Peri-Ampullary Cancer Survivor

Endoscopy pictures courtesy of GastroLab


Hooray !!! May 16 will be my 17th anniversary as a cancer survivor. Had a whipple operation (pancreaticduodenectomy) after DX of Peri-Ampullary CA in 1991.


I would like to write about this cancer which is rare type, if diagnosed early it would save many people from dying., when it's not discovered, it is usually advanced. Had I waited for the doctor to guess my disease, I would have died long ago. I was insistent and a demanding patient. I asked too many questions. Get 2 or 3 doctor opinions. I thank God that I had early symptoms.
I was a healthy, non-smoker/drinker female, but I recall that when I was younger, I disliked vegetables, milk, and picky on foods that I ate, irregular bowel movements, etc.

I never stop reading and researching about Pancreatic CA. There was no internet way back in 1991 so reading about this subject is limited to medical textbooks and medical journals only. I joined and read the forums of cancer organizations to see how survivors are doing and how they are coping with their health problems. People who have underwent whipples like me, will understand and feel what its like to be on the same boat. It's a tough ride, especially when you don't know yet your death sentence, but once you are diagnosed and staged of your Cancer, you'll feel relax but the battle is a long journey. Prayer is powerful, only God knows when our time will come. I highly recommend that surgery is the only potential curative treatment if its operable. CAT Scan is very expensive here in the Philippines but this is the fastest way to pinpoint the problem. I wish CTscan prices will be just like the ordinary X-ray test which is affordable.


FACTS:
Peri-ampullary
Around the ampulla of Vater. The peri-ampullary region is comprised of 4 structures; the ampulla, the duodenum, the bile duct and the head of the pancreas. It is sometimes difficult to tell which structure a tumor originated in. In such cases the diagnosis will be a peri-ampullary tumor.

Periampullary cancer, a pancreatic cancer affecting the ampulla Vater region, is a subgroup of pancreatic cancers. About 10-15% of all pancreatic cancers are located in this region. It is often impossible to decide if the tumour is arising from the distal bile duct or from the pancreas in an endoscopic finding like this. The typical symptom is obstructive jaundice.

Periampullary cancers constitute a distinct entity compared to the classical pancreatic head cancer. Their diagnosis and the approach to their treatment has improved considerably in the last two decades. Endoscopy, high-resolution imaging, and endosonography have resulted in improved diagnosis and staging. A pancreatoduodenectomy offers the only chance of cure and improves survival. Superior results are seen with high volume centres. While endoscopy plays an invaluable role in the palliation of obstructive jaundice in unresectable lesions, its role in preoperative stenting remains uncertain. Adjuvant treatment modalities have so far failed to significantly improve survival. These tumours carry a better prognosis than the more dismal pancreatic head cancer, possibly because of the activation of different molecular pathways in the process of carcinogenesis. This article reviews the current understanding and various treatment options of periampullary carcinomas other than the classical pancreatic head cancer.

Periampullary tumours are defined as those that arise within 2 cm of the major papilla in the duodenum. They encompass tumours of the ampulla of Vater, the distal common bile duct (intrapancreatic distal common bile duct), duodenal tumours (usually the second part) involving the papilla and tumours of the pancreatic head involving the ampulla.Thus, these tumours are classified on the basis of their tissue of origin. They constitute a separate entity from the classical adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. While these tumours can be benign, they are most commonly malignant and periampullary adenomas are well-known premalignant lesions. Periampullary adenocarcinomas carry a better prognosis than adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. While these tumours have different origins, the complex regional anatomy dictates a common operative approach. Malignant periampullary tumours are best treated by a pancreatoduodenectomy. Resection is the only option that improves survival. This review article discusses the current understanding about periampullary carcinomas, other than the classical pancreatic head cancer, and the various treatment options.

Historical Facts about the Pancreas
The pancreas was first described in 300 B.C by Herophilus of Chalcedon. In 100 A.D Aretaus described the term diabetes. It was Rufus of Ephesus who coined the term "pan-kreas" meaning 'all flesh'. In 1541 Andreas Vesalius first illustrated the pancreas and in 1642 Johann Wirsung discovered the pancreatic duct. In 1654 Francis Glisson of Cambridge described the sphincter mechanism at the end of the common bile duct. In 1674 Thomas Willis of Oxford described diabetes mellitus. In 1869 Paul Langerhans discovered the Islets of the pancreas where Insulin was made and in 1872 Alexander Danilewski discovered trypsin, the protein digesting enzyme, made in the pancreas. In 1922 Banting and Best discovered Insulin a hormone that controls blood sugar levels.

Pancreatic Surgery


Pancreatic surgery really started in 1879 when Thiersch first drained a fluctuating tumour in the abdomen which was a pancreatic cyst. The resulting pancreatic fistula eventually dried up spontaneously. However, the first serious pancreatic surgery began in the 1900s and in 1909 Coffey performed the first pancreatic anastomosis (join) to the bowel. In 1923 Jedlicka successfully anastomosed a pancreatic cyst to the back of the stomach and in 1946 Konig drained a pancreatic cyst into a Roux-en-Y loop of jejunum. In 1882 Trendelenburg carried out the first distal pancreatectomy (left sided pancreatic resection). The first successful removal of a peri-ampullary cancer was carried out by William Halsted in 1898 and this involved local excision.
The first true pancreatico-duodenectomy was carried out by Kausch in 1909 operating on a 49 year old man. This was a two stage procedure. Subsequently in 1935 A.O.Whipple performed a two stage pancreatico-duodenectomy. By 1940 he had perfected the single stage operation and by 1941 over 40 cases had been reported with an operative mortality of 27 %. To date there are many variations in the type of reconstruction of the Kausch-Whipple procedure. The procedure of pylorus-preserving pancreatico-duodenectomy was popularised by Traverso and Longmire in 1978.


Some symptoms of pancreatic cancer:
JaundiceThe head of the pancreas is located close to the common bile duct and small bowel (duodenum) so tumors located in the head of the pancreas may grow and block these structures. Bile duct blockage can lead to jaundice in 70-85% of patients with tumors in the head of the pancreas. Symptoms of jaundice include:
yellowing of the skin
yellowing of the whites of the eyes
light-colored (clay colored) bowel movements
dark-colored urine
itching
Nausea, Vomiting, Weight Loss Stomach emptying can be delayed when the small bowel is compressed. This causes a feeling of fullness and contributes to symptoms of nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are initially present in 35-45% of patients with pancreatic cancer. Patients sometimes have a loss of appetite and nausea that leads to weight loss.In advanced disease, up to 5% of patients have tumors that cause complete blockage of the small bowel. In this case, surgery may be done to bypass the blockage and improve digestion.
FatigueIn more advanced disease, patients can have a feeling of being tired and fatigued. There are many causes of fatigue in patients with cancer.
Abdominal Pain 75-90% of patients with pancreatic cancer have abdominal pain. This may be described as cramping or gas-like pain. Pain may also spread, or radiate, to the back and shoulders.
Blood Clots - There is an increased risk for blood clots in patients with pancreatic cancer. A blood clot can be a first symptom of pancreatic cancer. The cancer itself causes changes in the blood that increases the risk for blood clots. Some clots have no symptoms, but swelling, pain and redness can be present in the area of clot.
DiabetesThe onset of diabetes or difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels is also associated with pancreatic cancer. Diabetes may be diagnosed before or after the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough of the hormone, insulin, or is unable to use insulin properly. Insulin helps your body regulate the blood sugar level, so without it blood sugar levels are often high.
Pancreatic InsufficiencyThe pancreas secretes digestive enzymes, or juices, into the small intestine. These juices help digest food in the intestines. Patients with pancreatic cancer may not have adequate amounts of these enzymes, and food isn't digested normally. This is called pancreatic insufficiency.Symptom include diarrhea and cramping often after eating. This happens because food passes through the digestive tract not fully digested. As the indigestible food passes through, it pulls water into the intestines, causing diarrhea and cramping.


How is it diagnosed?
Patients with symptoms suspicious for pancreatic cancer will undergo tests to determine the cause of these symptoms. Below are some test and procedures used for diagnosis:
Ultrasound of the abdomen - An ultrasound can identify a tumor or mass in the pancreas or bile duct system that may be causing blockage or jaundice.
Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS)The EUS test is done with a lighted tube that is inserted through the mouth and placed into the stomach. Ultrasound images of the pancreas are obtained through the stomach wall. It is highly sensitive for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. EUS is particularly useful for detecting small (less than two centimeters) tumors which may not be well visualized by CT. It can also identify tumors that may involve important blood vessels. The procedure can provide details about the arteries and veins next to the pancreas.A biopsy with a small or 'fine' needle aspiration (FNA) of the tumor may also be performed during an EUS to diagnose pancreatic cancer. Intravenous sedation is used for this procedure.
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)An ERCP is done with a lighted tube called an endoscope to look at the bile ducts. It can also be used to place a stent or tube to open a blocked bile duct for drainage. Intravenous sedation is most commonly used for this procedure. The patient is not awake during the test. This procedure helps to determine what is causing the blockage.Some causes of these blockages include ampullary tumors, cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), inflammation or cancer of the pancreas. Bile duct juice and tissue samples may be obtained and sent to the pathologist to evaluate for cancer cells.
Computed Tomography (CT)The CT scan can show small tumors as well as important blood vessels that the tumor might be growing into or around. A CT scan can also look at surrounding organs for spread (metastasis) of the cancer into the lymph nodes, liver and other areas. The doctor may suggest a pancreatic mass CT to be done for the first clinic visit to better assess the tumor for size, location and involvement of surrounding vessels and organs. This is a special CT scan done at the Cancer Center that examines the pancreas very closely. A special dye is used for the CT, to give additional information to the radiologist; therefore a temporary IV (intravenous catheter) will be placed prior to the scan.
Interventional Radiology - In some cases the radiology department can perform needle biopsies using the CT or ultrasound technique to locate the mass (tumor) and obtain a tissue sample through the abdomen for a diagnosis. At the UM Interventional Radiology department, there are specialists who may be consulted to do one of these procedures.



Diagnosing pancreatic cancer can be a challenge. It is often difficult to get an adequate biopsy for the pathologist to look at under the microscope. It is frustrating for the patient and the doctor who want to move ahead quickly in making a diagnosis and beginning treatment.


What are the types of cancer found in the pancreas?
There are many different types of pancreatic tumors; however, pancreas cancer is mainly (95%) ductal adenocarcinoma. This type of pancreatic cancer arises from the lining of the pancreatic duct which is the exocrine part of the pancreas that produces the digestive juices.
Tumors may arise from the endocrine part of the pancreas in approximately 5% of cases. This is sometimes referred to as Islet (insulin producing) cell or neuroendocrine cancer. Even rarer tumors are sometimes found, such as sarcomas or lymphomas.


Ampullary Carcinoma
Ampullary carcinoma is suspected based upon demonstration of obstructive jaundice, often with dilation of the pancreatic and biliary ducts seen on abdominal imaging studies. A discrete mass may or may not be identifiable using standard transabdominal ultrasound or helical computed tomography (CT) scanning. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) allows for direct identification and biopsy confirmation, although biopsy is not 100% accurate . Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may allow identification of the lesion and obviate diagnostic ERCP. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) allows for more accurate diagnosis and staging of these lesions than CT, and also allows for forceps and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) tissue sampling. EUS may also allow selection of patients that can undergo local resection instead of pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple operation). Once the lesion is identified and staged, palliation of jaundice or operative resection for cure is similar as is discussed for carcinoma of the pancreatic head.



Sources: pancreatic cancer UK/indianjsurg.com/emedicine.com

World's Tallest Building in Dubai

Al Burj - Also known as Tower of Dubai will be the World's Tallest Building (under construction)

Floors one through 37 are expected to be a hotel. The 45th through 108th floors are expected to be residential, with the remaining 52 floors being offices, except for floors 123 and 124, which will hold the observation deck.

Construction began in 2004 and is expected to be completed by 2009. At an estimated height of over 818 meters, it will easily be world's tallest building when finished. It will be almost 40% taller than the the current tallest building, the Taipei 101. More than 140 stories of the Burj Dubai have already been completed.

Background:
DUBAI is the 2nd largest emirates in UAE (United Arab Emirates) after Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. UAE is about the size of Maine.

Dubai Sports City

Potato Dauphine

For the Duchess Potato

1/2 kg potatoes

2 1/2 cups water

1 tsp salt

1 egg yolk

1 tbsp butter

For the choux paste

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup butter

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs

(oil for deep frying)

1. Peel potatoes, wash and cut into quarters. In a saucepan, combine water, salt, bring to a boil and add potatoes, cook until they are soft. Drain off water.

2. Transfer potaoes to a bowl and mash.

3. In a pan, cook potatoes and cook over low fire, add egg yolk. Stir until well blended. Let cool.

Prpare choix paste.

1. In a saucepan, combine water, salt and butter. Heat until butter melts and water boils. Lower heat. Add flour, stir until mixture leaves sides of pan. Turn off fire.

2. Let cool. Beat in eggs one at a time, and beat until mixture is smooth and shiny.

3. Fold choux paste into Duchess potato mixture. Mix well
4. Scoop into piping bag with a large star tube tip.

5. Pipe out into spirals to a lightly greased tray.

Heat oil in pan and deep fry potato until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot

Tuna Springroll with Pineapple Sauce

For springroll ingredients:

3 180 gms cans tuna (flaked and drained)

1 small carrots, finely chopped

1 small cooked potato, peeled and mashed

1 med. onion, chopped

2 eggs

1 tbsp. cornstarch

dash of salt and pepper

24 pcs. springroll wrappers

cooking oil forfrying



Procedure:
In a deep bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Spoon 2 tbsp. of the mixture onto the wrapper. Roll wrapper until filling is sealed. Press edges to seal. Repeat same procedure until you finished the all the wrapper.

In a pan, heat oil. Fry egg roll until golden brown(about 4 to 5 pcs at a time) depending on the size of your pan. Drain on paper towel. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.



PINEAPPLE SAUCE

1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch

In a pan, combine all ingredients. Cook over medium heat until liquid thickens. Remove from fire. Let cool before serving.

Fish Pie

Fish is versatile and nutritious. You can steam, poach, bake, fry, grill, or even eat it raw(like cervichi/kinilaw/sashimi). Like meat, it is high in protein. When buying fish, look for firm and a fresh smell, red gills and bright eyes.

If fish is to be poached (like the recipe below), it should be in a well-flavored stock.

FISH PIE

Preheat oven to 180C / 340F

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled
butter
milk
dash of pepper

500g white fish fillet (cod, haddock) (to be cooked in the poaching stock)
37g flour
2 eggs, harboiled
25g grated parmesan cheese

Boil potatoes until tender, drain and mash with a little butter, pepper and pepper. Set aside.

For the Poaching Stock

dash of black pepper
500 ml milk
1 onion, quartered
1 stick celery (optional)
1 bay leaf
pinch nutmeg
8 peppercorns
Combine the ingredients in a pan. Bring to boil place fish fillet for 5 minutes until fish is cook. Remove the fish and flake it and place in a casserole.

Save the soup stock. Add flour, pinch of salt and mix well (you can also use Bechamel Sauce instead)

In a casserole, arrange the fish slakes, top with sliced hardboiled eggs, cover with the mashed potatoes, spreading it evenly. Sprinke with grated parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes until crisp or golden brown.

Single Woman with Cancer

This is an informative article published by the American Cancer Society. As a cancer survivor, I went through the same situation although I have not had any chemo or radiation.

The Single Woman with Cancer
Getting through cancer treatment can be really tough for a single woman. You may not have a friend or family member who can be there for you like a spouse. Perhaps you also worry how a current or future partner will react when they discover you’ve had cancer.

Some of the scars left by cancer are public. These include the loss of hair during chemotherapy, the loss of a limb, or facial disfigurement. Others cannot be seen by a casual onlooker. For example, nobody would guess that a woman on the street has had a mastectomy. These private scars can be just as painful, though, since the few people who do see them are the ones whose acceptance matters most.

Perhaps the most private scar left by cancer is the damage done to your view of yourself. You may be wondering about how active you can remain and even how long you will live. If you had hoped to marry or to remarry, you may not want to involve a prospective partner in such an uncertain future.

Concerns about having children can also affect your new relationships. Perhaps you are no longer fertile because of cancer treatment. Maybe you can still have children but fear that cancer will not give you time to see your child grow up. Maybe you are worried about their future.
When dating, women or men who have had cancer often avoid talking about their illness. At a time when closeness is so important, it seems risky to draw a potential lover's attention to your problems. During treatment, you want to appear brave not complain. Even after the cancer has been controlled, you may try to forget that the illness ever took place.

Sometimes you can ignore the cancer. However, when a relationship becomes serious, silence is not the best plan. Before partners decide to make a strong commitment, they should discuss the cancer. This is true especially if the length of your life or fertility has been affected. Otherwise, cancer may become the "skeleton in the closet," or a secret that will limit your ability to confide in your partner. A loving partner needs to accept you as you are.

When to Talk About Your Cancer
It is always a delicate choice when deciding to disclose your cancer history to a new or prospective lover. Ideally, a couple should discuss cancer when a relationship begins to become serious. Try having a talk when you and your partner are relaxed and in an intimate mood. Ask your partner a question that leaves room for many answers. An example is, "You know I had leukemia many years ago. How do you think that might affect our relationship?" You can also reveal your own feelings: "I guess I hesitate to bring up my treatment for cancer because I’m afraid you’d rather be with someone who has not had the disease. It also scares me to remember that time of my life. What are your thoughts or feelings about my having had cancer?"
If you have an ostomy, mastectomy, genital scars, or a ¬sexual problem, you may be concerned about when to tell a new dating partner. There are no hard and fast rules. It is better to wait until you feel a sense of trust and friendship with your partner -- a feeling that you are liked as a total person before thinking about disclosing such personal information.

The Possibility of Rejection
The sad reality is that some potential lovers may reject you because of your cancer treatment. Of course, almost everyone gets rejected at some time. Even without cancer, people reject each other because of looks, beliefs, personality, or their own issues. The tragedy is that some single people with cancer limit themselves by not even trying to date. Instead of focusing on their good points, they convince themselves that no partner would accept them because of the cancer and the effects of treatment. Although you can avoid being rejected by staying at home, you also miss the chance to build a happy healthy relationship.
Here are some ways to help you make decisions about talking about your cancer:
Tell a potential partner about genital scars, an ostomy or sexual problems when you feel that individual already accepts you and likes you for who you are.
Discuss your cancer in depth when a new relationship starts to deepen, especially if you have life expectancy or fertility issues.
Prepare for the possibility of rejection by imagining the worst possible reaction of new potential partners, but don’t let fear of that reaction keep you from pursuing possible relationships that will work.

Improving Your Social Life
Try working on areas of your social life other than dating and sex. Single people can avoid feeling alone by building a network of close friends, casual friends, and family. Make the effort to call friends, plan visits, and share activities. Get involved in a hobby, special interest group, or adult education course that will increase your social circle.
Some volunteer and support groups are geared for people who have faced cancer. You may also want to try some individual or group counseling with a mental health counselor. You can take a more positive view of yourself when you get objective feedback about your strengths from others. Make a list of your good qualities as a mate. What do you like about your looks? What are your good points? What are your special talents and skills? What can you give to your partner in a relationship? What makes you a good sexual partner? Whenever you catch yourself using cancer as an excuse not to date, remind yourself of your assets.
If you feel shy about meeting new people, practice how to handle it. Talk to yourself in the mirror, or ask a close friend or family member to play the part with you.

You can even rehearse how to tell a dating partner about your experience with cancer. What message do you want to give? Try some different ways of saying it, and ask a friend for feedback. Did you come across the way you wanted to? Ask your friend to take the role of a new partner who rejects you because you have had cancer. Have your friend tell you what you dread hearing the most, and practice your response. Can you express your feelings in a dignified and satisfying way?

When you feel some confidence in your self-worth and your ability to handle rejection, you are ready for the real world. Then, when you start to meet people or to date, think of it as part of a learning process rather than a situation demanding instant success.

Cell Phone Tower Dangers

Do you live near cell phone towers? They are called cell sites and we depend on this for clear reception and wide coverage of our cell phones. Are cell phone towers risky or not? Is there a danger of living near cell phone towers? There has been a controversial issue about this. Please read the following articles.

The Cell Phone "Tower of Doom"

Orange mobile phone company agreed to remove its cell phone mast -- dubbed the “Tower of Doom” -- from the top of a five-story London apartment building after seven of its residents got cancer.The cancer rate among those living on the top floor, where residents from five of the eight flats were affected, is 20 percent -- 10 times the national average.The mast, along with a second mast owned by Vodafone, was put up in 1994. Since then, residents have battled cancer, headaches and other health problems they say are caused by radiation from the masts. Three residents have died from cancer, while another four are still fighting the disease.The World Health Organization and other agencies say there is no risk of radiation from cell phone masts, so the companies had no legal obligation to remove the masts.In August 2007, after a long legal battle, Orange agreed to move the mast from the building -- to another area near homes, a public library and a primary school.Vodafone has no plans to remove their mast from the building, and is working on securing a new long-term lease.
Sources:
This Is London August 6, 2007

Cell Phone Towers: How Far is Safe?by Taraka Serrano

Watch BBC report:"EMF Damages Blood Cells, Test Shows"
Watch Sydney TV report:"Brain Tumors and Cell Phones: Are They Linked?"
If you or people you know live within a quarter mile of a cell phone tower, this may be of concern. Two studies, one in Germany and the other in Israel, reveal that living in proximity of a cell phone tower or antenna could put your health at significant risk.
German study: 3 times increased cancer risk
Several doctors living in Southern Germany city of Naila conducted a study to assess the risk of mobile phone radiation. Their researh examined whether population living close to two transmitter antennas installed in 1993 and 1997 in Naila had increased risk of cancer.
Data was gathered from nearly 1,000 patients who had been residing at the same address during the entire observation period of 10 years. The social differences are small, with no ethnic diversity. There is no heavy industry, and in the inner area there are neither high voltage cable nor electric trains. The average ages of the residents are similar in both the inner and outer areas.
What they found is quite telling: the proportion of newly developed cancer cases was three times higher among those who had lived during the past ten years at a distance of up to 400m (about 1300 feet) from the cellular transmitter site, compared to those living further away. They also revealed that the patients fell ill on average 8 years earlier.
Computer simulation and measurements used in the study both show that radiation in the inner area (within 400m) is 100 times higher compared to the outer area, mainly due to additional emissions coming from the secondary lobes of the transmitter.
Looking at only the first 5 years, there was no significant increased risk of getting cancer in the inner area. However, for the period 1999 to 2004, the odds ratio for getting cancer was 3.38 in the inner area compared to the outer area. Breast cancer topped the list, with an average age of 50.8 year compared with 69.9 years in the outer area, but cancers of the prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin melanoma, lung and blood cancer were all increased
Israel study: fourfold cancer risk
Another study, this one from Israel's Tel Aviv University, examined 622 people living near a cell-phone transmitter station for 3-7 years who were patients in one clinic in Netanya and compared them against 1,222 control patients from a nearby clinic. Participants were very closely matched in environment, workplace and occupational characteristics. The people in the first group live within a half circle of 350m (1148 feet) radius from the transmitter, which came into service in July 1996.
The results were startling. Out of the 622 exposed patients, 8 cases of different kinds of cancer were diagnosed in a period of just one year (July 1997 to June 1998): 3 cases of breast cancer, one of ovarian cancer, lung cancer, Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymphatic system), osteoid osteoma (bone tumour) and kidney cancer. This compares with 2 per 1 222 in the matched controls of the nearby clinic. The relative risk of cancer was 4.15 for those living near the cell-phone transmitter compared with the entire population of Israel.
Women were more susceptible. As seven out of eight cancer cases were women, the relative cancer rates for females were 10.5 for those living near the transmitter station and 0.6 for the controls relative for the whole town of Netanya. One year after the close of the study, 8 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the microwave exposed area and two in the control area.

Locate the Cell Phone Towers and Antennas Near You
Do you know how many cell phone transmitters are in your neighborhood? You'd be surprised. Visit antennasearch.com to find out where the towers and antennas are in your area and how close they are to your home or place of work. The site will also pinpoint future tower locations, additional helpful information for those considering buying a home.
For clarity, towers are tall structures where antennas are installed. A typical tower may easily hold over 10 antennas for various companies. Antennas, on the other hand, are the actual emitters of signals for various radio services including cellular, paging and others. Antennas are placed on high towers or can be installed by themselves (stand alone) on top of buildings and other structures.
Using where I live as an example, I've located 3 cell phone towers and 22 antennas within a quarter mile from our home, with the closest one at 845 feet.. And this is in a relatively quiet residential neighborhood by the ocean in the small city of Hilo in Hawaii. As you may guess, I did my research only well after we've moved in. Fortunately, we're here on just a lease and we'll be a bit wiser next time we look for a new home.

What to Do If You Live Near a Cell Phone Transmitter

Short of relocating, there are some things you can do to fight the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The Safe Wireless Initiative of the Science and Public Policy Institute in Washington, DC, outlines three levels of intervention in accordance with the public health paradigm that everyone can apply. Here are our suggestions based on these guidelines:
The primary means of intervention is through avoidance or minimizing exposure. This simply means to avoid contact with EMR as much as possible. In case of a cell phone tower close to your home, this could mean using specially formulated RF shield paint, shielding fabric, shielding glass or film for windows, etc. Although they may sound extreme, these measures are a life-saver for someone who suffers from electrosensitivity, a condition in which a person experiences physical symptoms aggravated by electromagnetic fields. (Sweden is the only country so far that recognizes electrosensitivity as a real medical condition, and their government pays for measures to reduce exposure in their homes and workplaces).

The secondary means of intervention is to minimize the effects of exposure. This includes the use of bioenergetic devices that help reduce the effects of EMR, such as pendants, chips or other devices designed to strengthen the biofield of the individual. A biofield is the matrix of weak electromagnetic signals that the body's cells use to communicate with each other. EMR disrupts these signals, causing the cells to eventually shut down and result in build up of toxins and waste products within the cells, including free radicals known to result in cellular dysfunction and interference with DNA repair. A scientifically validated bioenergetic device restores intercellular communications and normal cellular function by strengthening the biofield against the effects of EMR.

The third means of intervention is to help reverse damage caused by exposure.This includes nutritional support such as anti-oxidant supplementation, particularly helpful in countering the effects of free radicals. Supplementing with anti-oxidants SOD, catalase, glutathione, and Coq10 are especially recommended. Microwave radiation has been shown to decrease levels of these anti-oxidants that the body normally produces to protect itself. These levels are sensitive indicators in stress, aging, infections and various other disease states.
(Ref: Safewireless.org article for the cell tower studies. See Dr. Gerald Goldberg's book, "Would You Put Your Head in a Microwave Oven?' for more information regarding nutritional support against RF/microwave radiation.)
(Note: This article is shared for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you believe that you have a health problem, see your doctor or health professional immediately.)
© 2007 Taraka Serrano
Taraka Serrano is a health advocate dedicated to sharing information and solutions relating to serious health issues of our time. Watch video reports on the dangers of cell phone and EMF radiation, and learn more about the right protective solutions for you. Visit EMf-Health.com EMF Protection