Lung cancer is one of the more common types of cancers for both men and women. It is the uncontrolled growth of many abnormal cells in the lungs, with one or both lungs. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type. Normal lung function is not carried out by the abnormal lung cells, and they can not develop into healthy lung tissue. The symptoms of the disease may not be noticeable until the late stages, and include coughing that gets worse, loss of appetite, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Some symptoms of lung cancer are not as well known, and could go undetected: 1. Upper back and shoulder pain These symptoms could easily be attributed to other illnesses and not lung cancer. The shoulder pain could be the result of pressure from a tumor in the phrenic nerve inside the lung, or the spread of the cancer to bones near the shoulder joint. 2. The development of breast in men This is one of the paraneoplastic syndromes known as gynecomastia. This is part of a group of symptoms that can occur in parts of the body that have not been affected by cancer spread. This could lead to an early diagnosis once all other potential causes have been investigated.

More than 100,350 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year. Like all cancers, melanoma is important to catch the disease early to provide the best long term outcome. The five-year survival rate for people with melanoma that has not spread (or metastasized) is 98 percent. However, if the disease is not caught early the survival rate drops significantly. One positive is that melanoma can be seen with a visual exam so you can often catch it early by paying attention to changes in your body. Because melanoma can be detected visually it is important to routinely check your body for moles, freckles, and other body marks. Create a body marking chart and track all changes that you can see with a visual review. Ask a family member or close friend to check hard to view areas of the body such as your back, upper thigh, and scalp. Change is a mole’s color, shape, diameter, or texture can be an early sign of melanoma. It is important to note in your journal any changes that occur in the shape, size, color or borders of the moles or other body marks. Doctor’s recommend noting the ABCDEs of a mole, for instance: Asymmetry:

Medicare is the national health insurance program of the United States. For U.S. residents, there are different Medicare Plans and some plan details vary by state. Medicare has various parts that users should become familiar with. They include Medicare Parts A B and C. The basics consist in Medicare Part A, which is the portion of insurance that is used to cover hospital stays, home care, and hospice. Medicare Plan B is used for physician visits, medical testing, and prevention care. Medicare Part D is used to cover prescriptions and medications. Each Part D covers different prescriptions so you will need to work to choose a plan that meets your specific needs. Review your prescriptions with your physician prior to selecting a plan. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plan coverage, covers costs not paid for by Medicare Parts A and B. If you’re looking to cut your Medicare costs, read on: 1. Timing is important You are eligible for Medicare at age 65-years old. There is a seven month window to sign up for Medicare that begins three months prior to your 65th birthday and extends until three months after your birthday. If you enroll prior to the deadline it will cost you nothing, however if you sign up after the window closes you will be charged late fees.

Prostate cancer occurs when a tumor grows within the prostate gland, a tiny walnut-shaped gland that makes seminal fluid (responsible for nourishing and transporting sperm in men). Doctors don’t know the exact cause of prostate cancer, but they know it occurs when the abnormal cells in the prostate divide and multiply, which eventually form a tumor and can spread to other parts of the body. Risk factors for prostate cancer include advanced age, race, obesity, and a family history of the disease. Common visual symptoms of prostate cancer are as follows: 1. Difficulty urinating Many patients suffering from prostate cancer may experience difficulty in urinating due to treatment or the condition itself. Someone may have to go to the restroom more often than normal or may even lose complete control of their bladder. A few men who have prostate cancer reported that urinating can also be painful due to the enlarged prostate putting pressure on the urethra. 2. Pelvic pain Pelvic pain can be linked to the prostate cancer spreading into the bones. The tumor can also put pressure into nearby organs and tissues which contributes to back and pelvic pain. The pain can range from mild to extremely severe and might require pain management intervention.

Botox, or clostridium botulinum, is a neurotoxin. When consumed this toxin can induce a dangerous reaction that blocks signals and paralyzes the muscles via the nervous system. However, when injected by a professional at much lower dosages, botox is safely used for cosmetic purposes to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. According to the American Migraine Foundation, botox is also FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic migraines. Here are the benefits of using botox injections to treat migraines: 1. Botox reduces severity and frequency of migraines Doctors claim that botox works for treating migraine headaches because it blocks chemicals (or neurotransmitters) believed to deliver pain signals from the brain. In this way, botox works like a roadblock, impeding these brain chemicals before they reach migraine pain points such as the temples, forehead, or neck. Studies find that botox treatments reduce the severity and frequency of migraines by up to 50%. In fact, patients often report an increased amount of pain-free days between migraines. Additionally, nearly half of migraine patients reported less migraine frequency per month following only 2 rounds of botox shots. 2. Finding a headache specialist or neurologist Currently, Botox is restricted to specialist headache centers in the U.S., under the guidance of the American Migraine Foundation (AMF).