Covers the causes, signs, symptoms and treatment, along with self help steps you can take to fight this cancer.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

A Personal Experience Working With Doctors: Let's start with the facts that doctors are human, have stress, see many patients and don't have time to be familiar with each patient and each variation of every disease. Mistakes don't happen...they're unavoidable. This is why it's foolish for a patient to swallow whatever the doctor says about something as serious as cancer. Verify what the doctor says and make sure the therapy is appropriate for you, given your life situation and specific cancer. The following is my experience helping my Father-In-Law (Dad) after he was diagnosed with "skin cancer".

We were there for Dad's surgery and post-surgery consultation. The surgeon said there is little danger of spreading, and no further treatments of any kind should be needed. I asked for the specific name of the cancer and researched the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for myself, discovering what the doctor hadn't even hinted at. The cancer spreads very rapidly in ways difficult to see and, once spread, is usually fatal. The standard treatment was surgery followed immediately with radiation to the tumor area and nearby lymph nodes. If caught soon enough and treated correctly, the cancer had a very high cure rate. If not, relapse had a 0% 5-year survival rate. Ever try to change a doctor's mind?

The surgeon confirmed it was Merkel cell carcinoma but, when confronted with the NCI documentation, insisted there was no more treatment needed. I asked for Dad's Oncologist...he didn't have one. His Primary Doctor who was defensive, but after reviewing the NCI data, scheduled an Oncologist while muttering how hard it is to keep up on all the rare diseases.

Note to doctors: If tests reveal your patient has a rare and deadly disease, it's O.K. to admit you don't know how to treat it and do the research to find out. Note to patients...don't bet your life on one doctor's opinion...do the research yourself...nobody cares like you care. Because of the slow response we got from Dad's medical providers, we had to change hospitals and doctors to get him the treatment he needed. It has now been over 6 years since he was diagnosed and he's had no sign of the cancer returning.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Signs And Symptoms: A tumor appears usually on the face, head or neck. It looks just like a harmless form of skin cancer that spreads very slowly, if at all. A biopsy of the tumor tissue is the most reliable way to tell the difference between the two cancers. To help identify your problem, here are some of the best-selling books on fighting different cancer types.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Causes: It's believed that exposure to sunlight or a weakened immune system increase the risk of this cancer. It occurs most often in people over 70 years old.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment: In it's early stage, it's very important to act rapidly with surgery to remove the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue followed by radiation therapy of the tumor area and the nearby lymph nodes. If the tumor has been present for longer than a few months, sometimes the surgeon will remove nearby lymph nodes to check for cancer cells. If found, the situation isn't hopeless...there are still effective treatments, though more complex. Once it spreads to other organs, treatment options change to easing pain and fighting symptoms with chemotherapy and other drugs.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Self Help: If you've been diagnosed with a malignant Cancer, always retest and get a second opinion from another doctor. Once confirmed, work with your doctor to make sure nothing you do interferes with the medical treatment. Get the specific diagnosis in writing, including the name and stage of the Cancer. Search the NCI and other sites to learn all you can. Print relevant pages and make a list of specific questions for your doctor. Write down his answers and check them on the web.

To help prevent Cancer, If your family or lifestyle (see causes, above) puts you at a higher risk, you should consider these things essential to help prevent Cancer: Follow a low fat diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fill your life with aerobic activity and exercise. Make sure you're drinking enough water. Supplement your diet with natural Multi-Vitamins and Multi-Minerals, along with extra doses of the following to strengthen your immune system:

Antioxidants(Beta Carotene, Flavonoids, Lycopene, Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and CoQ10). Organic Germanium; 300-450mg divided into 3 doses a day. Fiber; 12-15 grams extra from vegetable sources or supplements. Garlic; 3 cloves per day. Omega 3; 3 per day, 1 at beginning of each meal. Lecithin; taken with the Omega 3. Molybdenum, Selenium, Echinacea, Lipoic Acid

Total Healing: Cancer is at best frightening, frustrating and painful...at worst, fatal. We both know there are no guaranteed cures or quick fixes, whether medicine, nutrition, herbs or anything else. Many illnesses are "incurable" from the medical standpoint. Complete healing is possible...including mind, body and spirit...from God. If you want God's help with this or any problem, go to Help From God.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

It's an honor that you've allowed us to try and help with your family and life issues. Thank you very much for visiting. Please return soon.

Love & Hugs,
Glen

Covers the causes, signs, symptoms and treatment, along with self help steps you can take to fight this cancer.