Top 10 Cancer Hospitals

The U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2010-11 report compiled a list of the top 50 cancer hospitals and ranked them by score. However, the U.S. News & World Report list only contains those hospitals that treated at least 270 inpatients that needed a high level of specialized expertise in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The hospitals were ranked on five performance indicators including reputation with specialists, survival of patients, patient safety, patient volume and nurse staffing. This article focuses on the top 10 from the list of 50.

University Of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

• This 507-bed cancer facility is located in Houston and it accredited by the Joint Commission. The center aims to eliminate cancer through patient care and research. MD Anderson Cancer Center is well known for its surgeons and for treating all types of cancer.

  University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

  1515 Holcombe Blvd.

  Houston, TX 77030

  (713) 792-2121 ‎

  e-mail: jtietjen@mdanderson.org

  mdanderson.org

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is a 434-bed cancer facility. The cancer center is well known around the world for providing excellent care facilities and treatment. The center is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

  East Drive

  New York, NY 10024

  (212) 639-2000 ‎

  mskcc.org

Mayo Clinic

• Mayo Clinic is a 1,302-bed general medical and surgical facility. The non-for-profit organization has been serving patient needs for more than 100 years. With more than 3,700 physicians and 49,000 medical support staff, the clinic aims to give the best service to its its patients. Mayo Clinic oncologists treat almost all types of cancer.

  Mayo Clinic

  200 1st St. SW

  Rochester, MN 55905-0001

  (507) 284-9669 ‎

  mayoclinic.org

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

• This 925-bed general medical and surgical facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center is a part of the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

  Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

  600 N Wolfe St.

  Baltimore, MD 21287

  (410) 516-7159 ‎

  e-mail: eschaeffer@jhmi.edu

  hopkinsmedicine.org

University of Washington Medical Center

• The 389-bed general medical and surgical facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

  University of Washington Medical Center

  325 9th Avenue

  Seattle, WA 98104

  (206) 598-7688 ‎

  uwmedicine.washington.edu

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

• The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a 27-bed cancer facility accredited by the Joint Commission. The institute is a part of a Comprehensive Cancer Center network and is a major affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Dana-Farber is supported by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and many private foundations and individuals.

  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

  44 Binney Street

  Boston, MA 02115

  (617) 632-3000 ‎

  e-mail: dana-FarberContactUs@dfci.harvard.edu

  dana-farber.org

Massachusetts General Hospital

• The 907-bed general medical and surgical facility and teaching center is accredited by the Joint Commission. The Center for Cancers offers patients access to some of the best treatments in the country.

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  55 Fruit Street

  Boston, MA 02114-2696

  (617) 726--2000

  massgeneral.org

University of California, San Francisco Medical Center

• The 642-bed facility is located in San Francisco but attracts patients from all over the country. The center treats almost 18 cancer specializations in children and adults.

  University of California, San Francisco Medical Center

  500 Parnassus Avenue

  San Francisco, CA 94143-0296

  (415) 476--1000

  ucsfhealth.org

Cleveland Clinic

• The 1210-bed cancer facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The clinic was opened in 1921 when four renowned physicians got together to offer highest quality patient care with specialized research and education. The center was popularized when it came up with the development of the 'no-touch' technique to prevent spreading of cancer cells during colorectal surgery, and the first coronary angiography. The cancer specialization center has 250 full-time specialists.

  Cleveland Clinic

  9500 Euclid Avenue

  Cleveland, OH 44195-5108

  (216) 444--2200

  clevelandclinic.org

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

• Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a 595-bed facility that is located in Los Angeles on the campus of University of California and is accredited by the Joint Commission. The center was founded in late 1960s and aims to offer mesothelioma care. The cancer center employs more than 200 doctors and scientists.

  Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

  757 Westwood Plaza

  Los Angeles, CA 90095

  (310) 825--9111

  uclahealth.org

8 Food Tips to Lower Cholesterol

A low-cholesterol diet is one of the surest ways to improve heart health. In fact, studies show you can slash your bad cholesterol by as much as 10% to 20% by giving your diet a makeover. The secret? Follow a diet rich in healthy fats like vegetable oils and fish. And avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats. How do you know which foods keep your cholesterol low? Here are nine tips to help you get started.

Look over the TLC diet and make a shopping list of your favorite cholesterol-lowering foods.

1. Stock your pantry and your refrigerator with the right foods for a low-cholesterol diet. Buy your favorite canned or dry beans, fresh fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and vegetable juice.
2. For a low-cholesterol diet, toss the butter, trans fat margarines, and polyunsaturated oil. Replace them with canola oil, olive oil, or plant sterol spreads.
3. Look for products specifically created for low-cholesterol diets, like Minute Maid HeartWise orange juice and Benecol, Promise, Smart Balance, and Take Control margarines. These foods have been fortified with plant stanols and sterols that help to block the absorption of cholesterol.
   
4. Start your day with oatmeal. Experts agree this is one of the top cholesterol-lowering superfoods.
5. Try a cholesterol-free egg substitute instead of whole eggs.
6. For a tasty low-cholesterol dish, switch out the cream sauce on your fettuccine for lightly stir-fried vegetables.
7. Instead of using butter to keep your pan moist while cooking, use white wine vinegar. It doesn't change the flavor of foods and doesn't add fat -- a key to low-cholesterol cooking!
8. Don't lean on butter, sour cream, and other fatty additives for flavoring. Instead, reach for the spices -- either while cooking or at the table. Liven up your dishes with oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, coriander, or cumin.

VITAMIN E Important for Our Body

A vitamin is an organic substance essential for life that regulates metabolism and assists the processes that release energy from digested food. Vitamin E, discovered in the mid-twentieth century, assists in strengthening our immune systems and helps protect us from a variety of problems as well as several serious illnesses. This vitamin can be obtained from food or supplements.

What Vitamin E can help for our body???

• Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects tissue against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that usually contain oxygen and can interaction with DNA and other molecules leading to an impaired cell function. Vitamin E, one of the chemical compounds that prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds, neutralizes free radicals, and is, therefore, one of the body’s natural defenses against cancer and cardiovascular disease.
• Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K. Vitamin E improves circulation, is necessary in the repair of tissue, promotes normal blood clotting and healing, and can reduce scarring, too.

• Women find it useful in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome and fibrocystic disease of the breast.
• Older adults take it to help reduce blood pressure, relax leg cramps, help prevent cataracts, and, perhaps, to assist in reducing age spots.
• Vitamin E also helps prevent anemia, maintains healthy nerves and muscles, and promotes healthy skin and hair.

Sources of Vitamin E

Food sources of vitamin E are nuts (e.g., almonds), sunflower seeds, cold pressed vegetable oils, whole grains (e.g., wheat germ), olives, legumes, and dark and leafy vegetable (e.g., asparagus and spinach). There are also significant quantities of this vitamin in such foods as brown rice, cornmeal, eggs, kelp, milk, and organ meats. Some herb vitamin E sources are alfalfa, bladderwrack, dandelion, flax, nettle, and rose hips.

Vitamin E, like all other vitamins, is not only available from food sources, but also as a supplement. It can be purchased in the form of a tablet, a capsule, or a liquid, and as a powder that can be mixed with water or juice or added to gels or bars. It can also be administered by injection. Read labels carefully so that you purchase only those supplements that have been extracted from a natural food source and have no harmful additives included. A proper balance of vitamins are needed in the body because they work in synergy, or cooperative action, and high doses of one vitamin can induce a depletion of another. You can take vitamin E safely in a one a day multivitamin, or as single vitamin supplement if you wish to take an amount higher than is included in a multivitamin. Visit a vitamin store and watch for the opportunity to purchase your vitamins at a discount.

Be Careful of Vitamin E

It is important to understand the different functions of vitamins if you are going to ingest them separately instead of within a multivitamin where the formulation will ensure a proper balance. In the case of vitamin E, there are a variety of concerns of which you should be aware:

• Vitamin E should be taken under medical supervision if you are also taking blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulant medication). Vitamin E acts as a blood thinner, too.
• Remember that vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, and since it will be stored in the body in fatty tissue, it can reach toxic levels. People who decide to take mega-doses of vitamins and don’t know what they’re doing can suffer from too much of a good thing with this vitamin. If you are taking a multivitamin supplement and a separate vitamin E supplement, make sure you are not taking a toxic dose. Anything over 1200 IUs should not be taken without consulting a health professional.
• Be careful if you take iron as well as vitamin E. These two supplements should be taken at different times of the day because iron in the form of ferrous sulfate will destroy vitamin E. Organic forms of iron such as ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate, however, will not harm the vitamin. Read the label and make sure you know which form of iron you are taking.
• Diabetics, people with overactive thyroids, and those with rheumatic heart diseases should be especially careful not to take more than recommended dosages of vitamin E.
• If you suffer from high blood pressure, begin with 200 IUs of vitamin E per day and gradually increase the dose over a period of six weeks until you reach the desired level.
• If you are taking vitamin E, you must also take a minimum dose of zinc as well, and some supplements will include the necessary amount of zinc in the Vitamin E tablet or capsule.

Vitamin E is an important element in our arsenal of disease-battling nutrients, and there is an increasing lack of vitamin E in our diets because of our dependence on processed food and the depletion of nutrients in the soil.

Fortunately, supplements allow us to obtain whatever amount of vitamin E we need to keep us healthy.

Source : http://health.learninginfo.org/vitamin-e.htm

Start Your Day With Simple Exercise

This must have something to do with your mornings. If you want to start your day right, you should do a morning exercise routine for at least 30 minutes before going out to your school or workplace.

You might ask what exercises you should do and what how can these help you start a wonderful day. Well, we gave that a thought in advance and we are going to tell you exactly what you want to know. Here are some ways where you can easily do morning routines without taking too much of your time and energy for a whole day. Remember, it is advised that you take 30 minutes of your day and allot it for exercise.

This is some exercise can you do it in the morning :

• Running/Jogging
• Stretching
• Aerobics
• walking
• Swimming
• Dancing
• Biking

Why exercise do in the morning???
1. When you exercise early in the morning, it "jump starts" your metabolism and keeps it elevated for hours, sometimes up to 24 hours! That means you're burning more calories all day long just because you exercised in the morning!

2. When you exercise in the morning you'll be *energized* for the day! Personally, I feel dramatically different on days when I have and haven't exercised in the morning.

3. Many people find that morning exercise "regulates" their appetite for the day - that they aren't as hungry and that they make better food choices. Several people have told me that it puts them in a "healthy mindset."

4. If you exercise at about the same time every morning, and ideally wake-up at about the same time on a regular basis, your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythms adjust to that. Physiologically, some wonderful things begin to happen; A couple of hours *before* you awaken, your body begins to prepare for waking and exercise because it "knows" it's about to happen. Why? Because it "knows" you do the same thing just about everyday. You benefit from that in several ways..

1. It's MUCH easier to wake-up. When you wake-up at different times everyday, it confuses your body and thus it's never really "prepared" to awaken.
2. Your metabolism and all the hormones involved in activity and exercise begin to elevate while you're sleeping. Thus, you feel more alert, energized, and ready to exercise when you do wake-up.
3. Hormones prepare your body for exercise by regulating blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow to muscles, etc.

5. For many people, that appointed time every morning becomes something they look forward to. It's time they've set aside to do something good for themselves - to take care of their body, mind, and soul. Many find that it's a great time to think clearly, pray, plan their day, or just relax mentally.

Fast Food Unhealthy, WHY?????

Fast food success has drawn much attention to the industry and the food itself. Animal rights advocates and health buffs alike criticize fast food on its effect on the health of its customers and the health of the globe. Not only is fast food proven to be bad for the health because of its high fat content and the probable health hazards fast food chains are prone to, but also its effect on employment and agricultural concerns.

Fast food affinity is equated with Bad Eating Habits

Fast food affinity is equated with bad eating habits. A typical meal from a fast food restaurant, say a serving of fries and a cheeseburger, amount to about 1,000 calories. This is about half of the recommended dietary allowance. This is mainly because of the large portions that fast foods are accustomed to serving. The tendency is for people to enlarge their appetites by eating beyond their limit, because of being afraid for the food to go to waste.

Fast food is everywhere. It is available from main commercial blocks to gas service stations. In short, it is available and accessible. This partnered with the biological propensity towards food high in fat and sugar, leads to widespread obesity.

A particular man filed a lawsuit in the United States against four fast food chains because, according to him, the fast foods’ greasy and salty food led him to being obese and unhealthy. Magnifying this issue, a documentary titled “Supersize Me” was created. This showed the life of a man who dined on fast food for an entire month. The result was tens of pounds gained.

Ultimately, dining regularly or almost totally on fast food will pose serious risks to one’s health. But it cannot be totally blamed for health problems. Mainly because it still rests on the person’s choice. There are plenty of fast food diners in perfect shape. The key is in moderation and smart choice.

Another issue in the fast food industry is the health hazards that fast food chains are prone to. A particular hazard is the E-coli bacteria that meat products are susceptible to. Because of the long supply chain through which fast food chains operate in, the handling and sourcing of the meat is very hard to monitor. This issue remains unsolved.

Employment and Agriculture Implications

Employment issues are also abundant in the fast food industry. Mainly because working in a fast food does not require a college diploma or reasonable career experience, fast foods employ teenagers as part-time crew and unskilled adults that accept low pay. There are widespread cases wherein workers were forced to work longer hours without pay.

The agriculture industry also suffers because of fast food chains. It has led to mass slaughters of cattle. Because fast food chains require so much meat and poultry, their demand leads them to make deals with large slaughter corporations. These deals and practices crowd out smaller businesses.

Fast food domination has several implications both for the health of individuals and for the health of the entire globe. Ultimately, people can exercise their power of choice responsibly. Be more conscious with what they eat and where their food came from. This is the starting point for a healthier lifestyle.

This is good food for healthy

try to eat healthy food with less sugar, more vegetables and lower carbohydrates. A meal containing high fiber and high protein, with fruits and vegetables can counteract the bad effect of a fast food meal.

Why Is Water Important To Drink ??

We know water is good for us, but with soda, juice, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other drinks so readily available, it’s hard to make the decision to choose water. Here is why it is important to drink water.

• Keeps skin looking great. If your skin looks tired and unhealthy, so do you. Staying properly hydrated removes all the toxins that build up in you skin, and helps prevent it from drying out. If you have the opposite problem; puffy bloated skin, lack of water is likely your problem too. When skin doesn’t get water, it retains what it already had, leaving your skin cells full, puffy, and not too attractive. If you want to look beautiful, you should keep yourself hydrated
  
• It’s cheaper. Sure, if you buy bottled water, it’s about as expensive as soda, juice, and coffee. However, studies have shown that tap water is usually as clean and safe as bottled water, and costs a whole lot less. If you have a problem with the taste of your tap water, buy a filter pitcher or one that attaches to the faucet. It still costs a lot less.
  
• A healthy heart. When you’re properly hydrated, your blood is thinner and easier to pump. This means your heart has to do less work and ultimately lasts longer. Studies have shown that people who drink plenty of water have fewer heart problems.
  
• Toxic build-up. Sure, it sound’s like something from a bathroom cleaner commercial, but you have toxins in your cells too. Some come from the environment and others you produce yourself. Either way, they’re in your body and you need to get rid of them. Just like you use water to flush your toilet; your body uses water to flush out toxins. Getting rid of this waste helps you function more effectively and feel better.
  
• No sugar added. While fruit juices may contain many nutrients, they also contain a whole lot of sugar. This is especially true for many bottled juices from the grocery store. This sudden burst of sugar triggers your insulin response and makes you tired and sluggish. It also helps to convert that sugar to fats faster. Sugary sodas will produce the same reaction and they usually contain no nutrients at all
  
• Caffeine is a diuretic. So why water? Why not drink diet soda or coffee all day? These drinks contain caffeine, which actually causes you to lose water throughout the day. You retain some of the water content of the beverages, but not as much as when you drink pure water. You can try decaffeinated beverages, but the best way to use the water you drink is to get it pure and clean, with no chemicals added.
  
• Energy Boost. Think you can’t get through the day without your morning caffeine boost? Well water can give you energy as well. Your body is made up mostly of water. It loses it throughout the day, so you have to replace it for your body to work efficiently; particularly the heart and digestive tract. As mentioned earlier, water helps your body work better by getting rid of excess waste. The more efficiently your whole body is works, the better you’ll feel and the more energy you’ll have. Maybe enough energy to skip that cup of coffee.

So go ahead, skip the vending machine, go to the faucet, and get yourself a nice, refreshing glass of water.

Make a Healthy Brain

People of all ages enjoy hiking, crossword puzzles and even tennis. But did you know that all these things are a contributing factor for a healthy brain.

Foggy thinking and lack of memory is a serious matter, it could be symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or Dementia. Old age is the biggest contributor to dementia but that's not the only factor. Poor diet choices and habits, lack of physical exercise, smoking, high cholesterol,
excessive drinking, high blood pressure are among the list of contributing factors. But there is hope, it's never to late.

1. Get out and get some physical exercise.
   Aerobic exercise is said to produce oxygen. The brain then uses it for energy that helps stimulate growth of new brain cells.
   Aerobic exercise include:
   
   • Walking
   • Jogging
   • Aerobic class
   • Hiking
   • Swimming
   • Riding a Bike

2. Exercise the brain's mental abilities as well.
   You've heard the saying, "if you don't use it you'll lose it?" Well the brain is an organ that
   goes by that rule. It's not hard to do and will help to keep your memory sharp.
   Mental exercise includes:

   • Reading
   • Crossword puzzles
   • Socializing
   • Sudoku puzzles
   • Word search puzzles
   • Playing Cards
   • Learning a new language

   
   
3. Now the list of things for a healthy brain doesn't stop here, your diet plays a big part too. There are some foods that rob the brain of nutrients or interfere with the
   ones that are essential to a healthy brain.
   Try to Avoid:
   

   • Sugar
   • Saturated fats
   • Trans fats
   • Preservatives
   • Alcohol
   • Caffeine
   • Pop

   Eat more:
   

   • Fish
   • Colorful Fruits and Vegetables
   • Nuts
   • Whole grains
   • Grass fed meats
   • Egg yolks
   • Olive oil
4. Take supplements. It would be nice to think our diet would cover all we need but reality is it doesn't. They are an inexpensive way to keep your brain healthy.
   If in doubt as to what supplements to take, do your research and ask your doctor.
   

Healthy Home

Healthy home is a dream for all people. The house is not just a shelter of rain and sun, but also a symbol of social status for the owner and source of inspiration. However, most people do not understand the true meaning of a healthy home. They assumed that healthy homes are enough mopped, swept, and wipe. The book describes how to define a healthy home, both psychologically and physiologically. For example, a cleaned room is not healthy if the arrangement of furniture does not fit its function. These conditions make the household less comfortable and a lot of time wasted that could not be said psychologically healthy.

Healthy home version of the World Health Organization (WHO) is
1) must be protected from rain, heat, cold, and serve as a place of rest,
2) have a place for sleeping, cooking, bathing, washing, toilet, and bathroom,
3) protect the occupants from the dangers of environment and free from pollution,
4) free of hazardous materials,
5) made of sturdy materials and can protect the inhabitants from the earthquake, collapse, and infectious diseases, and
6) provide security and a harmonious neighborhood.


House according to the criteria of Winslow
1) can meet the physiological needs,
2) can meet the psychological needs,
3) can avoid the accident, and
4) can avoid disease transmission.

Creating a Healthy House http://astudioarchitect.com/2010/02/menciptakan-rumah-sehat-creating.html#ixzz10EwU4DfT

How make your living a happy...??? Healthy life

Finding the right balance that is right for you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually can be ever-changing while the process evolves over time. There are many ways to go about creating your life, but there are essential components that you should consider if you want to be healthy.

No. 1: Breakfast Every Morning

Breakfast eaters are champions of good health. Research shows people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and Cholesterol. The result is often a lea ner body, low cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating.

To get the full benefits of breakfast, the Mayo Clinic recommends a meal with carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of fat. They say that because no single food gives you all of the nutrients you need, eating a variety of foods is essential to good health.

No. 2: Exercise Regularly

For most people, this means engaging in moderate exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Walk ing, swimming, jogging or gardening keeps you moving and helps to keep your weight under control.

No. 3: Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is vital to good health and to mental and emotional well-being. The NSF reports that people who don't get enough slumber a re more likely than others to develop psychiatric problems and to use health care services. Plus, sleep deprivation can negatively affect memory, learning, and logical reasoning.

Each year drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 car crashes, 1,500 deaths, and tens of thousands of injuries, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NSF recommends taking a 15 to 20 minute nap. Because it takes about 30 minutes for the caffeine to work, taking a nap while you wait for the caffeine to kick in can help restore alertness.

To avoid the pitfalls

of insufficient sleep, make sure to get at least seven to 10 hours of slumber each night. Kids need more sleep, depending on their age.

No. 4: Drink Water and Eat Dairy

Water and milk are essential fluids for good health, but they can also help with shedding pounds.

The body needs water to keep properly hydrated and individuals vary widely in how much water they need. Joints need it to stay in motion, and vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidney, and liver need it to work properly.

If you don't get enough water, the body goes into emergency mode, and clings to every single water molecule it can find, reports the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center. The stored molecules appear as extra weight. The weight is only released once the body gets enough water.

The calcium in dairy, on the other hand, is known to be important for strong bones and teeth. Studies have also shown it can help prevent high blood pressure, kidney stones, heart disease, and colon cancer.

In the weight loss arena, three 8-ounce glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk appear to encourage body fat loss while maintaining muscle mass,

according to the ADA. The dairy consumption must be part of a balanced reduced-calorie meal plan.

No. 5: keep your relationships healthy

Make sure you keep your relationships healthy. If you are in an unhealthy one, fix it or move on. A healthy relationship is based on mutual respect and upholds the dignity of both people involved. There should be enough space for you to be an individual, but having the other person in your life makes you a better person.