#wings ride

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Cancer Spotlight- Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is when the cells of the kidney become cancerous and rapidly grow out of control. Normally, kidney (renal) cancer begins in the tubules of the kidneys; this is known as renal cell carcinoma. This is often found before it metastasizes but the kidney's cancerous tumors can grow quite large.

Currently, doctors do not know any specific causes of kidney cancer.

Symptoms of renal cancer include persistent side pain, weight loss with an unknown cause, lump in side, blood in urine, anemia, fatigue, swelling in the ankles and feet, loss of appetite, and an ongoing fever.

To find out if you have renal cancer, the doctor may run several tests including:

Blood tests

Renal tests

CAT scan

MRI

Intravenous pyelogram 

Ultrasound

Renal arteriogram 

In some cases, the doctor might do a needle biopsy to collect a sample of cells from the kidneys and observe this sample under a microscope.

In order to see the extent of a metastasized renal tumor, the doctor may run a CT scan or an MRI. To see if the cancer has metastasized to the lungs, a chest X-Ray might be run. Also, a PET scan might be used to see if the renal cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The results of the tests will aid the doctor in determining which stage that the cancer has reached.

The surgery treatment options include a radical nephrectomy in which the affected kidney, the adrenal gland, surrounding tissues, and possibly lymph nodes are removed; a simple nephrectomy in which only the kidney is removed, and a partial nephrectomy in which the tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed.

Other treatments for kidney cancer include

Cryotherapy

Arterial embolization

Radiofrequency ablation

Biologic therapy

Targeted therapy

Radiation

Chemotherapy

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Cancer Spotlight- Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells grow out of control on the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina). Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted disease but not all types of HPV cause cervical. You could have HPV for years and not know it, but to find out if you have HPV, you doctor can run a Pap test. During a Pap test, the doctor scrapes surface cells off your cervix and checks to see if there is an large amount of abnormal cells of a small amount of normal cells. Early detection of HPV or cervical cancer with the Pap test will help you in your treatment.

Symptoms for cervical cancer include:

Pain during sex

Bleeding when something comes into contact with your cervix

Bleeding with your vaginal discharge

Vaginal bleeding that is not normal/change in menstrual cycle

If you have cervical cancer, it can be treated with various methods. These methods include surgery such as hysterectomy and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes with or without the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes; radiation; and chemotherapy. If needed, a combination of these treatments may be used, but each has its effects.

Cervical cancer be prevented by having regular Pap tests to ensure there are no cervical irregularities, receiving the HPV vaccine if you are 26 years and younger, and by having no or safer sex (by using condoms and limiting sexual partners).

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Cancer Spotlight- Lung Cancer

Lung cancer results from the growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. These abnormal cells can cause tumors and can spread to all parts of the respiratory system. In fact, these cancer cells can metastasize, spread, to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes.

Smoking is the leading cause for lung cancer, but even secondhand smoke has been shown to cause lung cancer. Still, other substances such as radon, asbestos, and arsenic are known causes for cancer. There is even a genetic predisposition for lung cancer that causes some cases to develop.

The reason that lung cancer is not normally discovered early on is that early lung cancer is nearly always asymptomatic. The symptoms of a more advanced lung cancer include coughing, wheezing, paralysis of the vocal cords, shortness of breath, and the coughing up of blood.

Doctors can use an X-Ray, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan to diagnose lung cancer. Based on these tests, the doctor can know what stage that the lung cancer is in.

Lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. If needed, the doctor may use a combination of these methods. Still, because lung cancer is not usually found until a later stage, treatment is often not completely effective. Depending on the stage of the lung cancer, whether or not it has metastasized, and where it has metastasized to helps the doctor give a prognosis.

It is important for a person with lung cancer to keep up their spirits and to maintain their health as much as possible.

Currently, lung cancer is the leading deadliest cancer in the U.S. and also one of the most preventable types of cancer. To give yourself a greater chance to not get lung cancer you should:

Not Begin Smoking

Stop Smoking

Limit Your Time Around Those Who Smoke

A simple solution to a big problem.

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Today's THE Day!

The 2nd Annual Wings Ride starts today in Memphis, TN!! These 14 guys will ride 500 miles to Rosemary Beach, FL in 5 days!

It is important to remember that this ride is in support of the Wings Cancer Foundation and for all it does to help cancer patients. So don't forget to support the 2012 Wings Ride!!!!

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Here is a link to a webpage for more information about the Wings Ride and information on becoming a sponsor. Check it out!