Cancer - Caregiving

Determining what should be treated aggressively and what would do better to watch and wait is not always clear-cut. Understand the debate around ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS.

Smoking is a significant risk factor for lung (and other) cancers and is responsible for almost 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths. However, we all know individuals who smoke for a long time and never develop cancer.

Breast cancer death rates have been declining, thanks to increased prevention and improved treatments. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers.

This drug seems to offer relief from pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and loss of appetite, which are common side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. And there are other possible benefits as well.

Everyone needs vitamin D for good health, but a debate continues to burn in the medical community over the best ways to get this important nutrient.

Knowing the symptoms of the different types of skin cancer and where to look for them on your body could save your life.

While superficial matters may be low on your list of priorities when you're facing a serious illness, feeling good about how you look can lift your spirits and your self-confidence.

When a cancer patient develops an infection, it's a serious health problem. Understand how infections usually start and how to recognize or prevent them.

Cancer patients may wonder if there are other, less toxic options than the traditional paths of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. There are, but, it can be difficult to separate and evaluate legitimate alternative therapies from shams.

One study found that support groups improved cancer survivors' mood, pain, symptom control, and social functioning. Here's what to consider in order to find a support group that works for you.

In a double-blind experiment in 2006, dogs distinguished lung and breast cancer patients from healthy controls. In a 2008 study, dogs not only detected ovarian cancer, they differentiated ovarian cancer from other gynecological malignancies. So, is it time for your pooch to apply to medical school?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. So, when fresh air and sunshine beckons your family outside to play, be sure to pack sunscreen along with your diapers, snacks, and other essentials. Here's all you need to know.

What precautions should you consider when it comes to these radiation risks?

Could it be the smell of relief? Here's how to use essential oils to address pain and anxiety associated with cancer treatment and recovery.

The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey.

What exactly is hospice care and how does it differ from hospital care? And how do you make the decision to place your loved one into hospice?

The numbers and letters that describe cancer can sound mysterious and scary. Understanding how they are determined can help.

It's important to take control and define the type of medical care we want, or don't want, at the end of our life.

Cancer treatment side effects can make it difficult for cancer patients to consume sufficient calories and adequate nutrition, but there are ways to make it easier to get the nutrition you need.

As anyone with a serious illness can attest, being a part of a supportive community is critical. Now, thanks to the Internet, you can reach far beyond your little corner of the world. That's what Jennifer Wilson Cooper, two-time ovarian cancer survivor, did.

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you become a survivor. And you are in good company. In 2010, the number of people in the U.S. living with cancer exceeded 11 million.

If you've lost access to insurance, you may be wondering how you'll survive. Is there a way to get good health care even if your finances are unstable?

As difficult as a cancer diagnosis is, you can cope with it. Here are a few of the things you should do first after learning you have cancer.

The Internet has made it possible for us to weigh in and share our opinions on just about everything. It makes sense then that we'd expect to also rate our healthcare providers.

While each doctor and facility keeps its own records about you and your treatment, it's important to keep your own Personal Health Record. Here's how to do it.

As a friend, you want to help, but some of us are not sure how best to navigate the emotional situation of supporting a friend who has cancer.

The news that your child has cancer can be overwhelming. Here's where to start.

You may be familiar with hospice, which supports people with life-limiting illnesses. However, you may not be as familiar with palliative care, a related concept that is invaluable to people with cancer or other serious illnesses.

There is considerable anecdotal support of the value of Reiki for cancer patients. Scientific support for Reiki as an adjunct therapy for cancer and other serious diseases is also accumulating.