If you do your research, you'll find that the information given still points to the "I don't know, but here are the risk factors" lame explanation. What a lot of you know what! Sometimes I wonder if the people who write these things really think it through.
Here's what I mean... "most women who develop breast cancer have no risk factors other than simply being a woman and getting older (especially being over 50). Talk to your doctor about your risk... blah, blah, blah.
Wouldn't a better explanation be... "most women who develop breast cancer have no risk factors other than simply being a woman and getting older (especially being over 50),... because the older you get the weaker your immune system gets, and puts you more at risk to any kind of disease, including breast cancer or any other cancer. And by the way... your immune system has been slowly failing you since the age of 30 because of all the crap you eat!"
Ok, I'm harsh... but I've been known to tell it like it is! Other risk factors for breast cancer include...
Having had breast cancer before. No kidding. If you know anything about cancer, your odds of getting it again doubles, but I won't get into that.
A family history of breast cancer (especially in a mother, sister or daughter diagnosed before menopause.
Family history of ovarian cancer.
An above-average exposure to the hormone estrogen, which your body naturally produces, perhaps because you have never given birth or gave birth for the first time after age 30.
Began menstruating at a young age.
Reached menopause later than average.
Have taken hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progestin) for more than five years.
Dense breast tissue (as shown on a mammogram).
A history of breast biopsies showing certain breast changes, such as an increased number of abnormal cells that are not cancerous (atypical hyperplasia).
Radiation treatment to the chest area (for example, to treat Hodgkin lymphoma), especially before age 30.
Some factors slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. You may be at slightly higher risk if you are obese (especially after menopause), drink alcohol, take birth control pills (the Pill).
Some women develop breast cancer without having any of these risk factors. Most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
Notice the last statement above, and more specifically "most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease." Which proves my point... most women who get breast cancer have none of the above (like my ex-wife who died at the young age of 44).
So what's with all these suppositions on the causes of breast cancer? Bottom line folks... cancer is cancer (breast or otherwise), and you get it because of a weakened immune system, and an imbalance in your cells caused by a variation of outside elements invading your body which I will not go into here.
You should know that in countries where people consume low fat diets, there are many less cases of cancer (breast or otherwise). Thinner people, active people, are less likely to get diseases for obvious reasons!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wyatt_Schell
Friday, November 7, 2008
Breast Cancer Symptoms - Knowing What to Look For
Since most women today are quite aware of breast cancer and self testing, there are still many who only have a general knowledge of the symptoms of breast cancer. Knowing what to look for when suspecting you might have breast cancer, may save your life!
So let's begin with what most women have become accustomed to doing, that is checking for lumps in their breast and the armpits. However, keep in mind that lumps in the breast does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Actually, they're very common especially during menstruation, but doesn't mean you have breast cancer.
Most often breast cancer is first noticed as a painless lump in the breast or armpit. Other signs may include swelling in the armpit, changes in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin - thickening and dimpling skin is sometimes called "orange peel", redness, swelling and increased warmth in the affected breast, an inverted nipple - nipple turns inwards, crusting or scaling on the nipple.
Bare in mind, that the above symptoms are not always caused by cancer. Other health problems can cause them as well. Therefore, testing is the next best thing to do to make a proper diagnosis. Ironically, women are so breast cancer aware that statistically 9 out of 10 women are the first to notice a lump or mass in their breast.
It usually isn't painful, but can cause an unusual sensation in the area where the lump is. When a tumor grows in the milk ducts, bleeding can occur from the nipple. The size or shape of the breast may change. As well, the nipple might draw in, or some of the skin will pull in causing what looks like a dimple to appear. While these might be early signs of breast cancer, they might also indicate another noncancerous disease. In fact, about 8 out of 10 breast growths are non-cancerous. A doctor should be consulted to determine the exact cause of the lump.
Since the most common form of detection is self-induced testing (feeling for lumps), you should be aware that statistically that 90% are benign. This means they are not cancers. They are areas of breast change causing lumpiness that is more obvious just before a period, especially in women over 35. They can also be cysts (sacs of fluid in the breast tissue). Finally, fibroadenoma, which is a collection of fibrous glandular tissue, more common in younger women.
So if you feel you have breast cancer symptoms, the best course of action to take if you find a lump or other change in your breast, even if a recent mammogram was normal, is to see your doctor for an evaluation. If you haven't yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn't gone away after a month, have it evaluated promptly.
J. Michael Blais is webmaster and founder of the exclusive cancer help resource, Cancer-Help-Treatment.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J._Blais
So let's begin with what most women have become accustomed to doing, that is checking for lumps in their breast and the armpits. However, keep in mind that lumps in the breast does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Actually, they're very common especially during menstruation, but doesn't mean you have breast cancer.
Most often breast cancer is first noticed as a painless lump in the breast or armpit. Other signs may include swelling in the armpit, changes in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin - thickening and dimpling skin is sometimes called "orange peel", redness, swelling and increased warmth in the affected breast, an inverted nipple - nipple turns inwards, crusting or scaling on the nipple.
Bare in mind, that the above symptoms are not always caused by cancer. Other health problems can cause them as well. Therefore, testing is the next best thing to do to make a proper diagnosis. Ironically, women are so breast cancer aware that statistically 9 out of 10 women are the first to notice a lump or mass in their breast.
It usually isn't painful, but can cause an unusual sensation in the area where the lump is. When a tumor grows in the milk ducts, bleeding can occur from the nipple. The size or shape of the breast may change. As well, the nipple might draw in, or some of the skin will pull in causing what looks like a dimple to appear. While these might be early signs of breast cancer, they might also indicate another noncancerous disease. In fact, about 8 out of 10 breast growths are non-cancerous. A doctor should be consulted to determine the exact cause of the lump.
Since the most common form of detection is self-induced testing (feeling for lumps), you should be aware that statistically that 90% are benign. This means they are not cancers. They are areas of breast change causing lumpiness that is more obvious just before a period, especially in women over 35. They can also be cysts (sacs of fluid in the breast tissue). Finally, fibroadenoma, which is a collection of fibrous glandular tissue, more common in younger women.
So if you feel you have breast cancer symptoms, the best course of action to take if you find a lump or other change in your breast, even if a recent mammogram was normal, is to see your doctor for an evaluation. If you haven't yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn't gone away after a month, have it evaluated promptly.
J. Michael Blais is webmaster and founder of the exclusive cancer help resource, Cancer-Help-Treatment.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J._Blais
Monday, November 3, 2008
Transfer and Proliferation of Breast Cancer
And a few types of cancer, such as thyroid cancer similar to the natural history of breast cancer usually is very long, breast cancer cells, the doubling time for an average of 90 days, from the beginning of a malignant cell, after 30 times doubled, to reach the tumor Lcm diameter of the sphere, which will take seven to eight years. The cause of breast cancer has not yet completely clear, the best way to reduce mortality is early detection and early treatment. In tumor metastasis, surgery and radiotherapy alone can cure the vast majority of cases. Once transferred, the only cure is also positive for a small number of patients, so the natural law understanding of breast cancer. Help choose the best breast cancer treatment programme.
Breast cancer directly to the expansion around, the lymphatic and blood flow. The lymph nodes should be to prevent cancer cells from the primary tumor Yat, the first barrier, if cancer cells through the lymph node barrier is usually recidivism supraclavicular lymph nodes and then penetrated into the blood vein. In addition to the transfer axillary lymph node cancer, also involving the parasternal lymph nodes, for more than the second and third and fourth intercostal, in the first half of breast cancer in the area and areola more so, from here then repeat lymph node cancer. Breast cancer cells may also directly cause vascular invasive metastasis. Side by intercostal thoracic vein into the ipsilateral unknown vein into the pulmonary circulation. Breast deep tissue, breast and chest wall into the vein axillary vein into the subclavian vein and unknown vein, lung metastasis is an important way, the flow of qi intercostal vein and the vein-odd vein, the superior vena cava last Rufei, Ki Venous system through intervertebral vein, vertebral venous plexus, after the group connected with the vertebral vein, vertebral venous system and the vena cava blood flow in intra-abdominal pressure can change the flow of each other, so that some patients in the absence of a superior vena cava ( Such as the lungs) transfer before a skull, spine, Pengu, such as the transfer.
For a long time, people found that breast cancer may have been in attendance at the distant metastasis, despite the clinical was not attending to, this constitutes a conservative implementation of the theoretical basis for chemotherapy. According to today has been able to tumor size, lymph node involvement in the number and variety of other biological characteristics of a preliminary estimate of distant metastases minimal level of risk exists.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Zhao
Breast cancer directly to the expansion around, the lymphatic and blood flow. The lymph nodes should be to prevent cancer cells from the primary tumor Yat, the first barrier, if cancer cells through the lymph node barrier is usually recidivism supraclavicular lymph nodes and then penetrated into the blood vein. In addition to the transfer axillary lymph node cancer, also involving the parasternal lymph nodes, for more than the second and third and fourth intercostal, in the first half of breast cancer in the area and areola more so, from here then repeat lymph node cancer. Breast cancer cells may also directly cause vascular invasive metastasis. Side by intercostal thoracic vein into the ipsilateral unknown vein into the pulmonary circulation. Breast deep tissue, breast and chest wall into the vein axillary vein into the subclavian vein and unknown vein, lung metastasis is an important way, the flow of qi intercostal vein and the vein-odd vein, the superior vena cava last Rufei, Ki Venous system through intervertebral vein, vertebral venous plexus, after the group connected with the vertebral vein, vertebral venous system and the vena cava blood flow in intra-abdominal pressure can change the flow of each other, so that some patients in the absence of a superior vena cava ( Such as the lungs) transfer before a skull, spine, Pengu, such as the transfer.
For a long time, people found that breast cancer may have been in attendance at the distant metastasis, despite the clinical was not attending to, this constitutes a conservative implementation of the theoretical basis for chemotherapy. According to today has been able to tumor size, lymph node involvement in the number and variety of other biological characteristics of a preliminary estimate of distant metastases minimal level of risk exists.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Zhao
The Effects of Hair Loss Following Chemotherapy
You might not think about how important your hair is until you face losing it. And if you have cancer and are about to undergo chemotherapy, the chance of hair loss is very real. Both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer.
Hair loss happens because the chemotherapy affects all cells in the body, not just the cancer cells.
The lining of the mouth, stomach, and the hair follicles are especially sensitive because those cells multiply rapidly just like the cancer cells.
The difference is that the normal cells will repair themselves, making these side effects temporary.
Chemotherapy may be described as treatment of cancer with different drugs and chemicals.
It has been seen that majority of patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from hair loss.
The reason is hair follicle cells grow quite fast and the drugs used for chemotherapy attack any cell growing and attacks healthy hair follicle cells also.
Can hair loss be prevented during chemotherapy treatment? There is no known way to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss. However, not all chemotherapy medications cause hair loss.
You should consult with your doctor about the type of treatment recommended for you and what its side effects are likely to be.
Whether or not you lose your hair depends in part on the specific medication and dosage administered.
Women should consider visiting a wig salon before they begin losing their hair so that the specialist may become familiar with her present hairstyle and color.
Some wig salons specialize in hair loss from chemotherapy and are able to offer women specific advice. A wig specialist may also wish to measure the woman's head size to make sure an average wig will fit. Custom-made wigs sometimes take several weeks to have made.
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body - including those in your hair roots. 6
Chemotherapy hair loss, and changes in skin and body can be devastating after effects of cancer treatment.
Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary.
You can expect to regrow a full head of hair six months to a year after your treatment ends, though your hair may temporarily be a different shade or texture.
Remember the hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary.
It usually starts to grow back about six weeks after the person finishes their chemotherapy, and it may look and feel different from the person's original hair. It may be curlier or a slightly different color.
Sometimes hair grows in grey until the person's hair color (also called pigment) cells begin to work again.
Most people will have a full head of hair again about six months to a year after they stop taking chemotherapy.
The decrease in blood cell counts does not occur right at the start of chemotherapy because the drugs do not destroy the cells already in the bloodstream (these are not dividing rapidly). Instead, the drugs affect new blood cells that are being made by the bone marrow.
Radiation only causes hair loss on the particular part of the body treated. If radiation is used to treat the breast, there is no hair loss on your head. But there might be loss of hair around the nipple, for women who have hair in that location. Radiation to the brain, used to treat metastatic cancer in the brain, usually causes complete hair loss on the head.
Cold caps don't work for everyone. They only block certain drugs and are not suitable for use in all types of cancer. You can't really have scalp cooling if there is too high a risk that cancer cells could be presenting the scalp blood vessels.
This is because there would be a possibility that the cells in the scalp blood vessels would not be killed by the chemotherapy. It certainly is not advisable for leukemia or lymphoma treatment, for example.
You cannot wear a cold cap if you are having continuous chemotherapy through a pump either, because you would have to wear the cold cap all the time, 24 hours a day.
Chemotherapy is very effective in killing cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells as well.
The strength of the drugs used in chemotherapy causes side effects that can bring discomfort and inconvenience.
Typical side effects of chemotherapy include gastrointestinal tract problems, hair loss, low blood cell counts, skin rashes, fatigue, and infertility.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Neill
Hair loss happens because the chemotherapy affects all cells in the body, not just the cancer cells.
The lining of the mouth, stomach, and the hair follicles are especially sensitive because those cells multiply rapidly just like the cancer cells.
The difference is that the normal cells will repair themselves, making these side effects temporary.
Chemotherapy may be described as treatment of cancer with different drugs and chemicals.
It has been seen that majority of patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from hair loss.
The reason is hair follicle cells grow quite fast and the drugs used for chemotherapy attack any cell growing and attacks healthy hair follicle cells also.
Can hair loss be prevented during chemotherapy treatment? There is no known way to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss. However, not all chemotherapy medications cause hair loss.
You should consult with your doctor about the type of treatment recommended for you and what its side effects are likely to be.
Whether or not you lose your hair depends in part on the specific medication and dosage administered.
Women should consider visiting a wig salon before they begin losing their hair so that the specialist may become familiar with her present hairstyle and color.
Some wig salons specialize in hair loss from chemotherapy and are able to offer women specific advice. A wig specialist may also wish to measure the woman's head size to make sure an average wig will fit. Custom-made wigs sometimes take several weeks to have made.
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body - including those in your hair roots. 6
Chemotherapy hair loss, and changes in skin and body can be devastating after effects of cancer treatment.
Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary.
You can expect to regrow a full head of hair six months to a year after your treatment ends, though your hair may temporarily be a different shade or texture.
Remember the hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary.
It usually starts to grow back about six weeks after the person finishes their chemotherapy, and it may look and feel different from the person's original hair. It may be curlier or a slightly different color.
Sometimes hair grows in grey until the person's hair color (also called pigment) cells begin to work again.
Most people will have a full head of hair again about six months to a year after they stop taking chemotherapy.
The decrease in blood cell counts does not occur right at the start of chemotherapy because the drugs do not destroy the cells already in the bloodstream (these are not dividing rapidly). Instead, the drugs affect new blood cells that are being made by the bone marrow.
Radiation only causes hair loss on the particular part of the body treated. If radiation is used to treat the breast, there is no hair loss on your head. But there might be loss of hair around the nipple, for women who have hair in that location. Radiation to the brain, used to treat metastatic cancer in the brain, usually causes complete hair loss on the head.
Cold caps don't work for everyone. They only block certain drugs and are not suitable for use in all types of cancer. You can't really have scalp cooling if there is too high a risk that cancer cells could be presenting the scalp blood vessels.
This is because there would be a possibility that the cells in the scalp blood vessels would not be killed by the chemotherapy. It certainly is not advisable for leukemia or lymphoma treatment, for example.
You cannot wear a cold cap if you are having continuous chemotherapy through a pump either, because you would have to wear the cold cap all the time, 24 hours a day.
Chemotherapy is very effective in killing cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells as well.
The strength of the drugs used in chemotherapy causes side effects that can bring discomfort and inconvenience.
Typical side effects of chemotherapy include gastrointestinal tract problems, hair loss, low blood cell counts, skin rashes, fatigue, and infertility.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Neill
Friday, October 31, 2008
Early Detection Signs Or Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in UK women, is the disease women fear most.
Early detection of this disease is vital!
There are different signs and symptoms of breast cancer. One of the first signs or symptoms is feeling a lump in the breast. This lump will feel different then the other breast tissue around it.
It is known that more then eighty percent of women discover lumps by checking themselves. A physician can detect breast cancer by giving you a mammogram.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life.
When the disease is discovered early, you have more treatment options and a better chance for a cure. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous.
Yet the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast.
Often, the lump is painless.
Even though the public has learned a great deal about breast cancer, there remain more than a half-dozen popular breast cancer myths.
At least one such myth relates to the signs of breast cancer. Many women believe that finding a lump in the breast means that they have breast cancer, which is untrue.
Another symptom of breast cancer is Paget?s disease of the breast.
It is a syndrome that presents skin changes like redness and flaking skin of the nipple. As this advances symptoms may include itching, tingling, sensitivity, pain and burning and on occasion discharge from the nipple. About half of women that are diagnosed with Paget?s will also have a lump in the breast.
Another helpful piece of information is that some types of cancers, like the Inflammatory breast cancer and Pagent's disease show classic symptoms of their own type. Very red and hard breasts which keep getting sore show along with the regular breast cancer symptoms are a classic case of the Inflammatory breast cancer, whereas very itchy, red, scaly rashes, easily confused for eczema, on the breasts along with other breast cancer symptoms are Pagent's disease.
Always get the doctor to clarify your doubts.
Unlike the more common form of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer does not generally present as a lump.
The disease grows as nests or sheets that clog the lymph system under the skin. Often the symptoms are attributed to other diseases and thus the diagnosis may take a long time to occur.
For many women, abnormal cell activity in breast fluid will be the first warning of the potential development of breast cancer signs and symptoms. This early warning system gives women and their doctors precious extra time to implement a more vigilant, personalized breast health treatment plan.
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. This test is used to look for breast disease in women who do not appear to have breast problems. It can also be used when women have symptoms such as a lump, skin change, or nipple discharge.
Each year 180,000 women get breast cancer, this is an increase of over 50 percent of the women who were developing breast cancer before 1950.
The chances of developing breast cancer increases with age.
But, don't think that you don't have to worry if you are younger than 40, because more and more young women are also developing breast cancer than ever before.
Be vigilant in your breast exams and you will have greater peace of mind.
Early detection methods of detecting breast cancer has improved survival rates tremendously. Even with the amount of women developing breast cancer increasing, the amount of women who actually die of breast cancer these days is decreasing due to early detection and better treatment methods.
A screening mammogram is used to look for breast disease in women who have no breast concerns. A diagnostic mammogram is used when a woman has symptoms or if there are other barriers to accurate testing like breast implants.
Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. In most cases, the first signs of breast cancer are recognized as a small and often palpable lump in the breast.
Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the best approach for them. They may benefit from starting mammograms when they are younger, having them more often, or having other tests. If you are at higher risk, your doctor might recommend an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) be done along with your mammograms.
If you notice any of these warning signs of breast cancer do not panic. Call your health care provider early and have it checked out. Not all these changes may represent cancer but you will not know unless you are examined.
Yet there is more reason for optimism than ever before.
In the last 30 years, doctors have made great strides in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease and in reducing breast cancer deaths.
In 1975, a diagnosis of breast cancer usually meant radical mastectomy - removal of the entire breast along with underarm lymph nodes and muscles underneath the breast.
Today, radical mastectomy is rarely performed. Instead, there are more and better treatment options, and many women are candidates for breast-sparing operations.
Most breast cancer symptoms are visually observable and highlight the need for regular breast self exams.
While breast cancer cannot be prevented, early detection of cancer warning signs and early diagnosis dramatically increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
The good news is that many times, especially if a lump is caught early, women with breast cancer go on to live full, healthy lives after treatment.
Some women also join support groups so they can talk to other women with breast cancer who are feeling the same emotions, this can be very beneficial and supportive.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Neill
Early detection of this disease is vital!
There are different signs and symptoms of breast cancer. One of the first signs or symptoms is feeling a lump in the breast. This lump will feel different then the other breast tissue around it.
It is known that more then eighty percent of women discover lumps by checking themselves. A physician can detect breast cancer by giving you a mammogram.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life.
When the disease is discovered early, you have more treatment options and a better chance for a cure. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous.
Yet the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast.
Often, the lump is painless.
Even though the public has learned a great deal about breast cancer, there remain more than a half-dozen popular breast cancer myths.
At least one such myth relates to the signs of breast cancer. Many women believe that finding a lump in the breast means that they have breast cancer, which is untrue.
Another symptom of breast cancer is Paget?s disease of the breast.
It is a syndrome that presents skin changes like redness and flaking skin of the nipple. As this advances symptoms may include itching, tingling, sensitivity, pain and burning and on occasion discharge from the nipple. About half of women that are diagnosed with Paget?s will also have a lump in the breast.
Another helpful piece of information is that some types of cancers, like the Inflammatory breast cancer and Pagent's disease show classic symptoms of their own type. Very red and hard breasts which keep getting sore show along with the regular breast cancer symptoms are a classic case of the Inflammatory breast cancer, whereas very itchy, red, scaly rashes, easily confused for eczema, on the breasts along with other breast cancer symptoms are Pagent's disease.
Always get the doctor to clarify your doubts.
Unlike the more common form of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer does not generally present as a lump.
The disease grows as nests or sheets that clog the lymph system under the skin. Often the symptoms are attributed to other diseases and thus the diagnosis may take a long time to occur.
For many women, abnormal cell activity in breast fluid will be the first warning of the potential development of breast cancer signs and symptoms. This early warning system gives women and their doctors precious extra time to implement a more vigilant, personalized breast health treatment plan.
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. This test is used to look for breast disease in women who do not appear to have breast problems. It can also be used when women have symptoms such as a lump, skin change, or nipple discharge.
Each year 180,000 women get breast cancer, this is an increase of over 50 percent of the women who were developing breast cancer before 1950.
The chances of developing breast cancer increases with age.
But, don't think that you don't have to worry if you are younger than 40, because more and more young women are also developing breast cancer than ever before.
Be vigilant in your breast exams and you will have greater peace of mind.
Early detection methods of detecting breast cancer has improved survival rates tremendously. Even with the amount of women developing breast cancer increasing, the amount of women who actually die of breast cancer these days is decreasing due to early detection and better treatment methods.
A screening mammogram is used to look for breast disease in women who have no breast concerns. A diagnostic mammogram is used when a woman has symptoms or if there are other barriers to accurate testing like breast implants.
Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. In most cases, the first signs of breast cancer are recognized as a small and often palpable lump in the breast.
Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the best approach for them. They may benefit from starting mammograms when they are younger, having them more often, or having other tests. If you are at higher risk, your doctor might recommend an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) be done along with your mammograms.
If you notice any of these warning signs of breast cancer do not panic. Call your health care provider early and have it checked out. Not all these changes may represent cancer but you will not know unless you are examined.
Yet there is more reason for optimism than ever before.
In the last 30 years, doctors have made great strides in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease and in reducing breast cancer deaths.
In 1975, a diagnosis of breast cancer usually meant radical mastectomy - removal of the entire breast along with underarm lymph nodes and muscles underneath the breast.
Today, radical mastectomy is rarely performed. Instead, there are more and better treatment options, and many women are candidates for breast-sparing operations.
Most breast cancer symptoms are visually observable and highlight the need for regular breast self exams.
While breast cancer cannot be prevented, early detection of cancer warning signs and early diagnosis dramatically increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
The good news is that many times, especially if a lump is caught early, women with breast cancer go on to live full, healthy lives after treatment.
Some women also join support groups so they can talk to other women with breast cancer who are feeling the same emotions, this can be very beneficial and supportive.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Neill
Radiotherapy Treatment For Breast Cancer
Radiotherapy for breast cancer can be a bit of an ordeal.
For me, the worst moment after being told I had cancer was being told I would need chemotherapy and radiotherapy as treatment to fight the disease. Having been there I know its shocking and I felt I just simply would never cope with it all.
My treatment regime was to consist of four treatments of FEC chemo, four weeks of radiotherapy treatment then four treatments of Taxotere chemo. This would all take the best part of ten months.
Having survived the first part of the chemo ( just! ) I went into my radiotherapy a bit bruised and battered. The first thing that needed done was going to a simulator to have the very complicated process of marking out where your treatment would be. This is done with lasers and details of where your tumour or tumours were. Small tattoos are then done to mark out the treatment area. This enables the machine to be set up very quickly every day during treatment.
I mentally decided that for the four weeks of radiotherapy I would treat it like a job. It took 45 minutes or so to drive to the hospital and back every day. The Western General in Edinburgh where I had all my treatments has a fantastic set up for radiotherapy patients. There is a dedicated car park next to the unit and you are guaranteed a space or they will valet park your car. This was amazing and a big weight off my mind as your appointment only lasts five minutes and you have to be there in time as the machines are in use constantly.
The actual radiotherapy lasts a few minutes and is painless-quite relaxing really. Some people find the treatment very tiring. I didn't, but I think if you've had chemo first then your perception of tiredness changes! The going to the hospital every day is a bit of a bind but use any mental trick to over come this.
After a few weeks of treatment the skin over the treated area can become very red and fragile. No soap or creams should be used as these can make your skin even more sensitive. This does clear up but it did cause discomfort for a few weeks. The skin on this area will always be more sensitive and sun should be avoided. It's also worth mentioning not to forget the exit area - mine was on my back - where the radiotherapy exists your body during treatments.
Radiotherapy treatment, for me, was the least unpleasant of the treatments I went through. At the outset it seems daunting but really it's not - honestly!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marjory_Ramsay
For me, the worst moment after being told I had cancer was being told I would need chemotherapy and radiotherapy as treatment to fight the disease. Having been there I know its shocking and I felt I just simply would never cope with it all.
My treatment regime was to consist of four treatments of FEC chemo, four weeks of radiotherapy treatment then four treatments of Taxotere chemo. This would all take the best part of ten months.
Having survived the first part of the chemo ( just! ) I went into my radiotherapy a bit bruised and battered. The first thing that needed done was going to a simulator to have the very complicated process of marking out where your treatment would be. This is done with lasers and details of where your tumour or tumours were. Small tattoos are then done to mark out the treatment area. This enables the machine to be set up very quickly every day during treatment.
I mentally decided that for the four weeks of radiotherapy I would treat it like a job. It took 45 minutes or so to drive to the hospital and back every day. The Western General in Edinburgh where I had all my treatments has a fantastic set up for radiotherapy patients. There is a dedicated car park next to the unit and you are guaranteed a space or they will valet park your car. This was amazing and a big weight off my mind as your appointment only lasts five minutes and you have to be there in time as the machines are in use constantly.
The actual radiotherapy lasts a few minutes and is painless-quite relaxing really. Some people find the treatment very tiring. I didn't, but I think if you've had chemo first then your perception of tiredness changes! The going to the hospital every day is a bit of a bind but use any mental trick to over come this.
After a few weeks of treatment the skin over the treated area can become very red and fragile. No soap or creams should be used as these can make your skin even more sensitive. This does clear up but it did cause discomfort for a few weeks. The skin on this area will always be more sensitive and sun should be avoided. It's also worth mentioning not to forget the exit area - mine was on my back - where the radiotherapy exists your body during treatments.
Radiotherapy treatment, for me, was the least unpleasant of the treatments I went through. At the outset it seems daunting but really it's not - honestly!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marjory_Ramsay
Monday, October 27, 2008
Breast Cancer and Exercise - A Moving Patient Gathers No Cancer
"It's too early, it's too late, I'm tired, my feet hurt, my whole body hurts, I'm hungry," these are many of the excuses that keep us from exercising. It is really important that you don't make excuses but make changes to your life. I'm saying this not because I enjoy working out all the time, which I don't, but because your risk of breast cancer can be diminished by exercise.
The latest American Cancer Society's guidelines for physical activity recommend 30 minutes daily of brisk exercise at least 5 days a week. Is there any data to back this up? There sure is. In fact exercise can help prevent both pre and post menopausal breast cancer and if you have had breast cancer, a regular exercise program will improve your survival. Here's the data.
The first study was recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2008;100:608). This is a report from the Nurses Health Study II which included 64,777 premenopausal nurses. They were given questionnaires regarding physical activity starting in 1997. After 6 years of follow up, 550 women developed breast cancer. Women whose total activity equaled 3.25 hours per week of running or 13 hours per week of walking had a 23% lower chance of getting breast cancer. This was especially true when the activity occurred in younger women aged 12-22.
A similar article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2003 (2003;290:1331) demonstrated a 20% drop in the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who engaged in 10 hours per week of moderate intensity exercise like tennis, jogging or aerobics. This information is taken from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study involving more than 74,000 women aged 50-79. Don't worry if you can't jog, there were also benefits for those who walk, bike, or swim 5 days a week.
Finally, a study of 1491 women who had received treatment for early stage breast cancer revealed a 44% improvement in survival if they engaged in 30 minutes of walking a day for 6 days every week (J Clin Oncol 2007;25:2345). This survival improvement was enhanced if the women also ate a diet high in fruits and vegetables. The interesting finding is that the benefit was regardless of weight. Your weight is less important than your lifestyle choices of exercise and diet preventing breast cancer recurrence.
So, no more excuses. Get out there and move a little, walk, run, play tennis, or swim. Whatever you do, you can be sure that you will decrease your risk of breast cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Avery_M.D.
The latest American Cancer Society's guidelines for physical activity recommend 30 minutes daily of brisk exercise at least 5 days a week. Is there any data to back this up? There sure is. In fact exercise can help prevent both pre and post menopausal breast cancer and if you have had breast cancer, a regular exercise program will improve your survival. Here's the data.
The first study was recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2008;100:608). This is a report from the Nurses Health Study II which included 64,777 premenopausal nurses. They were given questionnaires regarding physical activity starting in 1997. After 6 years of follow up, 550 women developed breast cancer. Women whose total activity equaled 3.25 hours per week of running or 13 hours per week of walking had a 23% lower chance of getting breast cancer. This was especially true when the activity occurred in younger women aged 12-22.
A similar article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2003 (2003;290:1331) demonstrated a 20% drop in the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who engaged in 10 hours per week of moderate intensity exercise like tennis, jogging or aerobics. This information is taken from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study involving more than 74,000 women aged 50-79. Don't worry if you can't jog, there were also benefits for those who walk, bike, or swim 5 days a week.
Finally, a study of 1491 women who had received treatment for early stage breast cancer revealed a 44% improvement in survival if they engaged in 30 minutes of walking a day for 6 days every week (J Clin Oncol 2007;25:2345). This survival improvement was enhanced if the women also ate a diet high in fruits and vegetables. The interesting finding is that the benefit was regardless of weight. Your weight is less important than your lifestyle choices of exercise and diet preventing breast cancer recurrence.
So, no more excuses. Get out there and move a little, walk, run, play tennis, or swim. Whatever you do, you can be sure that you will decrease your risk of breast cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Avery_M.D.
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