The concept of cancer insurance is rather simple. It is when benefits, regardless of other insurances a person can have, are directly paid to the person, so that the person involved can use these benefits provided by the cancer insurance to help pay off the extra costs in their cancer treatment. However, to get cancer insurance, in most cases, there need to be medical proof that a person is diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer has become the leading cause of the increasing death rates among people of all ages. The risk of being a cancer patient increases with age, according to the statistics of American Cancer Society.

Treating cancer requires a large amount of financial support, as the medicines required, various radio, chemo therapies and surgeries are rather costly. The overall costs of cancer in United States in the year 2007 was estimated by the national institute of health- to be approximately $219.2 billion (of which, $89 billion was for medical costs).

Therefore, though a person might have a normal health insurance that could cover the expenses of day to day medical requirements and in case of accidents; it is doubtful whether those insurances can cover the high costs of cancer treatments. Hence, it is important for a cancer patient to consider cancer insurance.

However, other than one specific cancer insurance, there are various other ways in which cancer patients can insurance themselves, such as private health insurances and government-funded insurance plans (such as in the US- Medicare and Medicaid).
Also, for cancer patients there are other financial resources available through government programs, disability benefits, aid from voluntary organizations, and living benefits from life insurance policies.

There are certain points to consider before purchasing cancer insurance. First you need to find out what coverage are available under your present health care policy – in the case that you are diagnosed with cancer. If you are on Medicaid or some other government funded insurance plan, reconsider whether you actually need cancer insurance.

If you are sure that cancer insurance is for you, then you should think about the best cancer policy that meets your needs at the most affordable price, but you should make sure to read and understand the cancer policies first (specially the limitations).

Find out what is covered and not covered by the cancer policy; find out whether there is any coverage for other diseases that might occur due to the cancer or its treatment and whether the benefits provided by your other health insurance policies will be affected.
Choosing a cancer insurance that is best suited, if done wisely, would be the best way of ensuring financial support for a cancer patient.

Popularity: 18% [?]

For a diabetic a diabetic diet is very important to managing their condition, and in some cases even working towards reversing it. In general this type of diet restricts calories, while controlling the ratio of carbohydrates and fats. Here’s some more information on diabetes in general, and the diabetic diet.

Before discussing the diabetic diet it’s important to understand the two types of diabetes. In general there are two types of this disease – type I diabetes which is generally diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously called juvenile diabetes, and type II diabetes which is a more common form of diabetes. With type I diabetes the body does not produce insulin, while with type II diabetes the cells generally ignore the insulin. Both forms of the disease respond well to a diabetic diet, although it is more likely that type II diabetes can actually be avoided or reversed in early stages.

In general the diabetic diet is geared towards attaining ideal body weight for controlling and managing diabetes. There is a simple formula for calculating the estimated ideal bodyweight for any person. For a woman begin with 100 pounds at 5 feet tall, at 5 pounds for every inch over 5 feet, while if under 5 feet subtract 5 pounds for each inch under 5 feet. Here’s a quick example – a woman who is 5′4” tall ideally should be 100+20 pounds, in other words 120 pounds. For men start with 106 pounds for a height of 5 feet than add 6 pounds for every inch about 5 feet. So for a 6 foot tall man ideal weight would be 178 pounds.

Many people have different opinions on the perfect diabetic diet, however some general elements are in common. For a person with type I diabetes diet should be approximately 35 calories per kilogram of body weight per day, that’s 16 calories per pound of body weight per day. That means a 160 pound man should eat about 2500 calories per day. Type II diabetes requires approximately 1500 to 1800 calories per day for loss, then differing amounts of calories to maintain ideal body weight.

In a general a diabetic diet carbohydrate intake should be about 50% of the daily caloric intake. It is often believed that even lower card-levels are healthier for Diabetic patients, but higher percentages of fat in the diet has its own problems. Sometimes this can be offset by substituting mono unsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats in the place of saturated fats.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the scariest things that can happen to a person. It’s easy to lose all hope and just give up then and there, but it is important to keep in mind that the number of cancer survivors has increased over the last few years, and with proper treatment, it is possible to be one of them.

There are several types of cancer, and even in a smaller subset such as skin cancer there’s more than one type.

Skin cancer can be either a carcinoma or a melanoma. As the name suggests, the melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes. It is more likely than the carcinomas to spread to other parts of the body, but fortunately is the rarest form of skin cancer. The most common forms of skin cancer are basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

So what are basal and squamous cells and melanocytes? The epidermis (top layer of the skin) is made up of three types of cells:
Squamous cells – These are thin, flat cells that make up the topmost layer.
Basal cells – Found under the squamous cells, these are round.
Melanocytes – These produce melanin, the pigment that colours skin.

Factors that increase the risk of skin cancer include having fair skin, chronic inflammations or ulcers, scars or burns, having had radiation therapy and being exposed to a lot of either artificial (as in tanning booths) or natural UV rays. Keep in mind, that just because one of the risk factors applies to you, it doesn’t mean that you will definitely get skin cancer. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true and people who don’t show any of the risk factors may also get skin cancer.

One of the best ways of preventing skin cancer is by minimizing damage to the skin through overexposure to sunlight, so wearing sunscreen is recommended. Also, the quicker a cancer is caught and treated, the higher the chances of success. Skin cancer looks different depending on which type it is, so if anything suspicious is spotted, it’s a good idea to see a physician and get a professional opinion.

If diagnosed with skin cancer, there are several organisations out there that provide support and information. A good source of information is the National Cancer Institute, which has a comprehensive and clear website, and experts available to assist by telephone, email, post or chat.

Popularity: 29% [?]

The grapefruit diet is one of the earliest known Hollywood fad diets. It dates back to the 1930s, and many Hollywood stars of the time swore by it. It remained popular until the mid-1970s, when it became one of the diets that was faxed around from machine to machine, popularly known as xerox lore. The diet is attributed to the Mayo Clinic, which clearly states that it has nothing to do with the diet and that the diet is not good.

Originally the grapefruit diet was an Atkins style diet that added one half grapefruit before each meal. There was no cheating on this diet – only three meals a day and no in between meals snacks. The diet claimed that people could lose 10 pounds in 10 days, or 5 pounds in five days. It is also commonly claimed that a dieter might not lose any weight on the first four days but then 5 pounds would magically drop off on the fifth day. It was based on the claim that grapefruit contains fat burning enzymes, something that has never been proven.

In 2004 a scientific study determined that it is possible that the grapefruit diet helps people lose weight. Participants in the study lost 3.6 pounds on average in a 12 week span, eating one half grapefruit before each meal. Those who drank the serving of grapefruit juice at each meal lost just slightly less weight in the same period of time. Many of the participants lost more than 10 pounds in 12 weeks. The doctor who conducted the study found that the grapefruit diet seems to reduce levels of insulin. However, all the participants slightly enhanced their exercise programs, which may account for the lost weight.

Here are the rules for the grapefruit diet:

- Eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day, this is a must.
- Eat only until you are full at each meal.
- Eat everything listed for each meal, do not skip foods, they are specifically formulated to help burn fat.
- Grapefruit is a catalyst that starts fat burning. Do not change the amount of grapefruit.
- Drink only up to 1 cup of coffee at meals.
- Never eat between meals.
- Butter can be used.
- Do not eat desserts, breads, white vegetables, or sweet potatoes.
- Eat any amount of meat, salad and vegetables to make you full.
- It’s important to eat into you’re full because the more you eat the more we will lose.
- Follow the diet for 12 days, skip two days, then start again.
- Eat one half grapefruit, or drink 18 ounce glass of grapefruit, with each meal.

Now you can go try the grapefruit diet.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Cancer is a condition that begins in cells and affects the functioning of the whole body, overtime. The basic nature of a cancer owes to abnormal duplication of cells which happens uncontrollably. The end result is formation of a mass of excess cells called tumors. While tumors can be of two types, only malignant ones are cancerous. The other type is called benign meaning non cancerous.

The malignant cancer cells usually divide rapidly invading other nearby tissue and organs which jeopardizes the normal functioning of the body. The cancerous cells also can get in to the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to form new tumors elsewhere.

Classification of cancer is usually done according to the place in which it starts. Therefore cancer types vary accordingly as lung cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer and so on. If a lung cancer spreads to the brain, it is still called a metastatic lung cancer because it is caused by cancerous cells that came from the lungs.

The four most common cancer types are breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Breast cancers are usually diagnosed through annual mammograms or through identified lumps in the breasts or through discharges from the nipples. While treatment for breast cancer does not always end up in surgery, in extreme cases patients are advised against settling for other options such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy.

Colon cancers on the other hand are usually accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss, bowel habit changes, discomfort and pain in abdomen, as well as, fatigue. While the causes of colon cancers are not clear cut, it is known that genetic mutations that are passed down generations can act a risk factor.

Similarly, risk factors for lung cancer too can run in genes. However the deadliest cause of lung cancer for most sufferers is tobacco smoking, marijuana, exposure to radon and recurring inflammation of the lungs due to conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. The common treatments for lung cancer are none other than chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes surgery.

When it comes to prostate cancer, the treatment options vary according to the stage of the illness. For stage I prostate cancer, internal/external radiation as well as radical prostatectomy may be the ideal. For stage II, radiation therapies and hormonal therapies may work out. For stage III and IV, patients may want to move in to clinical trials of chemotherapy or continue radiation therapy along with hormone therapy. While risk factors for prostate cancer cannot be pinned down easily, many scientists agree that it may owe to dietary habits, family history, age and even one’s race.

Popularity: 21% [?]

The Mediterranean diet is a diet based on eating the foods people who live in the Mediterranean basin eat. The Mediterranean basin is an area that surrounds the Mediterranean Sea and has mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. This area includes areas of France, the Iberian Peninsula, the Italian peninsula, and the Balkan Peninsula. It also includes areas of the Sahara desert, and Africa.

The most known form of the Mediterranean diet was created in the mid-1990s by a Harvard health professor named Walter Willett. The diet calls for regular physical activity, along with abundant plant food, fresh fruit as a dessert, olive oil, dairy products, fish and poultry, up to four eggs each week, red meat in small amounts, and wine. The fat in this diet is controlled, only up to 35% of calories, saturated fat at less than 8% of total calories. It’s considered a low-fat high dietary fiber diet. It has been around since 1945 when the version of the Mediterranean diet was first published Ancel Keyes who lived in Italy. But it did not become popular until the 1990s.

One of the main features of the Mediterranean diet is its use of olive oil instead of the animal fats used typically in American diets. Olive oil is known to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, as well as blood sugar and blood pressure. Studies show that olive oil helps prevent ulcers and is an effective treatment for certain types of ulcers, as well as important for preventing cancer. Red wine also adds to the mix in that it contains elements with antioxidant properties.

The Mediterranean diet is really a series of diets partially recommended by the American Heart Association. The one part of the Mediterranean diet that the American Heart Association doesn’t like is a high percentage of calories from fat. The heart association points to the growing problem of obesity in countries around the Mediterranean basin, which is a serious health concern. However, the American Heart Association doesn’t like the fact that most of the fat in the Mediterranean diet comes from olive oil, mono saturated fat, that doesn’t raise cholesterol. That’s a good thing for heart health, but healthier hearts in the Mediterranean areas may be more due to increased physical activity rather than strictly to diet.

A lot of information on various forms of the Mediterranean diet can be found on the Internet. Start with a search on Google.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Cancer statistics is the term given to collecting, organizing and interpreting numerical data such that information can be gathered as an inference by analyzing a sample and relating this to the population.

Cancer statistics are useful when predicting a cancer patient’s prognosis. Prognosis is something that is discussed between cancer patients and their doctors which will give the patient an idea of the most probable outcome of their cancer condition (whether they might fully recover or whether they might have the cancer returning).

There are several important factors that could affect a patients’ prognosis, such as: type of the cancer, location of the cancer, the extent to which the cancer has spread, the abnormality of the cancer cells and growth rate of the cancer.

Other external factors that can also affect the prognosis of the patient are the patient’s age, normal health condition and how the patient responds to the treatment given.
When the doctor discusses a patient’s prognosis, they carefully consider the cancer statistics available to them thanks to the researchers who’ve collected information over years on various cancer patients. The doctors carefully analyze the cancer statistics, and uses cancer statistics that are of a group of people most similar to the patient – especially regarding the factors that affect the prognosis.

For instance, if the patient is a male of the age 34, who used to be a heavy smoker, the doctor will take into consideration- the cancer statistics that are available of cancer patients of age group between – perhaps 30- 40, who are males and who were smokers, to base this particular patient’s prognosis.

The commonly used cancer statistics include: survival rate (this is the percentage of cancer patients with a certain type of cancer that had spread to a certain extent, who have survived for a certain period of time after they were diagnosed as cancer patients), the five year survival rate (this is the percentage of people who after five years from their initial diagnosis are still alive whether they have no symptoms of cancer, have few symptoms of cancer or are free of cancer completely or having treatment) and Recurrence-free survival rate (this shows how long a person who once had cancer will survive, free of the disease, rather than until death).

The National Cancer Institute produces a report called the SEER cancer statistics review that is consistent with the latest cancer incidents and is available to the American public. The latest edition of this cancer statistics review includes statistics from 1975 to year 2005- the latest year to which these statistics are currently available.
Other countries such as the United Kingdom also publish their own Cancer statistics reports, usually free for the public.

Cancer statistics are also useful for University students studying, for example Oncology and other research groups; hence it is extremely gratifying that cancer statistics reports such as those mentioned above are available for the public for free; as they improve public awareness of the dreaded disease- cancer.

Popularity: 18% [?]

The fat smash diet was a diet book written by Dr. Ian Smith, and made popular on a VH1 show called Celebrity Fit Club where B. list celebrities competed to lose the most weight. The diet is based on changing bad habits in both eating and exercise.

Ian Smith, the fat smash diet author, has quite a resume. He graduated from Harvard, is a medical contributor to the view television program, a medical columnist for men’s health magazine, and sits on the Board of Directors of the American Council on exercise. He also happened to be the head judge on celebrity fit club, a show that was designed around his book and fat smash diet plan.

The fat smash diet is separated into four phases designed to smash bad habits and create new healthy habits. These phases are:

One – detox: This is a nine day period on the fat smash diet during which the body and mind are purged of impurities, and during which Dr. Smith claims people can lose anywhere from 6 to 10 pounds. This phase includes some strange but ineffective suggestions such as weighing yourself in the nude and being photographed in a bathing suit.

Two – foundation: This is a three-week phase of the fat smash diet during which many foods removed in the detox phase are re-added to the diet. These include the 3 ounces of meat or seafood, and is based on portion control rather than calorie count.

Three – construction: This a four-week phase is a time during which the dieter creates an eating plan that incorporates foods they enjoy. These foods can include desserts, pasta, bread, and many other foods restricted another types of diets such as the Atkins diet. In the fat smash diet moderation is the key.

Four – Temple: This is the portion of the fat smash diet that lasts the rest of your life. Dr. Smith refers to the work done in the other three phases as the Temple, which must be maintained with continued diligence in moderation achieved through self-control.

Fat smash diet has both good and bad aspects. The initial 6 to 10 pound weight loss is really due to severe calorie cutting which can be dangerous. In addition the nine day detox is considered unhealthy by many health experts. But many of the general principles of the fat smash diet are good ones – including exercise and moderation in all foods eaten.

Popularity: 17% [?]

While cancer facts are easily obtainable on the internet and from your doctor, if you or someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, panic sets in. The good news is that cancer is no longer a death sentence. Treatments for the disease are improving with time and research, and one day the expression ‘finding a cure for cancer’ may cease to be synonymous with doing something almost impossible.

So what is cancer? One of the best known cancer facts is that it has something to do with tumours and the word tumour is often used interchangeably with cancer. However, it is possibly for a tumour to be benign and therefore pose no threat to the individual concerned. (A benign tumour is one which does not invade other cells or parts of the body.) A malignant tumour, on the other hand shows uncontrolled growth, invades and possibly destroys nearby tissues and may show metastasis as well (i.e. spreading to another part of the body).

Amongst the little known cancer facts is the fact that cancer may not even be painful, depending on its location. Another of the cancer facts that could surprise you is that it can even be caused by some types of poisonous mushrooms and a toxin that can grow on peanut plants. (Don’t let that put you off peanuts, though, peanuts are harmless.)

Other encouraging cancer facts include the fact that the number of deaths to cancer is actually down from previous years. This could be because people today are more health conscious and are cutting down on unhealthy activities like smoking. They are also careful about overexposure to UV rays which can cause cancer. More good news in cancer facts is that there’s more and more awareness of the disease and organisations worldwide are teaming up to fight cancer.

While cancer is a notoriously difficult disease to treat, with patients sometimes needing three or more doctors (specialists in different areas), who may not always agree with each other, patients should not give up. Positive thinking and will power evidently work as well with cancer as they do with other illnesses, with patients making apparently miraculous recoveries because of their will to survive.

Statistical cancer facts may not be available to prove this, but faith in their religion can help a patient through the tough times that come with having cancer. Most importantly, never ever lose hope.

Popularity: 18% [?]

The zone diet is considered a fad diet created by a biochemist named Barry Sears. In reality it’s not a fad diet in that it is not planned to only be consumed in short periods, but rather to become the normal eating habits for a person. It is considered a low carbohydrate diet, however is more based on balancing hormones and therefore does not restrict carbohydrates as much as other low carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet.

The basis of the zone diet is a ratio of calories from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats all of 40 to 30 to 30. Some nonscientific studies done by various television shows have shown that the diet can indeed produce reasonable weight-loss. In fact, many of these nonscientific studies show that people gain muscle mass while losing weight on the zone diet. Many of the people in these studies also reported that of all the low carbohydrate diets, the zone diet was easiest to fit into an everyday lifestyle.

The zone in zone diet refers to a hormone balance in which insulin levels are perfect, glucagen levels are perfect, and thus the body releases various anti-inflammatory chemicals similar to aspirin but without side effects. In addition, claims Sears, the natural anti-inflammatories help with heart health. Another benefit of the zone diet is that once the human body is in this hormonal balance it becomes more efficient and stops storing excess calories as fat. Thus, with no fat stored, and with stored fat used as energy, the body loses weight. Later Sears added a Omega three and Omega six fatty acids to the diet, through such supplements as pharmaceutical fish oils.

A typical zone diet meal was described by its creator in the following manner. In every meal eat enough protein to fit in the palm of your hand, as many non-starchy raw vegetables as you can take, just enough carbohydrates to maintain mental clarity, and just enough oils to stop hunger.

This zone diet has a famous weight loss case in its files, that of the man who weighed over 1200 pounds. After two years on the zone diet he lost nearly 1/3 of that weight, all that after trying everything he could think of including liposuction that had nearly been fatal. The man’s current diet consists of 2000 calories broken up into six meals per day. It includes egg white omelets, fresh salads, chicken, fish, and other healthy foods mandated by the zone diet.

Give the zone diet a try, but be careful.

Popularity: 22% [?]