The symptoms of bowel cancer and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often get confused by many - often leading one to think that a different disease may be present than actually is. However, the symptoms are clear between the diseases when properly understood by an individual who maybe suffering from one or another.
Bowel Cancer (colorectal cancer, or colon cancer) - is basically any form of cancer that affects the colon (large bowel), or rectum (back-passage) - usually very slow-growing (10 years) before metastasis (spread) becomes apparent, and often starts as benign (non-cancerous) growths (polyps) that are present on the bowel wall.
Polyps are small growth like spots on stalks (most produce no symptoms at all) that become more prevalent as an individual gets older (most polyps are non-cancerous; however, one type, an "adenoma" can become cancerous ([malignant] when left undetected, its cells can multiply to form a tumor in the bowel which causes pain and bleeding).
Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:

• Abdominal pains (gripping, but usually not chronic).
• Anal bleeding and pain - loose stool (often containing blood [sometimes constipation - feeling the need to strain when not necessary]).
• A right-hand-sided lump in the back-passage or abdomen.
• Sensation of being bloated.
• Sickness.
• Weight-loss.

Further growth in the bowel wall and back-passage gives cancer cells the ability to travel into the bloodstream or the lymph node system - thus contaminating other organs in the body (the liver and lungs being the most common [metastasis]).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - is a digestive disorder that a large part of the population suffers from (estimated to be around 15%); however, because of it being such a delicate (embarrassing) illness - is little spoken of. Although, IBS offers similar symptoms to bowel cancer.
Symptoms of IBS may include:

• Chronic abdominal pains.
• Major disturbances within the functioning process of the bowel (diarrhea at a moments notice [up to 3-time a day] and often preceded by constipation), chronic constipation 3-times a week [sometimes alternating between the two], and mucus in the stool).
• Anxiety or depression.
• Back aches.
• Headaches.
• Heart fluttering (palpitations - sensations of heart beat-skips).
• Insomnia (problems getting to sleep).
• Sexual problems (pains during sex or a reduced sexual desire).
• Unpleasant tastes in the mouth.
• Urinary problems (a frequent or urgent need to urinate, trouble starting to urinate, or trouble emptying the bladder).

IBS involves the malfunction of how the intestinal system works (a functional disorder that does not show in any visible disease process or tissue damage [it is more of a bowel interference]).
Note: Symptoms given for both bowel cancer and IBS include possible secondary symptoms - and where both illnesses may affect an individual in different ways.

By Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt

When you are dealing with cancer it is not uncommon to wonder about natural kidney cancer cures. More and more people are starting to look for natural treatments to their cancer. This is because the chemicals in chemotherapy, a widely used treatment, destroy the cancer cells as well as healthy cells. If you have seen a loved one suffer through a battle with cancer using chemotherapy then you know just how devastating this treatment can be. If you have not then you should know that chemotherapy can cause hair loss, weight loss, nausea, fatigue, and many more side effects that are very unpleasant for the patient and their family. This is where the natural remedies come in to play.
Different Natural Cancer Cures
There are many different cures for cancer that are completely natural. You should know however that these treatments might be great for preventing and curing many other types of cancers as well. These are not necessarily specific to the kidney cancer alone.
One of the main stream natural ways of treating cancer is by the use of vitamins, herbs, and changes in your diet. There are many different vitamins and herbs that can be used in conjunction with others or that may be used by themselves to help treat cancer. Some of these are garlic, calcium, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin D. These however are only a few of the many different herbs or vitamins that you may use. As far as a diet goes it has been said that eating a diet that is high in fiber is a great way to cure cancer. One of the main foods that many have been using is brown rice. This is extremely high in fiber. In severe cases of cancer it might be recommend by a natural remedies' expert that you limit yourself strictly to brown rice for a period of time.
Living with Cancer
Though you may be struggling with the daily battle of cancer you should know that this battle does not have to be fought alone. You should also know that you do not have to go through the chemical treatments for cancer should you not want to. Though a decision like this should take a lot of time to make and you should certainly involve your medical professional in any decision like this. They may suggest that you try both treatments at the same time. This decision however is solely yours to make. So know there are many different options should you opt out of medical intervention or should medical intervention not cure you from this horrible illness called cancer. You have many options out there from herbal remedies to vitamins to other medical treatments like detoxification or oxygenation that are natural treatments that your doctor may offer. Detoxification can also be preformed by you using different products on the market should you be looking to not involve the medical profession with any of your treatments.

By Ty Daniel

Stomach cancer is common throughout the world and affects all races, it is more common in men than women, and has its peak age range between 40 and 60 years old. Mortality is higher in Japan and Chile, presumably because of the different diets in those countries where they are less dependent on red meat.

Over the last 25 years the incidence of this type of cancer in the western world has decreased by 50% and the resulting death rate is less than a third of what it used to be but in less developed countries it is still a major cause of death, probably because in these countries by the time the disease is diagnosed (usually by means of a Barium meal) the stomach cancer is at a very advanced stage.

TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER

There are several different types of stomach cancer, some of which are very rare. The most common types start in the glandular cells of the stomach lining (adenocarcinomas), this is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made, and where most cancers start. When the tumor becomes more advanced, it can travel through the bloodstream and spread to organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones. Cancers that start in the lymphatic tissue (lymphoma), in the stomach's muscular tissue (sarcoma) or in the tissues that support the organs of the digestive system (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are less common and are treated in different ways.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early clues to stomach cancer are chronic dyspepsia and epigastric discomfort, followed in later stages by weight loss, anorexia, a feeling of fullness after eating, anemia and fatigue. Blood in the stools may also be present and if the Cancer is in the Cardia (top) vomiting may occur.

CAUSATION
The exact cause is unknown although the presence of the Helicopter pylori bacterium seems to be a major factor. Predisposing factors include environmental influences such as smoking and high alcohol intake. Because stomach cancer is more common amongst those with a family history and with people with type A blood, genetic factors are also implicated. Dietary factors, particularly methods of food preservation such as pickling, smoking or salting also have an influence on the prevalence.

DIAGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is diagnosed through an examination that may include an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series; endoscopy or gastroscopy where a thin flexible tube is passed down the throat so the doctor can see into the stomach, esophagus and upper part of the bowel Barium meals and Barium swallows. Because the cancer can spread to the liver, the pancreas, and other organs near the stomach as well as to the lungs, the doctor may order a CT scan, a PET scan, an endoscopic ultrasound exam, or other tests to check these areas.

The cancer can spread (metastasize) to the esophagus or the small intestine, and can extend through the stomach wall to nearby lymph nodes and organs. Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach tumors, with a five year survival rate of 75% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 30% of those diagnosed in late stages.

TREATMENT
Although the cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, in many cases surgery is the treatment of choice. Even in patients whose disease is not considered surgically curable, resection offers a palliative effect and improves potential benefits from chemotherapy.

The nature and extent of the cancer determines what kind of surgery is most appropriate. Common surgical procedures include, partial and total removal of the stomach.
Antiemetics can control nausea, which increases as the cancer advances. In the more advanced stages, sedatives and tranquilizers may be necessary to control anxiety. Narcotics are commonly necessary to control sever and unremitting pain.
In some cases of advanced stomach cancer, a laser beam directed through an endoscope can vaporize most of the tumor and relieve obstruction without an operation.

PROGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is curable if detected early, but most people don't seek medical help until the disease is quite advanced, possibly because symptoms occur late and are often vague and non-specific. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidant vitamins (such as A and C) appears to lower the risk of stomach cancer. The rate of cancer is about doubled in smokers so the cessation of smoking is essential.

In the United States and most of the Western world, the 5-year survival rate ranges from 5-15%. In Japan, where stomach cancer often is diagnosed early, the 5 year survival rate is about 50%. Five year survival rates for more advanced stomach cancers range from, around 20% for those with regional disease to almost nil for those with distant metastases.

Treatment for metastatic stomach cancer can relieve symptoms and sometimes prolong survival, but long remissions are not common. The survival of inoperable stomach cancer is usually only a few months if untreated. With chemotherapy the average survival is about 12 months. If cancer is found before it has spread, the five-year relative survival rate is about 61%.

Stomach cancer is common throughout the world and affects all races, it is more common in men than women, and has its peak age range between 40 and 60 years old. Mortality is higher in Japan and Chile, presumably because of the different diets in those countries where they are less dependent on red meat.
Over the last 25 years the incidence of this type of cancer in the western world has decreased by 50% and the resulting death rate is less than a third of what it used to be but in less developed countries it is still a major cause of death, probably because in these countries by the time the disease is diagnosed (usually by means of a Barium meal) the stomach cancer is at a very advanced stage.
TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER
There are several different types of stomach cancer, some of which are very rare. The most common types start in the glandular cells of the stomach lining (adenocarcinomas), this is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made, and where most cancers start. When the tumor becomes more advanced, it can travel through the bloodstream and spread to organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones. Cancers that start in the lymphatic tissue (lymphoma), in the stomach's muscular tissue (sarcoma) or in the tissues that support the organs of the digestive system (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are less common and are treated in different ways.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early clues to stomach cancer are chronic dyspepsia and epigastric discomfort, followed in later stages by weight loss, anorexia, a feeling of fullness after eating, anemia and fatigue. Blood in the stools may also be present and if the Cancer is in the Cardia (top) vomiting may occur.
CAUSATION
The exact cause is unknown although the presence of the Helicopter pylori bacterium seems to be a major factor. Predisposing factors include environmental influences such as smoking and high alcohol intake. Because stomach cancer is more common amongst those with a family history and with people with type A blood, genetic factors are also implicated. Dietary factors, particularly methods of food preservation such as pickling, smoking or salting also have an influence on the prevalence.
DIAGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is diagnosed through an examination that may include an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series; endoscopy or gastroscopy where a thin flexible tube is passed down the throat so the doctor can see into the stomach, esophagus and upper part of the bowel Barium meals and Barium swallows. Because the cancer can spread to the liver, the pancreas, and other organs near the stomach as well as to the lungs, the doctor may order a CT scan, a PET scan, an endoscopic ultrasound exam, or other tests to check these areas.
The cancer can spread (metastasize) to the esophagus or the small intestine, and can extend through the stomach wall to nearby lymph nodes and organs. Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach tumors, with a five year survival rate of 75% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 30% of those diagnosed in late stages.
TREATMENT
Although the cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, in many cases surgery is the treatment of choice. Even in patients whose disease is not considered surgically curable, resection offers a palliative effect and improves potential benefits from chemotherapy.
The nature and extent of the cancer determines what kind of surgery is most appropriate. Common surgical procedures include, partial and total removal of the stomach.
Antiemetics can control nausea, which increases as the cancer advances. In the more advanced stages, sedatives and tranquilizers may be necessary to control anxiety. Narcotics are commonly necessary to control sever and unremitting pain.
In some cases of advanced stomach cancer, a laser beam directed through an endoscope can vaporize most of the tumor and relieve obstruction without an operation.
PROGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is curable if detected early, but most people don't seek medical help until the disease is quite advanced, possibly because symptoms occur late and are often vague and non-specific. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidant vitamins (such as A and C) appears to lower the risk of stomach cancer. The rate of cancer is about doubled in smokers so the cessation of smoking is essential.
In the United States and most of the Western world, the 5-year survival rate ranges from 5-15%. In Japan, where stomach cancer often is diagnosed early, the 5 year survival rate is about 50%. Five year survival rates for more advanced stomach cancers range from, around 20% for those with regional disease to almost nil for those with distant metastases.
Treatment for metastatic stomach cancer can relieve symptoms and sometimes prolong survival, but long remissions are not common. The survival of inoperable stomach cancer is usually only a few months if untreated. With chemotherapy the average survival is about 12 months. If cancer is found before it has spread, the five-year relative survival rate is about 61%.

By Dick Aronson