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If you are looking for reliable cancer information you need to look no further that the internet. There are a number of sites that offer information on breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, as well as other types of cancer, including signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org has an abundance of cancer information and links of interest that can guide you to other cancer information resources. There are detailed guides about different types of cancer, treatment options, various cancer drugs, and how to get involved in groups promoting cancer awareness and education. You can make donations by purchasing books and other materials containing cancer information from the website as well.

Another good source for news about ongoing research and current cancer information is the National Institute of Health�s cancer research group, located online at www.cancer.gov. This is a great site where you can locate cancer statistics, such as the prevalence of various forms of cancer, as well as information regarding ongoing clinical trials, results of previous research, how clinical trials are conducted, and how to locate a clinical trial to participate in. This site also has an extensive online dictionary with definitions for various cancer terms and treatments, in addition to an in depth section on medications used in cancer treatments as well as links to more cancer drug information. Other reputable sites worth a visit are www.oncolink.com sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, www.cancersociety.com, and the National Cancer Institute�s Cancer Information Service at www.cis.nci.nih.gov.

If you are looking for cancer information from more personal sources, say from real people who have cancer, then you may want to join an online chat forum or local cancer support group. A few people have even posted their experiences and thoughts on their own personal websites, and you can visit with these folks via email as well. You may just have something in common, and this could be a great way to learn more about your situation and what to expect. Other good sources of cancer information include your primary care physician or gynecologist for various types of female concerns, including breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers. If you are looking for cancer information on a specific type, you can do a search just on that alone, which will narrow down your results considerably. Hopefully, you or your loved ones will never hear the diagnosis of cancer, but if you do, you know that cancer information is easily accessible. Knowledge is power, get it, and use it.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, there are a number of cancer treatment centers located throughout the country. Many of these cancer treatment centers offer a variety of treatments, both traditional and holistic, to treat not only the cancer, but the body, mind, and spirit too. Various cancer treatment centers conduct research on an ongoing basis, and patients can participate if they qualify in a number of clinical trials. New cancer treatments are being developed all the time, and once research has progressed to where trying it on humans is warranted, clinical trials are conducted. Great results are being seen with new cancer treatments; some types of cancer that were an automatic death sentence in the past are now being treated successfully, and patients are living cancer free due to this continued research.

There are cancer treatment centers that are accessible to everyone located in most metropolitan areas. Most are affiliated with large university based hospitals, and offer the latest technology available to treat various types of cancers. These types of facilities are also research based and provide a number of new treatment options to participants in various ongoing studies. If one of these larger cancer treatment centers is not within a reasonable distance, or not accessible due to other limitations, treatment can be sought through local oncologists and cancer treatment centers. These are also good facilities, and can provide the cancer patient with professional care and support. Cancer treatment centers differ in the types of services they offer, whether they are traditional or alternative treatment based, and the corresponding fees differ as well. It is possible to find an affordable cancer treatment center, and if you want extra amenities and a more non-traditional approach, that is available too. Some of the more upscale private facilities provide the gourmet organic meals, natural herbal spa treatments, and other pampering services to the cancer patient, in addition to deluxe room accommodations. These non-traditional cancer therapies help the patient recover and enjoy living again.

Cancer treatment centers do not have to be sterile hospital environments, with stale food, and stiff sheets. Comfort is important for all cancer patients, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Cancer patients searching for a cancer treatment center can look online at a number of options, where various cancer treatments are discussed, as well as other considerations such as diet and nutrition, and spiritual health. Cancer treatment centers all have the same goal, to provide the best care possible, to offer endless support to cancer patients and their families, and turn what can be a devastating situation into a positive experience.

I’m watching prime-time reruns of the HBO blockbuster, Sex in the City, and am reminded of the show’s brilliant finale–when Big flies to Paris to take his girl home as Mrs. Big, yes, but am reminded more immediately of my best friend�s cancer treatments�as this episode is one wherein Samantha has cancer and is experimenting with wigs. The writers, directors, and performers make Sam�s having cancer manageable by integrating a strain of humor into the dialogue and actions. They also make it heart-renderingly lovely by having that FOX, Smith Jarrod (played by ), shave his gorgeous hair to show empathy for and solidarity with his lover. But that’s television.

Back to my best bud, who was diagnosed with invasive endometrial adinocarcinoma: while I do not wish to profit from her cancer treatments by writing about them too explicitly, and though I have been keeping a meticulously detailed diary of her cancer treatments and side-effects, I have been given leave to discuss with you cancer treatments in general by telling you which cancer treatments she has undergone thus far.

Almost immediately after she was diagnosed, she had a full radical hysterectomy on Valentine’s Day. This was done because the cancer was spread through her uterus, and so surgeons could investigate where the cancer was traveling: it was spreading toward the lymph nodes under the lungs.

Next were a series of consultations with top oncologists. The options are as terrifying or as dreadful as having to meet a mandate to vote for a country leader and finding the only choices are Adolph Hitler or Pol Pot. Actually, worse: she would have to ‘elect’ two/both of the two options. She would have ten weeks of radiation, five days a week for six weeks; and she would take two types of chemotherapy (Sysplatin and 5FU–first for four days, then weekly.

Before beginning the first of the post-surgery cancer treatments, my friend was advised to get glutamine (vitamins) and Compazine (an anti-nausea potion)�to combat the Amaphostine shot. Besides having the run-around by pharmacies, she had no trouble before or after the first round (over four days, during the Academy Awards week).

Next in the series of cancer treatments was another consultation: the specialist informed her she would have internal radiation: a tampon as lethal to her as to the cancer that would be inserted and would require she lie on her back with her feet up for three hours afterward.

For the first days, my best friend was feeling fine. When we spoke by phone (as I am a long drive away and cannot be there every day), she was still clear, attentive, and laughing. After two weeks, she was sick. She had terrible bathroom problems and couldn’t even stay on the phone to talk or listen though this woman is a phone freak, using the phone 99% of the time�over using email.

Thus far, then, through her pre-, post-, and interim cancer treatments, all I can do is find hysterical sayings to send her or save to read to her over the phone when she feels better. And she will, for she is a stalwart survivor with one of the finest senses of humor around. And THAT, is purportedly the BEST of cancer treatments: laughing.

The other day, I was taken by the hair coloring of a clerk at the local store. I commented on how beautiful it was, with the dark base and the natural-looking streaks, as if the sun had touched her alone; and we began a conversation of how when we were younger we would not have to use any hair dyes: we just sprayed SunIn on our hair and laid out in the sun for an hour or two. This of course led us to discussing the near impossibility of doing that now, as we have blasted the ozone layer(s) so hard we have created a direct line between us and the harsher (more deadly) rays of the sun (and no, SunIn is a pump spray, not an aerosol, so we didn�t have to go there with culpability and irony and all).

But you probably didn’t come here to read about hair coloring techniques that are sun-free or chemical free, for that matter�at least not specifically. You came looking for information on the different types of skin cancer. The speculation and theory does hold some evidence against chemicals in�ahem�health and beauty products; and it does point to the sun’s ‘damaging rays’ as a possible cause, etc., but here, since we aren’t medical professionals, specialist, or experts, the info on the types of skin cancer is going to be basic and absent of finger-pointing, if you will:

There are three types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma (a.k.a. non-melanoma skin cancer); Squamous Cell Carcinoma; and Melanoma.

Melanoma (also, Cutaneous Melanoma, Malignant Melanoma) � Cancer cells are growing in the melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation. According to University of Maryland medicine and other experts, of all of the types of skin cancer, Melanoma is �the rarest and the most virulent�.� It is typically found in people with fair skin, light hair, and/or light eyes, though it is possible in others with different complexions, and as the experts above also assert, does not exempt those with dark brown or black skin. Identifiable symptoms include, most commonly, a mole changing color, size, shape, or state (starts oozing or bleeding), or a mole that UMM notes �feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch.�

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Also called non-melanoma skin cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma usually begins as a red-looking, scaly patch or patches of skin, or can appear as nodules. Of the three types of skin cancer, Squamous, affecting Caucasians, usually fair-complected, is the second most common and shows up, typically, on the ears (ear-rims), face, lips, and mouth.
Basal Cell Carcinoma � The second of the types of skin cancer, Basal Cell Cancer, typically starts as a �small, fleshy bump or nodule,� most commonly found on the head, neck, and/or hands. Of the three types of skin cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma, which is typically found in Caucasians, say those at UMM, make up more than 90 percent in the U.S..

My mother had the second most common of the types of skin cancer, on her lip, and while we at first teased her that it was herpes, she was smart enough to know it was a �sun blister� and quick enough to catch it by going to a specialist. That�s the good news, to give you hope when you bemoan the loss of days picnicking, swimming, and bathing under the wonderful sun.

If you, or someone who you know has been diagnosed with leukemia, there is nothing that is more important than getting quality leukemia information. If you do not adequately treat your cancer, your chances of a successful recovery are rather thin, but with good leukemia information, you can be much more likely to come through the other side successfully. Although there is no completely effective cure for it, the latest leukemia information can still help you treat it, especially if you catch it at an early stage before it spreads too far. There are many decisions that you have to make in fighting leukemia, or any other kind of cancer, for that matter, and you should be in contact with a qualified cancer specialist to help you make an informed decision.

Bone marrow transplant information is especially crucial for the treatment of leukemia. According to all the leukemia information, a bone marrow transplant is one of the most effective methods of fighting against leukemia. If you are unfamiliar with the basic facts of leukemia, you might not know why. It is because leukemia attacks bone marrow, and through that, attacks the immune system. Through a bone marrow transplant, leukemia can be treated.

The problem is that this approach is involved, extremely painful, and requires a donor. According to leukemia information, it can prolong your life to get a bone marrow transplant to fight against this disease, but it will not be all that likely to lead to a complete cure. Nonetheless, combined with chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant really can make a quite effective weapon against leukemia. I have stayed abreast of all of the latest leukemia information for quite a few years now, and I can tell you that bone marrow transplants have gotten somewhat less traumatic, less expensive, and all around easier, and that the chance of successful recovery has indeed increased. Nonetheless, they are no picnic.

If you wish to get more leukemia information, it is not hard to find. If you have cancer, you are probably already in touch with a cancer treatment center. Otherwise, there are plenty of other options for getting good leukemia information. You can consult the internet for starters, and pay particular attention to government health sites. There are also a wide variety of respectable cancer journals which can give you all of the leukemia information which you might need to keep aware of new techniques to fight against this horrible disease.

Breast Cancer Support Groups

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women next to lung cancer. Every woman is at risk for developing breast cancer in her lifetime. According to OncoLink at www.oncolink.org, almost 200,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. It is recommended that women perform self-breast examination on a routine basis to detect any changes in breast tissue. As women age, changes can occur in the breast that may not be detected by touch, which is why all women should start getting screening mammograms at the recommended intervals after age 35. A lesion or tumor can be present for many years before it is palpable. Once a tumor has spread, more aggressive treatment is required to stop the growth and spread to surrounding tissues. Breast cancer support groups can be very helpful to women in all stages of the disease process, from the newly diagnosed to those who are terminal.

Breast cancer awareness should be in the minds of all women. Early detection is the most important step to take against the disease. Breast cancer support groups are located across the country to help women and their loved ones learn about breast cancer, and how to deal with certain aspects of the disease process and treatments. If there is not a local group or you are unable to attend, sign up for an online breast cancer support group for answers to questions and information regarding diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes. Breast cancer research is ongoing, and there is yet to be a cure found. One of the most well known breast cancer support groups per se is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which sponsors the Race for the Cure, and raises awareness as well as funds for ongoing breast cancer research through sponsored events held across the country. For more information on Race for the Cure events and the latest news about breast cancer research, breast cancer support groups, and treatments visit www.komen.org.

Any type of cancer can be devastating, and people newly diagnosed as well as those going through treatment and in remission, can benefit from the relationships established through breast cancer support groups. Patients benefit greatly from this type of outlet, and breast cancer support groups have been established just for this purpose, and serve as the core of support for breast cancer patients and their loved ones. For more information on breast cancer support groups online visit www.breastcancer.org, www.cancersociety.com, www.cancer.org, and www.thewellnesscommunity.org.