eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Prevent Hodgkin's Disease

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(10 Ratings)

Hodgkin's disease refers to a number of different forms of cancer, all of which affect the lymphatic system. Four named categories and one unnamed category of Hodgkin's disease exist, and each affects the lymphatic system in a different way. When caught early, Hodgkin's disease has a very high survival rate (about 95 percent according to the American Cancer Society), but it is a difficult disease to prevent.

From Quick Guide: Cope With Disease
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    There are no clear-cut steps established by the medical community that prevent Hodgkin's disease. A healthy lifestyle containing a balanced diet and plenty of exercise is certainly recommended for keeping your immune system strong, but this does not guarantee prevention.

  2. Step 2

    Avoid becoming infected with infectious mononucleosis. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a slight increase in the chances of developing Hodgkin's disease in those who have first contracted infectious mononucleosis.

  3. Step 3

    Take extra care of yourself when you are dealing with a diminished immune system. Those with AIDS or with congenital immunodeficiencies appear more likely to develop Hodgkin's disease.

  4. Step 4

    Schedule regular visits with your doctor at the completion of an organ transplant. Those who have received organ transplants are commonly placed on medications that reduce the immune system's rejection of transplanted organs. This makes the body susceptible to the development of Hodgkin's disease.

Tips & Warnings
  • Talk to your doctor when your lymph nodes are swollen. Swollen lymph nodes are more commonly associated with other illnesses like influenza or an infection, but verify with your doctor that the swollen nodes aren't a symptom of something more serious.
  • Always keep in mind you have the power to accept or refuse any treatment. In addition, you can request information about available clinical trials in the event that you develop Hodgkin's disease.
  • Quit smoking as a precaution to help prevent the development of many other forms of cancer. While not directly related to the development of Hodgkin's disease, smoking is known to cause numerous complications for sufferers of this disease.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Health Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health