If living with Hepatitis C isn't trying enough, studies are showing that people living with the chronic condition are at a greater risk for developing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, based on research done on US soldiers living with Hep C. Hep C is a disease characterized by an inflamed liver, and it has also been linked to Liver Cancer. There's no vaccine, and it's spread by an exchange of bodily fluids.

The immune system of people living with chronic Hep C is constantly taxed, and it's believed this is the reason behind the link between these two diseases. Hep C, as the article points out, affects more than four million people in the United States, and afflicts men more than women.

On the Phil Lesh and Friends website, musician and founding member of Grateful Dead Lesh begins, "What do I have in common with Rudy Giuliani, John Kerry, Bob Dole, Joe Torre, Nelson Mandela, Sean Connery, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Emperor Akihito of Japan, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell, Quincy Jones, Roger Moore, Sydney Poitier, and Robert De Niro?" Prostate cancer.

Lesh, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, will be undergoing the da Vinci robotic surgical procedure in December to remove the tumor. As a result of his prostate cancer diagnosis, he is urging all men to have a periodic PSA screening for early detection of prostate cancer.

In 1998, Lesh underwent a liver transplant as a result of chronic Hepatitis C infection. He has become an active advocate for organ donor programs and raising awareness for Hepatitis C. Lesh is expecting a full recovery from prostate cancer because it was caught in its early stage. Here are a few fast facts about prostate cancer:

• Age is the most common risk factor for prostate cancer.
• Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms for many years.
  
• Two simple tests are performed as part of a prostate cancer screening --a digital rectal exam and a blood test (PSA) to screen for prostate specific antigen.
  

To learn more about prostate cancer, visit Prostate Cancer.

Late last March fans of rock legend and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler became concerned over speculation that Tyler had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Even though the remaining Rockin' The Joint show dates were cancelled, everyone connected to Tyler assured the public the rumors were false. Steven Tyler did not have cancer. He was suffering from strained vocal cords and needed a rest.

At the time, bassist Tom Hamilton explained the cancelled shows by saying, "You know Steven. Anything worth doing, to him, is worth overdoing," in reference to the fact that the band had been touring more now than it did 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, several months later it was announced that Hamilton had been diagnosed with cancer.

While the rumors had quieted concerning Tyler's health, now and then something new would come to our attention that made us wonder if he was okay. A reader wrote in that he had seen Tyler at the oncology clinic at a hospital he was visiting. We kept that under our hat.

Last night, Tyler appeared on Access Hollywood and for the first time, publicly discussed his health. No, he was not diagnosed with throat cancer -- but he had faced a serious health crisis and decided to speak about it. Tyler said he had been fighting a secret battle with a silent killer -- Hep C. Diagnosed three years ago, he was told by his doctor, Deepak Chopra's brother, that it was time he sought treatment. Tyler agreed to undergo a year of chemotherapy with interferon. He stated it nearly killed him but managed to stay with it and complete treatment. Tyler had Hep C for many years, and was asymptomatic, which is typical.

During the interview, Tyler said, "Hepatitis C is the one that, of all the people in this room, at least three have it and don't know it." He would like to raise awareness about Hep C and mentioned he might appear on Oprah for that purpose. "It's one of those things people don't speak about it, but it is treatable."

Almost 4 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the U.S. population, have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); it is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. 80 percent of those with Hep C have no symptoms. Chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

If you missed the television Access Hollywood interview with Steven Tyler, the video segment of the program is available online here.

Did you know almost 4 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the U.S. population, have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); it is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease in the United States; and a segment of those suffering from chronic HCV, or Hep C, will develop liver cancer. Until this morning, I did not know.

But when someone close to you is diagnosed with this disease, numbers do not matter. Even if there were only two people on the planet with this diagnosis and one of the two happens to be someone you love, then it suddenly seems to become the number one disease.

In my preliminary research, I have found that 80 percent of those with Hep C have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are likely to be jaundice; fatigue; dark urine; abdominal pain; loss of appetite and nausea. Skin rashes, extreme itching, muscle wasting and weight loss can also be signs of Hep C. For decades, you can have Hep C and not know it is taking its toll on the liver.

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), a distinct and major characteristic of hepatitis C is its tendency to cause chronic liver disease. At least 75 percent of patients with acute hepatitis C ultimately develop chronic infection, and most of these patients have accompanying chronic liver disease. Chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Those at highest risk for Hep C are intravenous drug users; recipients of clotting factors made before 1987; hemodialysis patients; recipients of blood and/or solid organs before 1992; healthcare workers, and infants born to infected mothers.

The treatments are harsh and can come with severe side effects that cause some to discontinue treatment. New research indicates that smoking marijuana seems to offset some of the adverse side effects of treatment and help those fighting this disease remain on treatment. Hepatitis Central has published an explanation of how Hep C infection can lead to liver cancer with Duke Researchers Show How Hepatitis Infection Leads To Liver Cancer, that I found helpful in understanding the progression of the disease.

As I say, I have just started my research this morning. With a critical eye, I will continue researching until I have exhausted every avenue of information, both conventional and alternative, that I can find. If any of our readers can suggest any resources for Hep C and/ or liver cancer, please leave this information in the comment area.

In 2002, Pamela Anderson publicly announced she had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a disease that can lead to liver cancer. She indicated she had contracted the Hepatitis C virus from sharing tattoo needles with her husband Tommy Lee. At the time, she decided to forego conventional medical treatments, relying instead on a healthy vegetarian diet. She credits avocados for her improved liver health.

I am going to venture out on a limb and guess that it has more to do with her overall diet, lifestyle and other factors -- not simply avocados. But there you go, that's what she said.

Anderson is probably best known for her activist activities on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, but she has also acted as the celebrity spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation and the Canadian Liver Foundation. Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to liver cancer. Hepatitis C is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needles. There is no cure.