Saturday, June 28, 2008

Is there anything OTC that helps with lung cancer mucus

Is there anything OTC that helps with lung cancer mucus?
My friend has cancer in her bones and it has moved to her lungs. She is having a big problem with mucus. Anyone have any ideas to make her more comfortable. She has so much mucus that it has become a problem eating
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
it's supposed to be suctioned out with a special machine she can take home. she should ask her doctor.
2 :
Mucinex can be helpful. It's OTC. If she sees a doctor, she might be prescribed Prednisone, a steroid that really helped clear my lungs fast when I had bronchitis.
3 :
Ambroxol hydrochloride syrup - a mucolytic agent, or ask you pharmacist for mucolytics - Mucosolvan or Mucoangin It is also recommended to gently beat on the shoulders on a regular basis in order to release some mucus.
4 :
Scopolamine. It's a transdermal patch. I don't think it's available over the counter, but I'm sure her doctor would call her in a script for it.
5 :
High doses of guaifenesin (generic for Mucinex) can be helpful if she is able to drink at least a couple glasses of water over the morning. She's need to take at least 4-800 mg daily. Costco sells very large two pack bottles of 400mg guaifenesin at very inexpensive prices where if you buy name brand Mucinex it will be very expensive to take enough to be of help. She can take up to 2400mg daily safely. N-acetyl-cysteine, an amino acid long used as a mucolytic will also help. Take a 500mg capsule with a vitamin C and a glass of water. You can take NAC four times daily. You can also safely take both these meds at the same time. good luck to your friend

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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Is there any link between lung cancer and breast cancer

Is there any link between lung cancer and breast cancer?
Maybe it has something to do with smoking and breast cancer? I'm concerned because my mom had breast cancer in the past, and she picked up smoking again. Links would be helpful too. Thank you!
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
To my knowledge, there is no link between the two cancers other than the fact that cancer can spread if not detected early. It's never good to smoke, especially if you have a medical background. I would suggest that you urge her not to smoke.
2 :
Testing continues to determine the exact relationship between breast cancer and smoking. At this point there have been studies that have shown both no relationship and a definite relationship. Smoking is not good on many levels and increases risks for many, many health issues. Breast cancer and Lung cancer are different diseases. The link between Breast cancer and the lungs is that breast cancer will, in later stages, spread (metastasize) to the lungs, brain and bone. It is still breast cancer even though it resides in another part of the body.

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Friday, June 20, 2008

How long do you have to smoke before lung cancer or heart disease kicks in

How long do you have to smoke before lung cancer or heart disease kicks in?
Is it normally only people who have been smoking for 40+ years or can you get it sooner?
Cancer - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
probly depends how much and how often
2 :
Everyone is different. Some people can smoke all their life and never get lung cancer and there are some people that NEVER smoke that get lung cancer. My grandma quit smoking over 30 years ago and was just diagnosed with lung cancer.
3 :
A doctor once told me that some people can smoke and some people can't and you never know which one you are until it's too late, should you choose to smoke.
4 :
Please check out http://www.tcolincampbell.org. Professor Emeritus T. Collin Campbell of Cornell spent his lifetime investigating the link between nutrition, cancer, and other diseases of affluence. He discovered that there is a high correlation between animal protein consumption (milk, dairy, eggs, meat) and the growth of cancers. Instigation of cancers is often a carcinogen, however, growth is dependent on other factors such as plant-based diet versus an animal-based diet. He first studied this link in laboratory rats and then mice. He then did epidemiological studies in rural China. These were all consistent with his hypothesis. Campbell has published over 350 peer reviewed articles, however, the mass media has given scant coverage of his discoveries. Have you ever wondered why Japanese men have an extremely low rate of lung cancer despite a very high rate of tobacco smoking? I would suggest that diet had something to do with it. By the way, Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Neal Barnard have shown through scientific studies that heart disease can be reversed by eating a "reversal diet." Get "The Spectrum" by Dr. Dean Ornish if you want more information about reversing heart disease. Again, this is a completely plant-based diet.

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Monday, June 16, 2008

Why doesn't Greenpeace speak out against coal burning power plants lung cancer producers

Why doesn't Greenpeace speak out against coal burning power plants lung cancer producers?
Nuclear is clean and not one life has ever been spent due to a nuclear plant in the U.S.. Meanwhile cancer rates around coal burning power plants sky rocket? Where are the environmentalists on this issue??? Alphabet it is more harmful than nuclear to the environment so why don't they take a more harsh stance against coal burning plants?
Politics - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Agreed; all the nuclear deaths could not touch on month of coal miner illnesses.
2 :
At the risk of sounding like a stooge, I share in your puzzlement.
3 :
Neither is good for the environment, just one is worse!
4 :
Most conservation grouos are for managing coal burning better, or, the elimination there of, they just do not make this a central issue to the public.
5 :
I found this hard to believe, so did a Goggle search on "greenpeace" and "coal". A cursory glance at the 327,000 hits indicates that Greenpeace IS active against the coal industry. http://www.google.com/search?as_q=greenpeace+coal&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&num=100&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&cr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images To me, the more pointed question... "why this administration is so supportive of the coal industry?" Bush has tried to tell us that there's such a thing as "clean coal", yet the reality shows a very dirty picture... Shortly after Bush took office, Cheney ordered a 90 day review of pending EPA violations cases. Instead of the EPA conducting the review, as was normal, the EPA was ordered conduct the review â€œin consultation with the energy department. The result of this review was the Clear Skiesâ€ initiative which: (1) eliminated mandatory pollution caps for individual plants in favor of industry-wide levels allowing companies to buy and sell emissions credits and (2) states that no improvements in pollution levels would be required of any companies for at least 10 years AND the pending cases were dropped. Bush and the RNC, in return, got 4.8 million dollars in campaign contributions from the electric utility industry to the Bush campaign, the Republican National Committee and the innagural committee. That total included 1.85 million from the four largest utilities facing NSR enforcement actions, and another $424,770 from five other utilities also facing NSR actions. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/apr2002/air-a05_prn.shtml http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/06/28/who_owns_the_sky.php http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/NSR_final.pdf http://www.aep.com/newsroom/newsreleases/default.asp?dbcommand=displayrelease&ID=483 http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2004/2004-10-14-10.asp
6 :
Not greenpeace expert but in general most environmentalists are really anti-capitalists. When Soviet Union went away (thanks Ron!!) the reds went green. This explains why only western democracies are under attack for global warming while gross polluters like China get a pass.

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Thursday, June 12, 2008

What is a good book for someone who is having a hard time dealing with his lung cancer

What is a good book for someone who is having a hard time dealing with his lung cancer?
My dad will probably die, he's totally not taking care of himself and refuses to change. I think he hasn't quite fully grasped how sick he is. Anyone know of any books that might be educational/inspirational, etc. for someone with cancer? Thanks
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Unfortunately a cancer diagnosis doesn't come with an instruction manual. We just make it up as we go along. His oncologist can offer some reading material, but if he doesn't want to read it, don't bother bringing it home. If he likes to read, make sure he has a supply of his favorite reading material. The best thing is to keep life as near normal as you can with a couple of exceptions. Add lots of hugs and hand holding. Talking just to be saying something is not appreciated. I like having family and friends near, but not always chatting. Sometimes we play cards or board games or put a jig saw puzzle together. One conversation is a must. Gather the forms required by medical people, the financial institutions he deals with and anything else you need. Take it to a lawyer to be sorted out for your dads signature. This is no fun, but has to be done. Keep it simple and let a lawyer do it.
2 :
The Anatomy of Hope. The same author also wrote How doctors think which is very interesting Also- when bad things happen to good people is a helpful book.

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Sunday, June 8, 2008

How do you know if you are getting lung cancer

How do you know if you are getting lung cancer?
Ok i have been a bad boy and have been smoking for a while. I am almost seventeen and i feeling some pain and some wierd feelings in my chest. Are there any other symptoms and how can I tell? Is it also common for a person my age to get this? Please help I will quit.
Cancer - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Lung cancer rarely shows any signs or symptoms whatsoever until it is so bad you have only a few weeks to live - and by then it is incurable. There are other serious illnesses caused by smoking that can cause what you're feeling - and several of them will dramatically shorten your life and are also incurable. Ya think maybe ya oughta see your doctor and quit?
2 :
I really don't think you have lung cancer ive been smoking since i was 14 and im 35 and i don't have lung cancer it takes yrs to develop that's if you get it.maybe what you are experiencing is heart burn or indigestion or maybe you have a lung infection have you had a cold lately..Im pretty sure a young man of your age can't have lung cancer reflux or indigestion can cause pains and bubble like feelings in your chest if your 2 worried go to a doc and have him check you out but try some anti acid tabs first galviscon is really good..
3 :
you havent developed lung cancer...you lungs may be telling you to stop being such a moron and quit smoking..listen to them...jacka.ss
4 :
You don't have lung cancer. The more immediate effects of smoking are constriction of blood vessels, which is responsible for the chest pain you're experiencing. Perhaps knowing that smoking can cause heart disease, stroke, and cancer (lung, throat, and mouth), will make you quit like it did to me.

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Wednesday, June 4, 2008

What are the survival rates of small cell lung cancer

What are the survival rates of small cell lung cancer?
My grandmother was just diagnosed and it has spread to her liver and her adrenal glands. Is this considered stage 4?
Cancer - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I'm sorry, but her chances are very slim. My grandmother had the same thing and died within three months of diagnosis. Once it spreads to various parts of the body your chances decrease.... alot. I'm so sorry.
2 :
First off, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Well, when it comes to small cell lung cancer, staging is a little different, its either limited stage or extensive stage, ie, just in the lungs, or has spread elsewhere. So, from what you said, she has extensive stage small cell, and the survival rate is probably around 1%. She would have to discuss her options with her oncologist, but with cancers with such a low survival rate, her best chance may be medications that are in clinical trials, though that would have to be a decision she would have to make, as some people dont want to be "guinea pigs" per say.
3 :
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=survival+rate+of+small+cell+lung+cancer&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&oi=scholart. good luck and god bless
4 :
i just wanted to say i'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, but am glad i have found your question. my partner has just been digonosed with advanced small cell lung cancer and to be honest although his case is not curable, i was wondering how much time we would have left together, i know this isn't helping you really. i just wanted to say how sorry i am to her about your grandmother and also to thank you for posting your question. best wishes to you and your family.

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Sunday, June 1, 2008

Recently had thoracic surgery, for non small cell lung cancer what are my chances of the lung cancer returning

Recently had thoracic surgery, for non small cell lung cancer what are my chances of the lung cancer returning
The surgery was very painful, but i made it , now I worry about it comming back, I had 2/3 of one lung removed, What are the chances that the cancer might return to the rest of that lung?
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Cancer does tend to return. How often and how soon it returns depends on which stage it was detected, you havent mentioned it in your question. Also what is important that you follow your doctor's advice absolutely religiously. Keep getting regular checkups, recurrences can also be cured if detected early.
2 :
Are you going to go through chemo now ? Or radiation? Non small cell is the worst kind, but if they caught it early and got the tumor and do chemo you could have more than 5 years left.

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