Mesothelioma

Best Brain Training with Zox Pro

2011-07-09T05:03:00.001-07:00

At Brain Health and Puzzles we aim to be your source for information regarding the healthy function of your brain. We are continually adding new information on every aspect of brain health, from nutrition, to disease info, to brain injury and more! Whether you've arrived here to find out about a certain mental health issue or advice on cognitive training or are looking to maintain a sharp mind, you've arrived at the right place!
Basic Brain Facts

Learning about the brain can be daunting task, but with our help we can make it easy and understandable. Did you know that studying the brain started in ancient times with the greeks and egyptians? They discovered many facts on the human brain that still hold true today.
Nutrition

One of the keys of brain health is proper brain nutrition. If you're noticing your mental abilities slowing down or sluggish, good first place to look is at your diet. You need to keep your brain fueled with the proper energy and provide it with plenty of raw material to build and repair itself. There are loads of healthy foods out there that boost your brain and most of them are delicious! Brain health can be tasty!
Disease

Brain disease and illness can sometimes feel like a very confusing topic. It can be very frightening and overwhelming to deal with a disease that you aren't really familiar with. But with a little help from us we hope to help you understand what is affecting you or your loved one. You don't need to be a neurosurgeon to know what's behind a certain brain disease. In the pages below we've compiled quality information on various brain illness and conditions. Take a look. Overcoming really starts with understanding! Once you become an expert on your particular brain disease, the fear will evaporate and you will be able to begin on the healing road to coping and overcoming!
Brain Surgery

Unfortunately, in medicine not every ailment can be treated successfully from the 'outside'. Sometimes to properly treat a condition doctors need to operate on the actual diseased region of the body. Any medical operation is a delicate series of procedures that need to be executed flawlessly. Nowhere on on the body is this especially true as it is in the brain. Brain surgery is an extremely difficult and sensitive type of surgery that requires tremendous skill and years of training. Luckily for us, understanding brain surgery isn't as difficult.
Brain Testing

Brain testing is a huge endeavour! There are a multitude of tests out there for the brain and mind. All of us love the way these tests can quantify our intelligence or aptitude. We love them, ourselves cause they tell us how smart we are (or not). Our bosses and schools love them cause they rank our aptitudes against eachother. And the academics love them cause they provide a window into our thoughts and the workings of a single mind. So just what are these brain tests and how exactly can they help?
Baby's Brain Power

How can we increase baby brain power? Everybody wants to give their children the best start possible. From the moment they are born our babies are sponges for information and behavior. They start learning inside the womb. Their senses are picking up every single detail possible, absorbing the new world around them. That world, by the time they are ready for it, is going to be pretty tough and competitive. So we want to give our kids the headstart as early as we can.
Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury can be a life altering event. It can happen in the blink of an eye and seem like a simple bump on the noggen but have consequences for a lifetime. It can result in comas, amnesia and even death. The best counter-measure against injury is prevention. Always protect your head from injury as best you can! It never hurts to where a helmet. But incase, against all your best efforts, you or someone you know becomes a victim of TBI learn about how to deal with TBI outcomes and how to recover from them.
Brain Training

Brain training has been publicised quite a lot over the past few years and that is because experts have realised just how important our brain health is to our overall well being and quality of life. If you want to live a happy and healthy life, you need to have a well functioning, healthy brain. Just like the muscles in your body, your brain is a 'use it or lose it' organ. You know when muscles arent used very much they begin to get weak and atrophy, the exact same thing can happen to your brain! If you let it languish for too long it will start losing its potency. You gotta keep those brain cells strong and alert! There are tons of exercises and programs (not to mention brain teasers and puzzles) that can help you keep your brain fit and cognitively firing on all cylinders! Being buff isn't just for those dumb muscle cells anymore!
Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are excellent brain training and co-ordination improvement tools and are quite fun! In particular, they develop your abilities to reason, analyze, sequence, deduce, logical thought processes and problem solving skills. These types of puzzles also improve hand-eye co-ordination and develop a good working sense of spatial arrangements. In schools and other training establishments, jigsaw puzzles are extensively used as learning aids.
Brain Teasers and Puzzles

Have you been hankering for a little lateral thinking? Need to solve a problem? Wanna give your noodle a little work out? Looking for that bit of brain stimulation that's just right? Look no further! We're continually compiling a list of mind benders, brain teasers and puzzles. All with different difficulties and themes so there's puzzles that are right for everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTf_T3R1DtA

What is the brain?

2011-07-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

The brain is the organ in a person's skull that controls the functions of all of the other organs. Together, the brain and spine

make up the central nervous system. The brain is responsible for the experience of the five senses (taste, touch, sight, hearing

and smell). The brain is also the seat of thought, language, personality, creativity and memory. The brain controls movement,

sensation, balance, and coordination. In order to do its job, the brain requires an enormous amount of the oxygen and nutrient

energy that a person takes in regularly.

The brain is comprised of nerve cells (called neurons) which carry signals, and the cells which support the nerve cells (called

glial cells ). There are a number of different types of glial cells, all with different names and functions. The glial cells

outnumber the neurons in the brain by a ratio of 10:1

Brain Tumor Symptoms

Depending on the location and size of the tumor, symptoms experienced by each patient may vary. Most of the common symptoms are due

to increased intracranial pressure as the growing tumor affects surrounding structures:

* Frequent headaches (reported by 50% of patients)
* Blurry vision
* Nausea and/or vomiting
* Personality or cognitive changes

Other symptoms are site-specific, including seizures, speech impairment, weakness or numbness on one side and problems with

coordination, balance or mobility.

Types of Brain Tumors

There are many different types of brain tumors, based on what cells are affected and how they appear under a microscope. Tumors can

be classified into four general categories:

1)Gliomas

2)Astrocytoma

3)Grade I (pilocytic astrocytoma): slow growing, with little tendency to infiltrate surrounding brain tissue. Most common in

children and adolescents.

4)Grade II (diffuse astrocytoma): fairly slow-growing, with some tendency to infiltrate surrounding brain tissue. Mostly seen in

young adults.

5)Grade III (anaplastic/malignant astrocytoma): these tumors grow rather quickly and infiltrate surrounding brain tissue.

6)Grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme, GBM): an extremely aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer. Unfortunately, it is the most

common form of brain tumor in adults, accounting for 67% of all astrocytomas.

7)Oligodendroglioma
8)Ependymoma

Tests on your cancer cells

Your breast cancer cells can be tested to see if they have 'hormone receptors' or biological therapy receptors. There are

oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors. You may hear your doctor talk about 'your oestrogen receptor status', 'ER status'

or 'PR status'. Sometimes, doctors may say you are 'ER positive' or 'ER negative'.

Treatment

1)Surgery

When possible, brain tumors are removed through surgery. While many can be removed with little or no damage to the brain, others

are located where surgical removal is difficult or impossible without destroying critical parts of the brain.

Brain damage caused by surgery can lead to partial paralysis, changes in sensation (feeling), weakness and poor thinking. Even so,

removing a tumor is necessary when it threatens important brain structures. Even when it can't cure a malignancy, surgery can help

reduce the size of the tumor, ease symptoms and help determine the type of tumor
2)Radiation Therapy
3)Chemotherapy

Your Amazing Brain - Brain Training Therapy

2011-07-09T05:01:00.000-07:00

The truth is that nearly anything that can be said about your brain in an absolute sense is not true. This statement is true, not because we don't know a lot about the brain, we do; and more is being learned about it every day. The statement is true because the brain is such a vast, intricate and interconnected system of systems and processes that anything we can say about must be qualified by, "...as far as we know today..." or "In one sense, it can be said..."

Your brain is composed of somewhere between 100 and 200 billion neurons! Any single neuron can have as many as 100 thousand connections! The number of permutation possible in the brain exceeds our best estimate for the number of elementary particles in the Universe! Everything you sense, the totality of your experience of the world and each other, all of the ways you discern and label one thing as distinguished from another, all of your assessments and judgments, our ideas, our concepts and beliefs, all of our emotionally infused signification of your relations, all of your inspirations and aspirations are the experience of the neurological activity within this specialized 3 to 4 pounds of tissue, floating within a sac of fluid in your head. Can you see why I think it is so amazing?

And yet most of the time, just like all of the mysterious miracles we are by which we are continuously surrounded and confronted, we are completely oblivious to what's going on within our head that allows me, for instance, to be thinking about all this, typing it into the computer, editing as I go along, intermittently noticing the sunlight changing color as the breeze blows through the trees outside the window, wondering what I'll be preparing for dinner.

It has often been said that your brain is actually three brains in one. Deep within your brain is the more primitive, "reptilian," brain that automatically orients us toward the five Fs, feeding, fornicating, fleeing, fighting and freezing. This brain is pretty much hard-wired and functional at birth. It is nested within your second, "mammalian," brain which is more relational and emotional. The functioning of this limbic brain is developed in the physical, face-to-face relationship with your primary care taker, usually, this is the child's mother. We each learn how to read other's emotions and intentions from very subtle cues in their voice tones and facial expressions.

The third brain covers and wraps around the lymbic brain and is called the neo-cortex. This brain allows you to recognize patterns, to create music and art and ideas, to speak and understand language, to reason, to reflect and, it seems, to be conscious of your consciousness. This brain is in development until a person is in their early twenties!

The pre-frontal cortex is being considered by some people to be a fourth brain.

Asbestos Coverage and Cigarette smoking Cigarettes - A Double-Dip | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:23:00.002-07:00

Cigarette cigarette smoking decreases lung perform and could even lead to cancer of the lungs, esophagus, tongue, mouth.

Does Cigarette smoking Cigarettes Lead to Mesothelioma?

Cigarettes do not bring about mesothelioma as the cancer is practically often caused by an asbestos exposure. There is a nicely recognized-link concerning asbestos and lung cancer as perfectly as cigarettes and lung cancer. Often if you have produce lung cancer, have smoked, and also had an asbestos coverage, your health practitioner will probably tell you each were contributing components. Both equally cigarette smoking cigarettes and mesothelioma reduce the functioning of the lungs. Although cigarette smoking cigarettes does not cause mesothelioma it does have a multiplying affect on the threat of finding cancer from asbestos. This effect is comparable to the mixing of sleeping pills and alcohol-that means they are each probably deadly mixtures.

Asbestos in Cigarettes

Mesothelioma is not brought on by instantly smoking cigarettes until asbestos was used in the production of the cigarette. This was reportedly the case with Kent cigarettes. Numerous people who formulated mesothelioma had been present-day smokers or had smoked. This lead researchers to question the correlation. What they observed was that in the 1950s the P. Lorillard Firm was employing deadly crocidolite fibers in its Kent brand name of cigarettes. Crocidolite fiber is known to lead to cancer additional properly than any other asbestos variety. The United States Government declared that if a pack of Kent brand cigarettes have been smoked a day amongst 1952 and 1966 then that person may well be uncovered to as very much as 131 million crocidolite structures in a single 12 months. The Kent cigarettes employed asbestos in the cigarette filters due to the fact of its robust resistance to warmth. The paper would melt away slower making the cigarette last longer, normally used in their advertising. Asbestos had been also utilised in loose leaf tobacco in pipe cigarette smoking for the identical good reason.

Why Smoking Cigarettes and Mesothelioma Do Not Mix

Persons who smoke cigarettes may possibly have a reduce in their lung purpose. If that person also has an asbestos-associated ailment-these as mesothelioma -their lung perform is additionally decreased. Simply place, cigarette smoking further complicates and typically accelerates the devastating result of mesothelioma. Amphibole can be categorized as amosite, made use of for insulation, or crocidolite, utilized for cement.

Asbestos has been around for centuries, but it was not until eventually the 1900s that folks started to take note the dangerous effects and consider to restrict its use. As early as the 1800s, nevertheless, railroads and shipyards started out making commercial use of asbestos. Railroads have been capable to harness the material as lining for refrigeration models, in boxcars, and for insulation. Shipyards made use of asbestos even far more commonly these who worked aboard ships or in shipyards are however amongst the most typically affected victims of asbestos-associated health conditions. Staff in mines, electric power plants, oil refiners, steel mills, vehicle restore shops, and building web-sites are also at possibility.

Regarded as a miraculous substance able to withstand a broad array of works by using, asbestos discovered its way into a plethora of products and solutions up right until about 1980. Points like felt, gloves, and even weatherproof jackets could have contained asbestos.

Asbestos Coverage and Smoking Cigarettes - A Double-Dip | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:23:00.001-07:00

Serpentine asbestos fibers are curly although amphibole are needle-like and resist any bending or curling. Serpentine asbestos arrives in 1 sort: chrysotile, which is at present the commercially applied asbestos. Amphibole can be labeled as amosite, made use of for insulation, or crocidolite, applied for cement.

Asbestos has been about for centuries, but it was not right up until the 1900s that folks began to be aware the unsafe effects and consider to restrict its use. As early as the 1800s, however, railroads and shipyards started off producing business use of asbestos. Railroads had been in a position to harness the substance as lining for refrigeration units, in boxcars, and for insulation. Shipyards utilized asbestos even extra often all those who worked aboard ships or in shipyards are nonetheless amid the most commonly impacted victims of asbestos-relevant diseases. Personnel in mines, energy plants, oil refiners, steel mills, vehicle repair shops, and construction internet sites are also at chance.

Regarded as a miraculous substance able to withstand a broad array of employs, asbestos observed its way into a plethora of goods up till about 1980. Elements like felt, gloves, and even weatherproof jackets may have contained asbestos. Usually it appeared in merchandise employed in development, like as firebrick, cooling towers, roofing, masonry fill, and turbines. Now, asbestos may perhaps however be existing in residences and workplaces in the sort of drywall, insulation, and particular home solutions, if they were manufactured previous to the 1970s.

A critical problems in defending in opposition to asbestos publicity is that it is not visible when airborne. The best defense is comprehension the kinds of products the place asbestos may nonetheless be existing. Some products and solutions are regarded to have incorporated asbestos, these kinds of as roofing and shingles produced withasbestos cement, and oil and coal furnaces. Households built involving 1930 and 1950 are at particular chance, as lots of contain asbestos insulation, as perfectly as sizzling drinking water and steam pipes that may be affected.

In the workplace, federal companies have set limits on how a lot asbestos employees can be uncovered to, but workers are also expected to monitor their own publicity. As opposed to in the previous, today enterprises should strictly restrict the quantity of asbestos their workers could probably inhale. They're also demanded to give secure, unexposed eating locations and location signs in any spot where by do the job involving asbestos is getting conducted.

Irrespective of warnings and improvements, much more than 3,000 modern day merchandise still have asbestos. Developing supplies in particular continue to be a hazard to these who handle or arrive in speak to with them. But signs that a item contains asbestos may well be tough or even extremely hard to see. The greatest defense for this reason is awareness of which goods are possible to contain asbestos.

The varieties of asbestos infection signs and symptoms a individual experiences usually depends on the formulated asbestos-relevant illnesses was. There are unique styles of problems related to asbestos, asbestosis, the two are most often linked with asbestos and malignant mesothelioma. On the other hand continual obstructive pulmonary sickness (COPD) has reached the epidemic proportion in the United States and it is a condition that the asbestos publicity has served 1000's of scenarios.

Symptoms commonly involve asbestosis subsequent ailments:

Indicators of Asbestos in Our Houses and Jobs | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:22:00.004-07:00

As early as the 1800s, nonetheless, railroads and shipyards began doing commercial use of asbestos. Railroads have been ready to harness the material as lining for refrigeration units, in boxcars, and for insulation. Shipyards utilised asbestos even much more usually those who worked aboard ships or in shipyards are even now between the most frequently impacted sufferers of asbestos-related ailments. Workers in mines, ability plants, oil refiners, steel mills, auto fix stores, and building web-sites are also at risk.

Regarded as a miraculous materials in a position to withstand a extensive array of uses, asbestos found its way into a plethora of merchandise up until finally about 1980. Issues like felt, gloves, and even weatherproof jackets may possibly have contained asbestos. Generally it appeared in products and solutions applied in construction, these kinds of as firebrick, cooling towers, roofing, masonry fill, and turbines. These days, asbestos might nonetheless be existing in homes and workplaces in the type of drywall, insulation, and selected household products, if they had been created prior to the 1970s.

A key issues in protecting from asbestos coverage is that it is not visible when airborne. The greatest defense is understanding the varieties of goods where asbestos may possibly even now be present. Some goods are known to have included asbestos, these as roofing and shingles built with asbestos cement, and oil and coal furnaces. Residences developed concerning 1930 and 1950 are at certain possibility, as numerous have asbestos insulation, as nicely as scorching water and steam pipes that may possibly be affected.

In the workplace, federal businesses have set limits on how considerably asbestos staff can be uncovered to, but personnel are also required to keep an eye on their personal coverage. Not like in the previous, nowadays businesses ought to strictly restrict the volume of asbestos their staff could potentially inhale. They're also needed to provide risk-free, unexposed consuming regions and area indicators in any region exactly where function involving asbestos is staying performed.

Despite warnings and enhancements, far more than three,000 modern day day products and solutions nevertheless contain asbestos. Making components in certain continue being a hazard to people who manage or appear in get hold of with them. But indicators that a product or service includes asbestos may be hard or even impossible to discover. The very best defense consequently is awareness of which merchandise are most likely to include asbestos.

The styles of asbestos infection signs or symptoms a particular person experiences typically is dependent on the produced asbestos-related conditions was. There are different kinds of conditions associated to asbestos, asbestosis, the two are most usually affiliated with asbestos and malignant mesothelioma. However chronic obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD) has attained the epidemic proportion in the United States and it is a problem that the asbestos coverage has aided countless numbers of cases.

Signs and symptoms usually include asbestosis pursuing disorders:

? Breathing challenges

? Continual cough

? Chest soreness

? Breathing troubles

? Trouble with exercising

Malignant mesothelioma generally develops in folks above 65 decades and is commonly in the thoracic cavity, resulting in the pleura in 65 to 70 % of scenarios. It can also impact the lining of the heart, pericardium, in excellent circumstances.

The most common signs or symptoms of a ailment called mesothelioma involve:

? Breathing complications

? Chest pain

? tightness in the chest

? A persistent cough

? Excess weight Reduction

? Fatigue

Asbestos Removal | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:22:00.003-07:00

Asbestos has been around for centuries, but it was not right up until the 1900s that individuals commenced to be aware the unsafe effects and check out to restrict its use. As early as the 1800s, having said that, railroads and shipyards started off producing business use of asbestos. Railroads had been in a position to harness the substance as lining for refrigeration units, in boxcars, and for insulation. Shipyards utilized asbestos even additional often people who worked aboard ships or in shipyards are nonetheless amid the most commonly impacted victims of asbestos-related ailments. Workers in mines, ability plants, oil refiners, steel mills, auto fix stores, and building web-sites are also at risk.

In the workplace, federal businesses have set limits on how considerably asbestos staff can be uncovered to, but personnel are also required to keep an eye on their personal coverage. Not like in the previous, nowadays businesses ought to strictly restrict the volume of asbestos their staff could potentially inhale. They're also needed to provide risk-free, unexposed consuming regions and spot indicators in any region exactly where function involving asbestos is staying performed.

The forms of asbestos infection signs or symptoms a particular person experiences typically is dependent on the produced asbestos-related conditions was. There are different kinds of conditions associated to asbestos, asbestosis, the two are most usually affiliated with asbestos and malignant mesothelioma. However chronic obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD) has attained the epidemic proportion in the United States and it is a problem that the asbestos coverage has helped countless numbers of conditions.

Signs and symptoms usually include asbestosis pursuing disorders:

? Breathing challenges

? Continual cough

? Chest soreness

? Breathing troubles

? Trouble with exercising

Malignant mesothelioma generally develops in folks above 65 decades and is commonly in the thoracic cavity, resulting in the pleura in 65 to 70 % of scenarios.

Asbestos, Cancer and the Construction Worker | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:22:00.001-07:00

Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of serious health problems later in life, including asbestos cancer. The overwhelming majority of people that develop asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma and asbestosis, were exposed to asbestos at some point during their occupational history. A number of occupations are considered to be at an increased risk for exposure to asbestos. Shipyard and metal workers are thought to be among the most likely to have been exposed to asbestos during its heyday; however, today construction workers are probably at the greatest risk for on the job exposure to asbestos. Cancer and other health complications are common for these workers.

It is estimated that over 1.3 million construction workers are exposed to asbestos each year. This exposure can occur in a number of different ways. Most buildings and many homes constructed before 1980 utilized the use of asbestos in one way or another, and anytime repairs or alterations are made to these asbestos containing structures there is a risk of exposure to asbestos.

Prior to government regulation asbestos was used in hundreds of products associated with the construction industry. The most common use of asbestos was for insulation. The ability of the material to provide superior insulation while also being flame resistant made it a popular choice for almost any insulation application. Asbestos was used in cement to create a stronger and more heat resistant bond. Asbestos was also commonly used in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and shingles. Plastics, paints, and sealants all utilized the use of asbestos. Cancer has been directly linked to this toxic product, which is what makes it so highly regulated now.

With millions of homes and buildings still littered with asbestos laden materials the risk of asbestos exposure in construction workers will be with us for some time. The government has enacted a number of regulations aimed protecting construction workers that routinely work around asbestos and creating a safer working environment for this high risk occupation.

Find Out If You Were Exposed To Asbestos Cancer | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:21:00.002-07:00

The dangers of asbestos and prolonged exposure to it can result in health threatening symptoms later. In the 1970's companies and manufacturers produced products that contained asbestos. They has working knowledge of the hazards this could cause for people who were exposed.

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos. There is a latency period of about 20-30 years. If you think you have been exposed on the job or at home, please know that there is someone here to help you. You do not have to face this alone. The process requires medical attention and you may be entitled to compensation.

Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

There is more than one type of this cancer. The types are categorized into four groups:

(1) Reproductive

(2) Peritoneal

(3) Pleural

(4) Pericardial

Of these four groups, asbestos carcinogens are found most frequently in the lining of the lungs. Pleural effects include shortness of breath from fluid accumulation. Science is now conclusive that this specific type of cancer only comes from asbestos exposure. The other types affect the space around the heart (pericardinal), the lining of the abdomen section (peritoneal), and the reproductive system (Tunica Vaginalis). There is no known cure for this cancer, however, medical professionals are working to come up with viable treatments for patients who suffer from the disease.

Diagnosis Procedures and Legal Representation

If you think you have been exposed and you need an asbestos lawyer to represent you, we're here for you. The diagnosis process involves knowledgeable medical professionals. You'll need to have an exam by a physician, then, you may have imaging procedures scheduled to further determine if you indeed have been exposed to products that contain asbestos. People who have a work history of working in asbestos mills, places that produced insulation, shipyards and the heating and construction industries during for between the 1940's and 1970s should consider being checked for side effects.

Some people are not sure whether they are eligible to file for mesothelioma lawsuits. That's where our legal staff comes in. After you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, and the progression of the disease is determined, then we can advise you on the legal basis you have for your individual case. Compensation may be available for you because it has been established that companies knew the hazards of asbestos.

This cancer is easy preventable by not being exposed in the first place. Because of the heavy use of asbestos prior to the 1970's, we research every case with diligence to assign legal responsibility to the companies who produced the products containing this harmful substance.

If it is found you now have Mesothelioma due to negligence then your attorney will help you get compensation. There is a list of companies that have been sued for use of asbestos in the past. View the entire list online. If you were employed by any of these companies, please contact our offices and we will direct you. Choose a mesothelioma lawyer that has experience in asbestos cases for the best results. Qualities you should look for in a Mesothelioma lawyer is that they listen to your concerns, have a proven track record, and is helpful in the individual aspects of you case.

Do You Need an Asbestos Lawyer? | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:21:00.001-07:00

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, and you know of, or suspect exposure to asbestos, contacting an asbestos cancer lawyer may help provide financial security or restitution in your time of need.

For decades companies have been aware of the hazards of exposing workers to asbestos dust, while the workers themselves were unaware. These companies did nothing to warn or protect their employees or those who came in contact with the asbestos when asbestos products were installed or removed. These work environments include asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards, some older Navy ships, and even private homes and public schools where the material was used during constructions.

For many victims diagnosed with cancer, asbestos lawyer intervention is the only means they have of seeking financial restitution for the damage, pain, and deaths that the negligence of these companies has caused. Not only workers, but also family members who may have had contact with them while they were wearing their work clothes that were exposed to asbestos dust, are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos related diseases.

Though the health risks of exposure have been documented since the early 1900â€™s and possible even as early as the late 1800â€™s, asbestos law and liability issues have only become public in the last 20-30 years. This is partly due to the fact that the length of time between exposure and the development of systems can sometimes be several years, even 30-40 years later. Many workers develop problems long after they have left the employment of the company where it occurred.

A well-informed mesothelioma attorney may be able to help build a claim, regardless of the length of time since the exposure. Claims may also be possible if oneâ€™s spouse was exposed to asbestos, developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer due to the exposure, and has since passed away. It is the asbestos lawyerâ€™s job to help you build a claim.

Asbestos lawsuits are likely to increase drastically in the next decade, as more people develop symptoms and become aware of their options. Unfortunately some of the earliest symptoms can be mistaken as less serious illnesses and are often overlooked. These symptoms include: dyspnea, pleuritic pain, fatigue, weight loss and a lingering cough.

Some patients do not have any symptoms in the early stages. Early detection is crucial to the success of treatment, and anyone who even suspects they may have been exposed should consult their health care providers immediately. A chest x-ray is the first step followed by blood work and pulmonary function tests if needed.

When it comes to mesothelioma, legal action by an asbestos lawyer will not cure it, but it may help with the medical costs, and burden to those left behind. There are currently three traditional methods of treatment involving: surgery, chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. The disease is most common in men and is not linked to any one race. Once it develops, it will continue to grow until it is treated, or the victim dies. An asbestos lawyer can help you get the level of compensation you deserve.

Asbestos-Based Disease-The Harmful Affects Of Asbestos | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:20:00.004-07:00

What Is Asbestos-Based Disease?

Asbestos-based disease is caused by exposure to asbestos in environments, such as asbestos mills, shipping yards, mines, older navy ships and even homes. Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer and most common, asbestos-based disease. Nearly 70-80% of people suffering from this disease have a history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos cancer or mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose due to the long gap between exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease. Every year, doctors detect approximately 2000-3000 new cases of mesothelioma. Family members of workers are also vulnerable to the disease through exposure to asbestos particles from their clothing. Smokers are at a much greater risk of getting the disease.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of this asbestos based disease include loss of weight, lasting cough, fatigue, dyspnea, and pleuritic pain. Some of the early symptoms may be overlooked, since they resemble with those of other common diseases. In most cases, the disease appears 30-45 years after the patient's initial exposure to asbestos. The disease is more common in men but is not restricted to any sex, ethnic group or race.

Treatment Of Mesothelioma

The prediction is that asbestos fibers lodged in the body cause changes in the cells by a process of irritation, leading to mesothelioma. Once this cancer appears, it will continue to grow until it is treated, or the patient dies. The chances of recovery of a patient depend on the following factors:

 Age of the patient

 Response to the treatment

 How widespread the disease is

 Location of the disease

 Size of the cancer

 Microscopic examination

Asbestos is causative of almost all cases of mesothelioma. This is the most dangerous disease caused by exposure to asbestos. There are three traditional lines of treatment for fighting this disease:

 Radiation therapy

 Surgery

 Chemotherapy

If a person suspects that that he may have mesothelioma, he must see a competent doctor soon. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for managing deadly asbestos-based diseases.

If you are suffering from asbestos based disease you can file lawsuits to recover compensation against the persons/companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Consult an expert mesothelioma attorney to weigh the different options for seeking compensation for medical treatment, loss of income, lost earning capacity, pain and sufferings.

How to Know if Your Asbestos Exposure Entitles You to a Legal Settlement | Mesothelioma

2011-06-23T05:20:00.003-07:00

Cancer of the lungs and asbestosis, a chronic and progressive lung disorder, can be caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Once it has been sucked into the lungs it might take as long as 20 to 60 years or longer to show signs or symptoms of disease. This lengthy latency phase frequently makes it hard to prove what caused it.

Exposure to hazardous asbestos in the workplace can bring about mesothelioma and other cancerous health conditions. About three quarters of all mesothelioma sufferers have been exposed to asbestos fibers on the job. The actual exposure has invariably occurred decades prior and may have been for a somewhat short but heavy period of time.

All through the 20th century asbestos was used commercially in many thousands of products. Countless millions have been exposed to this possibly life-threatening material with no knowledge of it. Products that contain asbestos were not originally believed to be dangerous, but in time a large number of individuals working for asbestos producers started developing cancer. People working for asbestos mines, asbestos mills, heating or insulation companies, and various other occupations with asbestos have shown a large increase in the prevalence of the cancerous diseases.

In the present day there are lawful limits for the amount of asbestos exposure individuals can receive in the workplace due to the connection involving asbestos and several forms of cancer. People exposed to asbestos fibers are now required to sport protective equipment that lessens their amount of exposure. Factors such as individual immune system strength may play a major role in whether or not a worker comes down with an asbestos-related disorder. If you have been diagnosed with malignant cancers or some other asbestos-related illness you may want to locate asbestos law firms that specialize in personal injury cases. Additionally, if you were exposed to asbestos fibers and have not yet seen any signs of cancer, you may still be entitled to financial compensation in a class action lawsuit.

Asbestos law firms are all greatly different so hiring an outstanding lawyer will involve doing a little groundwork. Several questions that you need the answers to are how many years they have been in business, how many asbestos suits they have managed, how many mesothelioma suits they have managed, the total amount of their cases that were settled successfully, how many clients of theirs had to go to trial, if there is a statute of limitations in your state for these types of claims, and the kind of documentation required from you to file a claim.

Determine what a typical settlement might be for a case comparable to yours. Furthermore, ask how much the lawyer will charge you for representation. Most attorneys will handle lawsuits of this type by being paid a percentage of the settlement money and won't take the case if they do not think they can obtain a respectable settlement for you.

After you have looked at a handful asbestos law firms and decided on one to represent you the next activity is to pull together information for the case. Compiling as much information as possible provides you the best likelihood for a victorious outcome. First and foremost you will require medical verification that you have contracted cancer. You also need to know when, where, and the length of time you were subjected to exposure of asbestos-containing products, the name of the person you worked for, and if there are other co-workers that contracted a similar illness. Other workers or witnesses most often will help in confirming when and where you were exposed.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, so your case may be less complicated to demonstrate than you at first assumed. Most attorneys are not going to take a weaker case and will settle the bulk of lawsuits they do handle out of court. A qualified lawyer will give an opinion to you about whether you should settle or if it's best to take it to trial. Once the lawyer offers you their opinion the ultimate determination of taking a settlement offer or going to trial is up to you.

Previous to making the ultimate choice you need to take several issues into consideration. It might take a year or two and maybe more if you intend to go to trial. Can you deal with a year or two of stress without any guarantee that you will win? These questions need to be taken into account previous to coming up with a verdict that can affect your entire future.

Are You At Risk For Asbestos Related Diseases?

2011-06-23T05:20:00.001-07:00

If you have been reading newspapers and magazines, watching television, or listening to talk shows on the radio then there's a good chance that you have heard of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos related diseases. Is there any reason for you to be concerned that you may develop one of these diseases? Read this article and find out about your risks.

Since there are low levels of asbestos present in the water we drink, the air we all breathe, and the soil around us, virtually everyone in the world has been exposed to asbestos at one time or another in their lives. However, most have not, and probably will not, become ill from this limited exposure.

Most of the people who have come down with an asbestos related disease were usually exposed to asbestos on a regular basis. Often it was when they worked at a job that required them to come into direct contact with the mineral. Or, they could have become ill as a result of a substantial degree of contact with asbestos in the environment in which they lived.

Millions of US workers have been exposed to asbestos since the early 1940s. Asbestos related health hazards have been seen in people who were exposed to it while working in the shipbuilding trade, asbestos milling and mining industries, asbestos textile manufacturing, the construction and insulation industry, the demolition industry, asbestos removal business, drywall removal industry, as firefighters, and in the auto industry.

In addition, there is evidence that members of any household in which a worker was exposed to asbestos is also at risk of developing an asbestos related disease. That's because many workers brought asbestos fibers home with them on their clothing, shoes, skin, and hair.

Because of more recent government regulations and improved safety measures workers in these industries today, if they haven't had any previous exposure to asbestos, will probably face a smaller risk of developing an asbestos related disease than those who worked in these industries in the past.

However, people who were involved in the cleanup, recovery, and rescue at the World Trade Center (WTC) site after it was attacked on September 11, 2001, are at risk of developing asbestos related diseases. That's because asbestos was used during the construction of the North Tower.

After the WTC was attacked literally hundreds of tons of asbestos filled the air in lower Manhattan.

In addition to the police officers, firefighters, paramedics, volunteers, and construction workers who were near Ground Zero, the residents of the area and people who attended nearby schools are at risk.

For the most part anyone who develops an asbestos related disease will not show any signs of being sick for anywhere from ten to forty years after their initial exposure.

If you have an asbestos related disease or believe, because of circumstances, that you may develop one, it would be in your best interest to contact a mesothelioma lawyer.

Cancer: Questions and Answers

2010-09-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

About 1.4 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2005, and more than 550,000 people will die of the disease (1). Cancer is the second leading cause of death in this country. However, improvements in cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment have increased the survival rate for many types of cancer. About 64 percent of all people diagnosed with cancer will be alive 5 years after diagnosis (1).

What is cancer?
Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's basic building blocks. To understand cancer, it is helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancerous.

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. The extra cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancer. They can often be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.

Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. Cancer cells invade and destroy the tissue around them. Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Blood vessels include a network of arteries, capillaries, and veins through which the blood circulates in the body. The lymphatic system carries lymph and white blood cells through lymphatic vessels (thin tubes) to all the tissues of the body. By moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, cancer can spread from the primary (original) cancer site to form new tumors in other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
What causes cancer?
Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes in genes that normally control the growth and death of cells. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can change some normal genes into genes that allow the growth of cancer. Many gene changes that lead to cancer are the result of tobacco use, diet, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, or exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) in the workplace or in the environment. Some gene alterations are inherited (from one or both parents). However, having an inherited gene alteration does not always mean that the person will develop cancer; it only means that the chance of getting cancer is increased. Scientists continue to examine the factors that may increase or decrease a person's chance of developing cancer.

Although being infected with certain viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C (HepB and HepC), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), increases the risk of some types of cancer, cancer itself is not contagious. A person cannot catch cancer from someone who has this disease. Scientists also know that an injury or bruise does not cause cancer.
Can cancer be prevented?
Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, people can reduce their risk (chance) of developing cancer by:
- not using tobacco products
- choosing foods with less fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- exercising regularly and maintaining a lean weight
- avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, using sunscreen, and wearing clothing that protects the skin
- talking with a doctor about the possible benefits of drugs proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers
Although many risk factors can be avoided, some, such as inherited conditions, are unavoidable. Still, it is helpful to be aware of them. It is also important to keep in mind that not everyone with a particular risk factor for cancer actually gets the disease; in fact, most do not. People who have an increased likelihood of developing cancer can help protect themselves by avoiding risk factors (see Question 2) whenever possible and by getting regular checkups so that, if cancer develops, it is likely to be found and treated early. Treatment is often more effective when cancer is detected early. Screening exams, such as sigmoidoscopy or the fecal occult blood test, mammography, and the Pap test, can detect precancerous conditions (which can be treated before they turn into cancer) and early-stage cancer.

The NCI is conducting many cancer prevention studies to explore ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer. These studies are evaluating dietary supplements, chemopreventive agents, nutrition, personal behaviors, and other factors that may prevent cancer. More information about cancer prevention trials is available in the following NCI resources:
- Breast Cancer Prevention Studies
  (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/breast-cancer)
- Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT): Questions and Answers
  (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/SELECT)
- The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR): Questions and Answers
  (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/STARresultsQandA).
See Question 6 for additional information about clinical trials related to the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
What are some of the common signs and symptoms of cancer?
Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Possible signs of cancer include the following:
- new thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
- new mole or an obvious change in the appearance of an existing wart or mole
- a sore that does not heal
- nagging cough or hoarseness
- changes in bowel or bladder habits
- persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- unexplained changes in weight
- unusual bleeding or discharge
When these or other symptoms occur, they are not always caused by cancer. They can be caused by infections, benign tumors, or other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms or about other physical changes. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. A person with these or other symptoms should not wait to feel pain because early cancer usually does not cause pain.

If symptoms occur, the doctor may perform a physical examination, order blood work and other tests, and/or recommend a biopsy. In most cases, a biopsy is the only way to know for certain whether cancer is present. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a sample of tissue from the abnormal area. A pathologist studies the tissue under a microscope to identify cancer cells.
How is cancer treated?
Cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. The doctor may use one method or a combination of methods, depending on the type and location of the cancer, whether the disease has spread, the patient's age and general health, and other factors. Because treatment for cancer can also damage healthy cells and tissues, it often causes side effects. Some patients may worry that the side effects of treatment are worse than the disease. However, patients and doctors generally discuss the treatment options, weighing the likely benefits of killing cancer cells and the risks of possible side effects. Doctors can suggest ways to reduce or eliminate problems that may occur during and after treatment.

Surgery is an operation to remove cancer. The side effects of surgery depend on many factors, including the size and location of the tumor, the type of operation, and the patient's general health. Patients have some pain after surgery, but this pain can be controlled with medicine. It is also common for patients to feel tired or weak for a while after surgery.

Patients may worry that having a biopsy or other type of surgery for cancer will spread the disease. This is a very rare occurrence because surgeons take special precautions to prevent cancer from spreading during surgery. Also, exposing cancer to air during surgery does not cause the disease to spread.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in a targeted area. Radiation can be given externally by a machine that aims radiation at the tumor area. It can also be given internally; needles, seeds, wires, or catheters containing a radioactive substance are placed directly in or near the tumor. Radiation treatments are painless. The side effects are usually temporary, and most can be treated or controlled. Patients are likely to feel very tired, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Radiation therapy may also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which help protect the body against infection. With external radiation, it is also common to have temporary hair loss in the treated area and for the skin to become red, dry, tender, and itchy.

There is no risk of radiation exposure from coming in contact with a patient undergoing external radiation therapy. External radiation does not cause the body to become radioactive. With internal radiation (also called implant radiation), a patient may need to stay in the hospital, away from other people, while the radiation level is highest. Implants may be permanent or temporary. The amount of radiation in a permanent implant goes down to a safe level before the person leaves the hospital. With a temporary implant, there is no radioactivity left in the body after the implant is removed.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells throughout the body. Healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly. The doctor may use one drug or a combination of drugs. The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the drug(s) and the dose(s) the patient receives. Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy; however, not all anticancer drugs cause loss of hair. Anticancer drugs may also cause temporary fatigue, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth and lip sores. Drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting can help with some of these side effects. Normal cells usually recover when chemotherapy is over, so most side effects gradually go away after treatment ends.

Hormone therapy is used to treat certain cancers that depend on hormones for their growth. It works by keeping cancer cells from getting or using the hormones they need to grow. This treatment may include the use of drugs that stop the production of certain hormones or that change the way hormones work. Another type of hormone therapy is surgery to remove organs that make hormones. For example, the ovaries may be removed to treat breast cancer, or the testicles may be removed to treat prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy can cause a number of side effects. Patients may feel tired, or have fluid retention, weight gain, hot flashes, nausea and vomiting, changes in appetite, and, in some cases, blood clots. Hormone therapy may also cause bone loss in premenopausal women. Depending on the type of hormone therapy used, these side effects may be temporary, long lasting, or permanent.

Biological therapy uses the body's immune system, directly or indirectly, to fight disease and to lessen some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies, interferon, interleukin-2, and colony-stimulating factors are some types of biological therapy.

The side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the specific treatment. In general, these treatments tend to cause flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients also may bleed or bruise easily, get a skin rash, or have swelling. These problems can be severe, but they go away after the treatment stops.
Are clinical trials (research studies) available? Where can people get more information about clinical trials?
Yes. Clinical trials are an important treatment option for many cancer patients. To develop new, more effective treatments, and better ways to use current treatments, the NCI is sponsoring clinical trials in many hospitals and cancer centers around the country. Clinical trials are a critical step in the development of new methods of treatment. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER and in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies, which is available at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. Further information about clinical trials is available at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the NCI's Web site. The Web site offers detailed information about specific ongoing treatment trials as well as trials focused on prevention, screening, and diagnosis by linking to PDQ®, the NCI's comprehensive cancer information database. The CIS also provides information from PDQ.
Does cancer always cause pain?
Having cancer does not always mean having pain. Whether a patient has pain may depend on the type of cancer, the extent of the disease, and the patient's tolerance for pain. Most pain occurs when the cancer grows and presses against bones, organs, or nerves. Pain may also be a side effect of treatment. However, pain can generally be relieved or reduced with prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs recommended by the doctor. Other ways to reduce pain, such as relaxation exercises, may also be useful. Pain should not be accepted as an unavoidable part of having cancer. It is important for patients to talk about pain so steps can be taken to help relieve it. The fear of addiction or “losing control” should not stop patients from taking pain medication. Patients who take medications for cancer pain, as prescribed by their doctor, rarely become addicted to them. In addition, changing the dose or type of medication can usually help if the patient has troublesome side effects.

Selected Reference

American Cancer Society, Inc. Cancer Facts and Figures 2005. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc., 2005. Also available at http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2005f4PWSecured.pdf on the Internet.

Bone Cancer: Questions and Answers

2010-09-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

What is bone cancer?
Bone cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the bone that destroys normal bone tissue (1). Not all bone tumors are malignant. In fact, benign (noncancerous) bone tumors are more common than malignant ones. Both malignant and benign bone tumors may grow and compress healthy bone tissue, but benign tumors do not spread, do not destroy bone tissue, and are rarely a threat to life.

Malignant tumors that begin in bone tissue are called primary bone cancer. Cancer that metastasizes (spreads) to the bones from other parts of the body, such as the breast, lung, or prostate, is called metastatic cancer, and is named for the organ or tissue in which it began. Primary bone cancer is far less common than cancer that spreads to the bones.
Are there different types of primary bone cancer?
Yes. Cancer can begin in any type of bone tissue. Bones are made up of osteoid (hard or compact), cartilaginous (tough, flexible), and fibrous (threadlike) tissue, as well as elements of bone marrow (soft, spongy tissue in the center of most bones).

Common types of primary bone cancer include:
- Osteosarcoma, which arises from osteoid tissue in the bone. This tumor occurs most often in the knee and upper arm (1).
- Chondrosarcoma, which begins in cartilaginous tissue. Cartilage pads the ends of bones and lines the joints. Chondrosarcoma occurs most often in the pelvis (located between the hip bones), upper leg, and shoulder. Sometimes a chondrosarcoma contains cancerous bone cells. In that case, doctors classify the tumor as an osteosarcoma.
- The Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFTs), which usually occur in bone but may also arise in soft tissue (muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue). Scientists think that ESFTs arise from elements of primitive nerve tissue in the bone or soft tissue (2). ESFTs occur most commonly along the backbone and pelvis and in the legs and arms (3).
  
  Other types of cancer that arise in soft tissue are called soft tissue sarcomas. They are not bone cancer and are not described in this resource. (More information about these types of cancer is available in the NCI fact sheet Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Questions and Answers at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/soft-tissue-sarcoma on the Internet.)
What are the possible causes of bone cancer?
Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. Osteosarcoma occurs more frequently in people who have had high-dose external radiation therapy or treatment with certain anticancer drugs; children seem to be particularly susceptible. A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity. For example, children who have had hereditary retinoblastoma (an uncommon cancer of the eye) are at a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma, particularly if they are treated with radiation. Additionally, people who have hereditary defects of bones and people with metal implants, which doctors sometimes use to repair fractures, are more likely to develop osteosarcoma (4). Ewing sarcoma is not strongly associated with any heredity cancer syndromes, congenital childhood diseases, or previous radiation exposure (2).
How often does bone cancer occur?
Primary bone cancer is rare. It accounts for much less than 1 percent of all cancers. About 2,300 new cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year (5). Different types of bone cancer are more likely to occur in certain populations:
- Osteosarcoma occurs most commonly between ages 10 and 19. However, people over age 40 who have other conditions, such as Paget disease (a benign condition characterized by abnormal development of new bone cells), are at increased risk of developing this cancer.
- Chondrosarcoma occurs mainly in older adults (over age 40). The risk increases with advancing age. This disease rarely occurs in children and adolescents
- ESFTs occur most often in children and adolescents under 19 years of age. Boys are affected more often than girls. These tumors are extremely rare in African American children.
What are the symptoms of bone cancer?
Pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, but not all bone cancers cause pain (1). Persistent or unusual pain or swelling in or near a bone can be caused by cancer or by other conditions. It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause.
How is bone cancer diagnosed?
To help diagnose bone cancer, the doctor asks about the patient’s personal and family medical history. The doctor also performs a physical examination and may order laboratory and other diagnostic tests. These tests may include (1):
- X-rays, which can show the location, size, and shape of a bone tumor. If x-rays suggest that an abnormal area may be cancer, the doctor is likely to recommend special imaging tests. Even if x-rays suggest that an abnormal area is benign, the doctor may want to do further tests, especially if the patient is experiencing unusual or persistent pain.
  - A bone scan, which is a test in which a small amount of radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel and travels through the bloodstream; it then collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.
  - A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan, which is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles, that are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
  - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure, which uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body without using x-rays.
  - A positron emission tomography (PET) scan, in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.
  - An angiogram, which is an x-ray of blood vessels.
- Biopsy (removal of a tissue sample from the bone tumor) to determine whether cancer is present. The surgeon may perform a needle biopsy or an incisional biopsy. During a needle biopsy, the surgeon makes a small hole in the bone and removes a sample of tissue from the tumor with a needle-like instrument. In an incisional biopsy, the surgeon cuts into the tumor and removes a sample of tissue. Biopsies are best done by an orthopedic oncologist (a doctor experienced in the treatment of bone cancer) (1). A pathologist (a doctor who identifies disease by studying cells and tissues under a microscope) examines the tissue to determine whether it is cancerous.
- Blood tests to determine the level of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. A large amount of this enzyme is present in the blood when the cells that form bone tissue are very active—when children are growing, when a broken bone is mending, or when a disease or tumor causes production of abnormal bone tissue. Because high levels of alkaline phosphatase are normal in growing children and adolescents, this test is not a completely reliable indicator of bone cancer (1, 6) .
What are the treatment options for bone cancer?
Treatment options depend on the type, size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the person’s age and general health. Treatment options for bone cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cryosurgery.
- Surgery is the usual treatment for bone cancer. The surgeon removes the entire tumor with negative margins (no cancer cells are found at the edge or border of the tissue removed during surgery). The surgeon may also use special surgical techniques to minimize the amount of healthy tissue removed with the tumor.
  
  Dramatic improvements in surgical techniques and preoperative tumor treatment have made it possible for most patients with bone cancer in an arm or leg to avoid radical surgical procedures (removal of the entire limb). However, most patients who undergo limb-sparing surgery need reconstructive surgery to maximize limb function (1).
- Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. Patients who have bone cancer usually receive a combination of anticancer drugs. However, chemotherapy is not currently used to treat chondrosarcoma (1).
- Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. This treatment may be used in combination with surgery. It is often used to treat chondrosarcoma, which cannot be treated with chemotherapy, as well as ESFTs (1). It may also be used for patients who refuse surgery.
- Cryosurgery is the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells. This technique can sometimes be used instead of conventional surgery to destroy the tumor (1).
Is follow-up treatment necessary? What does it involve?
Yes. Bone cancer sometimes metastasizes, particularly to the lungs, or can recur (come back), either at the same location or in other bones in the body (1). People who have had bone cancer should see their doctor regularly and should report any unusual symptoms right away. Follow-up varies for different types and stages of bone cancer. Generally, patients are checked frequently by their doctor and have regular blood tests and x-rays. People who have had bone cancer, particularly children and adolescents, have an increased likelihood of developing another type of cancer, such as leukemia, later in life. Regular follow-up care ensures that changes in health are discussed and that problems are treated as soon as possible.
Are clinical trials (research studies) available for people with bone cancer?
Yes. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many people with bone cancer. To develop new treatments and better ways to use current treatments, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring clinical trials in many hospitals and cancer centers around the country. Clinical trials are a critical step in the development of new methods of treatment. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER and in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies, which can be found at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/Taking-Part-in-Cancer-Treatment-Research-Studies on the Internet. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. Further information about clinical trials is available at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the NCI’s Web site. The Web site offers detailed information about specific ongoing studies by linking to PDQ®, the NCI’s comprehensive cancer information database. The CIS also provides information from PDQ.

Selected References

Malawer MM, Helman LJ, O'Sullivan B. Sarcomas of bone. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, editors. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. Vol. 2. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.
Pizzo P, Poplack DG, editors. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2002.
Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, et al., editors. Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1999. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute, 1999.
Miller RW, Boice JD, Curtis RE. Bone cancer. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF, editors. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
American Cancer Society (2008). Cancer Facts and Figures 2008. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society. Retrieved March 13, 2008, from http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf.
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

2010-09-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
- Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
- Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
- Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

The Golden Keys to Start An Online Business

2010-07-13T23:08:00.001-07:00

Before looking for a business idea or doing anything like researching the market for a niche or finding a product or thinking about the place or price or promotion methods you have to think about what you want? Which means setting your business goals first? Knowing them, writing them down to have a clear roadmap for your business journey. Secondly, you have to work on yourself first. Think to improve your time management skills. By developing this skill you will know how effectively and efficiently can schedule your appointments, set you goals, planning thoroughly, creating things to do lists and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. The third key is the leadership skills such as: decision making, emotional intelligence and creativity are also essential to your self improvement. Then you have to be motivated all the time no matter what happening in your life. Do not allow your motivation level to fluctuate from time to time. Reward yourself whenever you accomplish a task because it helps. Now you can start writing your business plan, know that if you fail to plan you will plan to fail. You have to apply what you learned from the ebooks and e-courses you have. Do not buy a new book tell you apply what you already have. Start researching for your niche. Then start with affiliate programs so you have nothing to lose. In this case you need no budget to start with, you will build your list fast and have free experience in online business. Remember not to put all your eggs in one basket. So, buy MRR products and resell them until you have your own product to sell. The last advice I have for you take advantage of the free tools provided throughout the Internet. Such as: the NVU web site editor, filezilla ftp. You will find a lot of other free tools to start your business with so you will not need a red cent to start your online business and to be successful in. If you want free ebooks to resell them or to know how to start your Internet business just visit: www.10dollarebusiness.com

Do you Really Need a Business Plan to Run your Business?

2010-07-13T23:07:00.002-07:00

Is writing a business plan always the first step in launching a new business? Professional business plan writers and small business consultants will answer in the affirmative; however, I wonder if they are just out of touch with what it takes to run a small business. Typically I would say that the first time you need a full business plan is when someone asks for it. Don't get me wrong I think you should certainly do your homework before you invest resources into a new business, but it doesn't have to be a business plan. Here is my suggestion for an alternative:

1. Start with Assumptions - If you are considering starting a new business, then you have already made certain assumptions, such as:

You have identified a problem You have created a solution Someone will be willing to pay for your solution

I think your first step should be to challenge those assumptions. Do some research, ask some potential customers, find out if anyone else is already doing the same thing. If you can answer yes to those 3 assumptions then move to the next step.

2. Create Goals - For the small business owner, a business plan can help you know where to go and how to get there, but again you don't always need a full business plan to answer those questions. Instead create some goals for your business such as:

Finish product development by August 1st Release product or service for sale by September 1st Solicit customer feedback for 2 months Release new and improved product by December 1st

Obviously, these goals may be vastly different depending on your business. If you own a landscaping business you will have different goals than a software developer, but the principle remains the same. Create goals for your business.

3. To Do List - Maybe you should consider having your spouse do this part for you since your he or she can usually come up with excellent to do lists for you. All joking aside, you need to create a to do list. You have general goals, but what steps to do you need to take each day to accomplish those goals. If you want to manufacture a new product your list may include:

Find potential suppliers Compare suppliers Choose supplier Find potential distributors Compare distributors Choose distributors Hire 5 assembly line employees Order supplies Manufacture product

Obviously there are many more steps along the way, but you get the idea.

If you can just affirm your assumptions, create goals for your business, and then create detailed lists of how to reach your goals you have enough to start your business. At some point (early on) it would be valuable to go through the entire business planning process. ALSO, if you are planning on making a large investment to launch your business, PLEASE write an entire business plan. Do not build a new $2 million facility and come to find out that no body wants your product or service. If you need more advice on writing a full plan then check out the resources on the business plan page at www.theexecutiveplan.com.

Starting A Successful Home Based Photography Business

2010-07-13T23:07:00.001-07:00

Are you interested on making money with your own business at the comfort home? Are you in need of extra money to pay your bills? Want to turn your love of photography into cash? Don't fret because you can. You can make a very good income either you choose part or full-time using your digital camera with your photography business at home. And guess what, wedding photography is considered to be an approximately $5 billion per year industry.

If taking pictures and sharing them with your friends would be an entertaining thing for you, then you might want to consider taking wedding photos on weekends. Wedding photography is a career that can be very lucrative either its part or full-time. In the United States, the size of wedding industry is approximately $5 billion per year. That is simply phenomenal! In fact, you can be a part of this industry by just learning a few photography know-how and a decent digital camera. Taking a course with business forms and using photo editing software will be helpful to get you started in making money in your own home-based business.

If you have a digital camera and enjoy taking pictures might as well turn it into a business and start earning from it. What you need is to know where to start.

First, you have to have a business card and other stationery that would give a professional appearance would be very important. It is essential that you understand what to do on the first day of your photo sessions. You must know how to pose a bride and groom, what photos that are needed to take, what are the equipment issues that may arise are and knowledge on editing using Adobe Photoshop on your personal computer. You must know how to make an album for the bride and groom.

Information from recent Bureau of Statistics shows that there are over half a million of jobless people in the month of November alone. This means that there are almost 2 million people who are jobless in 2008. Unfortunately, most of these people have no alternative way of earning money. Taking photos is just one of the many ways one can make up for the lost income. A good quality digital camera could be used in starting your own photo business - an excellent part or full-time income.

Most photographers started their careers in photography as part time. They started utilizing friends and family first. Others started their careers in doing part time of taking wedding photos. Most of the nation's great wedding photographers started their career as part time. It is not necessary taking fulltime course for 2 or more years. Though, formal courses at universities can be very beneficial but then again it can take several years before you could earn a living from it. There are other options to take though. For example, you could get photography courses online which will provide everything that you need to begin making an income with your home based photography business.

Oftentimes when doing my shooting sessions people would ask on what format should I shoot. Either it would be on tiff, high resolution, jpeg, raw, etc. The answer is just simple. It should be raw! And make sure you are using the highest resolution available in your camera. Choosing the format is an important thing to consider in taking photos. What gives you options for post image processing is the raw format. Better chances for printing perfect large prints are determined by higher resolution. Maximum resolution available is needed when you need to make a large poster size photos for the couple. What you need to use in taking photos is a kind of digital camera that have an accessory hot shoe so that you can attach an optional flash unit that is designed specifically for your system. This accessory flash is needed to have better light and an alternative flash that is more powerful than the built-in flash of the camera. Every photo you take on the day, even those which are taken from the outdoors, will be done with flash. The flash will provided a very nice even tone of light and thus allow you to sell more photos after the event.

You must not forget that the bride and groom's parents and close family members would be your prospective buyers. Grandparents would want a picture where they are with the groom and the bride. You could earn from these quick opportunities. Remember that your aim is to be able to take advantage of every opportunity to earn money through photography.

Starting A Successful Home Based Photography Business

2010-07-13T23:06:00.001-07:00

If you have a digital camera and enjoy taking pictures might as well turn it into a business and start earning from it. What you need is to know where to start.

How to Choose a Winning Name for your Small Business

2010-07-13T23:05:00.001-07:00

Can a name make or break your chances of business success? With the success of businesses with seemingly strange names like Google, Facebook, and Yahoo! you might think that a name is not all that important. I disagree. Unfortunately I learned a lot about how to pick a good name for a business after I already chose my business name. For that reason, I want to guide all of you toward a business name that will work for you now and into the future. There are 3 keys principles to keep in mind when picking a name for your business:

1. Remember the Internet - Whether your business is an internet based retail business or you operate a chain of gravel pits around your region, you NEED to keep the internet in mind when picking your business name. In particular you want to think about Search Engine Optimization when you choose a name. If your name contains keywords related to your business, you will have an easier time ranking higher on search engines like Google. If you are a gravel pit owner, then your company name should contain gravel so that when you create your company website it will rank high for the keyword gravel. This principle would be the same if you sell books, cookies, or cell phones. Why make it harder on yourself? Just build your name for the internet age.

2. "Google It" - Have you ever used company names as verbs? For instance, Xerox is a company name, but many people will call copying a document "xeroxing a document". Similarly you may say to a friend, "just Google it". If you can create a business name that has the potential to become a verb you are will be happy you did so later.

3. Short and Sweet - Have you noticed how so many successful companies these days have one word names? I don't think it is a coincidence. I wisk I would have realized this fact before I named my business, but you may still have a chance to keep from making the same mistake. Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft. These are all one word companies. Specifically if you are creating a highly technical product or service, keep your name simple. Try to keep your small business name to one or two short words.

As a bonus tip, make sure that you check to see if a domain name is availabe before you set your name in stone. Try www.godaddy.com and check your proposed name. If someone already has a website with "yourbusinessname.com" then pick something else.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing a name for your new business and you will likely come up with a great name. If you have not already, check out my blog at www.theexecutiveplan.com for more small business resources.

Who else can contribute to your business?

2010-07-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I effectively had a network of about 50 people including my friends - I was shy, introverted and mostly preferred my own company! Not only that, I really didn't want anyone to see me - I rather liked being invisible!! Or so I told myself...

Now, my network extends to thousands of people, I've become a coach, mentor, author and speaker, and I enjoy personal connections with more phenomenal people than I thought existed!!

What changed? Firstly I became aware that I could offer so much more to the world if I would follow my bliss. This bliss is evolving into an enormous vision that will create more joy and ease with people all over the world.

The phenomenal size and intent of my vision and my commitment to living it daily has allowed me to be as generative, joyful, inspirational, expansive, captivating, and spectacular as I truly be... (and no, it wasn't a 10 second transformation - it did take a little bit of focus on getting rid of the blocks that had put me in that unblissful disconnected place originally!)

Being that energy of bliss and inspiration and expansiveness has attracted amazing connections for me - neither I nor my business would be what we are today without the contribution of so many people... When I stopped playing small and insignificant, the universe started delivering big!!

What would it take for you to start living beyond your imagination? Who could you meet that could transform your life into living and working blissfully? Who do you need to know that you aren't connected with yet?

There's only one way to find out and that's to start getting connected!

Online: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are fabulous starting points - or particpate in a forum with topics that interest you. Offline: Local networking groups, Local MeetUp groups and being the invitation with people you already know will get you started...

Want to connect your business to the people who make a difference online? The Content Marketing Made Simple Playshop on March 22 will help you design a connection strategy based on your knowledge and expertise!

7 Reasons Why Your Small Business Must Have A Content Management Strategy

2010-07-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

Marketing guru Seth Godin has said 'Content marketing is the only marketing left.' New technologies mean traditional mass media is fast being overtaken by brands as publishers of content. It's easy to publish content online, but much more challenging to achieve tangible business results (like sales!) Why?

As a business coach, I see a common marketing mistake that many small businesses make - they mistake participating in social media for actually having a content management strategy. Here's seven reasons why small business owners need to start with the strategy rather than the social media networks...

1. Activity (or busyness) in social media domains does not equate to goal achievement. It's expensive to create content (time and/or money) - if your content distribution strategy isn't clear you're shooting blindly and wasting valuable resources. 2. Publishing is now marketing and marketing is now publishing. Your influence stems from your value. Your value stems from your content and your relationships. 3. Until you answer the why... e.g. What are the informational needs of my customers? What pain points can my brand address? What brand story are we telling?... your strategy will be incoherent and won't deliver results. Relevance is key. Listening is core to success. 4. Google already pushes Twitter updates through their organic search results and in February 2010 it was announced that Facebook Fan Page content is next - what keywords, key messages and topics will you be found for? The rules for being found by organic search are changing quickly! 5. Without a clear and relevant content marketing strategy, you'll attract followers who are irrelevant to your business - there's no point having 50,000 followers if they aren't in your target audience. How do you feed your 'ideal client' into your traffic generation strategy? With content your ideal client needs! 6. Productivity - without a clear strategy, there will be no clarity about how all the pieces of your social media marketing connect together... which means it's impossible to manage the distribution and flow of content in a meaningful way for your prospects and partners. 7. The answer to every question you have about online marketing of your business will come back to 'it depends... on your content marketing strategy.' Without one, your ship is rudderless.

To Blog or Not to Blog? The Business Owner's Zillion Dollar Question!

2010-07-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

At a recent business coaching gig for the KBN Ashgrove Network I talked about blogging. So many business owners think they 'should' blog but in truth have no idea of where to start, why they are doing it or how to have their blog generate results.

Some of the reasons you could choose to blog include:

* Your clients will 'get you': the less formal nature of blogging makes you a 'real' person in their eyes - who do people ultimately buy from? People they have relationships with! Authentic communication beats a static website any day. * You can create a forum for engagement with potential clients and others in your industry via 'comments'. * It is the foundation of your social media strategy. You have 100% control over your content... no-one can remove it or change it except you. * Google rankings: regular blog posts create great link bait and encourage Google to search your site for fresh content more often.

There are many reasons to blog, but none of those matter if you can't find a way to do it that works for you! In tomorrow's post, we'll explore some simple strategies that take the stress and confusion out of blogging.

If you are publishing content on a blog, you need a strategy. Without one you are shooting at moving targets and missing opportunities to hit the triple jackpot of being visible, valued and visionary! John Batelle, creator of Wired magazine recently stated that for brands to stay relevant and develop a true online experience for their customers, they must master the art of content creation.

Here are a few tips to take the mystery out of blogging... whether you are a technophobe, unable to string a sentance together or just completely confused... ;-) successful blogging is possible!

* Blogging technology: If your website does not have its own inbuilt blogging system (many content management systems do) then it's better to use www.Wordpress.org with your own domain name rather than other free software. You can use sites like Facebook or a Ning site as an alternative however you cannot use your own domain name and you lack control over your content - far from ideal! * Content marketing strategy: It's essential to have a clearly developed content marketing strategy... why, what, how... etc! Without a strategy you'll waste a lot of time and resources. * Valuable content: You should only blog if you have plenty of valuable content that your target audience would be interested in. Contrary to some of the advice out there, writing inane dribble about nothing won't do you any favors in the search engines or elsewhere! * Writing alternatives: It doesn't matter if you can't write - use audio / video / photos and put just a few words around each idea. Or, record your ideas and have someone transcribe and edit them. * Developing connections: Get over the idea of 'I don't know what to write' by talking to people about their challenges in the area your business serves. Write about the solutions to those challenges in a way that invites people to respect you and share your ideas with others. * Meeting deadlines: invite other related professionals to 'guest blog' on your blog on a monthly basis - gives you more great content and they'll probably promote your blog to their followers. * Promoting your content: ensure you promote your blog posts in other social forums - 'build it and they will come' is generally only true in the movies!!! Your blog offers the core content, social media are the outposts that create visibility.

Merchant Accounts: It's Time to Take Your Business to the Next Level

2010-07-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

Running a small business, or even a large one, can get pretty overwhelming. Especially in these tough economic times you need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. There is a lot of competition out there and your business can't afford to let other companies get a leg up on you.

If your business has yet to set up a merchant account to process credit card payments then you are missing out on a whole world of potential customers. People expect to be able to pay with their credit or debit cards and if your business can't process them they will find someone who can.

It is understandable that for people starting a new business, or even those who have had their companies going for a long time, to be a little apprehensive about opening a merchant account. It may seem confusing and intimidating at first, but this article will break down exactly how a merchant account works.

Getting Started

In order to set up your merchant account you are first going to have to prove to the provider that you are a legitimate business. There are a number of ways to do this. If you are planning on signing up for an

account you should have as much information ready ahead of time as possible. This will expedite the process.

If you have a business license you should have that ready. Any tax returns from previous years are also good to have. Should your business have an actual physical location you should take pictures of your storefront or offices. If you know other people in your line of work then references from these businesses may also come in handy.

Different merchant account providers require different things, but it helps to have as much set aside in advance as possible.

Account Providers

You can sign up for a merchant account in a few different ways. One way is through a merchant bank. These are slightly different than your typical investment bank. They specifically invest in small

businesses and will process all of your credit and debit card transactions directly.

An independent sales organization (ISO), sometimes called a member service provider (MSP), is a third party broker that has contracts set up with banks to handle your credit card processing. The ISO's

normally offer a vast area of services to businesses on top of handling credit card transactions. They will often provide equipment, customer service, wireless processing solutions, and even escrow services if you are dealing in big-ticket items.

It is important that when you are deciding on an account provider you verify all of their information. Check the contracts to make sure they are affiliated with a legitimate bank. When you pick an ISO be sure they are sponsored by an FDIC insured bank before you sign anything.

Processing Transactions

There are a number of different ways that your business can process payments. It is up to you to decide which one is the right fit.

The most common way to process debit or credit cards is with a credit card terminal. These are the machines where you swipe your card at most convenience stores. It automatically reads the information from the magnetic strip.

This information is processed by your merchant account and after a series of complex transactions (that you don't have to worry about) the money is transferred to your account in two or three business days.

If your business doesn't process very many credit cards, but you still want to have the option, then you might not need an actual terminal. You can still use a merchant account by simply copying down the information from a credit or debit card and then calling it in to your account provider later.

Online businesses can set up a payment gateway through their account provider to process orders made over the Internet. These e-commerce services will safely and securely process your customer's information by linking up to your business's website.

Is a Merchant Account Right for You?

It is hard to imagine a business that wouldn't benefit from a merchant account. Mobile businesses like delivery drivers and traveling salespeople can greatly benefit by the vast array of wireless credit card solutions.

For businesses that operate online, being able to process credit cards safely and securely is almost a necessity these days. It is increasingly rare that a customer is actually going to write you out a check and mail it to you when they can just punch their credit card information in.

The fact is that being able to process credit and debit card transactions is only going to become more important in the future. Signing up for a merchant account today is the right decision to help your business move forward and continue to succeed.