Sunday, November 28, 2010

How is radioactivity applied in the treatment of cancer

How is radioactivity applied in the treatment of cancer?
Since radioactivity causes cancer, what science is behind its medical aplication? And what is "artificial radioactivity" Does it have anything to do with the med application of radioactivity?
Physics - 7 Answers



Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I don't know of radioactivity being used, as far as I know they were still using chemotherapy, which is chemicals injected, not radioactivity.
2 :
well not all types of radioactivity is harmfull,a radioactive sample is injected in the blood to detect the cancer tumer,then its radioactivity is detected as it passes through the body .the radiation helps to know how much the cancer has spread and exactly where it is
3 :
in the form of chemothereapy only the part that is affected is treated
4 :
While exposure to radiation can cause cancer, concentrated radiation to tumors can kill cancer cells as well. There are two common types of radiation therapy, X-ray radiation therapy and Proton therapy. You can read about it in the sources listed below.
5 :
Yes, indeed, radioactivity can cause cancer, if the body is exposed to a massive amount of radioactive rays. Radioactive rays have the propriety of killing living cells, mostly the rapid multiplying cells, such as skin cells, hair cells, blood cells, intestine cells and... cancerous cell. If a living cell is irradiated with radioactive rays, the rays produce ionization of the atoms in the cell chemical structure, so the DNA chain is changing. If the cell detects that its DNA chain is damaged during the division, it will self destruct. Using radioactive rays in a controlled way, it is possible to kill cancerous cells. For deep tumors, or tumors in inoperable places, high-intensity X-rays or gamma rays are focused on the tumor. The problem with this sort of treatment is that normal cells can be affected along with the abnormal cells. Hair cells, cells lining the stomach and intestines, skin cells and blood cells reproduce quickly, so they are strongly affected by radiation. The visible side effects are skin burn on the irradiated area, hair loss and nausea. Radioactivity is also used to diagnose patients using PET scans or CAT scans (tomography). for more details, technics, radionuclids used, imaginig equipments see: http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-medicine.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_medicine
6 :
Radioactivity harms cells by altering the DNA in the cells. You can imagine radiation as shot gun pellets except on an atomic level. When you are exposed to radiation, it is like billions of little pellets shooting into and through your body. These particles will occasionally hit a strand of DNA, altering it. Once this occurs, the cell keeps on replicating this DNA and thus you get cancer if the DNA gets mutated in a certain way. If the DNA is damaged enough, the cell will not be able to replicate and it will die. This is the idea behind radiation treatment for cancer. What doctors do is they target the tumor with strong, focused beams of radiation. This damages the cancer cells' DNA so much that the cells eventually die and cannot reproduce. Now to do this without damaging other cells, they use multiple beams, each with intensity low enough that it won't damage your normal cells too much. Then, they point these beams at different angles and intersect them where the tumor is. At that point, the cells will be recieving a deadly dose of radiation. This is a very simplified explanation, and there is much more to it. However, this is the basic idea.
7 :
Radioactivity in high enough doses kills cells. Like chemotherapy, radiotherapy relies on the fact that cancerous cells tend to be more fragile than normal ones, so die first. But there is a second trick with radiotherapy which is to use narrow beams of radiation and fire them through the body from all sorts of different directions, but all directions going through the tumor. Only the tumor will be exposed to every beam, so it gets a much bigger dose than any other tissues.



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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

If you have cancer and you get treatment are you 100% likely to survive

If you have cancer and you get treatment are you 100% likely to survive?
So say someone has cancer, is there a chance that they will die, like in the near future? But say, if they get treatment they are garunteed to survive?
Cancer - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No, with cancer no treatment can give you any guarantees. Some cancers progress fast, other slowly, some enter in remission on their own while others kill regardless of the amount of care and treatment the patient receives.
2 :
There are many cancers that are survivable with treatment. There are some that are not. Even treatment that does not cure the cancer can prolong life and make the sufferer more comfortable. Those known to have terminal neoplasms should be offered support and counseling.
3 :
No. My 17 year old son was diagnosed with advanced abdominal sarcoma. He was in extensive treatment for over two years and unfortunately ran out of treatment options (chemo stopped working and there were no other known treatments that would work to stop his cancer). He died last year.
4 :
i had cancer. there may be a chance they could die, if they dont catch the cancer early enough or something. if you get treatment, it should help, but theres no guaruntee of no relapse in the future. so basically, you cant get say theres 100% guarantee you'll survive. it really depends
5 :
You are never guaranteed to survive -ever. Cancer can be treated and if you are lucky it will go into remission, but it can always come back, often times in different spots. My Dad died from esophageal cancer, it was in remission for awhile...unfortunately it didn't last. The cancer came back and spread so no, you're never 100% guaranteed to survive.If you have cancer or know someone who does cherish all the time you have or have with that person,because you never know what fate has in store.
6 :
No, probably 99% of people get treatment for cancer, and still over 500,000 people die from cancer in the U.S. each year. Most of them probably got treatment and still died, there is no cure for cancer. Everybody knows someone who's died from cancer, and chances are, they got treatment. I dont know anybody who's been diagnosed with cancer and refused treatment.
7 :
No a person is not guaranteed to survive. Ever heard of terminal cancers? With those cancers you have little to no chance of survival
8 :
There are many different types of cancer, some that are curable and some that are not. Every cancer, treatment and invidivual varies. You are not 100% likely to survive when you are healthy. Thankfully, cancer research is greatly improving the treatments, prognosis and outcomes for many different cancers. I have a blood cancer and although there is no cure for it, I underwent a bone marrow transplant from a matched unrelated donor to completely replace my faulty immune system with a healthy person's. If it works, I can potentially live cancer free even though CLL is considered "treatable but not curable". Sorry, but the question is just too general to adequately answer.
9 :
You have a lot of great people that have given your question good answers. I will throw my two cents in anyway. The longer you are finished with treatments and there is no evidence of cancer in the body the better will be your survival rates. For example my wife was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. When she survives it for five years the odds are pretty good that she will not experience it again. The longer amount of time you survive reduces the risk of the cancer showing up in other parts of the body. And there is always new treatments on the horizon, so if it does return it is possible that there could be more successful ways to fight it in the near future.



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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Is accupuncture as effective as any other cancer treatment

Is accupuncture as effective as any other cancer treatment?

Medicine - 4 Answers
 


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1 :
might be
2 :
NO proven benefit
3 :
It could help, but that shouldn't be your only form of cancer treatment...
4 :
Show me the studies that say so. I have not seen anything in any major journal about using acupuncture to treat a malignancy. Pain, yes. Cancer, no. Not effective at all, to the best of my knowledge.




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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Insulin Potentiated Therapy: Successful Cancer Treatment

Insulin Potentiated Therapy: Successful Cancer Treatment?
I have a life-threatening throat cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) that resides in the left base of my tongue and my epiglottis. Does anyone have any personal, family or friend experience with using Insulin Potentiated Therapy as a cancer treatment for throat or other cancer, and if so, would you recommend it? Thank you.
Cancer - 1 Answers
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1 :
I doubt you will find anyone who has had this treatment as it is not used to treat cancer, any cancer. Before any treatment is used there must be evidence that it is effective and there is none for this treatment. Maybe you are entering a clinical trial somewhere? This treatment was started in another country, I can’t remember which one, and many years ago they were invited to share their findings and submit their evidence to the National Cancer Institute, but they declined. The information we learn and the treatments for cancer are shared all over the world, your oncologist has access to this information and he or she has all the information about your cancer to make the best recommendations for you. It is always good to have a second opinion however.



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Friday, November 12, 2010

Refusing a treatment for cancer: Is it considered a suicide? Christians Only

Refusing a treatment for cancer: Is it considered a suicide? Christians Only?
My mom recently has been diagnosed with breast cancer. But she's been thinking that maybe this is a sign from God. She's 49 and I don't blame her for wanting to leave this world because she has been through so much. Is it considered a suicide if she declines the treatment? After all, God allowed it to happen.
Religion & Spirituality - 15 Answers
 


Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You could maybe call it passive suicide at a stretch. Seriously though she still has decades of potential life left in her, there is no logic in ending it needlessly.
2 :
No , I don't consider it suicide. Although there is really no need for refusing, she still has a lot of years left if she can fight this. but, as for the suicide thing, She is not killing herself, it is the cancer that is killing her.
3 :
No, its not suicide in fact it is the opposite..... 9 out of 10 chemo recipients die faster then those who do not take any at all... and the percentage of survivors of cancer are greater for those who have not taken the chemo then those who do..... God didn't do it ....SIN did !!
4 :
I really don't think it would be suicide, its not like she intentionally gave herself cancer. If she really believes its her time to go then so be it. and no I'm not a christian, sorry. your thing said only Christians but I answered anyways :/
5 :
This is what's wrong with religion. Drain followers of hope, so when they are faced with a challenge and can't fall back on religion, they feel helpless. I hope for the best for your family.
6 :
Have her read over this website and get really involved in building the New Jerusalem Kingdom of God and see if the cancer disappears.
7 :
No I don't believe so.
8 :
No, it's just a choice. I'm sorry your mother is so ill.
9 :
Because this is an open forum and you don't make the rules, I'm going to answer even though I'm not Christian. No, it's not suicide to refuse treatment. If the doctor says that even with treatment the possibility of survival is low, the patient may choose to not take it out of selflessness: it will certainly get expensive. However, if your mother think it's god, then... she's certainly bonkers. She should take the treatment. If she lives longer, "it was meant for her to live." If she dies, same deal. Many people who get cancer survive it for a long time. It's ridiculous, also, to think that this god would create all these diseases. If I was a theist, I'd say diseases were Satan's work.
10 :
"God allowed it to happen" is not a reason for making any such decision. If God allows you to be hit by a car, does that mean you shouldn't seek medical help? Refusing routine medical care that would heal you and allow you to continue living a normal life - in other words choosing to die when you could easily choose to live just because you have "been through a lot" - is not in line with Christian faith. However, refusing extreme measures especially when there is little chance of a cure, and thereby dying an inevitable natural death, can be morally sound. It's a decision that only the ill person can make. However, in either case it would not be seen as suicide.
11 :
This is more of a medical question rather than spiritual. What are the chances of cure? Is it greater than 50-50? Can your mother withstand the physical pain associated with chemotherapy? Having said that, I think your mother has a right to decide what should be done with her body irregardless of her religious beliefs.
12 :
Providing there's no eveidence of coercion or mental incapacity, everyone should have the right to refuse medical treatment. Palliative care is as valid as therapeutic treatment.
13 :
No. There is no guarantee she would recover even with treatment. She has the right to decide what to do. I pray that God will be with her, and you too.
14 :
she should just pray about it and ask god to lead her to the right thing to do. because either way, god controls if the treatment will work or not. if god wants her to stay alive, he'll make it happen, and if he doesnt, then she'll go. its up to god in the end anyway.
15 :
I don't believe it is suicide at all. I believe it was Paul that said don't look down on someone who eats meat and you don't and vice versa if you eat certain meats, don't look down on those don't. Back then, there were those people who sacrificed meat to false gods that was never eaten and then the meat would be sold in the market. The problem with that is those who knew these were false god were upset at those who ate the meat. While others who also knew they were false gos bought the meat because it wasn't a true sacrifice. Who was wrong? neither. If you feel it is wrong in your heart and you do it...it is a sin. But don't look down on others because they aren't necessarily wrong. Basically, God will convict your heart of right and wrong. Not everything is black and white and God tells us to never judge. Pray for your mother and know that God IS in control and He loves you and your mom very much. Find peace knowing it may be God's will for her to be in Heaven soon. Don't forget to pray fervently to Him and He will walk you through it all



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Monday, November 8, 2010

which is best Hospital for cancer treatment in Delhi/Noida

which is best Hospital for cancer treatment in Delhi/Noida?
Hi All, Can u pls suggest me which would be the best hospital for cancer treatment. AIIMS/Appollo/ Fortis.. Or is there any which is best for treatment
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
The Gujarat Cancer& Research Institute. www.cancerindia.org
2 :
I am giving you address of best hospital as well a link for your information and hope it will work you. 1. Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Center Sector - V Rohini Delhi - 110 085Delhi, 110085 - 011 27051011 2. Dharamshila Cancer Hospital & Research Centre Delhi, 110096 - 011 22617771 3. Artemis Health Centre Gurugon, Delhi. 4. Indraprasta Apollo hospital Delhi. More than the hospitals you should get a very good Oncologist prefereablly a surgen and he will do the needful for all treatments. Hospital does not count in Cancer tretments. You can select any of the above hospitals depending on your convenience and location. All of them are good. -



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Thursday, November 4, 2010

do people of higher social status get better treatment for depression when undergoing cancer treatment

do people of higher social status get better treatment for depression when undergoing cancer treatment?
what i really need are some articles or sources.. not just someone's opinion.
Cancer - 2 Answers
 


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1 :
Hello: I'm not a doctor but when they start out I'm a doctor take a certain medication be worried about there advice. I am a cancer survivor. I use the VA which is the veterans administration for my medical care. I have seen the difference between the VA and Private Insurance. Through the VA I was asked if I would like to go to a support group or to see a psychologist for depression. The private insurance I was not even offered any kinda counseling at all. I have found on my own that when you are busy helping others you don't have time to get depressed and when you help others you forget about your own problems a lot . And Laugh every day as laughter is the best medicine to fight depression. Your endorphins are raised by laughter. Good luck in finding articles on social status and medical treatment. Most government offices don't want any one to know that if your insurance does not pay for counseling that you can get it from free group access's and support groups. They even have them for family members of cancer patients.
2 :
Not at all. I think it depends on the doctor's level of caring and insight into your whole well-being.



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Monday, November 1, 2010

Based on Buddhist beliefs, are patients generally supposed to refuse or accept treatment for cancer

Based on Buddhist beliefs, are patients generally supposed to refuse or accept treatment for cancer?
Should an elderly Buddhist woman be told she has cancer or should her daughters withhold the info? Does Buddhism have any scriptures that may relate to this issue? What about treatment? should she accept her death or get treatment for it if she were to be told? If you answer, can you tell me the book where you found this info from? I can't find anything. Thank you so much
Religion & Spirituality - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If you seriously have to ask this, then by all means refuse the cancer treatment. Because the last thing the human race needs is another moron.
2 :
Tell her! If she wants to refuse treatment it's her decision! And no, buddhists don't have any rules about refusing treatment for diseases. The acceptance they speak of doesn't mean that they don't do anything...would a Buddhist walk out into oncoming traffic because looking both ways wouldn't be "acceptance" of getting hit by a car? No. Buddhists can make the same decisions as anyone else when it comes to protecting their life and their health.
3 :
Traditional Buddhism stresses acceptance of the things you can not change to attain inner peace. There is no reason not to pursue cancer treatment since this diagnoses can be changed with treatment, but if the woman refuses treatment because the family cannot afford it then it is logical that she use her beliefs to accept the inevitability of death. Sorry, I don't have my books of Buddhist sayings anymore, but generally Buddhists don't argue with scripture the same way Westerners do.
4 :
I can't answer this from a buddhist perspective, but unless the woman's daughters know for certain that she wouldn't want to be told, they have no right to keep this information from their mother. How she chooses to proceed and why, once she has the information, is completely up to her. Her family should be supportive, whatever she decides. .
5 :
Your question raises a few complex issues.For the daughters to with hold this Information I would have to make the assumption that they have a really good reason to do so,and financial is not a good reason. If the mother asks what is wrong,then I believe that an honest answer is called for.Remember the precept about no false speech. As for the treatment side,there is no problem in buddhism about this.Buddhism would just teach that the treatment may work or may not work. I hope this helps a little.
6 :
Q- Based on Buddhist beliefs, are patients generally supposed to refuse or accept treatment for cancer? A- It depends on the type, aggressiveness and advancement of the cancer. It also depends on the known outcome, the ratio of benefit and risk, quality of life, financial cost, etc of the cancer treatment. The decision should be made between the doctor and the fully informed patient. Q= Should an elderly Buddhist woman be told she has cancer or should her daughters withhold the info? A- She must be told because it is her body. Q-Does Buddhism have any scriptures that may relate to this issue? A- Not that i am aware of. But we should use a common sense. Q- What about treatment? should she accept her death or get treatment for it if she were to be told? A- See above answer. If the cancer is aggressive and incurable, a real Buddhist should deny the treatment and accept the reality of nature that this body will not last forever and that everyone will die. A wise person must use the remaining time to strengthen one's mind to prepare for the next life. Q-If you answer, can you tell me the book where you found this info from? I can't find anything. A- I don't know any specific book but those answers come from my experiences as a Buddhist.
7 :
Buddhists must try to preserve their own lives at all costs, short of killing other people and commit serious crimes and breaking serious precepts; because if one do not make enough causes to be reborn in a good path, then whether one can become human again is doubtful. Furthermore, the Lay man's Five Precepts in Buddhism specifically indicated no killing of any sentient beings; by refusing to take on the treatments, she has commit the greatest moral sin in Buddhism, and the reasons are as listed below: 1) By killing a sentient being, a human being- herself, a potential result is going to hell. 2) By killing an Arahant- as all humans have the potential to be Buddha and Bodhisattva, and very minimum an Arahant- Result is definitely going to lowest level of hell. 3) By harming a Buddha- two types of beings you should not cause harm; one is a baby- because he/she could be the next Buddha; second all human have the potential to be Enlightened in this lifetime, and since she is a Buddhist, her bare minimum accomplishment can be achieved by going to the Buddha’s Pure Land; so she is a potential Bodhisattva and a potential future Buddha- the end result is in Hell after her death for harming a Buddha. 4) By not accepting her karma and let it ripened, that means she either cure from the disease or suffer through the disease, then the potential punishment after the above will be contracting the disease again in future lives; because the Karma must to fully manifested and ripened to be rid of it forever, else they will come back and haunt her in future lives. 5) By not accepting the treatment, she might died of painful death and disfigurement, even if she is lucky to be human again, she might carry disfigurement for many of future rebirths. But after if she tries all the treatments and fail, and only then can she stop accepting treatment, and concentrate on rebirth in the Buddha’s Pure Land There is no one particular Sutra and Satra that explains the way I explain it, because the messages are expressed and written in many stories Buddha talked about in his Sermons; but she is welcome to confirm with any monks of any lineage by bring my article to them for confirmation. **********888 Second point, her daughters should tell the cancer patient, because she may have something she wants to do; and by tell her, she might go into shock, but then she will come out of it and can either face the hardship of cancer therapies; or prepare herself for dying. She may have to put together the wills for personal and financial matters; maybe she wants to go her parents’ grave to say goodbye and announce her pending arrival. May be she was to see a place before she died, or she may want to go to her temple and ask for blessing… Some people thinks it is good to hide the truth, yet not knowing when there are things that the decreased unable to finish in this life, is the worst cause for them not be able to go away peacefully.



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