Breast Cancer

Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms

2007-05-31T01:02:00.001-07:00

The figures concerning breast cancer are alarming. One woman in every nine will get breast cancer at some point in her life. There are more than 212,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the USA each year. In Canada the figure is about 20,500, Australia 13,000 and in UK the figure is over 41,000. It doesn’t matter if you are a mature women or a young girl in your teens. It is important for all females to know the symptoms of this dreaded disease.

Who is at risk?

Breast cancer is overwhelmingly a female disease, but rarely a few men are also affected. It becomes more common in women as age increases. Over 80% of the cases occur in women over the age of 50. Other risk factors include:

-taking an oral contraceptive pill
-having hormone replacement therapy
-obesity and/or high fat diets
-one or more relatives who have had breast cancer
-alcohol use

Early detection is very important

Currently, six out of every seven patients diagnosed with breast cancer are cured at an early stage. However, if they are diagnosed when the cancer has become advanced, the cure rate falls to about one in seven. It is extremely important to catch breast cancer at an early stage. Knowing the symptoms is crucial.

Common symptoms of breast cancer

Usually, early breast cancer does not cause pain. As a matter of fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. As the cancer grows and spreads, it can cause changes that women should watch for.

Here are few symptoms one should be aware of:

-Itching in the armpit or around the breast region.
-Pink, red, or dark colored area (called erythematic) with texture similar to the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange).
-Ridges and thickened areas of the skin of nipple or breast.
-Appearance of a bruise that does not go away.
-Nipple getting inverted.
-Breast is warm to the touch.
-Pain in the breast (from a constant ache to stabbing pains).
-Change in texture as well as color of the aureole.
-Change in the shape or size of a breast.
-Dimpling of the breast skin.
-Swelling or a lump in the armpit.
-A discharge from the nipple.

On noticing any of these changes, a woman should see her doctor. However, there is no need to panic. Most often, it is not cancer. Many conditions can cause symptoms listed above. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.

Dennis Hardy is a senior writer for the Health-Articles-Online.com website. For more articles from this author, please visit http://www.Health-Articles-Online.com

Breast Cancer Symptoms

2007-05-31T01:01:00.006-07:00

Cancer is a term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer can spread through the bloodstream and invade nearby tissues. It can spread into the lymphatic system into other parts of one’s body. There are numerous types of cancer. Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs is carcinoma. Leukemia is a form of cancer that begins in blood forming tissue such as bone marrow and will cause a large number of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream. Multiple myeloma and lymphoma cancers start in the cells of the immune system. Cancer that begins in the bone, cartilage, fat, blood vessels, or muscle is sarcoma. Each year in America, 211,000 women learn they have breast cancer. Other than skin cancer breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women is this country. Common symptoms of breast cancer include a change in how the breast or nipple feels and a change in how the breast or nipple looks.

If there are changes in how the nipple or breast feels, possibly a thickening or lump in or around the breast or underarm area, such a change can be a symptom of breast cancer. So can tenderness in the nipple.

Changes in how the nipple or breast looks may be the nipple turning inward into the breast. Another change could be a different shape or size of breast. Still other changes that might occur in the breast, nipple, or areola may be red, scaly or swollen skin. The skin may have ridges or pitting and look like the skin of an orange.

Still, another sign that there could be breast cancer is a nipple discharge. The nipple may discharge a fluid if there is breast cancer.

In early stages breast cancer usually does not cause pain. If a woman is having pain or other symptoms that do not go away she should see her health care provider. It is likely the symptoms are not due to breast cancer. Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. If a woman does have these symptoms she should tell her doctor. Any problems that might exist can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

For additional information about other cancer topics, please go to Women’s Health Talk

Discover How Breast Cancer Awareness Can Benefit You

2007-05-31T01:01:00.005-07:00

You have undoubted run across many of the breast cancer awareness days and sessions that appear around the country sporadically. These are usually put on by a local group, a church, or sponsored by the American Cancer Society to promote breast cancer awareness in the community.

You might be wondering why your breast cancer awareness level should be raised and what benefit that represents for you, but all you need to do is look at the statistics about the reported cases of breast cancer. The reported cases of breast cancer has been rising steadily year after year, and for the coming year, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 200,000 diagnosed cases. Even scarier is that they also estimate that more than 40,000 of those cases of breast cancer will die from it.

Here is an even scarier fact for you -- did you know that breast cancer is not limited to women? Yes it is true. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 1600 cases of breast cancer in MEN this year, and that about 400 of them will die. So are you starting to see where breast cancer awareness is starting to be important to you and your health? With statistics like this, it is no wonder that they want to promote breast cancer awareness as much as possible.

Many people do not take this disease seriously, even despite these statistics. Although it is difficult to believe, there are many people who have not had a checkup or medical exam in the past 4, 5, or 10 years or more. How can you possibly take your health seriously if you do not have regular checkups and exams from your doctor or medical professional? One way is of course to raise your breast cancer awareness level since that is a disease where there is currently not a known cure.

Your best option for fighting breast cancer is to get early detection and early diagnosis. When breast cancer is detected early, your chances of being able to cope with it, to fight it, and via treatments like chemo, there are many documented cases of people who have beat it. But if it had not been detected and diagnosed early, those would almost certainly be different stories with radically different outcomes. What about those people who have not had a medical examination in the past 4 or 5 years? If they have developed breast cancer in that timeframe, it will certainly not be considered an early diagnosis and could even mean another fatality from breast cancer.

You need to become knowledgeable about the typical symptoms of breast cancer, and if you detect any of those symptoms at home, you should schedule a checkup with your doctor as soon as possible. For women of ages 18 to about 40, you should plan to schedule a checkup with your doctor once about every 2-3 years. For women over 40, that checkup should be not less than annually. Although breast cancer has not conclusively been determined to be hereditary, you might want to consider having checkups even more often is there is a history of cancer in your family tree. Keeping these statistics in mind, your level of breast cancer awareness should be raised where these regular checkups should be at the forefront of your mind.

Raise your breast cancer awareness levels and get those checkups. Be aware of the symptoms and if you see any of them, be sure to get an exam soon. Remember, the best chances for beating breast cancer are early detection and early diagnosis.

Jon is a prolific writer with expertise in a number of areas. Find out more information about Breast Cancer Awareness at his web site, http://breast-cancer-explained.com/breast_cancer_awareness.php

Can You Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms?

2007-05-31T01:01:00.003-07:00

If you learn to recognize what the breast cancer symptoms are, you empower yourself to find out what's going on with your body. You might find out it's not cancer. You've lessened the burden of worry because you recognized a possible symptom, and bravely forged ahead to get diagnosed.

If you do you have cancer, you have a much better chance reaching the goal of recovery and long-term survival than if you'd put it off.

If you can learn to identify symptoms you can often help friends and family by giving the extremely valuable gift of early detection and diagnosis.

The Breast Lump

If you perform self-breast exam, eventually you'll find a lump. Is it a lump, or just normal "lumpiness," many little benign lumps in both breasts? Breast lumps that suddenly occur need to be checked. Usually the smaller the lump, the better. The size of the lump may determine prognosis.

If a lump is found to be cancerous, what are the most common diagnoses? It could be a precancerous lump, such as ductal carcinoma in situ and less commonly, lobular carcinoma in situ.

The common types are invasive ductal carcinoma (about 80% of invasive cases), and invasive lobular carcinoma.

A Few Other Breast Cancer Symptoms

Dimpling of breast skin ("orange peel" appearance) is a symptom. Dimpling is caused by edema that surrounds a cancerous lump, which pulls on the skin.

Swollen or painful lymph nodes in the armpits or just above the collar bone signal possible cancer. Retracted, enlarged, scaly or itchy nipple, or even spontaneous change in sensation of the nipple may also be a sign.

Nipple discharge, especially on one side and bloody, yellowish or green, is a symptom in 4% of the patients with this symptom. Most women do have some kind of normal nipple discharge if the breasts are squeezed.

Constant pain on one side is sometimes a sign of breast cancer. Cyclical pain on both sides, caused by hormonal flux, is not a sign.

Asymmetry can be a symptom of cancer.

Breast skin redness, warmth and/or swelling can mimic non-cancerous infections or may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. If the infection doesn't get better after a round of antibiotics, see your doctor.

In men, any breast lump, pain, or other change should be checked by a doctor.

Bone pain, significant weight loss, swelling of one arm, or ulceration of skin may be symptoms of advanced cancer, or may signify another condition. Diagnosis is essential.

Who Do I Ask?

Ask your family doctor. Your doctor may send you to a surgeon for biopsy, or if no lump is present, an oncologist.

What if you don't have any symptoms? You must use the most current screening recommendations for your age.

With breast cancer, knowledge is power. The earlier you recognize a symptom and get diagnosed, the better.

For more information on breast cancer try visiting http://www.breastcanceranalysis.com - a website that specializes in providing breast cancer related information and resources including information on breast cancer symptoms.

Facts on Breast Cancer

2007-05-31T01:01:00.001-07:00

Women of all ethnic backgrounds are afflicted by breast cancer. Last year, over 212.000 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer. Each year, over 40,000 American women die of complications related to the disease.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK - the disease is diagnosed in 42,000 women every year.

The chance of a woman developing breast cancer increases as she gets older. The risk factors include age, family history, early periods, late menopause, hormonal factors, not having children, drinking too much, obesity and inactivity.

The risk of breast cancer is especially high for women age 60 and older. It is rare in women younger than age 35.

Many large studies have documented the benefit of mammography in the early detection of breast cancer. On average, mammograms will detect 80% to 90% asymptomatic breast cancer.

Women should have positive lifestyle choices in order to decrease the risk factors of breast cancer. Every woman should pay attention to the following factors:

- Decrease daily fat intake, limit red meat and eat leaner meats.

- Increase fiber in the daily diet. Eat more whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits.

- Limit alcohol because there is evidence that women who have 2 or more drinks per day have a small increase in breast cancer risk.

- Be active. Include moderate amount of physical activity (for example taking a brisk, 30-minute walk) on most days of the week.

- Maintain the healthy body weight suggested by a health professional.

- Stop smoking. Although smoking does not cause breast cancer, other cancers may spread to the breast.

Did you find these facts on breast cancer helpful? Alex Fir shares latest breast cancer news on his site http://www.informationonbreastcancer.info.

Breast Cancer Prevention Plan

2007-05-31T01:00:00.005-07:00

A person suffering from breast cancer is more often thrown into distress, self pity and depression. Nobody wants to wake up one day with the realization that she is suffering from breast cancer.

Here are some preventive measures we need to follow in order to limit our risk of developing breast cancer.

Diet is an import factor in reducing a person's risk of breast cancer. We should be choosy about the food we eat especially fats. Studies show that there are certain types of fats that seem to raise the level of estrogen thus increasing the risk of breast cancer. Monounsaturated fats may seem to reduce the risk while polyunsaturated fats may increase the risk according to a Swedish study. Olive oil, canola oil and omega 3 fatty acids that are mostly found in sardines, salmon and herring are rich in monounsaturated fats. Try to use oils from these sources. As much as possible stay away from trans fats that are usually found in margarine, baked goods and some snack foods. Get into the habit of reading labels and know what goes into the pack of goodies that you eat. Corn oil, sunflower and safflower oils are rich in polyunsaturated fats, be sure to limit your usage of these types of oils.

Take in a lot of fibers. These bind with excess estrogen and carry estrogen through the intestinal tract for elimination. Beans, whole-grain breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables are some of the good sources of fiber. Have enough in your diet.

There are vegetables that are known to fight against cancer by boosting the cancer-fighting enzymes in our body. These include cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.

Estrogen is believed to contribute to breast cancer. Take in soy foods that contain isoflavones. Isoflavones are weak estrogen-like compounds. These compounds are believed to block the action of estrogen. Good sources of soy are tofu, soybeans and soy milk.

Try to avoid additives. When you buy your meat, poultry and dairy food, choose those which are hormone free and organic products. Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly to get rid of any pesticide residue. Remove peels if possible.

Exercise is also a good way to prevent breast cancer. Less active women are exposed to higher risk of cancer than active women. Studies show that women who exercise at least four hours a week have 37 percent lower risk of acquiring breast cancer. Estrogen production may also be lowered through exercise by reducing fat and burning calories. Breast cancer can be detected early through mammogram. It is said that breast cancer can be detected two to five years earlier by undergoing mammogram before any lump is felt. It is suggested that women ages 50 and above should undergo mammogram and clinical breast exam annually. For those who have a family history of breast cancer, it is suggested that you start regular mammograms at the age of 40. It is also a good practice to do monthly self-breast examination 7 to 10 days after the beginning of your menstruation. For post menopausal women, do your self-breast exam the same day every month. It is estimated that around 15,000 lives will be saved from breast cancer each year in the United States alone if only every woman will examine her breast periodically and will have mammograms during the recommended periods.

Take vitamin E supplements. One study shows that people with family history of breast cancer can actually lower their risk of developing the disease up to 80 percent if they have at least 10 or more IU per day of vitamin E in their diet.

Finally, a healthy lifestyle will considerably help prevent breast cancer. Avoid too much alcohol intake. Too much alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. You should have no more than two or three drinks a week.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

2007-05-31T01:00:00.003-07:00

Breast cancer is one of the dreaded women illnesses that has affected millions of women all over the world. All women should be concerned with breast cancer because it is a risk they have to live with. The greater they know about the risk, the more they will be able to fight back.

Most women discover breast cancer too late because of the lack of regular breast check ups or mammography. Some women think they could not get breast cancer while most would rather ignore the thought thinking it would all go away and they would not get it if they do not think of the illness.

The right attitude to take is to go for mammography or breast examinations regularly to be able be secure in the knowledge that one is free from the illness or to be able to detect the illness the soonest possible time.

A woman is expected to do self breast examinations and then see a doctor when an abnormality is discovered. Once the abnormality is confirmed, the doctor would then recommend more tests including biopsy. Biopsy will confirm whether the lump of abnormality is related to breast cancer.

Unlike most illnesses, breast cancer is not easily detected because it does not have painful symptoms. Most women who found out they have breast cancer did not even experience any symptoms at all. However, every woman should watch out for bodily changes that may indicate the presence of breast cancer.

The best time to check for lumps near the breast and underarm area is when a woman is taking a bath. A lump in those areas coupled with some form of nipple discharge as well as changing breast size should be a warning that something is not right. When such conditions are observed, she should immediately go to her doctor and report the changes.

The said changes do not necessarily mean breast cancer is present but it should be reason enough for concern. It is better to have them checked and be given a clean bill of health than suffer the consequences of detecting breast cancer too late.

There are several ways by which a doctor will be able to determine the existence of breast cancer and one of the simplest ways is to carefully feel for lumps in the breast, or in areas near the breast and the underarm. A more technical manner of detecting breast cancer is mammography or breast x-rays. The doctor can also opt for ultrasonography to determine the type of lump felt near or in the breast area.

The part most women dread during serious breast examinations is when the doctor tells them that he needs to get some fluid samples from the lump in the breast to determine whether it is cancerous or not. The examination will determine whether the lump is fluid or solid which may or may not be cancerous at all.

A woman who is detected with breast cancer should not lose hope because it can be treated. Several treatments can be had which will either eliminate the cancer or to minimize its spread to other parts of the body.

Accepting breast cancer is a struggle for every woman and she will need all the Support she can have from family and friends. Therefore an early breast cancer diagnosis is highly important.

Learn more helpful Information About Breast Cancer, and how Breast Cancer Awareness can help with the struggle, all this and more at http://breastcancer.healthandcosmetics.com

Treating Breast Cancer

2007-05-31T01:00:00.001-07:00

It wasn't that long ago that a diagnosis of breast cancer was almost akin to a death sentence. Nowadays, however, there are many options for treating breast cancer, and the chances of success are high. Factors such as the type of breast cancer and how developed it is have the biggest influence on the outcome of treatment.

So what treatments are available today? There are three main types; let's take a look at them now.

Local Regional Treatment

This type of treatment focuses on the area where the breast cancer is found and the surrounding lymph nodes. One of the most common treatments is radiation therapy or radiotherapy. Generally women find there are few side effects to this sort of treatment, and if the cancer is still in the early stages, radiotherapy has a good chance of providing a complete cure.

Surgery is another option, but is usually only used when other methods have failed. Sometimes surgery involves removal of the lump, but in other situations it may be necessary to remove the whole breast and reconstruct the area afterwards. This is known as a mastectomy. Although this can be a difficult surgery for women to undergo emotionally, most women quickly adapt to their new body shape. Modern surgery is improving all the time, with the focus being on retaining as much of the healthy breast as possible.

Systemic Treatments

A systemic treatment involves treating the whole body. Chemotherapy is the main systemic treatment available, and is used to kill any cancer cells that may have spread into the rest of the body from the breast. Unfortunately chemotherapy is a difficult treatment to undergo, often making the patient feel ill and weak. It works by killing off all the rapidly dividing cells in the body. Many of these are cancer cells, but others are not, which is why people are often ill during chemotherapy. Still, as technology and medicine progress, chemotherapy is becoming more refined and a little easier to cope with. It's also an excellent way to prevent the spread of cancer, particularly to the lymph nodes, and so prevent fatal varieties developing.

Tamoxifen is a drug that is used as a systemic treatment. Unfortunately it often results in serious and uncomfortable side effects, so it's not often used. However it certainly has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, and in some cases can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in the first place. Side effects can include uterine cancer, blood clots, early menopause, nausea, vomiting, depression and loss of energy, amongst others.

Alternative Treatments

Not everybody believes that modern medicine is the only possible cure for breast cancer, hence the call for treatments that treat the mind, body and spirit in a holistic way. Little medical evidence exists to show that these treatments are effective, but certainly there have been instances of alternative treatments leading to a complete cure. Some possible treatments include meditation, acupuncture, relaxation techniques and herbal preparations including flaxseed and black cohosh.

If you develop breast cancer, then you should spend some time learning about the disease, make sure you understand how advanced your condition is and discuss all available treatment options with your medical professional. Remember, many more women survive breast cancer today, and go on to a live a normal, healthy life after treatment. So you can do it too!

If you want to learn more about breast cancer, click over to Jo's site at http://www.breastcancerinfozone.com

The Face Of Metastatic Breast Cancer

2007-05-31T00:59:00.005-07:00

America received a shocking piece of news in March 2007. John Edward's wife, Elizabeth, had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She spoke calmly, with inner strength, about how she had asked her husband to continue his presidential campaign, and how she wanted to campaign by his side. She did not want to be best known by her illness; she wanted, in fact, needed, to carry on as normally as she could.

Her diagnosis gave a face to this illness. Americans began to discuss Elizabeth and John Edward's decisions. Globally, people talked about how deeply cancer affects families. Breast cancer is something that affects many, and almost everyone has known someone who has died from it. Her announcement gave a face to it and it made people think. It brought the topic out in the open.

What is metastatic breast cancer? Also called Stage IV breast cancer, it is cancer that has spread from the original (primary) site to other organs or tissues in the body, such as bone, liver, lungs or brain.

Sometimes, like Mrs. Edwards, it is a recurrence of the original cancer. However, in one out of ten diagnosed, the first diagnosis that a woman hears is metastatic breast cancer.

In it, cells break away from the breast, circulating through the blood and lymphatic system. The body's immune system attacks these circulating cancer cells. Most do not survive, but if the immune system malfunctions or is weak, or for another, unknown reason, will usually spread to the bone, then lung and liver next. The cells that have metastasized are still breast cancer cells, no matter where they are found in the body.

Treatment is palliative, improving quality of life, relieving symptoms and aimed at extending a woman's lifetime. But there are new treatments coming that are giving more hope to those patients with this cancer. Many women with this illness choose to become part of a clinical trial in order to access treatments that are not yet approved by the FDA.

If it is "estrogen-receptive," hormonal therapies such as the drug Herceptin can be lifesaving. Chemotherapy is indicated in bone, lung and liver metastases. For bone metastases, radiation and the drug bisphosphonate are often used. For liver and lung metastases, occasionally surgery is used. For cancer that has spread to the brain, radiation and surgery are used.

Palliative care to relieve symptoms from both the cancer and treatment involves drug and non-drug treatments such as relaxation therapy, acupuncture, and dietary management. Besides physical symptoms, palliative care for patients who are being treated or who cannot be cured focuses on spiritual and emotional needs, as well as physical needs.

As far as anyone knows today, metastatic cancer can't be cured. Sometimes, treatments can actually stop the cancer from growing for months or years. When Elizabeth Edwards asserted that she thought her own might be treatable, people listened. She gave a face to this illness - a loving, brave, wise, face - that no one will forget.

For more information on breast cancer try visiting http://www.breastcanceranalysis.com - a website that specializes in providing breast cancer related information and resources including information on metastatic breast cancer.

Breast Cancer - Myths

2007-05-31T00:59:00.003-07:00

Myth: An individual will probably get breast cancer if her mother or grandmother had it.

If an individual's mother or grandmother has had breast cancer does not necessarily mean that they will end up with it even though they are in a higher risk group. Most women who end up getting breast cancer do not have a family history of it. It is recommended that you have a mammogram done if your mother, sister, grandmother or daughter had or has breast cancer.

Myth: Breast cancer is caused by the birth control pill.

This is not true. Contraceptive pills have small quantities of the hormones progesterone and estrogen which is often linked with increased risk of breast cancer. Despite the presence of these two hormones and the prolonged use for a period of 10 years and more it does not cause breast cancer. Birth control pills have some benefits too. They are, they decrease the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, they relieve pelvic inflammatory disease, menstrual disorders and they improve the bone mineral density.

Myth: Only women get breast cancer - Men do not get the disease.

This is not true. Though the percentage is smaller men do get breast cancer, therefore, it is important for men too to exam themselves monthly and report any changes noticed to their doctor immediately. In 2004, it was estimated that around 1450 men with breast cancer and that 470 will eventually die from it.

Myth: Lawn chemicals, pesticides and dry cleaning services cause breast cancer.

A few small studies have shown this as a possibility but larger studies on this subject have indicated otherwise.

Myth: You are likely to get breast cancer if you have a risk factor.

This is not so. Even if you have a breast cancer gene abnormality, which is one of the stronger risk factors, it does not mean you will end up with cancer. 40% to 80% of women with an inherited genetic abnormality, that is, BRCA1 or BRCA2 may sometime in their life develop breast cancer. 20% to 60% will not develop it. The presence of all other risk factors poses very little threat.

Myth: If you have a lump in your breast you will get breast cancer.

This is not so as it is found that eight out of ten lumps are not malignant or cancerous. If you discover any abnormalities or even a persistent lump in your breast it is best you consult your physician at once as early detection would result in better treatment and recovery.

Myth: Breast cancer will end up in death.

This is not so. 80% of the breast cancer diagnosed women show no spread of the cancer cells beyond the breast or to nearby lymph nodes. Also 80% of these women continue to live for a further five years and some even longer.

Myth: Younger women run a higher risk of breast cancer than older women.

As a woman gets older the risk of her getting breast cancer is also higher as age is one of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer. It is therefore important for a woman starting from the age of about forty to self examine her breasts monthly for any lumps or irregularities; get regular mammograms and a clinical breast examination done yearly in order to detect an early development of cancer. Women in the age group 20 - 40 should also carry out monthly self breast examination and clinical breast examinations every three years or so.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

Reducing Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

2007-05-31T00:59:00.001-07:00

Second only to lung cancer breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Only with early detection and effective treatment will it be likely to reduce the number of women who die from breast cancer each year.

There are some factors that are known to decrease a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer. Among those factors are SERMs, prophylactic mastectomy, aromatase inhibitors, prophylactic oophorectomy, and exercise. It is not known if factors such as abortion, diet, environment, second hand smoke, smoking, or statins can increase a woman’s risk factors for breast cancer.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, or SERMs are drugs acting similar to estrogen on some tissues in the body such as bones, while blocking estrogen effects on other tissues. Certain SERMs have been shown in studies to lower the risk for developing breast cancer for women at risk for developing this disease. Unfortunately there can be side affects with SERM drugs such as endometrial cancer, blood clots in veins and in the lungs, and stroke. A woman must discuss with her health care provider both benefits and risks of taking SERMs.

If there is a family history of breast cancer removal of both breasts, or prophylactic mastectomy, may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer for a woman. Careful consideration must be given before a woman makes a decision to have prophylactic mastectomy. It is important that breast cancer risk assessments and counseling are undergone before making such a decision. Women who have prophylactic mastectomy may develop anxieties and depression as well as concern about their body image.

Aromatase inhibitors decrease the body’s estrogen and can lower the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Most of a woman’s estrogen is made outside the ovaries from androgen (another hormone) in postmenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors work by stopping the action of the enzyme aromatase which converts androgens into estrogens. Negative side effects from taking aromatase inhibitors include decreased bone density and effects on a person’s brain function such as talking, memory, and learning.

Decreasing the amount of estrogen made by the body with the removal of both ovaries, or prophylactic oophorectomy may reduce a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer. Drugs may also be given to decrease the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries. However, the sudden drop in estrogen may cause symptoms of menopause to occur such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, loss of bone density or lack of interest in sex.

Hormone levels may reduce if a woman exercises four or more hours per week and can lower the risk for breast cancer. Exercise effectively reducing breast cancer risk is greater in younger women of low weight or normal weight. Exercise should be safe and the risk of injury to bones and muscles must be taken into consideration.

Abortion has not been shown to increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have not yet proven a connection with abortion and breast cancer.

Studies are being conducted to discover if diet can be an influence for breast cancer risks. A beta-carotene rich diet, according to studies, may reduce the risk for breast cancer.

Environmental concerns have not been linked to breast cancer. Studies indicate environmental exposures such as chemicals, metals, dust, and pollution have not shown a risk increase for breast cancer.

Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs. Studies have not indicated that statins have any effect on risks for developing breast cancer.

It has been shown in studies that smoking does not contribute to a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Second hand smoke also the studies indicate does not affect the risk for breast cancer. There are many known factors that place women at risk for developing breast cancer. Women need to educate themselves as to what the risk factors for breast cancer are and what preventive actions may be taken in order to decrease the number of women who lose their lives to breast cancer each year.

For additional information about other cancer topics, please go to Women’s Health Talk

Treatment of Breast Cancer

2007-05-31T00:56:00.000-07:00

Stages Breast cancer has several stages starting from early to advanced stage. You can detect early stage after a few weeks of development. At the advanced stage cancer spread to other organs. Depending on the stage the treatment varies. Reoccurrence of breast cancer happens in case of malignant tumors.

Where it can spread It can spread to the back and hip bones, lungs, liver and brain.

What are the treatments for breast cancer? Breast cancer is treated by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Generally two or more treatments are combined together for better effect. Doctors combine surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation. The treatment varies depending on many factors like the patient, the stage of breast cancer and instance of reoccurrence.

Surgery: Lumpectomy or the removal of the lump is a technique in surgery. Doctor may need to remove lymph nodes from your armpit or breast depending on the stage.

Chemotherapy: Drugs and medicines are used which restrict or stop cancer cell growth. These medicines may also reduce the size of the lumps and tumors. Some medicines even kill the tumours.

Hormonal therapy: Doctors use some anti-estrogen, aromatase inhibitors or LHRH analogues to stop the hormone estrogen production and effects. Estrogen is a sex hormone found in women body which helps in growth of the breast cancer. When Estrogen is stopped then the growth of the tumours also ceased.

Radiation therapy: X-rays or other high-energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells. These rays are applied to the tumours and surrounding areas.

Bikash is an MBA who works as an freelance writer. He worked for on eof the best private banks in India. He has been writing for the last 5 years. He has worked with many US,UK and Indian clients.

Visit him at http://bikiassam.tripod.com