on your body and if they change size or color, get this checked out by a doctor right away. Reddened skin, blotches and bleeding on the skin can also be signs of other cancers.


7. Persistent cough
If you have a cough that just won’t seem to go away, there could be more to it than just your common cold.

If your cough causes you to experience pain in your chest, back or shoulder area – this could be even more reason to get checked out.

8. A change in bladder or bowel habits
Needing to go to the toilet more often either to urinate or to release your bowels, could be a sign of cancer. Diarrhea and constipation could also be signs of colon cancer.

Signs of prostate cancer include pain when passing urine or blood in your urine.

9. Unexplained bleeding
If you start coughing up blood, this is a big symptom of cancer.

Some other types of bleeding to look out for and get investigated include bleeding from the vagina, or from the anus.

10. Trouble swallowing food
If you are struggling to swallow or are experiencing indigestion issues, these could be signs of stomach, esophagus or throat cancer.

These type of symptoms are usually not associated with cancer but it is still better to get them seen to.

11. Other symptoms
The symptoms that have been mentioned so far are the most common signs of cancer but there are other things to look out for. This includes things like swollen feet and general changes to how your body looks/feels.

Again, they may not be signs of cancer, or could even result from the various cancer treatments, but it’s always better to feel safe than sorry.

That is your health we are talking about, and it’s always best to check with your doctor if something bothers you.

Also yearly and bi-yearly checkups are a great idea if you are over 30 or 40 years old. Remember, most cancers are treatable with very good chances if caught early.


7 Early Signs of Cancer Ignored by 90% of People

Our body sends us signals as symptoms to let us know something’s wrong with our health. But sometimes, many of us miss those important signs.


Here are 7 early signs that might signal cancer. If you notice several of them, it’s better to consult your doctor.

Skin rash and itching
You probably never connect the skin rash and itching with cancer, but in many medical cases, there is a certain connection:

A uterine neoplasm causes genital rash and itching.
Brain cancer may cause itching and skin irritation in the nostrils.

2. Changes in bowel function
Bowel cancer is treatable condition, but as long as it’s early diagnosed. If you notice some of these symptoms go to see your doctor:
  • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in the stool.
  • A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit.
  • Mucous or purulent secretions.
  • Pain in the stomach and spontaneous defecation.
3. Unusual secretions when urinating
This may be a sign of a kidney cancer which can be accompanied with several other symptoms such as:
  • Blood in the urine.
  • Fatigue and low back pain on one side.
  • Chronic weakness and loss of appetite.

4. Sudden weight loss
Sudden weight loss may occur when you have a stomach cancer. It’s pretty difficult to distinguish the early stages of this type of cancer. However, the symptoms that follow are quite widespread:
  • Difficulty of food movement through your bowels.
  • Poor appetite.
  • A sense of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating a small meal.
  • Disgust toward meat.
  • Anemia and vomiting.
5. Persistent cough
A prolonged cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse is one of the symptoms of a lung cancer that may be associated with other signs such as:
  • Chest pain.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Sudden weight loss.
  • Coughing blood.
6. Persistent sore throat
A long-lasting soreness of the throat may be a symptom of laryngeal cancer which is also associated with the following signs:
  • Ear pain.
  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing.
  • A feeling of a lump in the throat appears with the growth of the neoplasm.
  • Hoarseness of speech proceeding to loss of voice.
  • Coughing up blood and bad breath.
7. Skin neoplasms
Neoplasms is an abnormal growth of tissue which, if it forms a mass is considered to be a sign of skin or breast cancer. Other symptoms include:
  • Hard knots in the breast and/or armpits.
  • Skin Irritation or rash which is not associated with a food or cosmetic allergy.
  • The appearance of a wet ulcer in the center of a neoplasm.
  • A birthmark growth or shape change.


11 Signs Of Mesothelioma You Shouldn’t Ignore (Asbestos disease)

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that occurs due to asbestos exposure. Once a popular building and manufacturing material, we know now how dangerous asbestos can be.


Most people would not willingly live or work in a space that contains asbestos, but due to “economic concerns” the stuff is not technically banned in the United States. The history of asbestos use is a shameful one involving many years of cover-ups, and people who have developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure have a difficult time getting recompense.

The reason mesothelioma is so dangerous is that it may not develop for up to 20 years after asbestos exposure, and it is often asymptomatic in the early, treatable stages.

Once it has been diagnosed, the prognosis for the patient is typically not good. If you have ever worked directly with asbestos or think you may have lived or worked in a building that contained it, read on to learn the clues that point to this virulent form of cancer.

Risk factors
Many people who have been exposed to asbestos never develop the disease. Researchers aren’t sure exactly what triggers it to develop, as the length and intensity of exposure doesn’t seem to matter very much.

Some people with barely any exposure will get sick, whereas others who have worked around it for years are okay. Therefore, doctors suspect there is a genetic component to it. The main risk factors are:

Personal history of asbestos exposure, whether at work or at home.

• Cohabiting with someone who is exposed to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can cling to skin
and clothing, making it likely that a person who works with it will bring it home and bring risk to everyone who lives there.

• A family history of mesothelioma. There appears to be a genetic component, so if anyone in your immediate family has had it, your risk is elevated.

The most likely workers to have been exposed to asbestos are miners, insulation manufacturers, factory workers, construction workers, ship builders, and auto mechanics.

Asbestos abatement teams are often called in to remove asbestos products from structures. These workers wear head-to-toe protective gear and breathe through a ventilator while on the job.

Types of mesothelioma
This type of cancer occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers your internal organs. There are three main types of mesothelioma, classified by what part of the body it affects. The most common type attacks the tissue around the lungs. Other types take root in the abdomen, heart, or testicles.

• Pleural mesothelioma affects tissue surrounding the lungs.

 Peritoneal mesothelioma affects tissue in the abdomen.

• Other forms of mesothelioma are extremely rare but do occur.

The most common signs of mesothelioma include the following.


11. Chronic cough
Any sort of chronic cough ought to be investigated as the cause could range from cancer to an infection that is easily cleared up with antibiotics.

It is also an early sign of mesothelioma, especially if you are also experiencing wheezing or are coughing up blood.

Persistent cough is thought to be one of the most common symptoms of the disease.

10. Shortness of breath
The other most common symptom of mesothelioma is shortness of breath. It may come and go in the early stages of the disease but will steadily get worse the sicker you become.

Shortness of breath is caused by something called pleural effusion, or fluid build-up around the lungs.

9. Chest pain
Chest pain is a non-specific complaint that is more likely to cause suspicion of heart disease at first.

If you feel it especially under your ribcage, it could be a sign of mesothelioma that is attacking the tissue around your lungs. This is called pleural mesothelioma.

8. Abdominal pain
In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the abdomen, you are likely to experience abdominal pain. This is caused by inflammation of the tissues there.

The peritoneum serves as a protective membrane covering the abdomen in two layers. The parietal layer surrounds the abdominal cavity, and the visceral layer folds around the stomach, liver, and other abdominal organs.

Mesothelioma can develop in either or both layers.

7. Abdominal swelling and tenderness
In some cases of peritoneal mesothelioma – roughly a third – abdominal swelling comes along with the pain. Your abdomen will be noticeably distended and quite tender to the touch.

The swelling may be related to bowel obstruction caused by a tumor.

Swelling of this sort that is persistent and not related to having eaten a large meal or a woman’s menstrual cycle is a sign that something is wrong, whether or not it is cancer.

6. Difficulty swallowing
Due to rising pressure in the chest, mesothelioma patients often experience dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.

It may or may not come along with pain, acid reflux, sore throat, or the feeling that something is stuck at the back of the throat.

5. Unintentional weight loss
Weight loss that can’t be explained by changes in diet or exercise is always a cause for concern. It is normal to gain or lose a few pounds each month, but if your clothes are all of a sudden baggy and you need a new belt, it may signal a serious problem.

Weight loss is an extremely common symptom of all sorts of illnesses, but if you know you have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to get checked for mesothelioma.


4. Unexplained sweating
Night sweats are a frequent symptom of cancer, often seen in conjunction with other complaints. They may occur at any stage of mesothelioma, but are more common in later stages.

Night sweats are tied to many other conditions as well, from hormonal changes to withdrawal from medication. If your night sweats are frequent and accompanied by fever, it is more concerning.

3. Fevers
The growth of a cancerous tumor is known to cause fever, so this is a symptom of almost any cancer. Of course, fevers can be caused by many other issues, such as infection, drug reaction, or inflammatory problems.

Fever may also be the driver of night sweats. If your fever persists for more than three days and you cannot determine another cause, get checked out by a doctor right away.

2. Fatigue
Fatigue often goes along with bodily illness because disease forces the body to work in ways it is not used to, and which compromise its ability to function properly.

Fatigue caused by mesothelioma may come and go, but it is not typically made better by more sleep. This is a vague symptom that should be communicated to your doctor in conjunction with other warning signs.

1. Fluid around the lungs
Also known as a pleural effusion, fluid around the lungs is experienced by 90% of people who suffer from mesothelioma. It happens when the pleura, that protective tissue around the lungs, creates too much fluid due to being irritated, inflamed, or infected.

There is always a certain amount of fluid between the lungs and the chest cavity, but pleural effusion is dangerous and can be life-threatening in itself. It tends to cause shortness of breath.

Rest assured that mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer and you needn’t worry too much about it unless you have a history of asbestos exposure or have worked in a high risk industry.

However, if you do have risk factors, it is critical to pay close attention to changes in your body – remember that it may be 20 years beyond the time of your exposure when the cancer finally develops. As with all cancers, early detection is key to successful treatment.