How To Do A Skin Check On Yourself
Cancer does not seem to be be getting much of a fight from the medical industry. Back in 2006 cancer became the number one killer disease of those in the United States. Does this statistic spell an end to the fight against cancer ? For you, we are hoping the answer to that is a resounding; “NO !”. Do not let the failures of the medical industry keep you running scared from cancer. It really is not necessary.
If you have wondered in the back of your mind how to do a skin check on yourself, it is not all that hard. Are you a person that even needs to do a skin check ? If you live in the Southern United States, if you have many moles, if you do not get enough exercise and have a poor diet that is devoid of nuts, fruits and Vitamin D, you are the perfect target for skin cancer. Read this article closely if you fall into many of the categories above.
First of all, check monthly to see if your moles change or if you get a new one. If they change color or seem to get “deeper”, you should be concerned. If you have had moles for years and years that have never changed you probably already know they are less dangerous than others that do change. That does not necessarily mean they are not dangerous. Depending on variables, cancer can take years and years to grow and become dangerous. This means you need to be diligent to track moles with a monthly skin check even if you think they are not dangerous.
The aspect of a mole is important. If a mole changes colors, especially the colors of red, grey, white or blue, be concerned. If the border becomes scalloped or irregular it is also a negative sign. If the mole obtains a diameter of bigger than six millimeters you should be concerned. If a mole is or becomes asymmetrical it is sign that is becoming or is malignant. A mole should look similar in geometry to a fried egg, being somewhat ovule and having distinct defined edges. Another tip is; if one mole looks definitely different from the rest this is also a bad sign.
While learning how to do this on yourself is important, this article is not going to be able to give you everything you need to do it completely. Go with a dermatologist if you have doubts about any of your personal examinations. The dermatologist should have years ( and I do mean years ) of experience. Check out the recommendations they give to you online or with someone you know has years of experience in dermatology. Your health should be under your care, that is, you should take charge of your own health. If you have an unwavering faith in the medical industry you should consider the amount of people under their “care” that die yearly as a result of their negligience or mistakes. 274 people died today under their care.
One last tip to think on is sunlight. The sun combines with oil on our skin to give our bodies Vitamin D. Lack of Vitamin D has been connected with an abundance of diseases. You have no doubt heard that the sun is bad for you. For the most part, it is only bad for those who have a diet lacking in basic nutrients. Think about the Indians or the Africans who practically live out in the sun and use very little clothing. Why do they not have an abundance of skin cancer ? Answer: their diet. The medical industry tells the world that the sun is bad for you. They are right only if you have a terrible diet. Since most reading this do have a terrible diet, now you know what to do. Learning how to do a skin check on yourself is important, especially if you have a terrible diet that is void of the seventy minerals and the various vitamins necessary for normal health. If this is you, do not get a sunburn and keep a close watch on your skin, especially on any moles you may have. Remember, if you see a mole on the outside, there is a good chance there are more on the inside also.
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Is A Yearly Mammogram Really Necessary?
Is a yearly mammogram really necessary ? Some parts of the medical industry seem to be waking up to the dangers of radiation. But some are ignoring common sense. As recently as January, 2010, it has been reported that US doctors are giving mammograms to women who really do not need them. Let´s take a look into the juicy details about mammograms, for your own health.
Newsweek reports that elderly women who are married and wealthy are more likely to get an unnecessary mammogram. In the United States, doctors are reimbursed a certain amount of money for mammograms. They get a kickback of eighty one dollars from the government for a non-digital mammogram and a whopping one hundred and thirty dollars for a digital one. When you add up the damage from all those doctors giving unnecessary screenings, the cost is twelve million dollars ! This is for health (“sick care” is a better term ) care that is not only not needed, but that can create more damage to the human body.
Incredibly, women are seldom advised of the health risk of getting a yearly mammogram. Health providers argue that the risk of getting cancer is greater if a yearly mammogram is not performed. Knowledgeable doctors tell us that there has yet to be shown any evidence that a mammogram will reduce the incidence of breast cancer. Getting online and doing some studying for yourself is then one of the smartest things you can do for your own health. The United States federal government operates a site on medicine ( medlineplus.gov ) that states clearly that being exposed to small amounts of radiation over a long time will raise your risk of cancer. It would be hard to be more direct than that. They go on to say that this small amount of radiation can cause your genetic makeup to change, and therefore be passed on to your children after the exposure. Genetic mutations are able to cause birth defects. The Medline Plus site is a service of National Institutes of Health and the US National Library of Medicine.
So, is a yearly mammogram really necessary ? Using common sense, if you have a high family history of breast cancer or some other pressing reason to suspect you may get breast cancer, you should consider getting the alternative to a mammogram. What is an alternative to a mammogram ? A thermogram can do the same job as a mammogram and do so without the danger of exposing the body to radiation. Not only can thermograms do the same job as a mammogram, they can estimate cancer at an earlier stage than the mammogram. This makes the a thermogram a highly superior tool over the mammogram. The thermogram reads the heat emitted from the breast and uses absolutely no radiation to achieve its results.
The question; ” Is a yearly mammogram really necessary ?” was answered clearly this past week. The Amercan College of Physicians stated that a woman´s risk factors and personal preference should determine if she seeks a yearly mammogram before age fifty. Since you just found out that a thermogram is better than a mammogram, that means a mammogram will probably never be needed.
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How Can Smoking Affect Your Mouth’s Health?
Smoking not only harms a person’s overall health, but it also damages the condition of the mouth.
Smoking increases the risks of tooth loss, but more importantly, it is the main cause of throat and oral cancers. In fact, smoking sets off 75% of all cancers of the mouth.
Smoking and overall health
Here are some facts of how smoking affects someone’s health:
· The life expectancy of people who smoke is decreased by 14 years.
· With every puff of cigarette a person breathes in 4,700 different chemicals.
· More than 90% of all regular smokers began using tobacco at or before age 18.
Smoking and oral health
Although smoking and chewing tobacco does not increase the risk of having cavities, it can do lots of damage to the gums and other parts of the mouth:
· The risk of tooth loss in smokers is twice more than in non-smokers.
· Smoking is the main cause of throat and oral cancers.
· Smoking increases periodontal disease (gum disease).
· Smoking can cause inflammation of the salivary glands.
· Smoking delays healing after tooth extraction and can lead to a temporary and painful condition known as dry socket.
· Smokers have less success with periodontal treatments and dental implants.
Besides the significant and dangerous hazards mentioned above, other factors that smokers should consider include:
· Smoking is a major source of bad breath.
· The loss of taste and smell can be caused by smoking and chewing tobacco.
· Smoking stains teeth reducing the aesthetics of a smile.
· Smoking might produce constant plaque and tartar build up.
Recommendations for smokers
To say “stop smoking” is an easier thing said than done. Nicotine addiction can be very strong and hard to lose, that is why tobacco companies are so successful with their products. But to stop smoking is also the most effective way to eliminate all the hazards that tobacco can cause, not only to a person’s mouth but also to increase the changes of living a long and healthy life with the people we love.
Here some tips for smokers concerning their oral health:
· Stop smoking or chewing tobacco.
· Have regular checkups with the dentist in order to verify the state of the gums and make sure no oral cancer is developing.
· Maintain a thorough oral hygiene plan by regularly brushing, flossing, using mouthwash and tongue cleaner, and by having regular professional cleanings at the dentist’s office.
· Learn how to do an oral cancer self examination:
- Check for any sores at the face, neck or mouth level that do not heal within two weeks.
- Check for repeated bleeding in the mouth.
- Check for white, red or dark patches on the cheeks, palate, tongue, or under the tongue; if such lesions do not disappear after two weeks, have them checked by a dentist.
- Check for swellings, lumps or bumps on your lips, gums, or other areas in the mouth.
Notice any numbness, pain or loss of feeling in any area of the mouth.
Guest post by Dr Anto Yossef from Studio Dentaire
