It is really important that enough time is allowed for proper physical and emotional healing after surgery. Time is needed to come to terms with the extent of the surgery and the impact this is having on functions you took for granted before surgery. For instance, the mental shock and sadness of the removal of vital sexual organs may take six to twelve months to come to terms with, even with counseling. Hopefully your specialist will have shown you and your partner what the physical changes will look like before you have surgery. Even so, the reality can be quite a shock as there will be quite significant physical changes, depending on the extent of surgery. Because drugs are often given in hospital to reduce pain and may keep you on a ‘high’ the reality and extent of the physical changes may not ‘hit’ you until you return home. Tablets for depression sometimes block your bowels that put pressure on the vulval area and are excruciatingly painful when you go to do ‘pooh’.
If the clitoris and vagina have been removed sexual intercourse through penetration is going to be extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible. Therefore you (and your partner) will need the services early in your treatment of a sexual therapist or counselor. If you live in an area where these services are not available ask your doctor to discuss and help you through the issues. It is common to become insecure about the future of your partnership if sexual activity has been an important part of it. Open communication about your fears with your partner is really important to allow you to continue emotional healing.
If radiation therapy has left surface burns on the thigh region, walking in the early stages will be painful as it takes time for the skin to settle. Some women find too much walking in the early stages can feel as if extra strain is happening in the groin area. It may take time for the surgical wounds to fully heal. Salt baths and getting someone sensitive to your needs to pour tepid water over the vulva can be very soothing. Don’t be embarrassed by this – it is a body part that all women have.
Some women find it difficult to ‘pee’ straight after surgery. This is quite common and can be avoided by getting the nurse to change the side the catheter is strapped to each day. In a case where this did not happen the patient used a funnel to direct the urine.
If the cancer has not spread to lymph glands, then the cancer is highly treatable. If the glands are involved then treatment presents a greater challenge. Emotional survival is the most difficult aspect of this cancer.
*15/144/5*

Cancer of the esophagus is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the esophagus. The esophagus is the hollow tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.

Symptoms
The most common symptom of cancer of the esophagus is difficulty in swallowing. Pain may be felt while swallowing and also from behind the breastbone.

Causes
The most important causes of esophageal cancer are high intake of spicy foods, animal fats and smoking. Vitamin deficiency may also cause injury of esophageal lining and ultimately lead to cancer.

Diagnosis
Barium meal x-ray is the most common way to diagnose this cancer. A patient is made to drink a liquid containing barium, which makes the esophagus easier to see in the X-ray.
A doctor may also loom at the inside of the esophagus with a thin, lighted tube called esophagoscope. This test is called an esophagoscopy. If the tissue is abnormal, biopsy will be necessary.

Treatment
The chance of recovery and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s general state of health. Medical treatments for esophageal cancer are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, surgery is the most common treatment for this cancer.

Natural Methods
Some Natural methods can be implied for managing pain and mitigating the symptoms and side effects of medical treatment. These include warm water enema, daily dry friction, cold sitz or hip bath, relaxation methods and meditation.
Ginger may be used to prevent or minimize nausea, a common complication of radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
*59/355/5*

Cancer cells have escaped the normal mechanisms by which the body controls growth and differentiation. Remember in the example of the broken leg, the cells grow and differentiate in an orderly fashion to repair the broken bone and soft tissues. Once this is done, they stop growing.

Not so with cancer cells. For a start, their multiplication has no purpose— it is not in order to replace or repair. The cells do not differentiate into useful cells. They keep growing to the detriment of the body and regardless of its normal control mechanisms. Unlike normal body cells we can think of cancer cells as uncooperative, disobedient, and independent.

Once cancer cells develop the ability to override the body’s normal controls over growth and differentiation, there is another quite different natural system which may destroy them. This is the immune system. It consists of a complicated series of different types of white blood cells which fight together to rid the body of unwanted invaders like bacteria, viruses and so on. The cells of the immune system are also able to recognise that cancer cells are undesirable, even though they actually are part of the body and not foreign invaders. Thus the immune system has some ability to destroy cancer cells. This ability is stronger for some types of cancer than others.

*34/40/1*

Aspartame

Aspartame, once thought to be the perfect sweetener, is now in serious doubt. People have reported behavioral changes from the use of aspartame and it may pose serious cancer risks. Used as an artificial sweetener in drink mixes, gelatine desserts and other foods.

Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)

There is cause for concern with BVO. Gives the cloudy appearance to citrus-flavoured soft drinks and also used as an emulsifier.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)

BHA retards rancidity in fats, oils and foods that contain oil. While most studies indicate it is safe, it is known to cause cancer in animals. Safer substitutes are available.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

BHT retards rancidity in oils. May possibly be cancer causing, avoid where possible. Found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips and oils.

Caffeine

Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee and tea but it is also added to some well-known soft drinks. It may cause miscarriages or birth defects and should be avoided by pregnant women. It also keeps many people from sleeping and may lead to fibrocystic breast disease.

Saccharin

A synthetic sweetener used in diet products. In 1977, the United States FDA proposed that saccharin be banned on evidence that it causes cancer. It was gradually replaced by aspartame.

Sodium Nitrite (Code No. 251) and Potassium Nitrite (Code No. 261)

Sodium and potassium nitrites can lead to the formation of cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines, particularly in fried bacon. Has also been linked to asthma, headaches, destruction of red blood cells, breathing problems. Found in preserved and manufactured meats, bacon, ham, frankfurters, luncheon meats, smoked fish and corned beef.

Sulphur Dioxide (Code No. 220) and Sodium Bisulphite (Code No. 221)

Sulphating agents prevent discoloration (dried fruit, shrimp, dried, fried and frozen potatoes, beer, gelatine, cordials, wine etc.). They destroy vitamin Bl, vitamin A and may cause headaches, backaches, asthma, hyperactivity, bronchitis, nausea and severe allergic reactions.

*240/34/5*