Cancer Blog

Interestingly enough, both the causes and the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer (also called gastic cancer) are almost identical to those of peptic ulcers. It is important to note that you are more likely to have a peptic ulcer if you are showing any of these symptoms, so do not be too alarmed! Of course if your ulcers are already at an advanced stage, then you need to read on to see if you are at risk and what to do about it. Eradicating the H Pylori bacterium is a good way to avoid stomach cancer.

RISK GROUPS

Cancer of the stomach is twice as common in men as it is in women, and most people who develop this type of cancer are over the age of 50 years. Stomach cancer is very rare in people under 40. Even so, get yourself checked out by a doctor who will be able to give you a proper diagnosis.

CAUSES OF STOMACH CANCER

Stomach cancer can be caused by a number of factors that damage the DNA in your stomach cells. When the DNA is damaged, healthy cells can grow out of control and form a tumor (a mass of malignant cells).

These factors include:

H Pylori infection - 75% of the world’s population is infected with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H Pylori) that lives deep in the mucous layer which coats the lining of your stomach. It is the primary cause of stomach ulcers, accounting for at least 80 percent of all cases. Also, the World Health Organization have indicated that close to 50% of the annual new cases of stomach cancer can be attributed to H Pylori infection.

If 75% of the world’s population is infected with the Helicobacter Pylori bacterium, that means that right now 4.6 billion people are infected across the world. Having ulcers doesn’t necessarily put you at higher risk of stomach cancer, but having H Pylori infection does.

Statistics show that 816 million of those infected with H Pylori bacterium right now will develop a stomach ulcer in their lifetime.

That means that 1 in every 7 people (or 17.7% of the current population) are at high risk, and 1 in every 14 people will get stomach cancer from H Pylori. That is an astounding 408 million people.

Nitrates and nitrites - these chemicals are added to certain foods, such as processed or cured meats such as ham and bacon, sausages and other cold meats you normally find down at the deli. Nitrates and nitrites combine with other substances in your stomach to form carcinogens, which are known to cause stomach cancer.

Salted, smoked or pickled foods and red meat - in countries where consumption of salted meat and fish and pickled vegetables is high, the corresponding rates of stomach cancer are also high. Consuming high levels of red meat, especially when the meat is barbecued or well done, has also been linked to stomach cancer.

Tobacco and alcohol use - Both can irritate the stomach lining and are especially likely to cause cancer in the upper stomach area.

Low income groups - children and adults from low income groups are more likely to develop stomach cancer than are those in higher income groups. This is due to a number of reasons. The main problem is in poor countries with poor sanitation and unhygienic living conditions where H Pylori spreads quite quickly.

PREVENTION

From the above it is clear that the easiest way to prevent stomach cancer is to know the causes. Eradicating the H Pylori bacterium is the going to take most of the risk away but then you will also need to adjust your diet and general hygiene.

SYMPTOMS

TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER

Most stomach cancers start in the glandular cells in the mucous layer which coats the lining of your stomach, and are called adenocarcinomas.

Although most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, there are other forms of the disease, including: Lymphomas, Carcinoid tumors, and GIST’s (or gastrointestinal stromal tumors)

TREATMENT

The primary goal of any effective treatment is to remove the cancer. Choosing a treatment plan is a major decision, and it’s important spend some time researching all the options to make sure the treatment you select is right for you. It is always worthwhile getting a second opinion if you are unsure.

Treatment options include Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, and Clinical trials.

If you are at an advanced stage, you may be offered participation in a clinical trial. Beware! You may be used as a guinea-pig to test new new drugs, surgery or radiation. You must remember that the treatments used in clinical trials are experimental and have no recorded success rates. You could experience unexpected side effects, and there will be no guarantees offered.

Most people wonder where they should start when they are ready to start improving their health. There is so much information on getting healthy and every practitioner or health guru wants you to start with their program. So here’s what do you need to do and where you’ll find this information.

If you go back and read many of the books written during the 50′ to 80’s you will find that most of the natural health healers always recommended you start with the colon.

If you go to your health food store you will find numerous colon cleansing products and in health magazine you will finds many advertisements on colonics.

If you first concentration on improving your colon health, you will do your whole body a favor and you will start to feel and be healthier. Because your colon serves your whole body with nutrients and information, you can make a big impact on becoming healthier.

Every part of your body is reflected in the colon. This means that every spot on the colon corresponds to some part of the body. It is through this spot that nutrients and information is sent to that part of the body. Can you imagine if that spot that represents your brain is filled with toxic matter and filled with layer after layer of toxic material that has built up over the years.

When the brain spot on your colon is corrupted, then toxins move readily into your brain and in addition traumatic life incident can readily move into the brain and settle there forever. The toxins in the brain make you senile in old age and the traumatic feeling can activate a heart attack when your heart immune system weakens.

Can you then imagine all parts of your colon walls being covered with toxic matter or being constantly exposed to toxic matter that stays there for 3-5 days because you were constipated? You could expect toxins to be flooding all parts of your body and weaken those parts to the point of failure when you get older.

It is my opinion that if you do anything for your health that you concentrate colon cleansing. This can be done by always eating and living a lifestyle that gives you a natural colon cleanse. Here are three things that you can do as a natural colon cleansing.

1. Change the way that you eat and not what you eat by helping your body during its normal body cycles. The body detoxifies from 8 am to noon, so don’t eat any heavy food during this period. Eat only fruits and vegetables and their juices. This helps to detoxify your colon and other areas of your body.

2. Eat more fiber since this helps to keep your colon clean and free of constipation and of other disease. Get your fiber from fruits and vegetables. For those of you that are over 60, since you may have diverticulosis, avoid these foods, seeds, nuts, black berries, cucumber, tomatoes, wheat, and rye. Avoid those foods with seeds since they my get lodged in the diverticula pockets and cause inflammation.

3. Use a colon cleanse once a year that helps to dissolve built up toxins along the colon walls. Once such product is Oxypowder.

Keeping your colon in good health is your key to your overall health. Plan to remove toxic matter from your colon. Eat a diet high in fiber to keep your colon strong and healthy. And, assist your body to detoxify by eating foods and liquids that digest quickly from 8 am to noon.

The Story of Norwalk Juicers

The story of the Norwalk Juicer began a long time ago. The development of the original hydraulic press juicer almost a hundred years ago, eventually led to the Norwalk Juicer, as it is known today. The Norwalk Juicer is still sold. The Norwalk Juicer cuts and grates the produce using a vortex triturator with the resulting mass extracted into a linen bag which is then placed under a hydraulic press. The hydraulic press then exerts a huge downforce that sees the extraction from the Norwalk Juicer of 50%-100% more juice than other juicers.

Norwalk Juicers and Gerson Therapy

The Norwalk Juicer is best known in conjunction with the Gerson Therapy, also known as the Gerson Diet or the Gerson Protocol. Dr Gerson’s Principles of Healing is a powerful, natural treatment that boosts your body’s own immune system to heal cancer, arthritis, heart disease, allergies, and many other degenerative diseases. Gerson had very specific requirements for the type of juicer used. The Gerson Institute recommends the Norwalk Juicer which will handle both the grinding stage as well as the pressing stage. Used by Gerson patients and at Gerson-approved Hospitals, the Norwalk Juicer is capable of using raw or cooked vegetables and fruits, nuts and cereals to produce a variety of healthy meals.

The Benefits of Norwalk Juicers

The Norwalk Juicer has many benefits, including:

• Easy clean-up with all parts on the front of the machine and easily accessible
• Stainless-steel construction, built in the USA and with a 12 year guarantee
• Fast and efficient - with 50%-100% more juice than other juicers
• Gently grinds and presses so there is no oxidation and 3 to 5 times more nutrients
• Available in oak (wood grain) or stainless steel

If price is not a priority, and you want something that can be passed down to your kids, then a Norwalk Juicer is the way to go. Many people claim that it is the world’s best juicer that money can buy. The Norwalk Juicer Model 270 is the current model on sale new from Norwalk, but you can get some fantastic deals by purchasing a used model via eBay. Previous models include the 170, 230, 235 and 265 Norwalk Juicers.

Cancer is the second most deadly disease in the USA. Cancer brings with it many risk factors. In view of that, it is reasonable that we take a good look at the foods we are consuming, and begin eating nutrient-rich foods that are proven to help reduce the cancer risk. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits and fiber, including juices made from 100% fruit juice, can make a huge difference in your cancer risk.

Foods high in phytochemicals, which are present in beans and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts and kale, are excellent choices. Cancer-fighting substances fiber, lutein, and carotenoids are found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce, and collard greens.

Concentrate on selecting foods that have plentiful amounts of vitamins A, C and E. They are all antioxidants that help fight cancer by preventing the growth of free radicals in your body.

Tomatoes are an amazing cancer-fighting food. They contain lycopene, the antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease. Tomatoes are also a great source of vitamins A, C, and E. Add them to your salad or use as a topping on your homemade pizza.

Watermelon is also rich in antioxidants, and includes approximately 80% of your daily vitamin C requirement. It is also an excellent source of vitamin A, or beta carotene. Like tomatoes, lycopene is found in watermelon.

Cabbage helps reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer. In addition, cabbage is rich in fiber and has nearly 50% of daily requirement of vitamin C, making it a great food with cancer-fighting power. Carrots are a fantastic source of fiber and beta carotene, and they have about 3 times the daily requirement of vitamin A.

One-quarter cup of kidney beans has the same amount of fiber and protein as two ounces of red meat. Whole wheat pasta is also a great source of fiber, and broccoli will tip the daily scales for your daily vitamin C and A needs.

Strawberries and blueberries are rich in vitamin C and fiber. They are quick and simple finger food, and easily be added to your favorite low-fat yogurt or whole grain cereal oatmeal.

When cancer strikes, we may turn to prayer.

By “prayer,” I simply mean connecting with the sacred. Prayers are often directed to a higher power, but they don’t have to be.

Often, prayers involving cancer ask for a particular outcome. We might pray for a cure, or for the results of our next test to be favorable, or for freedom from unwanted side-effects of treatment.

Such prayers offer a release for intense emotions and connect us with our Source of meaning, power, hope and unconditional love.

On the other hand, if our prayers don’t bring the results that we asked for, we may experience spiritual distress.

Here are some tips for keeping your experience with “asking” prayer positive:

• Pray honestly. This is no time to hold back!
• Remember that prayer doesn’t require words. Tears, sighs, and simply relaxing into the sacred can all be prayer.
• Don’t worry about falling asleep during prayer. Moms don’t mind when their babies fall asleep in their arms. Your higher power won’t mind either.
• Ask others to pray with and for you. Even if you don’t see the answer to their prayers, right away, you’ll get a lift from the love of the pray-ers.
• Believe that your prayer will be answered in wondrous ways — some of which you may not see.
• Don’t worry about praying the “right” way. When a toddler blurts out, “Wah nuk,” a loving parent answers, “Oh, do you want some milk? Here it is!” In a similar way, the One we pray to can make sense of our prayers even if we sound like nonsense to ourselves.
• Conclude “asking” prayer with thanksgiving to boost your hope and serenity.

(c) 2005 Norma Schmidt, LLC, d/b/a My Cancer Support Coach.com

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. The cancer envelops many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. Its only known cause in the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos, and in most of the cases, the disease appears after many years of the exposure to the asbestos. Peritoneal mesotheliomas account for about one-fifth of all mesotheliomas. It affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.

This type asbestos-related cancer is the second most common after Pleural Mesothelioma. Just like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be either benign or malignant. There are a number of symptoms for this disease. These symptoms typically include abdominal pains, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Depending on the location of the tumor, additional problems such as breathing problems and severe pains can be experienced. Fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space, a condition known as ascites. Over time the wasting symptoms can become more and more severe.

X-rays and CT scans are, typically, the first step towards detecting peritoneal mesothelioma. Though the actual diagnosis is achieved by obtaining a piece of tissue from the victim’s body. Presently, there are treatments, but no for sure known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, its extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment. However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have opened up, especially for those whose cancer is diagnosed early and treated vigorously.

Specific types of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma include:

1-Surgery

2-Radiation Therapy

3-Chemotherapy

Peritoneal Mesothelioma causes many deaths each year. Although it is not the most common form of this cancer, many new cases come to light each year. However, with continued research and clinical trials, it may be possible to one day make this a curable disease and save the life of people who have fallen victim to this dreadful disease.

Deramatology Researchers at Hope Hospital, Salford, Manchester have uncovered exciting evidence that oily fish in your diet could help in the prevention of skin cancer.

Omega 3 oils in fish have long been associated with health benefits in conditions such as poor concentration in children and protection against heart disease and dementia, but it now appears that these essential fatty acids protect the skin against the DNA damage that can cause skin cancer.

Sun burn is a major factor in the development of skin cancer. Fair skinned people are particularly susceptible and sun burn increases the chances of developing skin cancer at a later date.

The research consisted of a group of 42 healthy people being given a fish oil supplement that would be the equivalent of three portions of oily fish a week.

After one month, they were less likely to burn and after three months, their resistance had risen to 33% less likely.

A group of people who suffered from sun allergy doubled their defence after 6 months.

These groups were measured against a third group who had been given olive oil which had no effect.

The protection derived from the change in diet would be equivalent to a permanent mild sun screen but would not protect against fierce sun.

Many people only apply sun screen if they’re officially sunbathing and then it can be patchy.

Serious damage can happen in as little as 15 minutes - maybe walking to the shops or taking the dog out - doing a bit of gardening - how many of us would bother to put sun screen on for those tasks?

In the UK, skin cancer rates have doubled every decade since 1940 and there are now around 100,000 new cases and 2000 deaths a year. These increases are reflected in pale skinned people all around the world.

Much of the increase in the UK has been put down to more people taking holidays abroad and exposing themselves to excessive sun. However, there are many days in the UK when it would be advisable to protect ourselves but because the climate is mild overall, we don’t bother.

Increasing oily fish in your diet is easy - even canned fish (apart from tuna) retains the omega 3s, so salmon, mackerel, sardines and the like can all be used straight from the can.

Now is the right time to make the change in the Northern Hemisphere, so you’ll have the additional protection by next summer.

Staging is a method of evaluating the progress of colon cancer in a patient. That is, it looks at the colon cancer (tumor) and the extent to which the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Once doctors know how far along the colon cancer is, they can decide on the best course of treatment.

Today, the most common used system for the staging of colon cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s (AJCC) TNM staging system. This staging system places patients into one of four stages (Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV).

American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System

Stage 0 Colon Cancer

In Stage 0, the colon cancer is found in the innermost lining of the colon only. Stage 0 colorectal cancer is also called carcinoma in situ.

Stage I Colon Cancer

In Stage I, the colon cancer has begun to spread, but is still in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. In Stage I, the colon cancer has not reached the outer wall of the colon. Another name for Stage I colorectal cancer or Duke A.

Stage II Colon Cancer

In Stage II, the colon cancer extends more deeply into and/or through the colon or rectum. The colon cancer may have invaded nearby tissue. In Stage II, it the colon cancer has not reached lymph nodes (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures found throughout the body that filter substances in a fluid call lymph to help fight infection and disease. Another name for Stage II colorectal cancer or Duke B.

Stage III Colon Cancer

In Stage III, the colon cancer has spread to lymph nodes, but has not been carried to distant parts of the body. Another name for Stage III colorectal cancer or Duke C.

Stage IV Colon Cancer

In Stage IV, the colon cancer has been carried through the lymph system to distant parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. The most likely organs to experience metastasis from colorectal cancer are the lungs and liver. Another name for Stage IV colorectal cancer or Duke D.

Recurrent Colon Cancer or Cancerous Cells

Recurrent colon cancer is the return of cancerous cells that have already been treated. The cancerous cells could return as colorectal cancer, and/or return in any other part of the body.

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

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

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

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

“The Cause

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

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

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

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

From the book “The Cure for all Cancers.” Page 1.

Cancer can now be CURED:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The promise

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

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

From the book “The Cure for all Diseases.” Page 1.

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

The bladder is a hollow organ lying within pelvis, which collects urine from the kidneys via tubes called ureters and stores it until it is full enough to empty through the urethra.

Bladder cancer is any type of malignant growth in the bladder. There are two main types - superficial and invasive. The superficial tumours, sometimes known as bladder warts, do not spread and are fairly easily treated. Invasive tumours, which have spread beyond the bladder walls, have a poorer prognosis.

Bladder cancer is more common in men, especially those over the age of sixty years. Cigarette smoking is known to be a major risk factor and accounts for about 60% of all new cases. Other risk factors include exposure to chemicals as used in certain industries. Women who have regularly used permanent hair dyes are at greater risk of developing the condition, as are hairdressers. The exact causes however remain unknown and research continues.

The symptoms of bladder malignancy may include blood in the urine, also known as haematuria, and pain or frequency passing urine. These symptoms, however, are not specific and could well be related to other conditions such as urinary tract infections or kidney stones. If you notice blood in your water it is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible for some diagnostic tests. But please do not panic as the blood may be from an entirely benign source. Haematuria does not always indicate bladder cancer but must be checked out.

To diagnose the problem the doctor will take a full medical history, do a physical examination and send a specimen of urine away for testing. Depending on the results the next step may be a cystoscopy, which is a simple procedure, using a fibre-optic tube with a light source attached to inspect the inside of the bladder. The scope is passed into the bladder via the urethra. If any abnormal areas or growths are noted cells can be taken for further examination to see whether they are cancerous or not.

If cancer is diagnosed the next step is to determine whether it is localised or has spread from it’s original location.

Treatment is by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The type of cancer, age and general health of the patient will determine which treatment or combination of treatments is used.

Early diagnosis always improves the outcome. If you experience any of the above symptoms please seek immediate medical help. If you notice blood in your urine report it to your doctor so that it can be investigated and any appropriate treatment started.

If you have been diagnosed as having a bladder cancer you will need to attend for regular check ups so the condition can be monitored.

People who smoke 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years have double the risk of developing bladder cancer compared with non-smokers. If you stop smoking the risk is reduced. If you have been diagnosed with superficial bladder cancer and are a smoker, stopping smoking will greatly reduce the risk of any recurrence.