Every year, an estimated 3,400 children in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor or brain cancer. Approximately one third of these children will survive no more than five years, making brain and spinal cord tumors the deadliest of all childhood cancers.
These kinds of tumors are considered to be the toughest childhood cancers to treat successfully due to several factors, including:
1. Their precise cause is unknown; 2. There are many different kinds of children’s brain and spinal cord tumors; 3. Because the disease is rare and tissue samples of tumors are small, it takes time to test and validate new treatment options; 4. Doctors and researchers are dealing with a growing child’s brain and body, so they must first ensure they avoid harming the child; and 5. Funds for research and treatment options are limited, due to the relatively low rate of incidence, compared to other childhood cancers and diseases.
Today, across America…
Nine families will learn their child has a brain or spinal cord tumor; A mother will grieve that her instincts about her child’s health were right; A father will allow himself to cry, but only alone in the shower; A six-year old child may try to grapple with her mortality.
Three families across America will mourn the loss of their child to a brain or spinal cord tumor. Friends, family and community will try to make sense of an untimely death and the unfulfilled promise of a life. At the same time, these same friends, family and community will join to celebrate the joy a child’s life brought to them, albeit brief and difficult.
There is hope for these children, as the survival rate has increased significantly over the past twenty years, with approximately 25,000 survivors living in the U.S. today. However, “survivorship” for children with brain or spinal cord tumors isn’t as bright as the survivorship that is celebrated with some other cancers. Two-thirds of those afflicted will suffer late effects such as cognitive damage, physical challenges and social isolation. In addition, measures such as unemployment are much more dismal among pediatric brain tumor survivors than among other pediatric cancer survivors.
Families facing this dreadful disease need help. They need resources for education, services, networking, and just plain emotional support. There are several non-profit organizations, such as the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation that offer programs and assistance to these families in a variety of ways.
In addition, these organizations are tireless in their efforts to secure funding in support of ongoing research of the causes, treatment options, and possible cures of these deadly killers. A quick Internet search can offer up a plethora of resources that will fit the needs of almost every family traveling down this very difficult path.
While significant progress has been made in the areas of research, diagnosis and treatment, much more work remains to be done. Awareness is the first giant step in the right direction. From awareness comes education, and from education comes research, donations, and hopefully, someday – a cure.
Posts tagged ‘Leads’
Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is a health condition, which is caused by numerous causes. Impotence affects most men at some point of time in their lives. Although, it can occur at any age, old men are more susceptible to it than young men. It affects a man’s self esteem and leads to frustration and performance anxiety. This health condition is dreaded by all men. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not just matter of sexual health for men. Most of them think that they are not manly enough if they don’t perform well in bed. This proves to be a blow to their ego. It may ruin a relationship as the other partner starts feeling that she is not good in bed and that is the reason her man is not able to achieve an erection and make love. This problem should be treated before it takes a toll on their relationship.
Impotence is not an uncommon health condition and more than 10% of men are affected by it at some time. It is caused by certain health problems, medications and surgeries. Addictions and common health problems such as diabetes and stroke are also contributing factors in causing ED.
Prostate cancer surgery and impotence
Surgery of prostate cancer is known to cause ED. Chemotherapy and cancer related surgeries are known to lead to development of ED amongst most patients, if not all. Some doctors think that frequent use of radiations on the body results in ED. While it has been argued that the radiations used for prostate cancer are only used to break down cancer tumours, most doctors still believe that these radiations are responsible for causing impotence, but there is no concrete evidence to prove this claim. The exact cause of this phenomenon is not yet known but cancer related surgeries are known to lead to impotence, especially surgery for prostate cancer.
Treatment
Even if you have ED, you can control it by using medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These medications are not only effective but fast and reliable. All you have to do is take a pill before an hour of the sexual activity and get prepared for action. A combination therapy is considered as the best treatment option. It is a combination of such drugs and counselling, which leads to both, mental as well as physical recovery. It should be noted that talking with your partner will also help you solve the problem. Effective communication is the cornerstone of a good married life. If you are unable to share your problems and apprehensions with your partner, it may lead to more problem in the future. Talk with your partner about your intimate problems and try to know her problems also. This leads to a healthy environment and you can create a win win situation and helps both partners. Impotence can be treated, if you choose to take wise decisions and not fall prey to popular ideologies like cancer radiations causing this health condition.
