Hysterectomy Side Effects
A hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) is often performed to treat gynecologic cancer and many other benign conditions. It is the second most common surgical procedure performed on women in the United States with about 600,000 American women undergoing a hysterectomy each year.
While a hysterectomy can promote a positive outcome for the disease/condition it is performed to treat, it forces many women who have not yet gone through menopause into menopause prematurely. It's called forced or surgical menopause and depending on what type of hysterectomy you have, the effects of it can begin immediately after surgery.
Hormonal changes caused by the absence of the uterus and especially ovaries (if the ovaries are removed during the surgery) can cause a myriad of unpleasant side effects. Most are manageable, but can still be bothersome. Read more about the side effects of having a hysterectomy.
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Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch Dies
Adam Yauch, member of the hip-hop group Beastie Boys, has succumbed to his battle with cancer after a three year battle. The 47 year old died Friday from parotid gland cancer, a type of cancer that affects the salivary glands. It is a rare type of cancer and the cause remains unknown.
The band's website posted a tribute to Yauch:
"It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam "MCA" Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old." More
Learn more about salivary gland cancer:
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Warren Buffet Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Money mogul Warren Buffet revealed a recent diagnosis with prostate cancer yesterday. According to reports , the 81 year old was recently diagnosed with stage I prostate cancer and will undergo radiation therapy treatments in July.
While news of the billionaire's diagnosis has spread like wildfire in the media, it is important to note that stage I prostate cancer is not life threatening. Buffet did not disclose how it was detected, but many men with early stage prostate cancer do not experience any symptoms or effects that would hinder their daily activities.
Have you been diagnosed with prostate cancer? How did it affect your everyday life?
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Actor Ryan O'Neal Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
In a statement released Monday, actor Ryan O'Neal revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 70 year old said in the statement that he suffers from stage II prostate cancer and is expected to make a full recovery. Specific details such as treatment methods were not disclosed.
Stage 2 prostate cancer indicates that the cancer remains confined to the prostate gland and has not spread to tissues and organs beyond the gland. It is divided into two categories, IIA and IIB. Certain criteria such as tumor size and Gleason score determine the stage of the cancer. Typical treatments for this stage of prostate cancer include radiation therapy, surgery to remove the prostate (prostatectomy), and in some cases, watchful waiting.
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It's Tax Time! Your Medical Expenses and Tax Deductions
It's that time of year again - tax season. Did you know that your cancer medical expenses may be tax deductible? By cancer medical expenses, this can mean child care while you received treatment, parking fees at hospitals, and even the cost of a wig if you lost your hair to chemotherapy. There are so many aspects of treatment that can be included in your tax deductions - many of which I was unaware of!
Don't forget that your entire family's medical expenses are deductible, including dental and optical care. Tax software programs like Turbotax can help you organize these deductions, or you may choose to see a tax accountant for help in filing your income taxes.
Can You Deduct Non-Prescription Drugs?
Tax Deductions for Cancer Medical Expenses
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Experts Recommend Against Routine Ovarian Cancer Screening
According to a draft recommendation by the U.S. Preventative Task Force, women at who are at at average risk of ovarian cancer should not undergo routine ovarian cancer screenings. The expert panel contends the risks outweigh the benefits of routine screening, which include false and invasive screening methods such as surgeries. The recommendation excludes women who are at an increased risk of ovarian because of mutated BRCA 1 and 2 genes and other risk factors.
The draft states, "Although the mortality rate associated with ovarian cancer is high, the disease occurs infrequently in the general U.S. population, with an age-adjusted incidence of 13 cases per 100,000 women. As a result, the positive predictive value of screening for ovarian cancer--which directly depends upon the prevalence of the disease--is low, and the majority of women with a positive screening test will have a false-positive result."
Ovarian cancer is often detected in the advanced stages. Often called the "silent killer", ovarian cancer was believed to have little or no symptoms in the early stages. Recent research shows that the disease may produce vague, subtle symptoms. (See early ovarian cancer symptoms) Currently, there is no recommended screening method for women at average risk, unless they experience symptoms that may indicate ovarian cancer.
Sound off! Do you think that all women should be routinely screened for ovarian cancer despite it being an uncommon type of cancer? Would routine screening be justified if it saved one life? Leave your thoughts in the 'Comments' section below.
Fireighters Give Lottery Winning to Fellow Firefighter with Cancer
I love hearing 'feel good' news stories. Sadly, we don't hear enough of them, so when I read about a group of firefighters in New Mexico, I had to share it with you.
Like many Americans, firefighters from the Albuquerque Fire Department bought tickets to last week's Mega Millions lottery. Unlike most that played, the group actually won. They didn't hit the jackpot, but scored a $10,000 prize for a few lucky numbers. What makes this story remarkable is what they plan to do with their winnings. A portion of the prize money will be donated to fellow firefighter Vince Cordova, who is battling an aggressive cancerous brain tumor. According to news reports, Cordova's treatment will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While their donation certainly won't pay for Cordova's treatment, it has created awareness. Fundraising efforts are in the planning stages and hopefully, enough money will be raised for this firefighter with cancer. Kudos to the Albuquerque Fire Department!
10 Things to Stop Doing
Last week, I blogged about things to stop doing if you have cancer. People are always telling us what TO do when we are diagnosed with a disease, but give little advice about what to stop doing. My blog aimed to give tips on how to cope with the emotional, financial, and physical effects of being diagnosed with cancer and cancer treatment.
My blog is part of an About.com blog carnival collaborated by several Health Guides called "10 Things to Stop Doing: Stop Doing These Things to Improve Your Health" Several guide sites contributed, providing useful information on a wide variety of topics, from mental health to digestive health. Check it out!
Here are some relevant 10 Things to Stop Doing articles that you may find useful:
- 10 Things to Stop Doing If You Have Cancer
- 10 Things to Stop Doing If You Have Colon Cancer
- 10 Things to Stop Doing If You Have Breast Cancer
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Mattel to Make Bald Barbie for Kids with Cancer
Mattel, maker of the iconic Barbie doll, has announced plans to produce a bald doll for kids suffering from cancer. The doll will be introduced as a friend of Barbie, but will not be sold in stores. A limited amount will be produced and distributed to children suffering from cancer at pediatric cancer centers across the country and in Canada. 'Bald Barbie' (not the official name, of course) will also be packaged with accessories like scarves and interchangeable wigs.
It was noted in an ABCNews.com article that Mattel decided not to sell the dolls on the retail market for profit, choosing to directly donate them to children suffering from cancer related hair loss. Some collectors have expressed their disappointment about the doll's exclusivity, but I must commend Mattel. These dolls are being created to serve the purpose of comforting children with cancer, not to sit on a collector's shelf or be sold at outrageous prices on eBay.
What do you think about Mattel's new bald Barbie doll? Should they allow it to be sold on the retail market?
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Talking To Kids About Cancer
When a child from my son's 5th grade classroom was diagnosed with leukemia last year, my son came home with a lot of questions. Our conversation revealed that my son knew a fair amount about cancer and chemotherapy, but also showed that he was also misinformed and believed a lot of myths. Taking to kids about cancer is a delicate subject and shouldn't be done with tongue-in-cheek.
Every day, parents are diagnosed with cancer and forced to have the cancer talk with their children. I have had to do it and can attest that it's no easy feat. Children are full of questions -- some of which you may not know the answer to. They also wear their hearts of their sleeves and when you see your child hurting emotionally, you hurt too.
About.com has two new videos available to help parents talk to their kids about cancer. The videos features wonderful tips from an expert from En Famille, an organization that helps children cope with their parent's illness.