On August 24, Jobs stepped down, stating that he could no longer meet his duties and expectations as Apple's chief executive. Jobs was diagnosed with and treated for a rare type of pancreatic cancer in 2004, but he said the 2009 absence was not a resurgence of that cancer.  Steve Jobs well known for Apple's creation and success, battfled cancer for several years and died October 5, 2011 peacefully at home with his family.  Rest in Peace Steve Jobs my heart goes out to you and your family..

                                  Pancreatic Cancer Facts You Need To Know

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly of all types of cancer.

This year 38,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 34,000 will die from it.

Despite the high mortality rate, the federal government spends woefully little money on pancreatic cancer research.

Pancreatic cancer is treatable when caught early; the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until too late.

Five-year survival rates approach 25% if the cancers are surgically removed while they are still small and have not spread to the lymph nodes.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose

There is no reliable screening test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other diseases.

We need to invest in the development of an effective screening test.

Who Has the Greatest Risk?

People with two or more relatives who have had pancreatic cancer (see National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry)

Cigarette Smokers

People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent

Have the BRCA2, p16, STK11 gene mutation or chronic pancreatitis

Are over the age of 50

Raise the Awareness of Everyone You Know

Send the Pancreatic Cancer Facts and Symptoms sheet to everyone you know by pressing

 

 http://pathology.jhu.edu/pc/basicintro.php?area=ba
http://www.pcmag.com/author-bio/mark-hachman

SUSAN G. KOMAN WALK FOR A CURE TO CANCER

Understanding Breast Cancer

Susan G. Koman Walk for a cure to Cancer is starting today in New York September 18-21  the 3 day walk for the cure of breast Cancer rises funds, awareness and support for those who want to change the course of breast cancer forever.. Here are the other cities that will also be participating in the walk.

2011
Washington, D.C.		September 23-25, 2011
Philadelphia		October 14-16, 2011
Atlanta		October 21-23, 2011
Tampa Bay		October 28-30, 2011
Dallas/Fort Worth		November 4-6, 2011
Arizona		November 11-13, 2011
San Diego		November 18-20, 2011

Making sense of the ever-changing world of breast cancer can be overwhelming. Are you newly diagnosed with breast cancer or has a friend or loved one shared the news that they have breast cancer? Have you heard some news about a new treatment and have questions about it? Or are you just looking for some information about breast cancer?
Consider this your one-stop resource for the latest information on breast cancer risk factors, early detection and screening, diagnosis, treatment and support. Plus you’ll find the latest on integrative and complementary therapies, life after treatment, quality of care and much more. 

For the month of September we promote Prostate Cancer Awareness

Tell your father, brother, husband, son and friend to include a prostate cancer examination as part of their annual check-up it could save their life, early detection is the best defense.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, causing more than 40,000 deaths annually. Although it can occur in men of all ages, it most often strikes those over the age of 65. Scientists are just beginning to study why prostate cancer is more prevalent in African-American men than in any other population, and are focusing closely on the role of inherited factors. For every 100,000 African-American men, for example, about 181 will have prostate cancer this year, 54 of whom will die from the disease.

Prostate Cancer is a leading killer of Black Men. Despite this, African Americans, and Black Men worldwide, are underrepresented in important medical research to find treatments and as patients to help save their lives.

Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, which is located just below a male's bladder and surrounds the top portion of the urethra, the tube that drains urine from the bladder.

Close Prostate cancer Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in a man's prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Prostate cancer that is detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — has a better chance of successful treatment.

Symptoms

Prostate cancer may not cause signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:

Trouble urinating

Decreased force in the stream of urine

Blood in your urine

Blood in your semen

Swelling in your legs

Discomfort in the pelvic area

Bone pain

When to see a doctor

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of prostate cancer include:

Older age. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. Prostate cancer is most common in men over 65.

Being black. Black men have a greater risk of prostate cancer than do men of other races. It's not clear why this is.

Family history of prostate cancer. If men in your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be increased.

Obesity. Obese men diagnosed with prostate cancer are more likely to have advanced disease that's more difficult to treat.

For more information http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-125186/Prostate-cancer?q=prostate+cancer

http://malecare.org/african-americans-and-prostate-cancer/

WHY DO CANCER SCREENING PART 2

Its been a couple of months since I went for my breast exam after receiving a letter from the hospital to come back there was a problem with my mammogram exam. At there request I made an appointment and went back for another mammogram which was more extensive. At this exam a sonogram which is used by the sonogram technician scans your breast and the technician touches the area to see if there is a lump that is more visiable while she can see the areas of the breast on the sonogram screen.. Then they use what I am going to call pink tabs to mark the area, after you go back to have another mammogram to see if they can get better pictures. The doctor rechecks the pictures, she tell me that they see something but since I haven't had a breast exam in three years and taking medication they could have caused a difference in my breast. They can't tell whether their is any change or it this is normal for me. The Doctor tells me to stop taking the medication and come back within the next six months for follow-up. Wow now for the next six months I am going to worry about having breast cancer now I know why we sometimes hate going to the doctor. Now don't get me wrong prevention is looking for cancer before it spreads or before we feels a lump on our breast. But the other side is my imagination of the unknown and having the guts to actually go back. I set in the waiting area with several other women who were all either getting their first mammogram, had a bad reading or were cancer survivors who were coming in for annual check-up. One women found out she had cancer in the breast and cervix after coming in for a check -up she now has been cancer free for five years. Another also had to come back to redo her test, all sitting hoping to leave with good news. As each and everyone of those women left each leaving with a nod everything was good. I found myself the last person to be seen and knowing the news may not be good for me. Now as I sit and wait for the six months to pass and do my own self examination every chance I get all I want is the wait to be over.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world I wish you good health. Please stay healthy and have your annual check-up as suggested by your physician. To my mother who is no longer here with us Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day always remembered never forgotten.
Love your Daughter....

A Mother's Love

My Sister Soy Candle

Things I Never Said, A Letter To My Love One

We all have lost a love one some suddenly without warning others from long term illness full with pain. No matter what circumstances caused their death, we who are left to morn are sometimes left with the question what if? We wonder if we were the best daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, wife or husband. And most of all we wonder if they knew how important they were in our life. Right now, what would you write to that love one to let them know they will alway be part of your heart? This blog is dedicated to anyone who has lost a love one but feel their was so much they never had a chance to say. Post your letter to a love one...it is never too late.

WHY DO CANCER SCREENING

Cancer has been a part of my life for the last 29 years since the death of my grandmother and then my father a few years later. As a family member of a cancer victim you are always reminded of how important prevention is. For the last two years I have devoted myself to volunteering at the hospice program at Calvary and helping my mother who recently lost her battle with cancer Nov. 26, 2010. I have put off taking care of myself so last month I had all the relevant follow-ups needed for a person who has so many family members who died from various forms of cancer. I had my annual pap smear, breast exam and I am waiting to schedule a colon exam after I receive a referral from my primary care provider.
I had pre-cancerous cells removed 3 years ago and I haven’t been back since, not good but after watching my mother’s battle with cancer I know annual cancer screening is key to diagnosing and fighting cancer early. I have received my results from my pap smear and everything was good, then I received a letter from my mammogram stating I needed to come back for further test. Now what does this mean? Like any person who has had a mammogram anxiety becomes my second name and I am concern there is something wrong, I would prefer not to go back but this is unrealistic and I can’t fear an answer to a diagnosis I have not received. Now it will be two weeks before my next appointment and I need to prepare myself so all my questions will be answered.
Ask questions. Regardless of who ordered the mammogram or other study, who does it, and who reads it, you should ask for some immediate feedback if you are told you need to come back to have extra views taken. Needing additional films or extra views often means that part of the image wasn’t clear, not necessarily that there’s a suspicious area. Ask to speak to the radiologist who will be reading your images. You don’t want to go home feeling puzzled and anxious.
Whatever test you have, make sure that all of your doctors and nurse practitioners are sent a copy of the report. When you sign in for the test, let the receptionist know that each one is to receive a copy of the report to follow. You can even come prepared with a list of your doctors’ and nurses’ names to hand to the receptionist. Ask if you can get a copy of the report and, if desired, copies of the films or digital images saved to a compact disc (CD). It can be especially helpful to have the images if you think you might want to get a second opinion about a suspicious finding. For these and more answers to this question please go to:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/results_records/get_results.jsp

THE FACES OF CANCER PEOPLE WE KNOW

Cancer has many faces from the young to the aging. Cancer continues to be a major disease for those in developed countries. The numbers for those that are dying of cancer in the world are increasing. 2007 was one of the last years recorded, and 7.9 million people died of cancer. That number is slated to increase to 11.5 million by the year 2030.
When we see the numbers the faces sometimes get lost but for many of us who know a family member or friend who suffered from cancer the disease is real. Who are the faces of cancer the people we know? For me the faces are many, I have lost a mother, grandmother, step mother, niece and father to cancer, This doesn't even count the four uncles my children have lost. All those silent exits, most died without anyone ever knowing they had cancer until they became seriously ill and then died. This post is dedicated to the faces of cancer people we know: bring awareness to this disease prevention is the key. Post a comment or a picture of your face of cancer people you know.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Many-People-Die-From-Cancer-Each-Year?&id=2038102

Grieving A Love One Who Has Died From Cancer

The death of a love one can be the most difficult task anyone can go through, but the death of a love one who has been through the ups and downs of cancer, grief can be intensified. For months you have had hope, pain and despair one part of you hoping the diagnosis of cancer was wrong. The other standing strong and trying to prepare for a life without your love one. There are feelings of gracefulness that your love ones pain is over but there is also that hurt inside that makes you wish they were still here.I have picked up the funeral service book for the fourth time this month to send out thank you cards to friends and relatives who have been supportive,few words can express how important this support can be.
Because your emotions are so torn it may be some time before you allow yourself to grieve. There is a period where you just get through what you need to get through and then you began to realize that your love one is really gone. Like anyone else losing a love one grieving begins. Cancer death is always followed by what kind of cancer did they die from? Did they smoke? Or they are in a better place. All comments are with the best intentions but they leave you with a multitude of emptiness. Because the battle of cancer can be so long term for not only the cancer patient but also the caregiver understanding that these emotions are alright and sometimes necessary for you to move on. My family and I all took care of my mother at home my brother,niece and I live here in the same city as my mother. My sister came home from Kansas for three months to spend time with her with the help of family leave for relative who have a extremely ill family member. My brother left his home in California and moved back home the last three months of my mothers life to also take care of her. We all said a prayer for her with our family members a day before she died. We all kept our promise we would take care of her until she died. We all said good-by to her in our own way before she died and then it was time for a funeral... Now here we are after months of a joint venture of care for our mother we try to go on with our lives, we grieve separate. My sister and brother have returned home out of town and my other brother and I are in our own homes and the real grieving has begun.