breast cancer
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Young Women
It is widely recognized that breast cancer mostly affects those women fifty or over. However, there is precedent for young women to develop the disease. There are a few reasons for this including:
Change in hormone levels. Younger women tend to experience widely varying hormone levels that fluctuate far more than older women, and this can put them at greater risk for breast cancer and the need for treatment.
Environmental changes such as pollution, pesticides and food contamination as well as use of antiperspirants can also have an effect. Lifestyle changes may also be considered. Another thing to think about is breast enhancement. This is usually done to increase one's self confidence and self image. However what is generally not considered it the fact that breast enhancement methods can rely on hormone manipulation or excessive hormones.
Lifestyle choices can also play apart. These include mental or emotional stress as well as poor diet and sleep patterns, smoking or eating genetically enhanced foods.
Late childbearing can also be considered as a risk factor as is lack of breast feeding. Not only does this pose a risk to the mother, it can be considered unhealthy for the baby as well, though at this time there is no conclusive proof of an increase in breast cancer risk.
In short, although the highest level of risk is still seen in older women, there is significant chance for younger women to develop the disease due to rapidly changing lifestyle choices. The best way for younger women to prevent breast cancer is to ensure rest, eat healthy, exercise and make sure that their stress level in within manageable limits.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Recent breast cancer statistics state that one in eight women is at risk to develop breast cancer in their lifetime and that women over fifty have the greatest risk for developing breast cancer. Breast cancer can be detected via mammograms or self-diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is no replacement for a doctor.
Pinpointing the exact cause of breast cancer remains very difficult, as each person's cancer may be brought on by totally different causes. In general, cancer is caused by a free radicals, also known as deformed cells, which attach to good cells. There is also a link to high estrogen levels. High estrogen levels may be caused by hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, and high levels of preservatives found in herbicides and pesticides.
We can classify the causes listed above as generally beyond our control. However, there are other things that can put one at risk for breast cancer that are within our control. These include:
- Excessive alcohol intake.
- A diet high in fat.
- Pregnancy after 30.
- Oral contraceptive use.
Unfortunately, our society teaches us that most things can be fixed with a pill. However, to truly help prevent cancer, you can do some or all of the following: Exercise regularly. This could be as simple as a 30 minute walk each day. Eat a diet high in fiber and vegetables and low in fat. Eat fruit. Always ensure you get the proper amount of rest specific to you. You may need 7 hours of sleep, you may need more or less. Listen to your body as it will tell you. Make sure you self-diagnose and stick to a schedule. You may also want to consider progesterone cream as well. What this does is essentially regulate your body's hormones so that the estrogen level does not get too high. Doing these things will go a long way to helping prevent breast cancer and lowering your risk of developing it.
Labels: What Causes Breast Cancer?
Positive Ways to Deal With Breast Cancer
As we know there are many practical ways one can use to prevent breast cancer. But what if you've already been diagnosed? It should be stated here that being diagnosed with breast cancer does not automatically mean life is over. In addition to the many options for breast cancer treatment (including drugs and more natural methods), there are ways that one can increase their energy and vitality and deal with this disease.
First off, if you have a religious faith, turn to that. Seek comfort in it and use your faith to strengthen your positive outlook. Faith is designed to help us through whatever tough times we may encounter and can be an integral part of the fight against breast cancer.
Next, simply talk to a friend. Again, this can go far in helping you cope with the diagnosis and in strengthening your resolve. A true friend will be there in good times and bad and is as important to your healing process as your doctor.
Keep yourself busy. One of the best ways to deal with something like this is to keep busy. Do not let this disease control your life. Live it as if nothing had changed. Remember to do things for yourself also. This could be taking yourself to a movie or curling up on the couch. And if you have hobbies do those as doing something you love will lift your spirits and enable you to keep going.
There is support in the form of groups you can turn to as well. Remember that you are not alone.
Above all, take things one day at a time. And should your family offer to help in anything from chores to dinner, take them up on it. If you do these things, soon you will be a survivor who thrives.
I hope you've gotten a lot of value from this article, as now you know some vital information about breast cancer and how to try to prevent it.
Preventing Breast Cancer Made Easy
There are several ways we can go about breast cancer prevention. One is to ensure we get enough rest, to give our body the time it needs to grow and regenerate. Another way is to have a healthy diet plan, rich in oats, fiber and vegetables. But the most important method of breast cancer prevention is exercise.
It is commonly known that exercise does not have to be a two mile run or hours spent at the gym, however when it comes to exercise we are very good at finding excuses no to, even though we know it will benefit us. Common ones include: "It's too early, it's too late, I'm tired, my feet hurt, my whole body hurts, I'm hungry," but really if we stop and think, we are short-changing our bodies and in doing so, potentially shortening our lives.
The recommended minimum amount of exercise is 30 minutes a day. Exercise can be anything from walking, to swimming, to yoga to weight lifting. The main thrust here is to do it with consistency. What you are trying to do is develop a habit that will aid in keeping you health, strong and cancer free.
It is interesting to note that the benefits of exercise are not impacted by your weight. Exercise, no matter what form it takes is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle as a stronger body will lead to a stronger immune system. When started at an early age, the benefits are enormous. And if your exercise routine is kept up as you progress through your forties and fifties, you will have a much lesser risk of developing breast cancer than those that don't exercise. In short, you can use pills but the best breast cancer prevention is the one that comes from your own efforts.
I hope you've gotten a lot of value from this article, as now you know some vital information about breast cancer and how to try to prevent it.
Learn About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a common disease. Each year, approximately 200,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one in nine American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in breast tissues. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Breast cancer is 100 times more common in women than in men. Most cases of male breast cancer are detected in men between the ages of 60 and 70, although the condition can develop in men of any age.
Breast cancer is not only a serious physical disease, but it is often an emotionally draining disease as well. Issues regarding sexuality (especially if a mastectomy has been performed) often surround breast cancer. Breast cancer is identified by different names, depending on where it starts in the woman's breast. A woman's breast is made up of breast tissue, blood vessels, nerves, ducts, lobes and lobules. Breast cancer is highly detectable through mammography screening. The earlier it is discovered, the greater it is for a woman to survive the disease. It is recommended that women over 40 years of age receive yearly mammograms.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, although men get breast cancer too. Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. It is considered a heterogeneous disease, meaning that it is a different disease in different women, a different disease in different age groups and has different cell populations within the tumor itself. Breast cancer is diagnosed by the examination of surgically removed breast tissue. A number of procedures can obtain tissue or cells prior to definitive treatment for histological or cytological examination. There are two types of surgery to remove the malignant tumor. Lumpectomy is the removal of the tumor and part of the surrounding breast tissue. Second type of surgery is a mastectomy which is the removal of the entire breast and breast tissue.
Breast cancer is a disease in which certain cells in the breast become abnormal and multiply without control or order to form a tumor. The most common form of breast cancer begins in cells lining the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancer). Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among American women, with over 200,000 new cases a year and about 46,000 annual deaths. Breast cancer can also occur in men, but the numbers are much less than in women. It is very important for women to perform monthly self breast examination. If a woman feels any lumps or anything abnormal in her breast, she must see a doctor immediately.
Labels: Learn About Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Symptoms - Key to Early Detection For Complete Cure
Breast cancer is nowadays a commonly found disease in women. It consists of abnormal growth of cells in the breast. When these cells keep growing continuously without any interruption then it starts affecting other healthy cells. The growth of this disease can start at the small lobe, tissues and vessels in breast. Although there is no defining symptoms but some factors help you in getting the required help, at the right time.
It is not easy to detect breast cancer. The symptoms sometimes do not occur at early stage. Even feeling pain is not always a sign for this type of cancer. But if you are familiar with common signs then you can manage this condition and even cure it completely. Every woman knows about the size and shape of breast. There should be no swelling and distortion in breasts. To check, you should gently press your fingers flatly on the surface of breast. If you find any sort of lump, mass or thickening then you should consult to your physician. Symptoms also include dimpling or ridges and rash or scales on the skin. If you notice that one breast is growing more in comparison to other breast then you need to consult doctor.
Apart from this breast cancer symptoms include inverted nipples in changed shape and also pushed inward. Discharge of colorless, yellow, milky or even blood discharge from nipples is one of the most noticeable symptoms. It is not essential that only women fall prey to breast cancer but men can also have this condition. Although it is in rare cases. The symptoms for this disease are same for both men and women. However, apart from other symptoms, men should look for signs such as pain in nipple, enlarged lymph nodes and areola sores.
However, women should visit doctor frequently for breast check up. It will assist you in diagnosing breast cancer early. If you find yourself unable to analyze yourself then you can undergo a clinical breast cancer exam.
Must Know Breast Cancer Awareness - Symptoms and Facts
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in this country, affecting one in nine women at some time in their life. Women with a mother or sister who has had breast cancer are also likely to be more aware of the disease, making delays in seeking treatment unlikely.
As well as genetics, other risk factors such as obesity and hormone replacement therapy probably play a role in the incidence and outcome of breast cancer.
Women aged over 70 years are also entitled to screening, but must request it when their appointment is due.
Women who have taken female hormone preparations for many years are also at risk. It is thought that breast-feeding gives some protection against breast cancer developing.
Hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer. Risk increases the longer you take it, and decreases gradually after you stop taking it.
Breast cancer that spreads out of the breast may spread to lymph nodes in the armpit nearest the breast affected by cancer (axillary lymph nodes). It occurs much more commonly in women and fewer than 1 in 100 of breast cancers occur in men, and is hormone-dependent.
Hormone therapy is used for women with ER/PR-positive breast cancer, while chemotherapy is recommended for women whose breast cancers are ER-PR-negative.
Chemotherapy may also be recommended in addition to hormone therapy for women with ER/PR-positive breast cancer, particularly if they have node-positive disease, a large tumor size, or other features that suggest a higher risk for a cancer recurrence.
Lymphedema (chronic swelling) of the arm tends to develop gradually in 15% to 20% of breast cancer patients who have lymph nodes removed.
Some research suggests that the chance of developing lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is greater if a large number of lymph nodes are removed, if radiation is used as part of treatment, if tumor cells are present in the lymph does when initial surgery is performed, or if wound complications develop after surgery.
There is also research that indicates that exercise and skin care after surgery can help reduce the chances of lymphedema. All patients who have lymph nodes removed should be taught how to take care of the affected arm and help prevent lymphedema.
Lymph vessels move lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes trap bacteria, cancer cells and other harmful substances. Lymphatic vessels are tiny vessels that usually run beside veins and collect fluid and dead cells.
Patients should also know the early signs of lymphedema and report any symptoms to their physicians immediately to help avoid long-term suffering.
Many women who have had chemotherapy report memory loss and lack of concentration after breast cancer treatment. Others talk about being unable to remember details, being unable to do more than one thing at a time and having trouble remembering common words.
Some women who have not taken chemotherapy also report similar symptoms.
Fertility and pregnancy are important concerns for many young women with breast cancer. One possible side effect of breast cancer treatment is amenorrhea (not having periods), which may result in loss of fertility.
The risk of amenorrhea from chemotherapy depends on a woman's age and the specific drug regimen used.
The growth of some breast cancer cells may be slowed or stopped with the drugtamoxifen, an anti-estrogen medication. Research suggests that tamoxifen may lower the chance that a breast cancer can return by between 25% and 35%. It can also prevent the recurrence of new cancer in the opposite breast.
Treatment typically involves removal of the primary tumour where possible, followed by a regimen of chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy, and sometimes radiation therapy.
Other hormone treatments include the use of progestins, estrogens, andandrogens.
In rare cases, the surgeon may suggest removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) in pre-menopausal women as a way of eliminating the main source of estrogen, which can boost the growth of some breast tumors.
Doctors and scientists are working on finding cures for all types of breast cancer.
They are researching new medicines that may even help prevent the disease. Doctors call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.
Doctors recommend doing a monthly BSE at the same time each month (like a few days after a girls period ends, when breasts are less tender). Some kinds of lumps that teenage girls may feel are normal, but a doctor should check out any lump to be sure.
Breast cancer can be a transforming experience, but not in the ways you might think. Most women don't just survive breast cancer; they derive strength from the experience of having the disease.