By Brendan Bye Harris
Getting an oncology second opinion is relatively straight forward. How you go about this needs some careful consideration as it may have a negative effect on your cancer care or cancer prognosis.
Probably the easiest method is to ask your cancer specialist to refer you to another cancer specialist. Your cancer specialist is most likely to know who is most qualified to review your case. Although this is the easiest method it needs careful consideration the following reasons. There is no guarantee your cancer specialist will send you to the most appropriate doctor to review your case. They could just send you to someone they know or trained with. If this is the case, this doctor is likely to share the same approach to cancer medicine as they do. They are also likely to refer you to someone local or even at the same hospital. Although this may be most convenient for you, it may not be the best second opinion. The trust between yourself and your cancer specialist may be effected by asking for a second opinion. Although every cancer specialist wants you to be happy with the treatment plan, at a sub-conscious level the doctor patient relationship may be effected. Most importantly asking for a second opinion in this way may affect your prognosis as it may cause delays in you receiving your cancer treatment. There are very strict guidelines as to time scales from initial referral, diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes after the patient has had their second opinion, the cancer has developed or spread and the treatment can turn from radical (curative) to palliative.
Read also: The Various Types of Healthy Foods for Cancer Patients
You can also ask your GP to refer you to another cancer specialist. This is also fairly straight forward, but again has some disadvantages so needs careful consideration. The GP is unlikely to know the best cancer specialist to send you to. If you are going to ask your GP for a second opinion referral, then it is best you do your own research to find who you would like to be referred to. You could then ask the GP to refer you to a specific specialist. How you approach the research will be challenging. Even if you find a doctor who you believe is 'the best' they may not accept or have the capacity in their busy schedule to see another patient. Therefore, if you do choose this route then take a couple of options to your GP to avoid disappointment. Like with the above option, there is a real risk that delays will occur in your treatment pathway that may affect your prognosis.
Getting a private second opinion from the leading doctors in the country is a sensible approach, but you will of course have to pay for this. The advantage is that they will know who is considered the leading doctor treating your type of cancer. They will also be able to give you independent information on every aspect of your treatment so far and what options are available to you, going forward to the future. Some services will provide you with information regarding clinical trials that you may be eligible for and even search for trials internationally. Some second opinion services will also supply you with the information you were given in the consultation that you can take away the same day.
The 4th option is not to get a second opinion. You may be happy with the treatment plan proposed by your cancer specialist. Most cancer patients are discussed in a multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT) so it is likely that you will offered treatment that conforms to national guidelines.
Whatever decision you make will be the right decision as long as you have given it adequate thought.
For more information on Oncology Second opinion contact Belgravia Oncology - London http://www.belgraviaoncology.com/ http://www.belgraviaoncology.com/Oncology_Second_Opinions/Cancer_Second_Opinion/Cancer_Second_Opinion.html
Article Source: Getting an Expert Cancer Second Opinion
Monday, 4 May 2015
The Various Types of Healthy Foods for Cancer Patients
By Alina Brown
You can find out that treatment of cancer has damaged your taste buds to a great extent. You may either find the food to be tasteless or you may find the food to be too salty or too sweet. It is vital to remember that a cancer patient should eat proper foods during the treatment. Plus, you should continue to eat proper food, even after the completion of the treatment. A healthy diet allows you to maintain proper body weight as well as to increase your stamina to tolerate the harmful side effects of this type of treatment. Healthy diet also helps you to recover from the disease within a short span of time. This article will highlight on a few important foods that are prescribed for those who are afflicted with cancer disease.
Oily Fish
If you eat oily fish, you can consume an adequate amount of omega 3 fatty acids that prevent body inflammation and they also increase to reduce the generation of harmful hormones such as eicosanoids that cause inflammation in your body and that cause a lot of irritation. Plus, omega 3 fatty acids help in increasing the length of telomeres, essential parts of human cells, which are responsible for decreasing the length of telomeres due to cancer disease. Reduction of telomeres affects the DNA structure and decreases longevity of a cancer patient. Plus, oily fish contains adequate amount of vitamin A, which plays a vital role during cancer treatment.
Read also : Breast Cancer Awareness Is Only a First Step
Carrot
Carrot contains a special type of anti-cancerous compound such as beta carotene that often gets converted to vitamin A that proves to be helpful for you. If you eat a mixed fruit juice that involves two or three pieces of carrots and two pieces of apples then you will be able to eliminate the side effects of this type of treatment to a large extent.
Pumpkin Seeds
You should mix an adequate amount of sunflower seeds with corn flakes and you should eat this healthy meal during breakfast regularly. Within a short span of time you will observe a positive change in your health condition. You will be able to fight this type of disease in the best possible way. Pumpkin seeds contain vitamin E that is effective in the reduction of the growth of cancer cells and this type of vitamin also improves your immune system to a great extent.
Broccoli
Like other vegetables such as cabbage, sprouts, kale, broccolis contain fibrous elements that help in the elimination of toxins from your body. Plus, broccoli contains a special type of compound, that along with Diindolylmethane hormone reduces the action of oestrogen hormones and it also helps to fight cancer disease.
Garlic
Garlic contains active compound such as allicin that is helpful in prevention of the spread of this type of disease in diverse ways. For example, it prevents the supply of blood to body that cause harmful tumor in the body. It also prevents inflammation inside the body. Plus, garlic contains ingredients such as selenium as well as tryptophan that allow you to fight cancer in the best possible way.
Indian Grocery is a famous online store that is dedicated on selling a wide array of [http://indiangrocery.com/]organic Indian groceries, snacks as well as different types of domestic items. Do you wish to purchase [http://indiangrocery.com/Frozen-Foods/Sweets/]Indian sweets online? Contact the popular Indian sweet manufacturers such as Haldirams, Grand Sweets or other famous brands of food industry of the country at affordable rates.
Article Source: The Various Types of Healthy Foods for Cancer Patients
You can find out that treatment of cancer has damaged your taste buds to a great extent. You may either find the food to be tasteless or you may find the food to be too salty or too sweet. It is vital to remember that a cancer patient should eat proper foods during the treatment. Plus, you should continue to eat proper food, even after the completion of the treatment. A healthy diet allows you to maintain proper body weight as well as to increase your stamina to tolerate the harmful side effects of this type of treatment. Healthy diet also helps you to recover from the disease within a short span of time. This article will highlight on a few important foods that are prescribed for those who are afflicted with cancer disease.
Oily Fish
If you eat oily fish, you can consume an adequate amount of omega 3 fatty acids that prevent body inflammation and they also increase to reduce the generation of harmful hormones such as eicosanoids that cause inflammation in your body and that cause a lot of irritation. Plus, omega 3 fatty acids help in increasing the length of telomeres, essential parts of human cells, which are responsible for decreasing the length of telomeres due to cancer disease. Reduction of telomeres affects the DNA structure and decreases longevity of a cancer patient. Plus, oily fish contains adequate amount of vitamin A, which plays a vital role during cancer treatment.
Read also : Breast Cancer Awareness Is Only a First Step
Carrot
Carrot contains a special type of anti-cancerous compound such as beta carotene that often gets converted to vitamin A that proves to be helpful for you. If you eat a mixed fruit juice that involves two or three pieces of carrots and two pieces of apples then you will be able to eliminate the side effects of this type of treatment to a large extent.
Pumpkin Seeds
You should mix an adequate amount of sunflower seeds with corn flakes and you should eat this healthy meal during breakfast regularly. Within a short span of time you will observe a positive change in your health condition. You will be able to fight this type of disease in the best possible way. Pumpkin seeds contain vitamin E that is effective in the reduction of the growth of cancer cells and this type of vitamin also improves your immune system to a great extent.
Broccoli
Like other vegetables such as cabbage, sprouts, kale, broccolis contain fibrous elements that help in the elimination of toxins from your body. Plus, broccoli contains a special type of compound, that along with Diindolylmethane hormone reduces the action of oestrogen hormones and it also helps to fight cancer disease.
Garlic
Garlic contains active compound such as allicin that is helpful in prevention of the spread of this type of disease in diverse ways. For example, it prevents the supply of blood to body that cause harmful tumor in the body. It also prevents inflammation inside the body. Plus, garlic contains ingredients such as selenium as well as tryptophan that allow you to fight cancer in the best possible way.
Indian Grocery is a famous online store that is dedicated on selling a wide array of [http://indiangrocery.com/]organic Indian groceries, snacks as well as different types of domestic items. Do you wish to purchase [http://indiangrocery.com/Frozen-Foods/Sweets/]Indian sweets online? Contact the popular Indian sweet manufacturers such as Haldirams, Grand Sweets or other famous brands of food industry of the country at affordable rates.
Article Source: The Various Types of Healthy Foods for Cancer Patients
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Breast Cancer Awareness Is Only a First Step
By Dr. Mahsa Moghaddam
One in eight US women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Overcoming breast cancer is a personal journey with choices along the way. There are choices about the type of breast surgery, the need for additional treatments and options for breast reconstruction. Research has found that breast reconstruction contributes to a woman's self-esteem and sense of wellbeing; however, more than 70 percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not told about all of their options.
The media frequently heightens awareness of breast cancer, but awareness doesn't always translate into a positive impact on health care. Agreeing or disagreeing that Angelina Jolie Pitt's decision to surgically remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent ovarian cancer was a heroic and courageous move is a matter of perspective. However, in between the lines of Angelina's latest article in the NY Times ("Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery", NY Times, March 24, 2015) lies a subtler message... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND WOMEN NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN PHYSICAL HEALTH. This is a dialogue we need to have with ourselves. Angelina Jolie Pitt made choices consistent with her history and lifestyle. As the Delphic Maxim on the Temple of Apollo reads "Know thyself." Each person is driven by different motives and sensitivities, personally unique to their individual circumstances. There is always more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about your options and choose what is right for you and your loved ones.
Read also : Can Sunscreen Lower Melanoma Risk Effectively?
Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer should seek a referral to a plastic surgeon to learn about all of her reconstructive options before her cancer is treated and removed. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy generally falls into two categories: implant based reconstruction or reconstruction using a person's own tissue, also known as autologous reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction can be subdivided into flap reconstruction, total reconstruction with autologous fat transfer, or a combination of the two. Reconstructive techniques are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and often techniques are combined to give the best result.
Breast reconstruction is staged which means more than one surgery will need to be performed to reconstruct the breasts to a more natural shape and size. Not all plastic surgeons are the same, and in one's weakness lay another's strength. Speaking to more than one plastic surgeon may help a woman affected by breast cancer (and her family) see the picture through a wider lens.
As health care professionals, we are here to help you make the decisions that will give you the best quality of life in the long run. In closing her article Jolie Pitt poignantly wrote, "It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue. You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you."
Dr. Mahsa Moghaddam is a Mayo Clinic trained plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Meet her at [http://www.nipntuck.com/dr-mahsa-moghaddam]http://www.nipntuck.com/dr-mahsa-moghaddam.
Article Source: Breast Cancer Awareness Is Only a First Step
One in eight US women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Overcoming breast cancer is a personal journey with choices along the way. There are choices about the type of breast surgery, the need for additional treatments and options for breast reconstruction. Research has found that breast reconstruction contributes to a woman's self-esteem and sense of wellbeing; however, more than 70 percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not told about all of their options.
The media frequently heightens awareness of breast cancer, but awareness doesn't always translate into a positive impact on health care. Agreeing or disagreeing that Angelina Jolie Pitt's decision to surgically remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent ovarian cancer was a heroic and courageous move is a matter of perspective. However, in between the lines of Angelina's latest article in the NY Times ("Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery", NY Times, March 24, 2015) lies a subtler message... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND WOMEN NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN PHYSICAL HEALTH. This is a dialogue we need to have with ourselves. Angelina Jolie Pitt made choices consistent with her history and lifestyle. As the Delphic Maxim on the Temple of Apollo reads "Know thyself." Each person is driven by different motives and sensitivities, personally unique to their individual circumstances. There is always more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about your options and choose what is right for you and your loved ones.
Read also : Can Sunscreen Lower Melanoma Risk Effectively?
Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer should seek a referral to a plastic surgeon to learn about all of her reconstructive options before her cancer is treated and removed. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy generally falls into two categories: implant based reconstruction or reconstruction using a person's own tissue, also known as autologous reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction can be subdivided into flap reconstruction, total reconstruction with autologous fat transfer, or a combination of the two. Reconstructive techniques are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and often techniques are combined to give the best result.
Breast reconstruction is staged which means more than one surgery will need to be performed to reconstruct the breasts to a more natural shape and size. Not all plastic surgeons are the same, and in one's weakness lay another's strength. Speaking to more than one plastic surgeon may help a woman affected by breast cancer (and her family) see the picture through a wider lens.
As health care professionals, we are here to help you make the decisions that will give you the best quality of life in the long run. In closing her article Jolie Pitt poignantly wrote, "It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue. You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you."
Dr. Mahsa Moghaddam is a Mayo Clinic trained plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Meet her at [http://www.nipntuck.com/dr-mahsa-moghaddam]http://www.nipntuck.com/dr-mahsa-moghaddam.
Article Source: Breast Cancer Awareness Is Only a First Step
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