The most common treatments for cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery can be used to remove cancer from the body. The doctor may also remove all or part of the body part where cancer is affected. In breast cancer, part (or all) of the breasts can be removed. In prostate cancer, the prostate gland can be removed. Do not use surgery for all types of cancer. For example, medications are the most effective treatment for leukemia-like leukemia.

Chemotherapy is the use of medications to destroy cancer cells or slow their spread. Some chemotherapy treatments are given intravenously (intravenously with a needle), while other birth control pills are given. Chemotherapy drugs can reach almost every part of the body and are suitable for spreading cancer.

Radiation is also used to destroy cancer cells or slow their reproduction. This treatment may be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is like taking an x-ray. Treatment is sometimes given by placing a "seed in cancer" to apply radiation.

Whatey helped me back out to see the big picture. The answer to my questions made me make a good decision. I did what I wanted to do and what I needed. I didn't do things that make me feel good, not what others thought would make me feel good. Kevin, cancer survivor.

Types of cancer treatment
What treatment is right for me?

Cancer treatment depends on what is good for you. Some types of cancer respond better to surgery, while others respond better to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Knowing which type of cancer you have is the first step in knowing which treatment will be best for you.

The stage of cancer will also help your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment for you. Stage III or IV cancers respond better to treatments that treat the entire body, such as chemotherapy.

Your health and preferred treatment play a role in the decision making process for cancer treatment. Not all treatments are appropriate for your cancer. So ask for your options. In addition, treatments have side effects. Therefore, ask what to expect from each treatment.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. You have the right to know which treatments are most appropriate and what are the side effects.
The words of cancer that you may hear

These are the words you can hear from the cancer treatment team.

Benign / benign: a non-cancerous tumor

Biopsy: Take a piece of tissue to see if it contains cancerous cells

Cancer: the word that describes more than 100 diseases in which cells multiply or have a tumor

Chemotherapy: Use of drugs that treat the disease. This word often refers to the use of drugs to treat cancer. Sometimes it can be shortened to "chemo .."

Malignant / malignant: cancerous

Malignant tumor / malignant tumor: cancer cells reach the distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or blood circulation

Oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer patients

Radiation therapy: the use of high-energy rays such as X-rays to treat cancer

Stage: The word that indicates whether cancer has progressed, and if so, the degree of progression
How can I learn more about cancer?

If you have any questions about cancer or are having difficulty finding resources in your area, please contact Neolife Medical Center.

Cancer screening is important for early diagnosis of cancer

Diagnosis of cancer in the first stage usually provides the best chance for recovery. With this in mind, talk to your doctor about several types of cancer, studies have shown that screening tests can save cancer early and save lives. Screening tests for other types of cancer is only recommended for high-risk patients.

Many health organizations and patient support groups have cancer screening recommendations and advice. You can check various guidelines with your doctor and determine the best method for you according to the cancer risk factors that apply to you.
Cancer screening

Cancer screening is important for early diagnosis of cancer.
Cancer diagnosis:

Your doctor may use one or more methods to diagnose cancer.

    Physical examination. Your doctor may examine different areas of the body to look for lumps that may indicate a tumor. During a physical examination, your doctor may look for abnormalities that indicate the presence of cancer, such as discoloration of the skin or growth of an organ.
    Laboratory tests: Laboratory tests, such as urine and blood tests, can help your doctor determine the anomalies that can be caused by cancer. For example, in patients with leukemia, a commonly used blood test, also known as a complete blood count, may reveal an unusual number or type of white blood cell.
    Imaging tests. Imaging tests allow your doctor to examine your bones and internal organs non-surgically. Imaging tests used to diagnose cancer; computerized tomography (CT), bone scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound, x-rays and other methods.
    During the biopsy, the doctor will collect samples of your cells for examination in the laboratory. There are several methods of sampling. The procedure for your biopsy depends on the type and location of the cancer. In most cases, biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer.

In the laboratory, doctors examine cell samples under a microscope. Regular cells appear uniform and show similar size and regular structure. Cancer cells appear less uniform, vary in size, and do not show a specific structure.
Stages of cancer:

Once the cancer has been diagnosed, your doctor will try to determine the stage of the cancer. Your doctor uses the stage of cancer to determine treatment options and your chance to recover.

Staging tests and procedures may include imaging tests such as bone and x-ray examination to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The stages of cancer are usually indicated in Roman numerals - from the first to the fourth - and the higher numbers indicate more advanced cancers. In some cases, the stage of cancer appears using letters or words.
The cancer that suits you.

Could a Self-funded Benefits Plan be Right for You?

In today’s business climate, employers need benefits solutions as resourceful and cutting-edge as the organizations they run. Companies of all sizes are looking to mold their plans around the requirements of their businesses, and pre-packaged, fully-insured health plans might not be providing the greatest value.

There are many reasons employers might want to forgo a traditional plan system.

Small and mid-sized employers might want to avoid risk charges and state premium taxes.
Large employers may want to administer their benefits plans themselves and grow their cash flow by holding reserves in an interest-bearing account.
Multi-state employers might want to free themselves from the burden of complying with the insurance regulations of multiple states.
Employers of young, healthy workforces may be looking to capitalize on their advantages by saving on health insurance.
Because each business is unique and requires its own set of insurance solutions, diversity in benefits plans is needed. And for many employers, self-funding could be a better option.

Here’s a quick example from one Raffa Financial client:



Fully-Insured Renewal:                                 $ 887,257

Partial Self-Insured Projected Cost:          $ 684,927

Partial Self-Insured Actual Cost:                $ 558,056



The worst case scenario would have saved the client over $200,000. In actuality, they ended up saving $329,000!

Now that’s one happy client.

Self-funding Advantages
A self-funded group health plan is one in which the employer eliminates obligations to a health plan provider by assuming the financial risk for providing health care benefits directly to its employees.

While experienced, successful business managers are experts at mitigating risks, many will gladly take on risk exposure if the probability is good for a high payout. There are numerous well-documented advantages to self-funding for employers that manage risk well, including:

Reduced insurance overhead costs. Carriers assess a risk charge for insured policies, but self-insurance removes this charge.
Reduced state premium taxes. Self-insured programs, unlike insured policies, are not subject to state premium taxes. The premium tax savings is about 2 to 3 percent of the premium dollar value.
Avoidance of state-mandated benefits. Self-insured plans are exempt from state insurance laws, subject only to ERISA compliance.
Choosing benefits services à la carte.
Flexibility in plan designs, administration and offered services.
Customizable stop-loss insurance to reduce the risk associated with high claims.
Improved cash flow. Self-insured employers do not have to pre-pay for coverage, and claims are paid as they become due.
Additional cash flow if reserves are held in an interest-bearing account.
Complete Customization
One of the greatest assets offered by self-funding is the complete freedom to structure benefits according to needs of your company. Employers can choose what benefits they want to offer, while opting to insure individual benefits through traditional means or forgo offering them altogether.

The following benefits may be self-insured:

Health care (indemnity, PPO, POS and HMO)
Dental
Short-term disability
Prescription drugs
Vision care
Employers can also make the final call on important variables, such as:

Eligibility
Exclusions
Cost-sharing
Policy limits
Retiree benefits
Most advantageous to employers worried about the potential for large claims is the ability to acquire stopgap insurance, allowing managers to determine their total amount of yearly costs with 100 percent certainty.

At Raffa, we know certainty is hard to come by these days. If you’re looking for ways to find more of it, get in touch. We’ll help you evaluate your current plan designs and map out a plan to keep (or get) you moving in the right direction.



We help clients identify organizational challenges, create big picture strategies, and put customized solutions in place. If you’re looking for a corporate employee benefits consultant who is a true business partner, Raffa is here for you.

Learn About Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents

Protecting intellectual property has become one of the most important practices in today's business world. To this effect, the United States has a robust system for the legal safeguarding of ideas and creativity. The principal options available for intellectual property protection are copyrights, trademarks and patents.

Copyright

All works of intellectual property have an inherent principle of copyright by virtue of authorship, but registration gives a legal and documentary basis to protect the expression of original works. The Copyright Act of 1976 directs the Library of Congress to administer the U.S. Copyright Office, which is a massive registrar of original works such as writings, video and audio recordings, drawings, multimedia productions and many others. Through registration, the copyright holder has the right to reproduce, display, perform, and distribute original works.

Trademark

The unique source of goods and services can be properly identified and distinguished by special names, words or symbols registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In essence, this agency provides a way to legally protect a brand and to prevent others from appropriating the goods, services and branding of other entities. Trademarks also offer protection against the use of words, names or symbols maliciously designed to be strikingly similar to those used by competitors. In recent years, the importance of trademarks has been underscored by an increasing wave of organized counterfeiting around the world.

Patent

Individuals and business entities can enjoy exclusive rights to their inventions for a period of 20 years through registration in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patents can be obtained through an application process that includes an exhaustive search of all other registrations. Holders of patents are granted property rights over their projects, which means that they can legally impede others from trying to capitalize by means of using, manufacturing, implementing, importing, and otherwise selling the inventions. Patents do not necessarily have to be invented in the U.S.; the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will accept applications for inventions that were conceived abroad through a process of importation. The rights granted by a patent registration can only be enforced in the U.S. and its territories.

What Is Civil Court?

Most courts in the United States are either civil or criminal. In criminal courts, people who have been accused of breaking a law are tried. Civil courts are where a plaintiff may sue a defendant. The manner in which a civil matter is tried, and the punishments that may result, is quite different from what happens in a criminal court.

Types of Civil Cases

In a civil suit, a plaintiff sues an individual or entity that they believe has harmed them. This could be a matter in family court like a divorce or custody hearing. It may also be an eviction or a matter where one person sues another because of injuries sustained in a car accident. Bankruptcy cases and lawsuits against debtors are also heard in civil court. Groups or individuals who believe that their civil rights have been violated may also sue in civil court.

How Is a Civil Case Won?

Most people are familiar with the term, "beyond a reasonable doubt." However, that is a criminal court concept. Civil courts are concerned with a "preponderance of the evidence." Essentially, it is up to each of the plaintiff and the defendant to prove that they have the stronger case through the presentation of evidence. Just because the plaintiff brings the suit does not guarantee victory. Decisions in civil court are made based solely on the evidence.

Possible Civil Court Outcomes

Unlike in criminal court where a guilty verdict likely means going to jail, the outcomes of civil matters are quite different. In civil lawsuits, the plaintiff asks for a form of relief, which may be either monetary or equitable.

Monetary relief is asked for when a cash award can repair the damage suffered by the plaintiff. Monetary relief may include back pay for an employee who was wrongfully terminated. Another form of monetary relief is called compensatory damages. This is money paid to address non-economic harm like a damaged reputation or emotional distress. Punitive damages, designed to punish the defendant, may also be ordered. In many cases, the plaintiff may also ask that the defendant pay their attorney's fees.

Equitable relief concerns asking the other party to either perform an act or to refrain from performing an act. Being granted equitable relief may mean that the other party must abide by the terms of a contract. Usually, equitable relief is granted only when monetary relief is inadequate compensation.

Why do policemen touch a tail light when they pull you over?

People often wonder why police officers touch the tail light of a vehicle when they are pulled over. This practice sprang from the risk that police officers are exposed to when on the road to implement traffic laws.

In general, police officers touch the tail light of the vehicles in order to leave their fingerprints on it. This is to secure proof that the officer did approached the vehicle. In case the officer finds himself in a dangerous situation while pulling over the subject vehicle, fingerprint evidence would prove that he was present in the scene and that evidence will lead investigators to the vehicle and to the owner thereof. This safety precaution has been practiced by police officers in the country for decades.

Another reason for this practice is to provide initial shock or surprise to the person inside the vehicle. This is done in order for the driver of the vehicle or for any passenger inside the vehicle to prevent from hiding malicious or prohibited items, such as guns, ammunition, drugs, and others in the vehicle. The continuous practice of this surprise tactic proved to increase the arrest of intoxicated drivers, sellers of prohibited substances, people found in possession of unlicensed firearms, and other road related offenses.

However, there were instances that proved that the practice of touching the tail light of vehicles put our police officers in a risky situation. This is because this practice exposes the police officers' position making them susceptible to attack.

At present, due to the advent of new technology that aids our law enforcers in the maintenance of peace and order in the society, the practice of touching the tail light of vehicles by police officers was set aside. Also, due to the rampant crimes that happens on the road, our police officers have been exposed to greater danger than in the past decades.

In lieu of this practice, our law enforcers, instead, modernized and adopted innovative technology in implementing traffic rules. Now, we have security cameras installed on almost every corner of the road and on police cars themselves.

source: https://thelawdictionary.org/article/why-do-policemen-touch-a-tail-light-when-they-pull-you-over/

How to Write an Affidavit

Affidavits are prevalent in law, business, finance, and more. They can be used in situations such as child support claims in court, to affirm your authority to act for a corporation, or to confirm your identity.

Despite their widespread, frequent use, many of us don’t know what an Affidavit is, how they are used, or how to write one. In this post, we dive into the purpose of Affidavits and provide a simple guide on how to write one for your situation.

What is an Affidavit?

An Affidavit, sometimes called a sworn statement, is a statement of facts written under oath. They’re written by someone who has knowledge that something is true and are often provided as evidence to support some type of assertion.

For instance, an Affidavit could:

• Detail an event (like if you were sexually harassed by a coworker) that you wish to submit as evidence for a court case
• Establish your right to an inheritance
• Verify your residential address
• Formally record financial aspects of your business
• Confirm you served (or were served) with legal documents

Statutory Declarations are similar to Affidavits in that they outline facts for a certain institution (like a bank) but are often used for matters outside of court (for example, if you need to provide a statement for your immigration visa application).

How Do You Write an Affidavit?

Although there isn’t just one way to write an Affidavit, they are commonly styled and structured in the same manner.

In many instances, Affidavits are like stories told from your perspective. They use “I” statements and full sentences to outline facts, such as “I worked for this company for four years”.

Your statement will often begin with a brief background about yourself and the reasons you are creating your Affidavit.

For example, if you are writing an Affidavit to support your claim for alimony, pertinent background information would be how long you were married, how long you and your spouse lived together, your age, what you do for work, and other similar details depending on your relationship.

After your background information, you lay out the important facts in chronological order. A good approach is to include one fact per paragraph. This will make it easier to discuss a particular section, if and when you’re required to.

The number of facts you include is based on your situation.

For example, if you are simply confirming your identity, you probably won’t need four pages of facts. On the other hand, an Affidavit relating to child custody might require multiple pages of information.

If you have additional proof of your situation (like a bank statement or an email), you can include it as an exhibit, which is affixed to the end of your document just like an appendix.

After your Affidavit is written, depending on your jurisdiction and the purpose of your Affidavit, your document is commissioned or notarized and then ready to use or file.

What If Someone Lies in Their Affidavit?

You could be wondering, if Affidavits rely on someone submitting personal knowledge as true facts, what stops someone from lying?

Submitting false facts under oath is perjury and could result in financial penalties and even jail time.

A prominent example of perjury is when rapper Lil’ Kim, as a witness to a gunfight, lied about who was involved in the situation. Once security footage determined she lied about what she saw, she was sentenced to one year in jail and asked to pay a $50,000 fine.

As you can see, there are consequences to lying in your Affidavit, so it’s important to be truthful in order to avoid fines or conviction.

Writing Your Affidavit for Your Situation

Now that you have a grasp of what an Affidavit is and how they are written, you’re ready to create yours.

Remember, no two Affidavits will look the same, so just make sure yours contains all the information it needs for your situation. If you’re unsure if you’ve written your document properly, be sure to get it reviewed by a local attorney.