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11 common essential oils used in aromatherapy for managing cancer symptoms and side effects include: Lavender: used to relieve stress, improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and treat depression Eucalyptus: used to invigorate, reduce fever, and fight migraines and bacterial infections Geranium: used to ease anxiety, reduce depression, and promote sleep Tea tree (Melaleuca): can ease pain, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria. Lemon: used to get relief from pain, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting Chamomile: used to soothe, promote sleep, and support the immune system...

6 ovarian cancer signs and symptoms every woman should know:  Changes in appetite Bloating or increase in abdominal girth Frequent urination Changes in menstruation Discomfort in the pelvis Low energy  September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so it's a good time to learn more about early detection and save lives. About 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the US. While about half of all cases happen in women who are age 63 and older, all women face some risk of developing the disease. Certain risk factors, including being overweight and a...

Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) is quite common, there is still a lot of confusion when it comes to the facts. But in order to protect your health – and those you love – it’s important to break through the myths you may have heard about HPV. Here are five common HPV myths and the truth about them. HPV Myth #1: Only women can get it. Truth: HPV is a very common virus among both women and men. An estimated 80% of sexually active people will contract it at some point in their lives. Although most HPV infections go away on their own, infections that don’t go away (persist) can cause...

Although the terms “genetic” and “genomic” are often used interchangeably, they are actually very different. Learning more about the differences between them can help clear up some of the confusion we often see related to hereditary genes linked to developing cancer. Genetic Testing   Genetics usually refers to the study of specific, individual genes and whether they are passed from one generation to the next. Cancer researchers have studied hereditary gene mutations (changes) that can play a role in the development of cancer.   Genetic tests are medical tests that look for certain...

A Simple Test Could Tell You! Cancer researchers from Johns Hopkins have concluded that some patients may develop colon cancer due to two specific digestive bacteria that form a film on the colon. According to the study paper, which was published December 2015 inScience magazine, these two types of bacteria invade the protective mucous layer of the colon and create a small ecosystem, including nutrients the bacteria need to survive, causing chronic inflammation and subsequent DNA damage that supports tumor formation. These findings also seem to add to the growing evidence that...

A variety of studies have shown that an occasional glass of red wine has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on heart health. Also, beer has been linked to "some benefit against cardiovascular disease”, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. And, at least one study by the European Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests alcohol could reduce the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma. However, before you pop a cork and say “Cheers” this holiday season, there are some cancer-related risks you...

Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Therefore, it’s important to learn some facts about prostate cancer screenings and make sure you, or the males in your life, are getting screened for prostate cancer in a timely manner.   Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Can Provide Better Outcomes for Patients! All men, even healthy ones, can benefit from making prostate cancer screenings part of their regular healthcare routine. Doctors sometimes recommend testing simply because of age or family history. Other times, patients have some symptoms, and...

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – a time dedicated to informing women and their families about a disease that affects thousands of women each year. Ovarian cancer, a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it isn’t usually diagnosed until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Many early symptoms either aren’t apparent or they are mimicking symptoms of other stomach and digestive illnesses. This is why it’s not only important to know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, but also to pay close attention to any new or...

Often times, when people hear the word “cancer”, sarcoma isn’t one that quickly comes to mind. Some may not even know what a sarcoma is--so it’s no surprise that it’s considered the “forgotten cancer.” To bring it to the forefront, July has been declared Sarcoma Awareness Month. Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to learn more about this rare disease. What is Sarcoma? Sarcomas can be broken into two main types: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. There are, however, more than 50 different subtypes that fall under these two categories. Soft tissue sarcoma is a broad term...

Many of you may have heard that the American Cancer Society (ACS) changed the age of colorectal screening for individuals at an average risk to age 45 at the end of May. But why? While the number of diagnoses for colorectal cancer for adults aged 55 and over has declined over the last 20 years, a disturbing increase of 51% in colorectal diagnoses has been noted for adults under the age of 50 since 1994 (American Cancer Society, 2018). Furthermore, death rates from colorectal cancer in the younger age group are also rising. Based on these statistics, the ACS funded a modeling...