breast cancer

Chemotherapy is generally prescribed as a treatment for patients with early stage breast cancer. It is also the treatment of choice for patients with high-risk metastatic breast cancer. The drugs used in the treatment kill rapidly dividing tumor cells that may be spreading through the body. This helps reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in another part of the body.

Chemotherapy can also be used as the main treatment for cancer that has spread outside the breast and underarm area. It can also be used to shrink a large tumor prior to surgery. The treatment can be administered in-patient, outpatient, at home or a combination of these. Chemotherapy for breast cancer and tamoxifen have been shown to independently reduce the risk of developing a second cancer in the other breast. The risk reduction may persist for at least five to ten years.

Chemotherapy also works best in younger women. This treatment is usually administered between two to six weeks following surgery and continues for total of three to six months. The same treatment is usually given after surgery because it can reduce the chance of the cancer returning. This is known as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and may boost cure rates by as much as fifteen percent.

One may therefore conclude that chemotherapy is the initial choice for the treatment of breast cancer. However, there are several factors to be considered before deciding to undergo the treatment.

Before the doctor decides to recommend chemotherapy to his or her breast cancer patient, the doctor would generally take into consideration the age of the patient, as well as her life stage. While chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery may slow the progression of recurrent breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation can permanently damage ovaries.

Early menopause may set in when the ovaries stop producing estrogen. If a patient is relatively young and plans to start a family eventually, she could first have her eggs harvested for future use before undergoing chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy should not be given during the first three months of pregnancy as it may cause fetal malformations. The treatment has been more widely used in the second and third trimesters, as organogenesis is complete. However, it may still cause early labor and low birth weight.

Other research has shown that chemotherapy may affect a developing fetus in the second or third trimester. If the breast cancer must be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy and if your oncologist deems the treatment may harm the fetus, you may face the painful decision of having to end your pregnancy. This decision will likely depend on the stage of cancer, the age of the fetus and the mother's chance of survival. Be sure to discuss with your oncologist to make sure you fully understand the risks before commencing your treatment.

While the chemotherapy kills the cancer cells, it will leave the patient weak. Your medical oncologist and nurse will discuss possible side effects with you before treatment begins.

To cope with the side effects, be sure to get adequate rest between treatments. Eat non greasy, nutritious food and drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices to ensure that your body is well nourished. Take multivitamins if necessary. Vitamins and minerals to take with chemotherapy for breast cancer would include Vitamin C and D, as well as calcium, magnesium and zinc, among others.

Taking multivitamins with minerals after diagnosis was found to be associated with a 20% lower risk of recurrence and 29% lower risk of breast cancer-specific death compared to never using multivitamins.You may also eat organic yogurt as a way of helping your digestive tract to recover and repopulate your gut with friendly bacteria to boost your immune system.

Click on types of breast cancer treatments for the latest information on the types of breast cancer treatments available. Celine Yong has done extensive research on women's health and beauty. Visit her blog at http://healthtipsforwomen.net/ for more valuable tips on breast cancer treatment.

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I have a dream. Well, I have many dreams, but this one is about an easy, almost painless means of ensuring that no woman ever has to face, fight or survive breast cancer again. A vaccine. Am I just dreaming? Maybe. Maybe not.

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a proven cause of breast cancer in field and experimental mice. MMTV was discovered way back in 1936. MMTV-like viral genetic material has been identified in human breast tumors, but it's not known whether it actually causes tumor development. Research has uncovered a human mammary tumor virus, HMTV, which is 95-98% similar to the mouse virus (MMTV), so they are believed to be the same virus.

HMTV has been found in approximately 40 percent of all human breast cancer (bc) specimens examined, in 60 percent of pregnancy-associated bc's, and in 71 percent of inflammatory bc's. Women whose tumors show evidence of the virus have antibodies to it 95 percent of the time, whereas normal, healthy women have antibodies to the virus less than 5 percent of the time.

A research team, led by Vincent Tuohy, PhD, at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, have developed a vaccine that prevents breast cancer tumors from forming in mice, while inhibiting the growth of existing tumors. The vaccine contains the antigen a-lactalbumin. In the latest study, genetically cancer-prone mice were vaccinated - half with a vaccine containing the antigen and half with a vaccine that didn't contain the antigen. None of the mice vaccinated with the antigen developed breast cancer, while all of the other mice did.

Unlike the FDA approved cervical cancer vaccine and liver cancer vaccines, both of which target viruses (human papillomavirus and Hepatitis B viruses), this mouse vaccine targets cancer formation itself. Tuohy explains that the key in developing a human breast cancer vaccine is therefore to find a target within the tumor that isn't typically found in a healthy person. In the case of breast cancer, they are targeting a-lactalbumin, a protein found in the majority of breast cancers but not in healthy women, except during lactation. The vaccine is expected to stimulate a woman's immune system to target a-lactalbumin, stopping tumor formation without damaging healthy breast tissue.

The hoped for strategy would be to vaccinate women over 40, when breast cancer risk begins to increase and pregnancy becomes less likely. The vaccine would also be an alternative option for younger women with a heightened risk of breast cancer, instead of prophylactic mastectomies.

While there is still controversy over just how many breast cancers contain a-lactalbumin, Tuohy is hopeful that his findings might lead to vaccines for other types of cancer, and so am I. His vaccine is ready to be tested for safety in humans, but guess what. Komen has turned him down for funding 3 times and Avon has refused to even consider it. Hmmmm.... Maybe Mr. Tuohy scared the queens of pinkwashing when he said, ""If it works in humans the way it works in mice, this will be monumental. We could eliminate breast cancer."

I first heard about the possibility of one or more breast cancer viruses from Dr. Kathleen Ruddy, founder of The Breast Health and Healing Foundation. Talk About Health hosted a question/answer session with Dr. Ruddy, which is a great place to start if you're interested in learning more about this topic.

Susan Beausang, 4Women.com

Susan Beausang is President of 4Women.com, Inc. and designer of the patented BeauBeauR head scarf, a fashionable scarf specifically designed for women and girls. The Beaubeau unites the worlds of fashion and medical hair loss. 4Women.com's mission is to help women and girls cope with the emotional upheaval of medical hair loss with dignity and confidence and to advocate for greater understanding of the emotional impacts of hair loss. An Alopecian and a Previvor, Susan is bald but cancer-free. She strives to be a source of strength and hope for women and girls with medical hair loss. Learn more at http://www.4women.com/.

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There are a number of treatment options once diagnosed with breast cancer that you can choose from. Late detection of the cancer minimizes the chances of having it cured. Because men have smaller breasts, the cancer is likely to spread at a faster rate during the initial stages compared to women. However, if for both men and women the stage of the cancer during diagnosis is the same, the chances of survival are equal for both.

Treatment will depend on factors such as the stage, its sensitivity to hormones and the type of cancer. Some treatment options include;

Surgery. There are different types of surgery. They include; breast reconstruction, mastectomy to remove the breast or part of it, prophylactic surgery, lymph node dissection, or breast conserving surgery to remove the lump. Men with breast cancer can undergo a surgery referred to as a modified radical mastectomy to remove the breast, chest muscle lining and some of the lymph nodes under the arm.

Chemotherapy. This is the use of medication of a combination of medicines to exterminate and weaken cancer cells throughout the body so that they do not continue to grow. It helps to keep the cancer from striking again. The doctor might use this therapy to minimize the cancer before surgery is performed and during the final stages of the cancer to kill as many cancer cells as possible.

Hormonal therapy. Not only does it reduce the chances of the cancer reoccurring but also the growing and spreading of cancer cells. Like chemotherapy it also stops the cancer cells from growing. Hormone therapy is one of the standard treatments for breast cancer in men especially if the cancer was caused by hormones.

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy will depend on the type and the stage of the cancer. It can be internal where radioactive substances are positioned near the cancer to kill or prevent the cancer cells from growing or external radiation where the body is exposed to radiation outside the body to achieve the same results. This therapy can be performed after surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells.

Mastectomy, removal of the lymph node, radiation and lumpectomy are used in the treatment of stage I and II breast cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and biologic therapy are used. Stage IV cancer is not easily curable therefore treatment will be directed towards the symptoms and lengthening ones life.

Emma Wanjiku is an experienced writer and publisher who focusses/reports on issues affecting you. Her research is based on aspects and topics of life that matter. She is a trained journalist. For daily health tips and fitness information, access her health site at http://www.emmalifetips.com/

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The lack of knowledge makes cancer treatments difficult because the disease goes undetected till it reaches an advanced stage. If breast cancer treatments are done at early stages of the cancer, the chances of complete cure are much higher. Here are some of the signs that one must be aware of:

Lumps - Breast cancer doctors say that even though lumps are the most common and known signs of breast cancer, women often fail to recognize them. A lump is a kind of thickening one may feel near the breast or even in the armpit. They are very small, pea-sized and are generally painless. But one may feel some tenderness or irritation. Such lumps can be easily spotted through a mammogram.
Change in breast size- Changes in breast size is another symptom of cancer. Whether the breast size will increase or decrease will vary from women to women. Some women experience an increase in their breast size and some others find their breast size decreasing. This change is usually not noticeable until the size has changed a lot.
Change in color and texture- Breast cancer may also cause a change in color and texture of the breast. One may notice a marble-like area under the skin. Some areas of the breast may even differ greatly from other areas of the breast. The skin of the breast may also turn pink or red in color. In case of scarring, the skin may also even turn orange. Some tumors can't be seen or felt. In such cases, indentation or flattening of breast is a sure symptom.
Changes in nipple- One of the earliest signs of breast cancer is that one may notice some changes in their nipples. The nipple may get pushed inward and there may be a dimpled look. There may also be irritation and slight pain along with redness of the nipple. Paget's disease, a localized can be recognized by symptoms like itching, scaling of the nipple and ulceration. Discharge of clear fluid or blood is also a common sign of breast cancer.

Cancer doctors say the reasons for this disease are many and varied. Lifestyle and environmental factors are two main factors that play a huge role. Heavy intake of alcohol and red meat, dense breasts and obesity combined with pollution, and food contamination increases the risk of cancer. Apart from these, family history is also important.

It is important that women check themselves for any of the above mentioned signs periodically. If any of the symptoms are observed, a trip to a cancer specialist is mandatory.

Through his articles, youngrin wishes to inform and educate the readers about breast cancer treatments which will benefit those who are looking for useful information, For treatment log on to breast cancer treatments

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Did you know that some essential oils have the ability to identify improperly written DNA, while others can destroy that DNA, and still others re-program the DNA correctly? Some oils can actually do all three themselves. Being able to do just one, two or all three is quite astounding, isn't it? Besides these incredible properties they can also pass through the blood-brain barrier because even those essential oils with the largest molecules still have molecules that are many times smaller than necessary to pass through that barrier.

Do you see why I believe some of the best things God has given mankind are essential oils? When the wise men brought baby Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh they were, in essence, providing Jesus' parents with a pharmacy. Frankincense is immuno-stimulating and antitumoral while myrrh is antiviral, antiparasitic, an analgesic and also antitumoral. These oils could protect baby Jesus from the plagues and illnesses of that day and then, when they were gone - Mary and Joseph could purchase more with the gold. If you ask me, these are pretty great baby gifts for any time in history!

Are there oils that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and many other cancers? That answer is not black and white because, as I have said in other articles, everyone is unique and acts and reacts differently. However, generally speaking there are essential oils that help keep immune systems strong and others that suppress tumors - so, the answer is, in many cases, "yes"!

I believe most of you are aware that everyone has cancer cells within their bodies. The problem doesn't lie in that fact. It is when those cells are allowed to multiply because a person's immune system has been compromised, weakened and therefore functioning poorly that tumors form.

In addition to eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of pure water and exercising on a regular basis, the following oils can strengthen immunity and repair DNA in the cells.

Cistus (Cistus ladanifer) enhances immunity and immune cell regeneration.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary to amplify immunity.

Oregano (Origanum compactum) is one of the most powerful antimicrobial essential oils. It helps fight off viruses, bacteria, fungal infections, and parasites allowing our bodies to concentrate on staying healthy.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) amplifies immunity and DNA repair in addition to being antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the most powerful antioxidants of all essential oils and prevents cellular DNA damage. It is very important in cancer prevention to protect against cell oxidation. Additionally, it is antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal.

There are many more essential oils that have these same qualities, but this gives you an idea of some of the most powerful. These oils are packed with a huge wallop in every drop so you don't need to use them in large quantities. They last well in hot climates as long as they are not exposed to light and you keep them bottled tightly to keep them from evaporating.

Anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis might want to consider adding Frankincense or myrrh to their traditional treatment since they contain antitumoral properties. Frankincense is somewhat easier to work with because it is has less resin than myrrh. Of course, one should always check with their doctor first before adding any essential oils or starting any alternative treatment. This is because the oils could react negatively with other treatments and/or medications or they could nullify the benefits of traditional medicine.

To provide the greatest protection one should use only the highest grade essential oils available. For me that means Young Living oils. They have a great track record and have pretty much set the standard for all other essential oils. As with any high quality product, these small bottles of oils are not cheap. But, remember - they do go a long way. Young Living has combined many of the oils that stimulate the immune system into a blended oil called ImmuPower. You can check it, and the company, out at http://www.youngliving.com.

My prayer is that some day we will wipe out cancer; but until that day, essential oils offer great protection against cancer and can offer help and hope for those who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Much of the information on the list of oils came from "Essential Oils Desk Reference, fifth edition". It is compiled and published by Life Science Publishing. You can purchase the book online through several vendors, including Amazon.

Carin Hansen was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40. After a long battle she emerged victorious and began a one-on-one wardrobe and beauty consulting business for other women journeying through cancer. She has been a model, actress, talent agency owner, benefit founder, certified acting/modeling instructor, writer, speaker and passionate cancer advocate. Please visit Carin's website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net/ for information and encouragement that is helpful and hopeFULL. You can purchase a hard copy of her book "A Woman's Cancer Journey Primer" or upload a free pdf on the website also. It is important to remember that Carin is not a physician and does not subscribe to or recommend any particular medical procedure or alternative treatment. She strongly urges you to consult with your Primary Physician, Oncologist and/or Surgeon before implementing any of her suggestions found in her articles, newsletter, blogs and books.

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One of the many tribulations women may face in their lifetime is breast cancer. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what the links are to breast cancer so we will explore the environmental links, which has been thoroughly researched and examined throughout the years. Women who have a history of breast cancer running through their family and are especially prone to developing breast cancer, should really try to focus on preventative measures which they can take to help lower their susceptibility and risk to breast cancer.

In 2000, researchers that took part of a comprehensive report on the prevention of breast cancer found some profound results. Reducing exposure to some 200 toxic chemicals could significantly prevent many women from developing this heinous disease. Though more research is needed to determine a direct relationship between any one particular chemical, animal testing has shown that there are links between these chemicals found in the air, and in everyday consumer products, which are linked to development of cancer. There is a growing body of evidence and results from these studies that show that environmental contaminants and exposure to these chemicals are one of the leading culprits of women's deaths due to development of cancerous cells.

However, since the chemicals are so broad and widespread, with over 200 suspicious chemicals, it's hard to see how these compounds affect human tissue. For one, each conclusion of the study suggests another detail that warrants the unpredictability and complicatedness of the disease. However, we will go into more detail of the key findings of environmental links.

A specific chemical exposure to BPA and Phthalates was a leading chemical to suggest a link to cancer. This chemical, commonly found in plastic water bottles, has been shown to cause tissue changes in the mammary glands of animals. The study also suggested that there was a link between the birth control pill to breast cancer, but overall the pill also decreases other cancers like ovarian cancer. It's been quite a debate since the effects of the birth control pill have been inconsistently and ultimately inconclusive.

Most women think that getting a mammogram done every year is the best deterrent against breast cancer but in reality, these check ups that expose you to ionizing radiation and radioactive waves, can even increase your risks. Despite the riskiness, mammograms also end up saving lives with early breast cancer detection. So, it's really a toss up for an actual link between mammograms and cancer. The bottom line is though, that unnecessary mammograms and any other medical test that exposes you to radiation should be avoided.

Lastly, the worst thing on our list of environmental links is the ever encompassing problem of pollution. Benzene, which is an additive found in gasoline and exhaust, is a great human carcinogen. Since we have to breathe to live, we are constantly being exposed to this on a daily basis. While we cannot control certain things in the air, we can avoid costly health problems through consistent checkups, mammogram tests, and through a healthy diet. All these things may give us greater peace in mind, including having an all inclusive medical insurance policy in case we need expensive treatment or preventative care, which will be covered for. The importance of medical insurance should not be undermined when it comes to our health and the early detection of breast cancer.

Free-lance writer with a passion for Writing and Research. Amanda Rodriguez
Doctor's Guide to Medical Insurance

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My article relating to breast cancer is one of self-indulgence. I found the writing of it cathartic in that it helped me to come to terms with my illness. It is my heartfelt hope that this article will afford any fellow sufferers some measure of comfort or support. This period was an intensely emotional time for loved ones, close friends, and myself. If you have been affected in, anyway by this health issue I hope that my article can help to bring a degree of solace.

I like many women, and men before me have had a health scare; I was diagnosed as having "Breast Cancer." It is no respecter of gender. I was one of the lucky ones; it could have been a lot worse than it was. I am not after sympathy here - that is the last thing I need. What is required on my part, and that of any other sufferer, is to accomplish something that at the time seems practically impossible; that of positive thinking.

If one dwells too much on this issue, your morale sinks even lower, and the healing process takes longer. So how does one deal with this profound happening? Positive thinking has to be one of the hardest things to achieve. We can all present a brave face when we are required too; but maintaining that "up-beat," when your cosy little world has been shattered into a thousand pieces is one of the hardest things to deal with.

I have found the best thing to do is to talk about it. Unfortunately, some people put up barriers, and treat the topic of cancer as "taboo," and one not to be faced. Some women quickly change the subject, while others talk about it - maybe they have had a similar experience. Alternatively, they may know someone who has been affected by it. Surprisingly enough, I found men could talk relatively easily about the subject, and without embarrassment.

Their interest stems from the concern that it could happen to their wives, loved ones, or someone of their own gender and they feel a need to understand all the facts. I have read books, and gathered information from the Internet, so I feel pretty much informed on the subject. All this information can be somewhat daunting you read about long-term prospects and wonder: "What If?" As always on any health issue, you can read about the good, and the bad.

I have learned to challenge everything that goes on regarding my body. I have had my bad days; however, in the main they are good. You learn to play harder, and laugh more; in fact, you simply get on with living. One of the hardest things is observing the pain on loved ones faces when the topic is approached. Nevertheless, things have to be faced, and each family member or friend copes differently.

Some people cannot come to terms with the situation. I have lost touch with people whom I had termed close friends, and people I thought of as just being acquaintances; have in turn been supportive of me. I have been one of the fortunate ones, with the dedicated guidance and support from a truly loving family. Indeed, they have helped to pull me through this ordeal.

So how do you face these "myriad of emotions" you are going through? You need to take stock. How are you are feeling, not the physical pain, but the emotional. It is difficult to come to terms with - believe me I know. People cannot fully comprehend how you feel, unless they have been through it themselves. I can remember the first time I looked in the mirror thinking I was incomplete. How could my husband still want me - or my children not turn away in disgust at the sight of my body?

It is difficult to remain untouched by it all but remember you are still the selfsame person. Perhaps you are a wife, and a mother. If so, you are loved and needed. If you are single, it is to be hoped that you have loved ones' that understand how you are feeling; besides giving you all the moral support that you need at this trying time.

Initially my feelings where that of self-pity: I could not think clearly or face my future. Talking to fellow sufferers this is something they had all experienced. Yet a few months down the line, I had managed to develop my positive thinking to the full. In truth, I had finally stopped feeling sorry for myself.

I have to admit this was the hardest emotion of all to cope with. The "Why Me" feeling was especially strong. I have wept myself to sleep many a night. However, I quickly began to realize that this kind of behaviour was not being fair on my loved ones, and I had to fight so very hard against it.

I soon realised that you really must make the best of whatever fate throws at you. Live for every moment, and appreciate your life to the full. Try to stop thinking of what has happened to you, "I know it's not easy." Start to think of what you can do with your life. I certainly look at life differently enjoying it for what it is, and what it has to offer me for now, and the future.

It is an appalling thing that has happened to you. However, if you fill your time feeling sorry for yourself you will not only destroy your life: but the lives of those who love, and care for you. My only hope is that if you are troubled with the demons, which this illness brings; my words can be of some comfort to you knowing that you are not alone.

There is always help and support available to you. So please, make use of these organizations. They really can help you in providing strength, and comfort, in your hours of need and support.

Take care of you...Pammie

http://www.pammies.com/

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A nipple sparing mastectomy is one method of performing this surgical procedure. The surgical term "mastectomy" is used for several variations of the procedure. It may involve removing one or both breasts, portions, or incising regions in the armpits in order to take out the lymph nodes. These operations are done to get rid of breast cancer in the early or later stages. This disease often begins in the milk ducts and is then called ductal carcinoma. Although certain risk factors point to an increased chance of developing this disease, doctors aren't really sure why some women get it and others don't. Here are some different types of mastectomies:

- Nipple sparing: This operation entails removing tissue but leaving the skin, nipple and areola. The chest wall muscles are often left, as well. Biopsies of the lymph systems may be performed simultaneously and the bosom is reconstructed right away.

- Skin sparing: In this version, which is appropriate for small tumors, the nipple and areola are removed as well as tissue but the outer skin is left intact. With this technique, reconstruction would be done at the same time.

- Total: A total or simple version is when the entire breast is removed. Biopsy would be done at the same time in order to examine the sentinel lymph region.

- Modified radical: This is one of the more complete variations of this operation. A surgeon would remove all skin, tissue, nipple, areola, chest muscles and even part of the wall. Lymph systems in the armpits would also be targeted.

Each of these operations would be done in patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This disease is now considered the most common of cancers in U.S. women besides skin cancer. Other treatments that are often performed simultaneously include chemotherapy and radiation. While a plastic surgeon would perform a nipple sparing mastectomy and reconstructive operations, different doctors would oversee the chemotherapy and radiation. An oncologist is the chemo prescriber and the radiologist would oversee the radiation. Some reconstruction possibilities include:

- Implants: A plastic surgeon can reconstruct the region with medical devices called implants. These are filled with either silicone or saline solution. They may be placed immediately or in a later surgery after an expander has been used to stretch the skin.

- Flap surgeries: There are various flap methods that surgeons use to move skin and tissue from one region to the chest to create mounds that resemble breasts. There are DIEP, TRAM and Latissimus flap procedures. The regions where tissue is brought from may be the abdomen or the back.

- Nipple reconstruction: If the nipple wasn't spared, there are ways to recreate a nipple and areola after the original operation has healed. A doctor may take a tuck with a suture or cut a star-like incision in the area. A tattoo in a deeper skin tone would be applied to create the areola.

When a patient has breast cancer, there are various options for treatment. One of them is the nipple sparing mastectomy; others are more radical. The operation that is chosen will be an individual decision depending on the patients' need.

A nipple sparing mastectomy is a great option for women who would like to retain as much of their original anatomy as possible. If you would like to learn more about this procedure: http://www.breastcenter.com/.

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If you want to lower breast cancer risk avoiding alcohol may be key, as even a little alcohol might be enough to get you in trouble. While experts have warned of the many health dangers of too much drinking, a new review reveals that just a single alcoholic drink each day can raise a woman's risk of breast cancer by almost 5%. Heavier intakes (3+ drinks/day) can bring the increase in risk to a dangerous 50% according to the team of researchers from France, Italy and Germany.

Warnings about alcohol consumption and cancer of the breast were first brought to light during the early 1980s, and have gained ground ever since. Alcohol is believed to raise estrogen levels, and there are earlier studies that have found alcohol linked strongly to estrogen receptor positive cancers that need the hormone in order to keep growing.

For the current review the team examined past research and selected 113 earlier studies that examined light drinking and cancer risk. They were able to attribute 2% of breast cancers in both North America and Europe to light drinking; almost 50,000 of these cancers the world over to drinking heavily. The findings do seem to echo the advice of physicians, to live a healthy lifestyle and minimize your intake of alcohol.

A healthy woman, who is at average risk for breast cancer, should not drink in excess of one alcoholic beverage a day. If you're at a higher risk due of a family history for example, you should avoid daily consumption of alcohol and perhaps only drink on special occasions, if at all.

While a family history of this disease increases your risk, remember that most women who get breast cancer do NOT have a family history of the disease.

The link between even moderate alcohol intake and a slightly higher risk of breast cancer was reported previously. The new findings update this thinking, and because they made use of both newer and older studies, are able to give a better estimate of the risk of drinking alcohol every day.

But, moderate alcohol intake is also believed to be good for the heart. So how do women choose?

Look to guidelines that suggest if you don't drink alcohol, don't start for health benefits. If you do drink, keep your intake to a maximum of one drink daily, though if you are at risk of cancer you might be smart to avoid alcohol altogether.

Experts believe that if you are at risk, a single change like this won't have much impact. You'll need to be doing other things - exercising and eating healthy - as well to truly lower breast cancer risk. In the U.S., estimates suggest that one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in her life. The risk from light alcohol intake is then added onto that starting point. The good news is that drinking alcohol is totally within your control -so you can do something about your breast cancer risk if you need to.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more natural ways to help you lower breast cancer risk.

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At age 49 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, which is obviously a complete shock to any woman. We are a family full of women who, until now, had no family history of the disease.

According to the CDC, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, cancer of the breast is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Statistics say that about 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer within her lifetime. There were approximately 230,500 new cases diagnosed in 2011 within the U.S. On a positive note, from 1999 to 2005 these diagnosis rates have decreased by almost 2% each year. Sadly, medical statistics expected nearly 40,000 U.S. women to die in 2011 from breast cancer; however, this number is down in recent years due to advanced treatment options, earlier detection and increased awareness.

My mother, a registered nurse, took matters into her own hands. She was dedicated to monthly self-breast exams and found her own lump. After consulting 3 doctors, my mother finally found a physician willing to listen to her concerns, perform a biopsy and diagnose her cancer. The cancerous cells were only found in one breast; against the doctor's wishes, Mom selected a double mastectomy. I admire her strength and now think that because of her confidence and positive attitude through it all, I would choose the same.

In August 2005 Mom underwent a double mastectomy to remove both of her breasts. The surgeon then pulled the skin from above and below her breasts to cover her chest area. I will be honest that her recovery from this surgery was very difficult and incredibly painful. She had drains placed underneath her skin that had to be changed regularly. Finally after recovery she opted to meet with a plastic surgeon who specialized in breast augmentation post mastectomy surgery.

Breast augmentation surgery uses implants to restore breast volume or fullness. This is a common practice after a lumpectomy or mastectomy. For a woman, it's a way to feel normal again after such a devastating loss. For my mom, it allowed her to feel like she had a womanly shape and body again. Now as a 50 year-old woman she still feels confident enough to wear a swimsuit. Cosmetic surgery can sometimes be associated with vanity, but in the case of woman who has lost one or both breasts due to cancer, I believe this is a fair reason to undergo augmentation.

There were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. last year, my own mother being one of them. She is now 6 years cancer-free, a huge advocate for the cause and willing to share her story every day.

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The phone rings. Please come back to Breastscreen Australia. You have calcification and we need to re-check it. Don't feel for lumps. You don't have any. Oh yeah! I think. They're just over-cautious.

No! I was wrong. I had DCIS. So I am very quickly put on the Breast Cancer roller coaster designed to nip it in the bud and save me.

I read recently that 14,000 Australian women were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2010. Of those, 1200 were diagnosed with DCIS. The proportions are similar around the world.

DCIS flies under the radar. What is it? It is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ ie calcification in the milk ducts of the breast. Like me, those 1200 Australian women only find out that they have it after their regular mammogram check-up. It is non-invasive which means it has not got into the body. No one dies from it. It may be how Breast Cancer starts but the researchers are not 100% sure. You are more at risk of a recurrence later or even full-blown Breast Cancer but with surgery and radiation therapy, this risk is reduced to less than 10%. Finally, you can keep your breast and your hair.

There is a lot of breast cancer literature available. Here are some of my personal experiences that might help you or someone you know get through it a little easier.

With a left breast that needed a lot of loving thoughts and tender care, she needed a name. (I adapted this idea from a wonderful speaker, Marie Farrugia, on one of my Business Swap CDs.) Annie it was and I still talk gently to her as she continues to heal. Not to be left out, my right breast is Mitzi because they are a team who need to support each other.

I found that one of my slightly flattened, soft square cushions kept my hand and lower arm comfortable as I could only sleep on one side of my body. This suited my situation better than the free Breast cushion from Zonta. Wish I'd had that square cushion the first night after the operation.

Short spiky hair and sleeping on one side only don't mix; so I had to adopt a slightly longer softer hairstyle.

A very soft, real Australian lambswool seatbelt protector has made driving more comfortable for my swollen, tender Annie after surgery, during radiation therapy and still as she continues to heal.

Finding a Blog that related to my love of laughing at life's idiosyncrasies was daily medicine for my soul.

Also on the funny side, receiving hugs from others became an occupational hazard as I protected Annie from harm. She even demanded that I change my handbag to the other shoulder and this made supermarket shopping sometimes quite funny as Annie and I shared our little problems.

My 30 radiation sessions were re-named Radiation Therapy Healing Sessions and going to them became a blessing not a chore. Annie and I needed to be reminded of that often. When the hospital green radiation gown got to me, I bought brighter material, copied the design and sewed my own version. All these little things were my way of being an active participant in my healing rather than a passive observer.

On the down side because DCIS is not life threatening, I had days when I felt a Breast Cancer fraud, especially when people called me brave. I was in no danger of dying. So I did not feel brave. It was then I learnt to remind myself that all illnesses require courage and everyday courage is as important as big inspiring acts of courage.

With my strong colouring, pink is something I choose to take in very small doses. Everywhere I turned there was a mountain of pink. At times I found that to be emotionally over-whelming. Even going overseas I couldn't escape Breast Cancer pink. It was just something I had to experience and let it show me my pink lesson.

I am blessed to have had wonderful medical care, a loving husband and supportive family, friends and business associates. DCIS changed me physically. Now it is important for me to decide how I am going to live the rest of my life.

DCIS - what's that? On behalf of Annie, Mitzi and me, I hope this may help you or someone you know who finds it unexpectedly in her life.

Margaret Sims is an Image Consultant and Fashion Translator who was diagnosed with DCIS in June 2009. Read another of Margaret's personal thoughts on DCIS at http://margaretsims.wordpress.com/. Margaret helps women discover their true personality and how to shine as a modern woman over 40 with or without breast cancer. If this interests you, visit http://thefashiontranslator.wordpress.com/ Blog for more fashion tips. Go to the Signup page where you can sign up to get the free twice-monthly newsletter on fashion and life lessons and receive your free eBook and Audio - 'Look Fabulous, Feel Confident Every Day'.

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A cancer that develops in the breast is known as breast cancer. The ailment can be fatal if it had advanced and is not treated. Early detection can be treated successfully such that the affected person's survival rate is higher. The progress of the disease can be determined through two factors - grade and stage.

Grades of breast cancer

The grade indicates how fast the cancer cells are multiplying. This can range from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A low-grade such as Grade 1 indicates that the cancer growth is slow. On the other hand, a high-grade such as Grade 3 shows the fast spread and growth of the cancer cells. The higher is the grade, the more active the disease is. This can result to the spread of the ailment outside of the breast and into the lymph nodes and armpit.

Stages of breast cancer

When cancer of the breast is suspected, you may be required to undergo ultrasound, mammogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsies. The pathology report which is based on the biopsies will summarize the stages of breast cancer. Stages of breast cancer are given numbers I to IV. Stages I, II-A and II-B (lump measuring 2 to 5 centimeters) are classified as early stage. Stage II-B (lump is greater than 5 centimeters), III and IV are advanced stages.

The classification of early stage is based on two factors. First basis is the size of the cancerous lump. The second is the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes. When the lump is less than 2 centimeters and without cancer in the lymph node, it is Stage I.

There are three scenarios for Stage II-A.

First, the lump size is less than 2 centimeters with cancer in the lymph nodes.

Second, the size of the lump ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters without cancer in the lymph nodes.

Third, there is no cancer in the breast but the lymph nodes are positive for cancer.

For Stage II-B, the size of the lump ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters and there is cancer in the lymph nodes. When the size of the lump exceeds 5 centimeters, it will no longer be early stage, rather advanced stage.

There are several features that indicate the chance of early breast cancer recurrence. These are size of the lump, presence of cancer in the lymph nodes, presence of hormone receptors, HER 2 receptors, grade and surgical margin.

The disease has a slim chance of coming back

1. There is a big chance that when treated, the disease will not spread or come back. This is when the tumor is smaller than 2 centimeters.
2. Absence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
3. The tumor cells have hormone receptors and you undergo hormonal therapy.
4. Cancer cells are negative for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER 2).
5. The grade is low.
6. The surgical margin is clear.

The surgical margin is the healthy-looking tissues around the cancer. If there are no cancer cells in these healthy-looking tissues, the surgical margin is clear.

Th Big C is likely to recur

1. The lump is larger than 2 centimeters.
2. Presence of tumor cells in the lymph nodes.
3. The cancer cells do not have hormone receptors.
4. The cancer cells are positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER 2).
5. The grade is high (Grade 3).
6. The surgical margin is not clear.

Early breast cancer is treatable. Although this is a common ailment for women, it will also affect men. Early detection is paramount in surviving this dreaded disease.

Felicitas Ramos is writing articles as a hobby and she writes on different niche. She is in her 4th year of battle with Stage II-A breast cancer. Read more about breast cancer by visiting her site Health And Fitness Today.

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I feel like it is necessary before I begin telling you about this journey to explain what a strong bond my mom and I share. Ever since I can remember my mom has been my best friend. She is the person I go to for guidance, support, love, and friendship. I remember her always knowing the right thing to say to make my tears stop or to give me that extra push I needed to do something I wouldn't normally do on my own. Even through my teen years we had very few fights. I remember other girls my age saying they hated their mother and saying mean things like they wished she would just leave them alone etc. I never felt that way. Even when we did disagree it never lasted long and I always knew she was still there for me. My mother shaped the woman I am today, without her there is no telling where or who I would be. She is my best friend and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Ever since I can remember, I was a nervous, guarded kid. I didn't want to be at the front of the line or at the back. I didn't want to be the star in the school play, I only wanted to have my two or three lines. I was never a bad kid, just not an overacheiver either. I took the middle path in every decision I made in life and still do today.

I can not tell you the exact date my great-aunt got diagnosed with breast cancer. I can tell you it was somewhere around the same time as my parents divorce. Looking back on this it is a testament to what a strong person my mother truly is. I can tell you I remember clear as day the day my great-aunt lost her battle with breast cancer. My mom was in her bedroom, it must have been a Saturday because we were still in our pajamas. I was playing in my bedroom, right across the hall from hers, with overwhelming collection of stuffed animals and Barbie dolls. The phone rang, and I knew it was my grandmother, shortly after my mom hung up I heard her crying. I went into her room and asked her what was wrong. After this my memory goes fuzzy. I know that she basically told me what had happened, and I'm sure it was in the nicest, most sheltering way possible since this is how my mom always approached me with adult subjects. Even though I can't recall her words I can recall the sinking feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. I remember not fully understanding what was going on, but knowing that if my mom was crying it couldn't be good because my mom rarely cried.

My great-aunt was the first relative to pass away that I had regular contact with. She was my grandfather's, my mother's father, sister. She would take me to my dance practices and was at my grandmother's house frequently. I don't think I could define death to you before this other than when someone goes to heaven. At least I'm pretty sure my seven-year old mind couldn't wrap itself around the concept of death at that time. It was a scary thing to me that one day everyone you loved so much could just be gone, honestly death still scares me a little. Life went on though. Things settled down again and went back to normal.

I seem to always have everything together, at least I like to think that's the image I portray, but I almost always have some fear running through my mind. Even the littlest things, am I going to trip down these stairs, does this match, what if this transfer truck comes into my lane. I know this sounds like things everyone worries about, but if you suffer from anxiety you understand how life or death these small what if's seem. I handle it pretty well, without any medication might I add. I don't have panic attacks too often, and I can normally talk myself down before it reaches that point. In my twenty-one years I have mastered keeping my composure even if my insides are crying and screaming. On a warm day in August of last year, I didn't hold it together, and I did cry and sob and get angry out loud and I wasn't too concerned about who saw.

My mom asked me to come to the doctor with her for her first mammogram. She said she had turned forty the prior year and needed to start having them since we have a history in our family. She wanted me to go for moral support, is what she told me. My mom understands my anxiety, she knows that I have always lived with it, which is why she didn't tell me the real reason we were there until we were about to walk in the door. I was pretty upset with her about this, but at that point her not telling me before was the least of my concerns. She had found a lump in her breast several weeks before. She had been to her OBGYN and that's who sent her to get a mammogram. Well that day we had no answers. Only that they would call us, which only made my anxiety skyrocket, patience is not a trait I possess. I think it was around two weeks later they gave her a second appointment to come back in. My mom had already told me several times she felt like it was cancer, this didn't help my anxiety. And then since we were going back in for a second appointment I felt like something was very wrong.

The day we went to get the results of the biopsy I felt like I was going to throw up and faint and have a nervous breakdown all at the same time. Walking through the doctor's office was so surreal. You are in this beautiful building with this huge rock waterfall beautifully cascading down from the top-level hall to the waiting room below. In the waiting room, that could almost pass as a ballroom there is a woman playing a grand piano. The purple and green color scheme is not to my liking, but I get what they were trying to go for. My mom and I try to laugh and keep the mood light. They call us back and put us in this very small room. There is a couch and two chairs and a coffee table and an armoire all crammed into this tiny room, which is only upping my stress level. There is a box of tissues in every place possible. The doctors come in, a man and a woman. He sits down and blatantly says it's cancer.

I am holding my composure rather well at this point and surprisingly so is my mom. I listen to him as he talks about the type of cancer it is and that its some sort of receptor positive which is in our favor, most of his words however sound like Charlie Brown's teacher, whomp whomp whomp whomp. I am going into this fog. I'm in no mans land holding my moms hand. I am feeling like a child again, if I just be really still the monster won't see me and will leave. Now the man doctor leaves and the lady comes to sit in the chair directly across from us. Her words are also mostly gibberish to me. I am going to lose my mom, I repeat over and over in my head. Suddenly the lady turns to me and says now how old are you. I stare at her blankly, my voice cracks as I try to answer her - "twe- twenty" - I am sobbing. In front of this complete stranger. I cry so hard I can hardly breath, I am now hyperventilating in front of a complete stranger - anxiety not under control.

She gives my mom a bag full of all things breast cancer, complete with a little stuffed bear. She excuses herself and tells us to take all the time we need. My mom is still holding my hand she hugs me and tells me everything will be fine. Am I not supposed to be saying that to her? I really couldn't tell you how long we were in that room for, but once I pulled myself together I was ready to leave. I wanted to run away from everything. I wanted this to be a dream that if I pinched myself hard enough I would wake up from. My mom was my everything, even at the age of twenty I depended on her for so much. How would I go on without her.

I basically shut down. I was so nervous and anxious all the time. Every doctors appointment was like I was about to go sky diving without a parachute. I didn't even go with my mom to tell my grandparents, mainly due to the fact that I knew my grandmother would be more hysterical than I was. I knew this certainly wouldn't help the situation. My boyfriend of two years, whose mother passed away form lung cancer when he was eighteen, was supportive and comforting, but I would still snap at him over the littlest things. I would cry for no reason and in the next minute be angry for no reason. I wanted to say "God, why are you doing this to us, to me?", but my strong Christian upbringing told me that was the wrong reaction. Every one kept telling me to pray, and I did. I begged and pleaded with God to cure my mom. Praying still doesn't change what's happening around you in that moment though.

My mom got very sick on the chemo. She lost her hair; she actually had it shaved when it started falling out. She began to look a strange pale gray color all the time. She would go days without eating anything. I would force her to eat popsicles and drink Gatorade. She would vomit constantly, day after day. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through, watching someone you love and care for so much become so miserable and there is absolutely nothing you can do.

Which is another battle I had in my head. My mom told me to go out and have fun, but when I did I felt guilty for leaving her there by herself. What if something happened and she couldn't get to the phone or to medicine she needed. I would carry that weight on my shoulders forever. I did still go do things, but I made sure to spend more time with her.

A little more than half way through her chemo she became really sick with flu-like symptoms. She is a strong independent person, and this is something I love about her, but with cancer this was her biggest downfall. She wouldn't tell anyone how bad she really felt. She would act fine, until this one day she could barely stand up. She drove herself home from work - she worked through all of this, only taking off days when she absolutely had to - and made it to our house before getting sick. I rushed home from work got her stuff and her and we drove straight to the E.R.. I again was trying to control my thoughts, but all I could think was this is it you're about to lose your mom.

We got to the E.R. they took her straight back to her own little room for waiting, since she was a chemotherapy patient. She got sick several more times in here. She was shaking so bad it could almost have been mistaken for convulsing. This room was closing in on me. It was all I could do not to fling the door open and go tearing through that building out the front door screaming the whole way. If it were not for my mother sitting there looking helpless this is what I would have done. They finally took her back to see a doctor. They ran some tests, and eventually told us they would be admitting her. I stayed with her that night. I had to go to work the next day and I felt a tremendous amount of guilt leaving her even though my grandmother was there. All I could think at this point is please let this be over soon.

She was in the hospital for three days. If my anxiety was not about to boil over into a full nervous break down, complete with talking to myself and rocking back and forth with my knees pulled to my chest, before this it was pushing dangerously close to the edge now. I was one wrong step away from being strapped to a gurney myself and taken to the mental ward. I did my best to keep all this to myself. I knew my mom had enough to worry about, and I was supposed to be there to support her. But who was supporting me? My boyfriend did his best, and he was amazing through the whole thing, but sometimes its just not enough. And everyone else was focused on my mom, which is how I wanted it to be. I wanted everyone to do everything possible to make sure she beat this cancer, and that it never ever came back.

After chemotherapy was finished they told us the tumor had shrank a good deal. She had surgery to remove the rest of the cancer cells and some lymph nodes that were possibly cancerous. This was an intense day as well. I was worried about something going terribly wrong and her making it this far to then be suddenly ripped away from me. I sat in that waiting room for what seemed like a year. Even if me and my grandma had went to get doughnuts, my favorite food!, even if I had a TV, an iPhone, and a thousand magazines to flip through but not actually read a word. Again on the inside I was screaming. I was screaming at the nurse who made it clear she didn't want you to bother her, at the doctor who was taking entirely too long to do this surgery, at the other people waiting being loud and rude. I was screaming on the inside at myself too. I should have done this more with mom; I should have been there more for her; I wish I didn't have anxiety that kept me from being the strong support she needed.

After the surgery my mom stayed at my grandmother's house. One, so my grandmother could take care of her all day because I had to go to work and two because we have a small petting zoo (4 dogs 2 cats) at our house and they had to be kept away from her until her incision healed. When she went to have more tests done to see if the chemo-surgery combination was a success, I was so scared. I made myself sick thinking they were going to tell us we had to go through this all over again, that nothing was going to work, that my mom got sick and miserable for nothing and was still going to die. But they didn't say any of that. They said that as ar as tests could see the cancer was gone, that she was going to be fine.

She is still having to have radiation as a precaution. The radiation is almost done with now, and she has had no problems with it. I am truly grateful that my mom is still here and that she survived. This whole experience taught me that "even the best laid schemes of mice and men, often go awry" - Of Mice and Men. No matter how you picture your life going you never know what it has in store for you. No amount of worrying or wishing will change what is happening.

My anxiety is still with me. That is one thing that I don't think will ever change. I have to say that it is a daily challenge to keep it in check. I do however, try to live every day to its fullest. I try to be happy more often than not, and I try to see the glass half full. My mom still being here to share all of life's blessings with me is a gift from God, and I hope I never forget that.

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On September 26, 2011, my grandmother (on mother's side) would have celebrated her 84th birthday. It would have been amazing to see her celebrate this day, because she was a fun-loving party girl (I am putting this mildly). However, her life was cut short by breast cancer at the age of 62. I was 13 at that time. The doctors said the cause of her illness was genetic triggered by environmental factors. Since it was genetic, my mother, aunt and I may have inherited the gene. Therefore, we always did breast exams when we felt a pain or something strange in our breasts.

For a long time, I wondered what environmental factors could have triggered my grandmother's genes to cause cancer in her body. Since she was born and lived on the islands all her life, she had a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood. She also did a total body cleanse every week and made us participate in her awful concoction of freshly picked aloes and other natural herbs (sorry, I am having a mental flashback that is upsetting my stomach). Therefore, her diet could not have contributed to her illness. So who or what was the culprit?

Based on studies such as the relationship between the intake of metals such as Aluminum found in cookware and deodorants, and breast cancer, I thought "Aha" this might be the culprit because she did prepare her meals in Aluminum pots. However, I am not sure about the deodorant since I don't remember the brand she used. Therefore, I decided to stop using any products with Aluminum. Then recently, I heard a report on the connection between breast cancer and the type of bra we wear. The report stated that bras with underwire may be linked to breast cancer, and I thought back to my grandmother. She wore large underwire bras, because she was a voluptuous woman and needed a lot of frontal and back support.

After this report, I have come to the conclusion that I may never know which environmental factor may have triggered my grandmother's genes to produce cancer in her body. What I do know that our exposure to so many different environmental factors increase our risk to breast cancer each year. We have all experienced the loss of a loved (either a relative or friend) through breast cancer, and yet some of us are not taking the precautionary measures to prevent this illness in our own life. The combination of our diets and the products that we use and wear is increasing our risk of getting this illness. We have to be proactive about our health, and not reactive. Don't wait until you feel a lump or pain to change your lifestyle, change it today.

Here are some things, you can do:

1. Eat healthy; incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and fiber in your diet. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals which contribute to growth of cancer cells. Fruits such as pomegranate, acai berry, noni, goji and mangosteen are high in antioxidants. Also, a high fiber diet promotes natural elimination, which we should be doing daily to remove waste and toxins from our body.

2. Detox your body regularly (at least once a week); use natural products.

3. Change the products you use to environmentally-friendly and natural products such as green cleaning products, non-toxic cookware (preferably stainless steel).

4. Change the type of bra you use; if you use underwire bras, then it is time to purchase new bras. Your bra should allow proper blood circulation under and around the breast, as well as provide proper back support.

5. Spread the word about Breast Cancer. Don't wait until Breast Cancer Awareness month to get involved. This disease does not wait until a specific month to attack our family and friends. Everyday someone we know is dealing with the effects of breast cancer. Help your family and friends to be proactive about their health. Host a monthly party or participate in a local event to promote awareness and change.

Chalesea Maccow teaches healthy lifestyle classes to individuals and groups. She is also a distributor of nutritional products such as Le'vive, Ultracleanse, and Cranaloe, under garments (healthy bras- no underwire) and environmentally-friendly products such as cookware and cleaning products. For additional information, email maccow.mpenterprises@gmail.com

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Indoor tanning is safer than the sun helping to prevent breast cancer by up to 75% because of the Vitamin D benefits in the UV rays from tanning beds and booths.

Only a moderate amount of UV rays is needed to achieve a healthy body along with a beautiful tan. Vitamin D is needed to survive and the human body doesn't manufacture enough of it.

With our body starving for Vitamin D, the cells start to die causing all types of cancers with breast cancer ranking number one as the most deadly killer of cancers.

The food is depleted of this much-needed vitamin, therefore you can take supplements, soak up 30 minutes in the sun or go to a tanning salon where you can get a five-minute spray tan or use the tanning bed for 10 to 15 minutes.

UV rays are good for you in moderation because of the Vitamin D and you're getting a tan at the same time. The problem with the sun it emits not only UVA rays but also UVB rays.

A small amount of UVB rays is emitted damaging our DNA. Sun tanning is risky because the UV rays are not consistent all the time, whereas indoor tanning is consistent so you get the same amount of UV rays.

Sun tanning during mid-day is most dangerous because it's the hottest part of the day emitting more powerful UV rays causing heat strokes, cancer, premature aging and eye damage.

It's a myth that indoor tanning is risky, if instructions are followed properly. It takes just a small amount of UV rays to get a tan from the fluorescent UV bulbs in the tanning beds and booths.

With proper guidance, wearing tanning goggles to protect the eyes is totally safe and gives you a natural tan with your needed source of Vitamin D in just a few minutes.

More women die from breast cancer than any other form of cancer known. Most are deficient in vitamins which help keep us alive. Vitamin D along with other nutrients, destroys the bad cells that cause breast cancer.

The bad cells are stronger than the good cells attacking the immune system killing off the good cells. The sun gives you the Vitamin D you need, but the sun also causes burns among other illnesses and diseases if you stay in it too long.

Tanning beds and booths emit a small amount of UV rays supplying you with plenty of Vitamin D while making your skin healthy and beautiful all at the same time helping to prevent breast cancer.

The Hot Spot Tanning Company was Born in August of 2003. It all started when founder Bobby Paolini was working at another local tanning salon in 2000. That is when a seed was planted and the dream became real for Bobby to open a salon of his own. The idea was to offer clients a friendly clean environment, with state of the art equipment and multiple options for tanning that would work for all skin types. Bobby believes that everyone looks and feels better with a tan.

Go to: http://www.thehotspottan.com/ and check out the great tanning specials.

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Hearing "I'm afraid it's cancer" from the doctor is probably among the top 5 things nobody wants to go through. However, cancer is no longer a death sentence and there's hope. Many people survive cancer every year, and the support systems for cancer patients and their families get better and better. The Internet can be a great channel to learn more about this disease and help you find alternative ways of coping with it.

Understanding Breast Cancer

Many people find reassuring to know as much as possible about the disease, treatment and other hard data that it's easily available online from reputed medical sources. While you should always be able to talk with your doctor about your treatment and prognosis, sometimes it's easier to first ask a computer from the comfort of your home and access the great library that is the Internet by yourself. If you are unsure about what is a reliable source you can ask your doctor, or access the website of a cancer support group that operates on your area. This way you'll be able to know everything you need about what's afflicting you, and what to expect from the treatment.

Research on Alternative Therapies

While looking for medical advice online is not a good idea, and you should always listen to medical professionals about your condition, the Internet offers a lot of possibilities in terms of alternative medicine to help with some serious side effects from cancer treatment. You may want to research herbs and other natural products that can help with nausea and discomfort associated with chemotherapy, and some people report that they feel better after acupuncture sessions. Always talk to your doctor before taking any herb or alternative medicine, as they may be not compatible with your medication.

Support

One of the best ways of remembering that the battle against cancer can be won is by sharing your history with others who have already been there. You can find inspiring histories online from people who are dealing with the same things as you, or have successfully got rid of the disease. Support groups can also be a great help if it's not you, but a family member, who has been diagnosed, as you'll be able to ask questions from others who are or have been in the same situation and may provide helpful advice, from seemingly silly stuff such as what to pack on overnight hospital bags to medical insurance checklists and advice about how to get economical support from people like you.

Many people use the Internet to motivate themselves to keep fighting, from participating on support groups online to just reading inspirational breast cancer quotes when they are feeling down, and anything in between. Join them and arm yourself with all the tools you can use to win this battle!

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Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a life changing event and many people have problems keeping their spirits up after such an announcement. Whether is you or a close friend or relative suffering from cancer, it's important to remain optimistic and avoid depression and stress. While not a replacement for conventional therapy, some of the following techniques and therapies can help you fight depression and encourage your body to fight cancer more effectively.

Meditation

Many people find comfort on meditation, and learning how to keep your mind still even in challenging circumstances can go a long way towards avoiding falling victim of despair. There are many meditation techniques that can help you get a better understanding of your body and your thought processes, and so identify and avoid negative thoughts and attitudes that can lead to depression. Since a depressed person is often more at risk of infections and recovers more slowly from the side effects of breast cancer treatment, meditation can be a good non-chemical alternative to conventional anti-depressants.

Yoga

Yoga is an ideal sport for cancer patients because it helps settle down the mind and increases body awareness, without requiring excessive effort or strength that wouldn't be suitable for somebody going through cancer treatment. There are many different Yoga schools, and it's worth talking with your doctor about it as a way to stay fit and help your body recover from chemo or radiotherapy. It is said that by enhancing your own immune system through this kind of exercise, your body can better fight the cancerous cells and so increase the effects of conventional therapies without having to take more medicine.

Aromatherapy

Some essential oils are said to reduce nausea and improve overall wellbeing, so it may be worth including them on your relaxation routine in the form of essential oils baths or even massages. Massages are said to improve general wellbeing and can help cancer sufferers improve their quality of life even when under heavy treatment. You don't need to spend a lot of money on professional massaging, many people find a simple home massage machine or their partner's hands a perfect way to relax and feel better about their chances of beating cancer.

Inspirational Quotes

Many people find relief in reading inspirational breast cancer quotes, as they show that others have indeed fought the battle against cancer and won. While not a replacement for conventional therapy, it's something within reach of anybody that can have a big effect on your mood over time.

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Are you looking for more information on how breast cancer is diagnosed?

If so, this information should help. Breast cancer is an extremely common type of cancer, especially among females. It is therefore extremely important that, as women, we take the time to get ourselves regular breast exams. If you are interested in learning more about checkups and breast cancer diagnosis, continue reading this article. Throughout the article we will discuss what breast cancer is and how it is diagnosed.

Let's begin by learning what this disease is. Breast cancer is, next to skin cancer, the leading cancer among women. While it is most commonly diagnosed among females, it can also effect the lives of men. Breast cancer is a group of cancerous cells, known as a malignant tumor, that begins in the cells of the breast and can potentially spread into other areas of the body.

While there are some signs that point to breast cancer (swelling of breast, skin irritation, pain, redness, nipple discharge, etc.), most women in the beginning stages of the cancer experience no symptoms at all. It is therefore extremely important that all women have a clinical breast exam performed at least once a year by a medical physician. If this exam is performed, and anything abnormal is found, other tests will be performed to determine if any of the irregularities could be from breast cancer.

What types of tests will be performed?

One of the most common tests used to diagnose this type of cancer is the mammogram. A mammogram is generally used for early detection of the cancer as they can detect anywhere from 85 to 90 percent of all breast cancers. Mammograms can help to detect breast cancer before a lump can even be felt or seen.

Another test commonly used to diagnose cancer of the breast is an ultrasound. Ultrasounds are usually used after a mammogram has already been conducted to help target a specific area of concern (as found by the mammogram). Ultrasounds also help to tell the difference between cysts and solid masses, as well as benign and cancerous tumors.

If a lump is found on your breast, a sample of tissue and fluid will be taken by your doctor and will be sent to be tested by a pathologist. Once you get the results back, your doctor will summarize your diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will be informed of which stage you are at. The stage you are at will determine which course of treatment you will need to seek.

Because this type of cancer is so common, it is very important that you have an annual breast exam completed by your health care professional. It is also suggested that you ask your doctor how to perform a regular breast exam on your own so that you can do regular checks on yourself.

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Detecting breast cancer as early as possible is essential to breast care and to ensure that survival isn't a matter of luck but a matter of science. The best way to detect breast cancer is with a mammography and digital mammography is the most accurate method available today. The main reason for this is because computers aid in the diagnostic phase and are able to detect cancers much sooner than other methods and years before they can be felt as a lump.

The general rule of thumb is that you should have mammograms each year once you turn 40. They also state that a baseline mammogram should be taken when you're around thirty-five as this will be the one all other mammograms are compared to. Having all mammograms digital will make for the most accurate baseline as well as comparisons as well. Even though these guidelines have been suggested for years, you have to do things differently if you're in a high-risk category.

If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, especially if someone in your immediate family such as your mother, grandmother or sister has had breast cancer this places you in a high risk group. If you don't know your family history, for instance if you lost your mother at a young age, the best way is to assume you're in a high-risk group which changes the guidelines significantly. Instead of having a baseline digital mammogram when you're thirty-five, have one when you're thirty instead. To be on the safe side, you'll want to start having your yearly mammograms when you reach 35 as those in the high-risk category have higher chances of developing breast cancer much younger as well.

An added suggestion for those in high risk groups is to have a mammogram done twice a year after age forty as well. With digital mammography and a good baseline to compare with, any changes noticed by the technologist can be examined sooner and a core biopsy with a breast MRI can be done immediately to see if the change is benign or malignant. Catching things early enables doctors to cut out the problem area without having to resort to more drastic measures such as a mastectomy.

Since there is currently no way to vaccinate against breast cancer, detecting it early is the best way to survive it. Take every precaution possible such as doing self-exams regularly, getting breast cancer screening exams and having digital mammograms done to ensure that if you do develop breast cancer, it's caught early.

Breast care is extremely important for woman of any age but many simply don't think about how exams can literally save their lives. The Porter Breast & Mammogram Center at Porter Adventist Hospital is leading the way in breast cancer screening and treatment.

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Breast cancer in women has been on the decline and this is being related to more awareness and early screening. Cancer of the breast is the leading cause of death in women followed by lung cancer. More cases of this cancer have been reported in the developed counties compared to the developing countries. Out of every 36 deaths in women, one of them is likely to have died from cancer of the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, around 1.3 million women world wide are diagnosed with the cancer and 465,000 women die due to the disease.

It occurs when the damaged cells or the cells that are supposed to die off start to multiply uncontrollably causing a mass known as a tumor. The tumor can form in the ducts or the lobules in both men and women but more common in women. The best way to detect cancer of the breast early is by going for regular mammograms. This is an x ray of the breast.

Treatment of cancer will depend on the stage, rate of growth of the tumor, its size and the stage. Some of the treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Treatment can also involve multiple therapies. Early detection of breast cancer is important because treatment will be more effective. This together with proper treatment will also reduce the chances of death from the condition.

According to statistics by the National Cancer Institute, although all women can get breast cancer, the risk is higher with not only age but also race. 77% of reported cases of cancer of the breast are usually of women over the age of 50. They also conclude that;

Cancer of the breast is likely to be detected late in African American women making their death rates higher compared to white women. However, the death rates for white women over the age of 70 are higher than those of African women of the same age.

In the United States, white, African American women and Hawaiian women have the highest incidences of developing invasive breast cancer compared to Vietnamese, Korean and American Indian women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, white women have the highest incidences of this cancer followed by black, Hispanic, Asian and American Indians. Black women have the higher rates of death from the cancer followed by white, Hispanic, American Indians and Asian women.

Emma Wanjiku is an experienced writer and publisher who focusses/reports on issues affecting you. Her research is based on aspects and topics of life that matter. She is a trained journalist. For daily health tips and fitness information, access her health site at http://www.emmalifetips.com/

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