Over the years, various news reports have associated many different lifestyle factors with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The most common have been: obesity, low levels of physical activity, using hormone therapy, eating meat, not eating enough fresh vegetables and fruit, alcohol consumption, smoking, not having children or having children ‘later’ in life, and not breast feeding.

Time and time again, we see reports and studies that point the finger of blame to just one factor. These short-sighted theories continue to fall flat on their faces. Of course it’s not just one thing. Of course it’s not just one cause. That’s unscientific thinking.

For every woman who, for example, has a low level of physical activity and also happens to develop breast cancer, there are many more who share the same sedentary lifestyle and will never develop the illness. Yet, we know of many extremely active women who have developed breast cancer. It’s not one thing.

It’s the same as the fit, trim, veggie-eating-picture-of health-person who suddenly experiences major health issues. Meanwhile that same person has relatives of a ripe old age who have never exercised a day in their lives, eat bacon and eggs and fast food all the time, can’t remember the name of a vegetable, let alone the last time they ate one, and lay on the couch all day watching television, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes! There they are – “healthy” at 90 years of age!

How do we explain this? It’s certainly not genetics. How could it be? Think of all the examples in your own family where that makes no sense. There’s always somebody who was “the first” to develop a so-called genetic disease. And there are always family members who will never develop certain chronic illnesses that their relatives have. It doesn’t add up.

In my family, my mom was the first and only to ever be diagnosed with breast cancer. She has 5 sisters and dozens and dozens of aunts and nieces. Her sisters are all in their late 70′s and 80′s now, and several aunts are in their 90′s. No breast cancer. She was the only one. Where’s the genetic connection?

The challenge is that it’s not that easy. It’s not that clear.

Our current level of health is 100% the result of the choices we have made up to this point in our lives, as well as the external environment we’ve been exposed to throughout the years.

Everything that we’ve ever eaten, drank, inhaled, every drug we’ve ever taken, everything we’ve ever thought or felt, how we’ve slept, our stress levels, how we’ve moved our bodies, how we feel about ourselves and others, whether or not we have children, whether or not we nursed them, every injury we’ve ever had, every toxin we’ve been exposed to in the air and water, every body care product we’ve ever used, every lawn and gardening product we’ve ever been exposed to, every bug spray and sunscreen we’ve ever applied, every vitamin we’ve ever taken, whether or not we’ve been vaccinated…

The science of Epigenetics does a much better job of explaining the cause of chronic illness than does genetics alone. Epigenetics quite simply proves that the environment is what determines the expression of our genes, not some mystical power within the genes themselves. Lifestyle choices create our environment.

We have trillions of cells in our body, and each one of them has it’s own stored memory of it’s experiences. Every person responds differently (physically, chemically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually) to life and its many intricate components. How could we possibly think that just one thing could affect us all the same?

It’s overwhelming to think about! I choose to focus on what I CAN control right here, right now. I can choose to create health by making pure and sufficient lifestyle choices (in what I eat, how I move and how I think), while simultaneously reducing or eliminating as many toxic and deficient choices as possible. Thanks to Dr. James Chestnut for simplifying lifestyle choices like this.

The choices I make NOW will determine my future health.
We may not know the one exact cause of cancer, but we DO know how people get sick… too much toxicity and deficiency for too long, without enough purity and sufficiency. We can change that.

Dr. Colleen Trombley (“Dr Mom Online”) is a leading Health expert. See why so many turn to her for healthy living, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, raising healthy kids and stress management tips. Request your FREE report revealing Dr. Mom’s formula for success at http://OptimalHealthReport.com

In the summer most people find themselves outdoors relishing the warm, sunny days by sun tanning. The beaches, swimming pools, parks, campsites, and sporting events are often packed with sun lovers. The warmth of the sun on a beautiful, sunny day will entice many of us to soak up the rays instead of staying indoors. However, it is important to protect your skin while sun bathing.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause irreversible damage to your skin if not protected, so taking a few extra steps to avoid a sunburn is mandatory. Below are a few guidelines to avoid destruction of your skin while you are trying to achieve a tan.

1. Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the number the better – especially for
fair complexions. It may take longer for you to achieve a tan, but it is always best to obtain a gradual glow to
your skin. A high SPF will prevent a painful sunburn, so apply the lotion on every exposed part of your body. If
you are swimming, you will need to purchase a waterproof sunscreen to avoid reapplication. Even normal
perspiration can remove sunscreen, so a good rule of thumb is to buy waterproof lotion. It is imperative to use
sunscreen on children. Most skin damage and cancers can result from the early years of non-protection.

2. For those who prefer using a tanning bed or a heat lamp to achieve that ‘healthy‘ glow, use a sunscreen as
well. Most importantly, cover your eyelids with moistened cotton balls. The eyes are ultra sensitive to heat
and light. It should not affect your ‘tan line’ if you use the minimum amount of time in the tanning bed. Never
stay in longer than the required time. As mentioned above, a gradual tan is always better.

3. Normal activity outdoors such as gardening, biking, or walking involves motion, so you aren’t actually getting
direct, straight-on sun exposure. Wear a cap and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Apply sunscreen on the
face, top of ears, neck, arms, etc. When gardening, you will notice many people wear a straw hat with a wide
brim. This is wonderful protection against sunburn. A lightweight straw hat allows aeration that will lessen
perspiration versus a solid hat.

Whatever activity draws you out in the summer sun, whether it is work or play, just remember to take a few extra precautions before heading out. It’s a win-win situation all the way around.

The online project Good Health Today congregates articles of specialists in health in order to give you the best advice in this important area of life. See more at http://www.goodhealthtoday.net . Also visit our partner at http://www.fewclothes.com .

Cancer is a disease that damages your DNA and then makes your cells grow in a rapid, out of control way. This eventually leads to the formation of a malignant (cancerous) tumour. Cancer is not easy to spot but there are some tell tale symptoms including lumps and unexplained weight loss. If you have any reason to suspect that you have cancer then you should go and get yourself tested by your doctor. In this article I will be discussing five of the cancer tests that they may perform.

1) PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:- This is normally the first test for cancers where there are obvious physical symptoms. For example, the first test for prostate cancer usually involves your doctor examining your prostate with a gloved finger. However, it can also be used to test for cancers with less obvious physical symptoms. For example, your doctor may do test for lung cancer by listening to any coughs that you have.

2) X-RAY:- This cancer test allow your doctor to build a picture of the inside of your body. They can then use this picture to look for any abnormalities that could potentially be cancerous tumours. For example, lung cancer can sometimes be identified from lumps that are identified on an x-ray.

3) COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN:- This test involves using multiple X-rays to build a 3D picture of the inside of your body. This can then allow your doctor to identify any abnormalities that an X-ray may have missed.

4) ENDOSCOPY:- This cancer test involves using an instrument called an endoscope (a small, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to investigate any abnormalities more closely. For example, your doctor may put an endoscope down your throat to investigate potential lung cancers up close.

5) ULTRASOUND:- This test involves using sound waves to build a picture of the inside of your body. In certain situations an ultrasound is more useful than an x-ray or a CT scan because it reveals whether any abnormalities are fluid (and none cancerous) or solid (and potentially cancerous).

I hope this article has given you a greater insight into the different cancer tests that are available to you. If you have any reason at all to believe that you may have contracted cancer then you should go and see your doctor about testing. Cancer is much more treatable if caught early and the above tests give you a much greater chance of catching it while it is still treatable.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about cancer testing by visiting; http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/what-is-cancer.html

Cancer is a disease that disrupts the DNA in your body’s cells. This causes the process of cell division to go wrong and leads to rapid, uncontrollable cellular growth which can spread to other areas of the body. The signs of cancer often go unnoticed but can be identified if you know what to look for. That is why in this article I am going to discuss three potential cancer symptoms.

1) LUMPS:- As I mentioned above, cancer occurs when your cells start to grow in a rapid, out of control way leading to the formation of a tumour. For certain types of cancer this tumour causes a lump to form on the skin. For example, breast cancer and skin cancer can often be identified from a lump on the skin. If you notice any lumps that appear on your skin and do not go away then you should go see your doctor right away. Most lumps turn out to be none cancerous but it is better to be safe than sorry.

2) UNEXPLAINED BLEEDING:- Bleeding is never a good sign and can be a possible cancer symptom. If you start to cough up blood this is a potential sign of lung cancer. Rectal bleeding can indicate ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. If your skin starts to bleed this is a possible symptom of skin cancer. Bleeding does not always indicate cancer but it is almost always a sign that something is wrong. Therefore, if you notice any unexplained bleeding go and see your doctor right away.

3) UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS:- If you start to lose weight and do not know why it could be a sign of cancer. One reason for this is that certain tumours in the digestive tract can cause blockages and interfere with digestion. Certain cancers also cause chemicals to be released that increase your metabolism and allow you to burn more calories. Any unexplained weight loss should be treated with suspicion and if it happens you should go and see your doctor immediately.

A lot of the time cancer has no symptoms. However, any of the above signs are an indicator that something is not right and a potential cancer symptom. They should all be treated as warning signs and if you notice lumps, unexplained bleeding and unexplained weight loss you should go and consult your doctor.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the various cancer symptoms by visiting; http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/what-is-cancer.html

Cancer is a disease that causes the process of cell division to go wrong in the body ultimately leading to the formation of a cancerous tumour. Although we know how cancer develops we do not know what triggers the cancerous growth. However, there are certain risk factors associated with it. In this article I will be discussing four of these possible cancer risk factors in greater detail.

1) AGE:- As discussed above, cancer develops when the process of cell division malfunctions. The older we get the more times our cells have divided meaning there is more opportunity for something to go wrong. Furthermore, the older we get the more times our body’s cells release DNA damaging by products that can disrupt the process of cell division. Therefore, age acts as a cancer risk factor.

2) EXPOSURE TO CARCINOGENS:- Carcinogens are substances that are directly involved in the promotion of cancer. They can be found in; asbestos, car exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke (which contains over 70 carcinogens) and radiation. Therefore, people who are heavily exposed to these substances (such as heavy cigarette smokers) have an increased cancer risk.

3) POOR DIET:- Research suggests that certain foods can protect you against cancer. For example, fruits and vegetables contain a number of powerful anti-oxidants that can protect your cells from damage. Therefore, by eating a poor diet that is devoid of these nutrients you increase your risk of contracting cancer.

4) SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE:- Research has shown that there is a strong link between exercise and cancer risk. The more exercise you do the less likely your chances of developing cancer appear to be although it is not known exactly why. In a study of 40,000 men by Cancer Research UK those who walked or cycled for an hour a day were 16% less likely to get cancer. Therefore, people who lead an inactive, sedentary lifestyle have a greater chance of getting cancer.

Although no one is sure exactly what causes cancer to develop, research has identified the above as definite risk factors. Whilst aging cannot be controlled if you stay away from carcinogens, eat the right foods and exercise regularly you can significantly reduce your chances of contracting cancer.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the different cancer risk factors by visiting; http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/what-is-cancer.html

Cancer is a condition that causes your cells to grow in a rapid, out of control way. This ultimately leads to the formation of a malignant (cancerous) tumour which can then spread to other areas of the body. In the worst cases cancer is fatal and the more advanced it gets the less effective treatments will be. However, if caught early cancer is treatable and a full recovery can be made. In this article I am going to be discussing three potential cancer treatments.

1) SURGERY:- Surgery is the most common treatment used for early stage cancers. If the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body surgery may allow the entire tumour to be removed and a full recovery to be made. However, even with more advanced cancers surgery may be a viable option for reducing the undesirable symptoms. If your doctor does suggest surgery there are potential side effects depending upon the type of surgery performed. Therefore, before undergoing this cancer treatment you need to ensure that your doctor discusses it with you thoroughly.

2) CHEMOTHERAPY:- Chemotherapy involves the use of anti-cancer medications to shrink or kill cancerous cells. It can be used as a standalone cancer treatment but it is more often used pre-surgery (to shrink the tumour and make the surgery easier to perform) or post-surgery (to kill any cancer cells that may be remaining). Like surgery, chemotherapy has a number of unpleasant side effects because it kills none cancerous cells as well. These side effects can include diarrhea, hair loss and nausea so you need to ensure that you fully discuss them with your doctor before starting on a course of chemotherapy.

3) RADIOTHERAPY:- Radiotherapy involves using high doses of radiation to shrink or kill cancerous cells. Like chemotherapy, it can be used to treat cancer fully but it is more commonly used before or after surgery. Like the other cancer treatments, radiotherapy comes with some unpleasant side effects which include nausea and vomiting. Therefore, you need to make sure that your doctor makes you aware of all the possible side effects before starting radiotherapy treatment.

I hope this article has given you more of an insight into the various cancer treatments that are available. Whilst being diagnosed with cancer is never going to be a pleasant experience it is good to know that there are treatments available. If cancer is treated in the early stages a full recovery can be made. Therefore, if you have any reason to suspect that you have cancer go see your doctor and explain your concerns to them. They will then be able to put you on the most appropriate course of treatment.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the various cancer treatments by visiting; http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/what-is-cancer.html