breast cancer

What to do?

One of the scariest things that can happen to a woman. Normally one will call their regular doctor, a mammogram will be ordered, if there is any suspicion of malignancy then a fine needle biopsy will be performed...then many decisions will have to be a made.

But some people handle it differently...they first go to their nutritionist/alternative practitioner and begin a regime of supplementation for breast health and blood tests for cancer markers, most likely 19-9 and 27.29 and perhaps CA125. They should then be referred to someone who can perform a thermo-graphic image of the area and go over it with the specialist...likely it will show increased heat in the area and maybe in adjacent lymph nodes and a visit to the oncologist is recommended.

Often this type of patient will refuse the oncologist's mammogram due to concerns over mutating already possibly mutated cells with x-rays and they will refuse the fine needle biopsy for fear that when these needles are retracted that the cells from the inside of the lump will be spread to the systemic circulation upon withdrawal from the body, as it passes through many layers of tissues, all with broken blood vessels, from the insertion of the needle, ready to spread any possible malignant cells. The oncologist will ask to see the blood tests and especially the cancer markers that the nutritionist/alternative practitioner already received. If the oncologist is sympathetic, he or she will recommend an ultrasound image.

Often the needle biopsy is recommended in order to find out if the lump/tumor is benign or malignant. After all, Mrs. Jones needs to know if there is a need for surgical removal. If it's benign then it can be left in place and monitored for growth, but if it's malignant it must be removed, radiated or the use of chemotherapy would be induced. But if it is malignant then a biopsy may spread the ailment to the entire body.

A June 2004 report from the John Wayne Cancer Institute in California has rekindled a long-standing debate over whether or not needle biopsies are safe. The paper set out to examine whether this technique, widely used to obtain specimens in cases of suspected cancer, might itself allow malignant cells to spread from an isolated tumor to nearby lymph nodes. The authors reluctantly conclude that a needle biopsy may indeed increase the spread of the disease by 50 percent compared to patients who receive the more traditional excisional biopsies (or "lumpectomies").

The fact that the tumor we are talking about here is painful is not a good sign. Also, malignant tumors tend to not move around as much upon palpation (breast exam). If the ultrasound, thermography and physical exam all pointed toward malignancy, I would have it removed without a biopsy...just be sure the surgeon does NOT puncture or cut into the capsule that surrounds the growth upon removal. If it looks like a 50/50 scenario and the patient has already made serious nutritional changes and is taking supplementation and the cancer blood markers are not too high, I would wait and see if the body could heal itself and read Diane Summers' book! It does happen that people do cure themselves.

Now let's talk really wholistically (yes, 'wholistic' spelled with a 'w'!)...cancer does not form haphazardly...it is the result of many suppressions of ailments and improper treatment of colds and flus in the past. If the body is not allowed to detox through colds and flu, and get fevers to perform its immunological action, then the body never gets a chance to clean house. Eventually other ailments show up such as urinary tract conditions (notice I did not say 'infections') and depression, endometriosis, thyroid issues etc. If all of these ailments are treated with suppressive pharmaceutical medicines then the person becomes a walking suppressed disease factory! They need to be unsuppressed, they need cold and flu symptoms, they need old ailments to resurface, to come up from the deep suppressed place where they were forced to submerge to long ago. They need to clean house. If this house cleaning never happens a person usually gets chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and then cancer. It is a natural progression.

By the time a person is forming cancerous tumors the body has already been through a lot and a something needs to be done to reverse the process. As a doctor of chiropractic, practicing a lot of nutritional medicine by lab analysis, I will do a complete blood test of some 52 elements for a patient with a lump in the breast. I will also do a hair analysis of 30 elements...all the heavy metals and blood minerals and well as naturally occurring metals in the body. This is combined with a urine analysis, cancer markers and maybe a stool sample analysis as well. The entire mass of information is compared to the test results of thousands of other people who have taken the nutritional medical route instead of the pharmaceutical route and a nutrient prescription for cure is made. This is performing wholistic medicine in a truly wholistic way.

So many have come to believe that nutrition is good but you need pharmaceuticals for really serious conditions. This is true if you are about to die and for this pharmacy is most appreciated. But for now, and probably never, will we have a cure for cancer. This is for the same reason that we will never have a cure for the common cold! Neither are really diseases...the cold is a cleansing process and the cancerous tumor is the bodies attempt to take retarded cells and keep them all in the same place. It's not a disease, it's a process of accommodating a system that is beginning to fail in how it replicates new cells...too many new ones are being formed without knowledge of what specialty they should perform...all cells need to know what their specific role is.

If you are worried terribly about a painful lump in the breast, act fast, but don't make decisions out of fear, make the decision out of knowledge about cancer, diagnostic safety issues and protocols that lead to cure.

Dr. Thomas has 33 years of experience treating chronic conditions.

Treating chronic disease is a complicated and tedious work. Most physicians can only spend a few minutes with each patient as their clinic owners and hospital management force them to keep on the move. Dr. Thomas spends half an hour just explaining what tests will be done...then he spends an hour going over the test results with you and discussing nutrient cures. He also requests that you check in with him once a month for at least a half hour to go over your symptoms and to discuss your nutrients.

33 years experience has taught Dr. Thomas the value of quality care, personal patient/doctor interaction and just what is required to obtain lasting results.

Refer to my website for more information on this topic and to watch videos from the television show I do on Nutritional Medicines by Lab Analysis.

Painful Lump in Breast

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We've been seeing a lot of NFL players wearing pink this month. Every October, we celebrate our strides against breast cancer and push to make people aware of the disease and help hunt for a cure. Certainly, when efforts such as these have come before, we have been stalwart, and winners against cancer. All one has to do is look back on the 1960's and see the horrible disease that childhood leukemia was, and now, 95% survival rates and 60% remission rates are the rule. Or how about cervical and uterine cancer, and our success against this one time leading cause of cancer death in women, now controlled.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important. Over the years it has helped to raise awareness of the severity of the disease in medical and economic impact. Ultimately, we look for ways to save human lives. Much has changed over the years. One has to remember that just not long ago, we "Baby Boomers" watched as our mothers succumbed to the most common death inducing cancer in women, uterine cancer. That's right. Up until the early 1970's, this was the cancer most common in killing women. The fight with breast cancer has been ongoing, with diagnostic screening meeting new challenges around every turn.

In 1959, the introduction of a standard screen called The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear changed everything, and a national campaign to get women into the doctor for Pap screenings created a paradigm shift in the routine care of women when visiting their doctor. With this tool, we eventually discovered that there was a culprit now known as, "The Papillomavirus"; we were able to develop a vaccine against. With this victory, however, Breast cancer became the real malignant villain in taking down women. It has become rampant, involving all kinds of theories as to cause, including everything from medicines, hormones, and lifestyle practices to oncogenetics and environmental exposure.

Controversial guidelines in physical screenings and imaging continue to change. Economically, it seems sometimes that insurance companies drive our screening studies. Basing guidelines on thready actuarial information, they change mammography guidelines constantly, jumping on any information that suggests spending less on screening. Now, a recent study suggests that mammography may not be as important as previously thought in reducing a woman's risk of dying from breast cancer. Coming on the heels of guideline changes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2009, indicating women do not need mammograms in their 40s, this latest research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, adds another "scratch your head" position to the idea that mammograms make a substantial impact in saving lives.

The study, conducted in Norway, showed that women who receive breast cancer screenings have a 10 percent lower risk of dying from cancer, but researchers could trace only a third of this so-called reduced risk to mammograms themselves. Screenings reduced death from breast cancer by only 2.4 per 100,000 women. The Norwegian study followed more than 40,000 women with breast cancer.

American women shouldn't be too quick to back away from recommended biannual screenings for breast cancer for those over age 50, however. Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, feels the Norwegian study was too short in duration. According to Dr. Brawley, "The report's estimate of the relative value of mammography is lower than in a number of previous screening studies". This may be due to the relatively short two year follow-up of the population. Brawley points out, that most randomized trials have at least 10 years of follow-up after the last round of screenings, and many have covered periods of 20 to 40 years.

Dr. Daniel B. Kopans, professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, agrees and feels the study was incomplete and not long enough in duration. "This study contradicts other studies from the Netherlands and Sweden which show just the opposite, namely that screening accounts for over 60% of the decrease in deaths seen over the past 50 years," he says. "I suspect that most everyone who cares for women with breast cancer would acknowledge that therapy only saves lives when breast cancers are found and treated early."

As a physician, I must add that the ability of doctors to perform a thorough palpatory exam is crucial. Many doctors just have their patient lie down on the exam table and circumferentially feel both breasts and consider them examined. The real physician will ask pertinent questions while examining the "patient", not just their breasts. In addition, the exam should start with a visual exam of the patient and her breasts, looking carefully for skin and nipple changes, and then utilizing maneuvers that force breast tissue to respond to different angles of muscular contraction along the chest wall. This captures lesions deep along the ligamentous attachments of the breasts. This should then be followed with a very thorough palpatory exam of both breasts and the axillae.

I should also comment that regular breast cancer screenings heighten women's awareness of the disease. This leads to early detection and a better prognosis. While the American Cancer Society no longer recommends monthly breast self-examination, I feel current guidelines regarding mammography should not be changed. The total body of science supports the fact that regular mammography is an important part of a woman's preventative health care.

Wear some pink this month,

Dr. Counce

Dr. Counce founded The Conservatory of Medical Arts and Sciences. A non-profit higher education platform institution, The Conservatory of Medical Arts and Sciences began as a medical academy and tutorship to aid local college students in Colorado Springs, Colorado, however, The Conservatory website has grown and now reaches not only a large contingent of college students in the United States, but has reached World Wide. We now have a vast number of supporters and users in Europe, including France, Germany, The Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, and The United Kingdom. Our large base of supporters and students in China, India, Japan, and The Republic of Korea, continues to grow exponentially.

Dr. Counce maintains a regular blog at The Conservatory website called The Searchlight Messenger.
The Doctor is well known to provide a well rounded, leadership level educational experience to any teaching environment. He pursues an attitude of "make everyone glad they met with you today". He commands authority of knowledge, is an eloquent speaker, pursues the student/mentor relationship, and cultivates introspection.

Visit The Conservatory at http://www.venture17.com/

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Although breast cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in the breast tissue, it also has different types. Some of them are common while others are rare.

The most common type of the cancer is invasive duct carcinoma accounting for 80% of the invasive cancers of the breast. 10% of the invasive cancers of the breast are invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive duct carcinoma starts from the ducts in the breast while invasive lobular carcinoma originates from the glands that are responsible for milk production. Other types of cancer of the breast include mucinous carcinoma, Adenoid cystic carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer and medullary carcinoma. Treatment of the cancer will depend on the type of cancer one has been diagnosed with. Different types of cancer of the breast have different rates of spreading to other organs.

Cancer of the breast forms a lump in the breast. By the time the lump is big enough to be felt during a physical examination, the cancer might have already advanced. It is therefore important for one to go for regular mammograms especially those above the age of 50. It also helps because during the initial stages of the disease, the cancer does not produce any symptoms. Some may not have any signs or symptoms while in others, symptoms of the same cancer might be different.

Other symptoms of breast cancer in women include;

Apart from the traditional symptom which is the formation of a lump on the breast or under the arm, it can also be accompanied by a rash depending on the type of cancer.
The cancer can also cause changes in the size, texture, temperature, shape and color of the breast and/or nipples
Discharge from the nipple. This can be clear or bloody.
Overturning of the nipple. The nipple will also feel itchy and have a burning sensation
Pain in the nipples and breast area

During the final stage of breast cancer, it has already spread to other organs of the body such as the liver, lungs and brain. The symptoms will depend on the organ affected. Some of them include

Neurological problems such as headaches
Jaundice because of the cancers spread to the liver
Loss of appetite
Continuous and uncontrollable loss of weight
Bone pain
Other symptoms of stage four cancer of the breast include skin ulcers, pink like discharge from the nipples and the lump on the breast becomes easily visible.

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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Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast tissue and there are two main types of it.

Lobular carcinoma is one type and it starts in the glands of the breasts that produce milk.

Ductal carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the tubes that carry the milk from the breast to the nipple.

There are uncommon cases where the cancer can start in other parts of the breasts as well. This type of cancer can be invasive or it can be non-invasive. If it is invasive that means it has spread from the lobules to other parts of the breasts. Non-invasive means that it hasn't spread to other areas of the breasts.

There are many types of breast cancer that are very sensitive to estrogen. This simply means that estrogen causes the cancer cells or tumor to increase and grow. There are cancers that have estrogen receptors on their cell's surface. These are called estrogen positive receptors.

Women who have these types of cells usually have a more serious form of cancer and it is more progressive. Unfortunately throughout the course of time it is said that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime. Below are some main causes of breast cancer in women:

Family history plays a big role in whether or not you will contract breast cancer. You have a bigger risk of getting cancer if you have a close relative who has had it. Many people have genes in their body that are more susceptible to cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have the most common defects in them. If a woman has one of these defective genes, she has an 80% chance of getting cancer in her lifetime.

As a woman gets older her chances of getting cancer increases. Most of the advanced cases of breast cancer are in women over 50.

Drinking more than 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages per day also increases a woman's risk for breast cancer. Also women who have never had children or who gave birth after the age of 30 have an increased risk as well.

There are some things you can do to help prevent cancer if you are at a high risk for contracting it. First and foremost seeing your doctor and discussing your options is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself against this disease.

Find more about breast cancer.

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Breast cancers are not all the same and they behave differently. To effectively target breast cancer cells with the right therapy requires that we identify the cancer subtype. By knowing the subtype and which genes the cancer expresses, we know which drugs to use, as different receptors accept different drugs.

While some subtypes lend themselves well to very specific targeted types of treatment, Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBCs) do not. TNBCs do, however, respond to other types of treatment. This article looks at the population that is most likely to be in the TNBC group.

Breast cancer tissue is typically tested for specific receptors to estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2-neu). The presence of any of these receptors, allows for targeted therapy. Targeted therapy utilizes drugs that recognize these receptors, thereby affecting only those cancer cells.

Estrogen or progesterone receptors are treated with what is called endocrine therapy. The most recognized drug used to target either of these receptors is tamoxifen. In post-menopausal women, drugs called aromastase inhibitors (Arimidex, Femara, Aromasin) perform a similar task of essentially blocking the bodies own estrogen from binding to and stimulating cancer cells that may be circulating in the body or at the site of the original tumor.

The presence of these receptors is a favorable prognostic indicator. The presence of the HER2 receptor is actually a poor prognostic indicator, suggesting a more aggressive disease. A relatively recent breakthrough in breast cancer treatment was the discovery of Herceptin, a drug that targets this receptor. While still suggesting more aggressive disease, the use of Herceptin, along with chemotherapy, has had a remarkably positive impact on the treatment of those cancers that posses this receptor.

Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC), don't have any of these receptors. Thus, there is no effective targeted therapy. 10-20% of all invasive breast cancers are 'Triple Negative'. Younger women and African American women are more likely to develop this subtype of breast cancer.

In addition, women with a BRCA1 mutation are more likely to be 'triple negative'. In fact, the diagnosis of TNBC is now an indication to consider genetic testing. In addition, these subtypes of breast cancers respond differently to therapies. TNBC's tend to respond very well to chemotherapy. Thus, the indications for chemotherapy in this subgroup tends to include even small, lymph-node-negative patients.

A major focus of current research is trying to find drugs to interfere with the growth of TNBC, as well as discover new targets that might exist in this subtype. By identifying Support groups of TNBC patients have formed. For information go to http://www.tnbcfoundation.org.

Dr. Eric Brown has twice been voted "Top Doc" in the Detroit Metro area. He is certified in breast ultrasound by the American Society of Breast Surgeons, is trained in Oncoplastic Surgery (plastic surgery for the treatment of breast disease), and is a member of The American Society of Breast Surgeons and The American Society of Breast Disease.

Dr. Brown is the Director of the Breast Care Center, as well as, The Center of Excellence Director for Breast Care, at Beaumont Hospital. His clinic is Comprehensive Breast Care in Troy, MI.

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According to Dr. Cedric F. Garland of the Moores Cancer Center and the UCSD School of Medicine:

"This will potentially be the most important action ever conducted toward prevention of breast cancer. The more women who participate in this study, the greater the chance that we will defeat breast cancer within our lifetimes."

The most excellent probable way to evade this is to educate each individual about the deterrence. First and foremost, to make it achievable, everybody must know the primary causes of it: nutritional deficit, level of exposure to environmental toxicity, inflammation, estrogen ascendancy, and low immune system. Unfortunately, these things are often disregarded by many of us for the reason of having the notion about, "genes, which cause the disease".

Secondly, to consider who are at risk of this type of Cancer:

(1). Females
(2). Age
(3). Lack of childbearing and the ability to breastfeed
(4). Increased in hormone levels
(5). Dietary Iodine deficiency
(6). Smoking
(7) Menstrual cycle (Women who get their periods early (before age 12) or went through menopause late (after age 55) have an increased risk of it.)
(8) DES (Women who took diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriage may have an increased risk of it after age 40.)
(9) Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- You have a higher risk for breast cancer if you have received hormone replacement therapy for several years or more. Many women take HRT to reduce the symptoms of menopause.

However, breast implants, using antiperspirants, and wearing under wire bras do not raise your risk for breast cancer. There is no evidence of a direct link between breast cancer and pesticides.

Meanwhile, according to The World Cancer Research Fund, an estimate of 38% of breast cancer cases in the US are preventable through reducing alcohol intake, increasing physical activity levels and maintaining a healthy weight. It also estimated that 42% of its cases in the UK could be prevented in this way, as well as 28% in Brazil and 20% in China.

To add up, according to some research, in more recent years, research has indicated the impact of diet and other behaviors on breast cancer. These additional risk factors include: endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with edocrine: DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), bisphenol A (BPA), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's), and a variety of phthalates), shiftwork, and radiation -- Although the radiation from mammography is a low dose, the cumulative effect can cause cancer.

This has to prove that, each woman should participate in its study, to learn more about the prevention, so as to discover its inevitable presence without the need to undergo some sort of technology (X-RAY Mammography) intended for its finding. Let us all be cognizant about it.

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It has become usual for people to tell the world about the causes that are close to their hearts through jewelry and various forms of accessories. What was once a colored ribbon pin has altered into other decorative yet issue-conscious touches like breast cancer wristbands. A cancer wristband raises awareness and money for the fight against breast cancer. It is one of the best new fundraisers for the said kind of cancer. It's most likely the one you'll see everywhere. It is typically colored pink simply because it is the most appropriate color for a wristband, symbolizing feminine strength.

More than a means to raise money and awareness, a breast cancer wristband is also an emblem of caring. Apart from being a splendid adornment, it is also economical that even kids can afford to purchase them. It only costs a few dollars. No doubt, you'll surely be doing something of brilliant value if you get all of your friends to buy one of these wristbands.

Historically, this style of bracelet began with Lance Armstrong's yellow "Live Strong" design that raised funds for general cancer research, and other styles quickly followed. They became popular for they are cheap, yet stylish and many give one hundred percent of the proceeds to their respective causes. For your convenience, they can now be purchased online or from any trusted retailer. More often than not, they display messages, like "Love - Hope - Faith", "Support Breast Cancer Research and Education" and the like, embossed on them. In addition to pink, they may also come in different colors, depending on the association or charitable trust that promote them.

Just like anyone suffering from any sort of illness, women who suffer from this particular cancer, likewise need all the support they can get. The more people who wear cancer wristbands would mean that more people are aware of the disease and are willing to remember and support all those who have died due to this disease. They pay tribute to all the survivors of this disease; people who have lived through the disease and survived it should never be forgotten. Sometimes they are bought by families in order to support a member of the family who suffers from such disease. With every member supporting a breast cancer patient in a family, a great difference is made in terms of morale on the patient's side as well as the family members'.

In general, breast cancer wristbands are beneficial in two ways, namely:

a. Wearing a breast cancer wristband is a good way to make a statement and help a worthy cause

b. Organizations raise millions of dollars every year to aid win the fight against cancer by selling these wristbands

Indeed, YOU can make a difference; YOU can help! Purchasing and wearing these wristbands imply that there are steps taken and a quest for information on the disease is there, which may favor research. Not to mention, it adds pressure on the government to provide more funds for breast cancer.

If you want to promote breast cancer wristbands in October or around the year but don't know much about cancer awareness rubber bands, visit cancer resources for patients website for detailed information.

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A diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most frightening, and life changing events for any woman and her family. Though available treatments continue to improve, and survival rates continue to rise, it remains as traumatic and life threatening as ever. That is why regular self-exams and healthy lifestyle choices are so important to women of all ages. Early detection and treatment greatly increases a patient's chances of survival, and of returning to a positive healthy life. Women facing the breast cancer battle have few options when it comes to possible treatments, and conventional medicine still turns to surgery and chemotherapy as the best tools available to beat the cancer. Adding complimentary therapies however, have been proven to improve a patient's prognosis while helping to alleviate some of the more unpleasant side effects of conventional treatments. For many women facing the battle against breast cancer, the right supplementary therapy can offer relief from the pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy and can help strengthen their bodies for the all-important fight.

Diet and the Battle against Breast Cancer

A healthy diet is integral to the well-being of any person, regardless of sex or disease. But making precise dietary changes can help women augment their body's natural cancer fighting abilities. Much of the food that we ingest on a regular basis is treated with pesticides, hormones and other chemicals intended to increase yield and shelf stability. These chemicals can act like estrogen in the body, and can lead to the growth of hormone dependent tumors. This is particularly harmful when a woman's body is already compromised by breast cancer and chemotherapy. Step one in altering your diet to fight breast cancer is to increase the intake of wholly organic foods, and eliminate as many of these harmful chemicals from your diet as possible.

As patients begin to redesign their diets, it is important to begin adding foods that help the body to perform well, and to heal itself. Dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, water cress and daikon help to stimulate the kidneys and liver which are vital to the elimination of toxins from the bloodstream. This is particularly important for women undergoing chemotherapy, as once the drugs have done their work it is vital they be eliminated safely from the body. Adding probiotics also help to strengthen the digestive system, which in turn will help the body absorb much needed nutrients from the organic foods being added to the diet. Holistic clinicians and alternative cancer treatment centers also suggest that breast cancer patients increase the amounts of anti-inflammatory foods such as garlic, curcumin, flax seeds, hemp seeds and green leafy vegetables in their diets. These foods help to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, which in turn may prevent tumors from metastasizing.

Vitamins and Dietary Supplements

Women battling breast cancer, and struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy, should also consider adding a regimen of dietary supplements to their normal routine. The right mix of vitamins and herbal supplements can aid the body in it's fight against cancer, as well as provide a bulwark against the nausea and discomfort that follows intense chemotherapy.

The vitamins found to be most effective in alternative cancer treatment for breast cancer therapy are D, E, C and A. These vitamins are particularly important to cancer survivors who are rebuilding their immune systems after intensive chemotherapy. Additionally, mineral supplements such as selenium and zinc help to boost the body's innate health and ability to combat and ward of future cancer occurrences. These vitamins are all naturally occurring, and ideally patients will want to derive as much of their vitamin intake as possible directly from their diet. But for many cancer patients suffering with nausea it is increasing difficult to eat a well balance diet, and in these instances a regimen of vitamin supplements can help to offset any loss of nutrients from lack of appetite.

Herbal supplements also play a key role in the battle against breast cancer. Saw Palmetto, sulforaphane and bitter melon have all been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and can help to retard the growth of breast cancer cells. Likewise milk thistle has been shown to have an adverse effect on cancer cells, retarding their growth. For those patients struggling with the effects of chemotherapy, the use of ginger is suggested to help quiet the accompanying nausea and to increase appetite, while melatonin can help to ease sleep and allow patients to rest less fitfully.

Any cancer diagnosis is traumatic for the patient and their loved ones. Breast cancer survivors agree that attitude is paramount in beating the disease. Part of a healthy attitude to the cancer fight, is knowing you are doing everything you can to strengthen your body so it can fight the cancer. Through a holistic and alternative cancer treatment approach to diet and dietary supplements, breast cancer patients can take an active part in the fight against their cancer. Any complimentary cancer treatment should, of course, be only a part of the whole cancer treatment, and patients should coordinate all of their dietary changes, including vitamin and herbal supplement regimens, with their physicians and holistic clinicians.

Total Health Institute helps patients achieve holistic health and alternative cancer treatment. If you're looking for an internal balancing treatment including detoxification, Total Health Institute can help. As one of the premier alternative cancer treatment centers, contact them today to hear more!

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There are a lot of scientifically tested and proven breast cancer risks. You will find cases in which it's passed on by a member of the family who had the same cancer before. Your way of life can also be one of the reasons as well. Having said that, there are some common myths wherein it is presumed these certain factors bring about this cancer in women.

1. Vitamin intake and the kind of diet - Very first on our list is the vitamin intake, they said that some certain types of vitamins increases the potential for getting cancer of the breast. There are numerous studies that have linked women's diet and breast cancer risk and so far, the results are inconsistent. The catch here is how exactly does a vitamin affect and or trigger when in fact it is designed to improve and strengthen the immune system? More research is required to understand the effects and where they got the idea of vitamins and diet and breast cancer. Most research has found that cancer of the breast is more uncommon in countries where common diet is low in fat but many cases in the United States have found that breast cancer just isn't connected with the vitamin consumption of many American women. That's the reason why many researchers are still uncertain just how to explain this issue.

2. Antiperspirants - For someone who just heard it now, you might find it seriously awkward. You will find a lot of Internet rumors which have suggested chemicals found in underarm antiperspirant when soaked up by the skin may impact lymph circulation. This will cause toxins to develop in the breast which at some point results in having cancer of the breast. Rumor or not, there are small evidences that support it. Research has found trace levels of parabens, a component in antiperspirants, in numerous samples of breast cancer tumors. However, this research cannot point out if parabens brought on the tumors. This is just an initial finding and plenty of studies and researches should be done appropriately to prove this is a fact.

3. Bras and Breast implants - If you are tired of hearing a person at home telling you to take off your bras at night, this is maybe because they are thinking you might get breast cancer. You will find Internet rumors and a book that says bras can cause breast cancer as it is obstructing the lymph flow. On the other hand, breast implants are found to not increase breast cancer risk although silicone breast cancer implants can result in scar tissues to form in the breast. But there's really no strong proof that it may also cause breast cancer.

4. Night work - Numerous research has shown females who work at night, for example nurses, call center agents, have an elevated risk of developing breast cancer. This is just a newly released finding and still more studies have to be done.

Conclusion

A risk factor is anything that can up your chances of acquiring a disease. Various types of cancer have different types of risk factors as well. Alternative cancer treatments are available in the market to help many cancer patients with their disease and to steer clear of any other diseases in the future. There's nothing wrong in believing or steering clear of these unclear breast cancer risks. You've to remember that we've different physiques and features. What's good for an individual might not be effective for someone and is a lie for the rest. Whatever the studies might show, this might function as a warning to everyone to take good proper care of themselves.

New Hope Medical Center is one of the leading Alternative Cancer Treatment Centers in America today. The Holistic Cancer Treatment Center offers Hope to patients suffering from liver, colon, and most types of Cancer.

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Breast cancer is one of the oldest forms of cancer that we know about. This is because unlike most other cancers of the internal organs, breast cancer can be felt and sometimes seen without the use of technological equipment. Sadly, however, simply because it is easier to diagnose breast cancer does not mean it is easier to treat. When breast cancer becomes plainly noticeable, there is a great likelihood that it is already in later stages of development.

Today, we are aware that the best fight against any cancer is early detection. In regards to breast cancer, mammograms are the most common form of regular testing and are recommended for all women over 40 years old to get tested every few years. Mammography utilizes low-energy X-rays that detect irregularities in the breast tissue. Up until not long ago, film was used as a way of detecting and recording the mammogram results, known as film-screen mammography. Today, with the advancements of digital technology, film is being replaced with digital detectors, otherwise known as full-field digital mammography.

What are some of the differences between the two systems and what are some of the advantages of digital mammography?

Density

Digital mammography is far more sensitive when it comes to creating images than film mammography. Because the X-rays must penetrate breast tissue, which can be very dense, the more sensitive the detector the better the quality of the image. More importantly than image quality is the digital capability of perceiving or picking up on things that would be concealed under tissue density with film. 

Radiation

Digital mammography uses lower doses of radiation than its predecessor. There is always a slight risk that when undergoing regular X-ray examinations, that radiation could cause cancer, although this risk is negligible compared to non-detection of tumors. Nevertheless, the lower the radiation, the better. 

Storage and Transmission

Digital mammograms create digital images which can be altered or modified whereas film images cannot. This means that factors like lighting, blurriness, and magnification can be easily manipulated with digital images. Also, because they are digital, they can be copied, stored and sent electronically much easier than with film. The speed and ease of patient information-sharing plays a strong role in the optimal treatment of cancer.

Full-field digital mammography is an example of how health and technology work together to provide more accurate and more efficient detection of breast cancer, which results in fewer cases of breast cancer mortality. The one significant disadvantage to digital mammography is the cost of the equipment, and thus fewer people have access to this equipment for the time being. But in the long run, the considerations of cost are far less important than providing the best medical services and ultimately saving lives.

Healthcare training should continue to maximize the use and understanding of digital technologies as much as possible. With the progress made in mammography as an example, digital technology should extend beyond cancer detection into all aspects of the healthcare industry.

Visit Mohawk College for more information about health courses.

Michael Zunenshine is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

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Many women are hard-hit when the diagnosis for a breast lump is confirmed as breast cancer. One thing that would come to the mind of this patient is endangered life and loss of breast. There is a big fear for cancer. However, with an earlier diagnosis and treatment, a breast cancer patient will have a high survival rate. When your cancer surgeon decides on your mastectomy to prevent the spread of cancer in the breast, you should never panic. Mastectomy has a short healing process and without the cancer-affected breast, you can be blessed with a longer life.

Mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast - total removal and perhaps some of the tissues surrounding the affected breast. And there are different degrees of mastectomy. These are partial, simple or total, modified radical and radical mastectomy. The kind may be dependent on the stage of the breast cancer and the spread and aggressiveness of cancer cells in the breast, lymph nodes or chest walls. In several cases, mastectomy is preferred over lumpectomy. The latter is merely the removal of the tumor and all the tissues that surround it.

Partial mastectomy will involve a simple removal of the lump and a few of the tissues surrounding it. This does not only remove cancerous tumor. The procedure may also remove some healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Lumpectomy can also be classified as partial mastectomy except that in the partial mastectomy, a bigger amount of breast tissues are removed.

The simple or total mastectomy will require the removal of the breast but will not involve removal of the lymph nodes or the muscles underlying the breast. When both breasts are affected, a double mastectomy can be the surgical procedure. Some cancer surgeons do skin sparing mastectomy which involves removal of the areola and the nipple. In the subcutaneous mastectomy, the surgeon removes the breast tissues but the nipple will be left untouched.

In simple or total mastectomy, the focus is the surgical removal of the breast tissues. This will not involve the auxiliary lymph node dissection. The simple or total mastectomy is performed when the patient is diagnosed to have multiple patches of carcinoma. This is also prophylactic in nature, not a treatment per se, but may be a preventive measure against occurrence of high risk breast cancer.

Breast removal involving the whole breast and some auxiliary lymph nodes is known as modified radical mastectomy. In this procedure, both breast tissues and lymph nodes are removed. The procedure will involve the removal of the whole breast after which the lymph nodes are dissected such that the underarm nodes can be removed.

A diagnosis of invasive cancer may force the woman to undergo mastectomy, usually a modified radical mastectomy. This will make the examination of the lymph nodes thorough and easier. This will determine whether the cancer has spread or not beyond the breast area.

The radical mastectomy may be the highest level of breast removal and surgery. Here, the breast, auxiliary lymph nodes and the chest wall muscles are removed. This procedure is more common in the past. Today, this is no longer the last resort; in fact this is only done when the cancer had spread to the chest muscles. Modified radical mastectomy is usually sufficient.

Felicitas Ramos is writing articles as a hobby and she writes on different niches. She is in her 4th year of battle with Stage 2-A breast cancer. Read more about breast cancer by visiting her site Health And Fitness Today

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It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I had a question from one of my clients about why should she worry about breast cancer "at her age?" We devote a lot of press to mothers and daughters and sisters and spouses, but what about grandmothers and great-grandmothers? What I am going to share with you in this posting may seem a bit of a surprise, because we tend to focus a lot of our attention on women who are in their prime when we think about breast cancer. We may even think that older - and very post-menopausal - women need not be as concerned about a medical risk often associated with hormonal activity.

There has been research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering that basically says that regular testing works as well if not better for older patients as it does for younger patients, because if the cancer is caught early - and therefore small - these women have a very favorable prognosis. In other research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston doctors followed about 65,000 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer using Medicare data alongside women without breast cancer who numbered 170,000. Women over 65 who were diagnosed in this group with what is called ductal cell carcinoma in situ and stage I cancer - what they refer to as DCIS - were just as likely to survive for the study period of eight years as those without this diagnosis. Now, this is the amazing part. The women who were diagnosed before 80 years of age actually lived a bit longer than women who did not have breast cancer.

Treatment decisions can be complicated for older patients. And it is mostly because older patients tend to have other medical issues going on which providers refer to as co-morbidities. As we get older, we may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or something else. In other research physicians have found that more conservative, non-surgical, non-radiation, even non-chemotherapy can be effective. But again, it comes down to early detection to avoid the complications of a more aggressive cancer.

Even if we just come out and say women who got breast exams were just taking better care of themselves, early detection seems to be working better for older women than their younger counterparts. And, of course, we should take the larger lesson that early diagnosis and treatment are incredibly important for any elder for whom we are caregivers. When I first looked into breast cancer and older patients I actually thought I was going to find professionals suggesting it is not as essential to have breast exams as patients get older. The research seems to be saying that doctors ought to be talking to their female patients at every age, because stage II and stage III patients did not fair as well. Talk to your provider to see what is optimal for the age of the elder for whom you care.

Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Case Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families. Please email your questions to Charlotte Bishop.

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Breast cancer is the most widespread type of cancer in women. It is a malignant tumor found in the breast. In the United States alone, one out of every eight women has been diagnosed with this disease. The disease has been widely associated with women but men can also be diagnosed with it. There are many different types of this cancer and the probability of its spreading will differ from person to person. Although the exact causes of the disease are still not known, yet there are many things which can increase the possibility of developing it. Cancer is undoubtedly the most fatal of all diseases but it can be treated if proper attention is given and provided it is diagnosed at an earlier stage when it hasn't spread in the surrounding areas of the body. Similar is the case with breast cancer; the treatment will depend on the stage of the disease and how much it has been spread.

The causes:
There is no one specific cause of this disease although there are many risk factors which can increase the chances of someone being diagnosed with it. Age is the most important risk factor and it is something that cannot be controlled like many other risk factors. The chances of someone having this cancer get higher as the age increases. Family history can also be quite influential. The chances of having this cancer increase if there is someone in the family who has been diagnosed with it earlier such as a mother, sister or daughter. Once you have been diagnosed with this cancer, there are chances that it might spread to the other breast too later on. So people who have had been diagnosed with this are recommended to get themselves checked up after every few months. Other than these there are many small factors that can play a role in the causation of this disease such as the race. It has been seen that white women have a higher chance of developing it. Women experiencing menopause after the age of fifty five or not having any children till the age of thirty also have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. Many other factors can be avoided or precaution can be taken at times. Women who breast feed babies for around two years have a slightly lower chance of having this cancer. Obesity and laziness are two things which should be avoided and treated.

The common signs of this cancer:
Although most of the times there are absolutely no physical signs to point towards a disease such as this, but there are a few signs which have been experienced such as nipple discharge or redness around the nipple area. Pain in the breast can be another sing but this has not been experienced by everyone who has been diagnosed with this cancer. Also, if you feel any irritation or pain in the nipple and see swelling around the breast, you should definitely contact a doctor.

Treatments:
Treatments for this type of cancer vary according to the stage of the cancer. There are many options available and sometimes the doctor will use a mixed approach, combining together two or more treatments, to deal with the situation. The most common treatment is the breast removal surgery and many women have gone through it. There are cases when it is not important to remove the entire breast but only a part of it will be removed. This is the breast-conserving surgery. Another common treatment for this is the radiation therapy which destroys the cancerous cells through beams of radiation.

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The American Cancer Society expects that 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2011, 57,650 new cases of CIS (the non-invasive form of breast cancer), and that about 39,520 women will die from breast cancer. That's too many! What should Boomer women know about prevention?

There has been much publicity about Vitamin D of late. Now studies have shown that the mighty vitamin D can also help protect all of us Baby Boomer women against breast cancer.

I encourage every woman to check her vitamin D level regularly and keep it in the optimal range. Based upon the outdated requirements for this important vitamin, which have recently been increased, "normal" is not the same as optimal. Many of us have been told by our physician for years that our vitamin D levels are normal. It's time to get them checked against the newer "optimal" standards.

Most docs today now recommend supplementing with 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per day, as well as getting as much from your diet as you can. I know it's hard to get all you need from food. Fatty fish like Salmon, herring, catfish and halibut are good sources, but if you don't like fish it can be difficult to find high levels of this important vitamin in other foods.

There is another easy way to optimize our vitamin D. Make sure you are getting plenty of regular, safe, sun exposure. Believe it or not, the sun is actually the best source of vitamin D. The sun's UVB rays help our bodies manufacture vitamin D in the fat layer under the skin. Our own body can make all the vitamin D we need from regular sun exposure. We should spend about fifteen minutes showing some skin before we put on our sunscreen; exposing the skin is good for us as long as we don't burn.

There is also evidence that Vitamin K not only helps activate proteins that are involved in the structuring of bone mass, which is good news for all of us Baby Boomer women, but recent studies show it also has an anti-cancer effect; vitamin K has been used in the treatment of several different cancers, including breast cancer. You can get your vitamin K in swiss chard, kale, parsley and spinach, broccoli and cauliflower, brussels sprouts, liver, soybean oil and wheat bran. Many more choices here than with vitamin D, however, supplements are also available if you'd prefer.

Dietand Exercise are hugely important in preventing breast cancer. A study published in the " Journal of Clinical Oncology " reinforces previous findings that women with breast cancer greatly reduce their risk of recurrence by eating a healthy, plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly. This study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, tracked dietary patterns and exercise habits of nearly 1,500 women who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Researchers found that the death rate for women who consumed a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and practiced good exercise habits, was 44% lower than the rate for women who exercised little and ate few plant-based foods. Almost half the risk, wow!

So, as my dear ol'gram used to say: "take your vities, eat all your veggies, and get plenty of fresh air!"

Best of Health,

Kathi

Kathi Casey, The Healthy Boomer Body Expert provides weight loss tips, relief from Menopause Symptoms, Sciatic Nerve Pain Remedies and more: http://www.healthyboomerbody.com/

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Thousands of women every year all over the world start the most difficult battle they will ever encounter. These women will spend more time with doctors and in hospitals then most of us spend in an entire lifetime. They endure toxic substances pumped into their bodies on a regular basis in the slim hope it will save their lives. I am speaking of the millions of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed of all cancers in women. There has been much money contributed to research for the cure, but there remain thousands of women who will receive this devastating diagnosis. This disease not only affects the patient herself but her family and friends who will suffer along with her.

A lot of us know someone with breast cancer and know first hand how much pain it causes everyone involved. It is unbelievably difficult to stand by and watch a loved one in so much pain and be helpless to offer any relief. The hopelessness one feels is indescribable as they watch their loved one go through the physical and mental stress inherent in patients with breast cancer.

Most women are naturally fixers. It's part of their womanly makeup. So, many of us find it difficult to stand back and do nothing when someone we care for is hurting. Unfortunately, we can't wave our magic wands and make it all better. Since most of us are average people and not scientists or researchers, we'll never find the cure for cancer. But, we can support those who are searching for answers.

All of us have the ability to make a difference in the lives of women suffering from breast cancer. Donating to cancer research positively impacts efforts to create better drugs and possible cures. With enough funding, leading scientist across the country can devote their time and resources to the cause. Donating is easy and varying. You can support cancer research through monetary donations or by donating your time and talents to the more administrative aspects of fundraising. Of course, some people join Susan G. Koman's Race for the Cure, others simply send in pink Yoplait lids.

Those who donate money for research are angels. There are other ways to qualify as an angel. Women with breast cancer rack up huge medical bills which can bankrupt their families. If you know someone with breast cancer and want to help, drop off some groceries or lasagna or homemade scones. Ask them what more they need that you can help with and start a neighborhood crusade to make a positive difference to a family on their own block.

Breast cancer affects millions of women and their families. Thankfully, due to all the money and time donated to cancer research, advances have been made in the treatment of breast cancer. Yet, there are still many women who do not survive. I have known two women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One beat it and inspires many people by telling her story. Sadly, my other friend did not make it. She left behind a beautiful three year old daughter and an amazing husband. She was one of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I support breast cancer research in honor of her. I strongly encourage others to do the same because I want to put an end to the grief. If we all team together, a permanent cure for breast cancer might be just around the corner.

If you enjoyed the previous article, you may go and check out other similar articles or reviews at Angie Tewis or this Angie Tewis Article.

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The following are the different types of breast cancer treatments:

1. Surgically removing the cancerous tissue by procedures like lumpectomy, quadrantectomy and mastectomy (complete or partial).

2. Internal (brachytherapy) or external radiation therapy.

3. Chemotherapy, a treatment which can be used in all stages of breast cancer uses drugs like Adriamycin, methotrexate, taxol and 5fluorouracil to kill the cancer cells.

4. Targeted (Biologic) therapies attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells.

5. Hormonal Therapy may be used after surgery to decrease the chance of the cancer returning or may be used along with other treatments. It works by curbing the oestrogen production causing the death of cancer cells.

What are the risks or side-effects of the afore-mentioned breast cancer treatments?

Side effects of surgery

Surgical treatment of breast cancer causes stinging pain at the sight of incision and also aches in the shoulder, back and neck. If the person has gone through a mastectomy (complete removal of breast), it may lead to imbalance due to weight shift and inconsistency. If there has been any injury to the nerves during the surgery, it results in deadness and tingling sensation in the chest, arms and underarms. It may also cause chronic swelling of the arm, also known as lymphedema caused due to collection of the lymphatic fluid.

Side effects of radiation

Radiation therapy, internal or external, causes very few and temporary side-effects. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) may lead to fatigue and nausea, while external therapy may cause the treated skin area to become inflamed, dry and itchy. There may also be changes in skin colour. Radiotherapy might also result in changes in breast tissue.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy attacks all quickly dividing cells in the body because of which cells like the hair follicles and gastrointestinal tract is also affected leading to hair loss of the scalp, body and pubic area. Chemotherapy commonly causes fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Mouth ulcers and sores, leading to loss of taste and smell are also common. Women undergoing chemotherapy are unable to conceive during the period of the treatment, they may also experience pre-menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, interfering with their menstrual cycle.

Side effects of hormone therapy

It is the oestrogen hormone that advances the growth of cancerous cells. For those breast cancers which are categorized as oestrogen receptor-positive, Tamoxifen - an anti-oestrogen producing drug is used to hinder the activity of oestrogen hormone. This drug causes menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual periods and dryness and itching of skin around vagina. It causes vomiting, headache and nausea. And it also causes more serious side-effects like blood clots, stroke, risk of uterus cancer and risk of cataracts.

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

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Breast cancer stages form the basis for a proper and systematic pattern of breast cancer diagnosis and give a rough idea about the intensity of tumors formed in breast areas. Stages of cancer also help to know the approximate chances of elimination of tumors so that an apt breast cancer cure can be recommended accordingly.

Breast Cancer Stages in Detail

Stages of cancer explain the pattern of growth or tumors in a systematic manner depending upon analysis of various breast cancer causes and the kind of cancer symptoms displayed by the victim. They also help to understand the location of tumors and the damage they may cause to the victim's body in future.

Cancer stages are closely related to chances of survival of the victim. Life expectancy of a person depends mainly upon the stage of the disorder she is suffering from, and each stage has different rates of survival. Also, the form of treatment to be undergone by the victim depends upon the stage of malignant infection. Usually the treatment is light in initial stages while its intensity increases as the victim progresses from lower to higher phase of cancer. A person may undergo high mental and physical sufferings in the final stages as the treatment pattern gets considerably aggressive. Also, the chances of survival are lowest in final stages and a person may also suffer from cancer recurrence.

Cancer stages can be identified on the basis of output obtained in the diagnosis process undergone by the victim. The disease can be safely eliminated if a person initiate cure as soon as the tumors get detected. Any delay in the process may allow tumors to metastasize rapidly and make their elimination difficult. Stages also determine the pattern of post-treatment care to be undergone by a victim and the kind of support one needs in future to tackle the disease.

In most of the cases, stages of cancer progress due to faulty treatment pattern or ignorance of victim in following necessary lifestyle and dietary pattern. Strong immune system is the biggest defense to cancerous development and plays a vital role in limiting tumors to a certain stage.

Main Stages of Breast Cancer

Stage 0 is the most basic stage and is a general indication of cell abnormality. It is difficult to judge presence of cancerous growth at this stage.

Stage 1 is a condition in which the infected cells start to invade tissues. Tumor-size is less than 2cm and no damage is caused to lymph nodes.

Stage 2 is a phase wherein the tumors spread to axillary lymph nodes and their size is between 2cm and 5 cm. They also try to invade tissues further.

Stage 3 is a phase of breast cancer in which the cancer moves further from axillary lymph nodes. It spreads to chest walls or breast skin and may also invade lymph nodes near breast bone or collarbone.

Stage 4 displays the spread of tumors in wide areas of the body and metastasis takes place at the maximum possible pace. Tumors may spread to lungs, lymph nodes present at distant locations, liver, abdomen, skin or even the brain.

Breast cancer stages are the main indicators of seriousness of cancerous growth and should be examined carefully. Proper cure pattern should be followed in accordance with the mental and physical condition of the victim.

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