The Most Likely Doctor Mistakes That Can Delay Detection of Your Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

There are two mistakes commonly made by doctors that can delay the diagnosis of a woman's breast cancer:
(1) failing to order a diagnostic test to rule out cancer when a lump is felt in the breast and
(2) misreading a mammogram.
If a doctor makes either of these mistakes and causes a delay in the diagnosis of cancer until it reaches an advanced stage, the patient may have a claim for medical malpractice.
Failing to order diagnostic testing.
Doctors all too often assure women that the lump in their breast is nothing more than a benign cyst. Perhaps these doctors are simply playing the odds. After all, most abnormal findings from breast examinations are due to something other than cancer. The odds are even stronger in young women with no family history of breast cancer. Statistically, women with not family history of breast cancer are at a lower risk than those with a family history. Further, the majority of new cases of breast cancer occur in women over 50 years old. Some women have reported being told by their doctor that they are too young to have cancer. Unfortunately, some of the women whose breast examination reveal a lump, even young women and women with no family history of breast cancer, turn out to have breast cancer.
Perhaps these doctors believe they can tell whether a mass in the breast is cancerous by conducting a clinical breast examination. Unfortunately, it is simply not possible to determine, based on a clinical breast examination, whether a lump in the breast is a benign or cancerous. Thus, most cancer specialist conclude that when a woman reports feeling a lump in her breast or a mass is detected during a clinical breast examination, it is necessary to conduct diagnostic testing to determine whether the mass is cancerous. Examples of diagnostic tests include an aspiration, a biopsy, and a mammogram.
For those patient who do have breast cancer, the failure to order diagnostic testing can result in the growth and spread of the cancer.    
Misreading a mammogram
Mammograms are used to detect structures and changes in the breast that may be cancerous. The mammogram creates images of the inside of the breast by using low dose x-rays of the patient's compressed breast. The resulting images are then analyzed by doctors for the presence of any structures or changes that might be cancerous.  An abnormal finding is generally followed by diagnostic testing, such as a biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous.
Unfortunately, doctors sometimes miss what is literally in front of their eyes. They sometimes fail to detect an abnormal structure or change from a prior mammogram.  Other times, doctors incorrectly diagnose a structure or change from a prior mammogram as benign without ordering any diagnostic testing to rule out cancer.
Mistake may result in medical malpractice claim
Either of the common mistakes described above can cause a delay in the diagnosis of the patient's breast cancer. The longer the detection of cancer is delayed, the more likely it is that the cancer will spread and reach an advanced stage. When the cancer spreads, the treatment options available to the woman are more limited.  In addition, her 5-year survival rate, the chance she has of surviving the cancer for 5 years or more, even with treatment, decreases significantly. At Stage III, it is approximately 55 percent. By Stage IV, it can be as low as 20 percent.  If the cancer is detected early, however, the 5-year survival rate is over 80 percent, possibly as high as over 95 percent if it is detected early enough.
Medical mistakes can have tragic consequences. This is particularly true for patients with cancer. The delay in diagnosis can result in the loss of the breast, limited treatment options, and in some cases, can be fatal. When this happens, mistakes such as those described above may constitute medical malpractice.
The law limits the amount of time a victim of medical malpractice and her family have in which to pursue any resulting legal claim(s). Thus, if you suspect that you or a family member are a victim of medical malpractice you should contact an attorney immediately.

Joseph Hernandez is an Attorney focused on complex injury cases, including Medical Malpractice cases. You can learn more about Breast Cancer Malpractice Cases at his website http://www.breastcancerlaw.com

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A Brief Introduction to the Mysterious World of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the commonest form of cancer in women and, after lung cancer, it is the second major cause of cancer death among females. In 2004 no fewer than 186,770 new breast cancer cases were reported according to the American Cancer Society and this figure would seem to be going up on a yearly basis.
It should also be noted that breast cancer is not confined only to women and that some more than 1,800 men were also diagnosed with the disease in 2004 and 362 men died of breast cancer in the same year.
Women's breasts are complex structures consisting of glands, fat and connective fibrous tissue. They have a number of lobes which are divided into lobules and end in the milk glands and there are also a large number of tiny ducts from the milk glands that connect together and culminate in the nipple.
Eighty percent of breast cancer cases occur in these ducts and this condition is known as infiltrating ductal cancer. It is also fairly common for it to originate in the lobules where it is called lobular cancer. Other forms of cancer are called inflammatory breast cancer.
Pre-cancerous changes (known as 'in situ') are also common in women and are changes that have not yet spread from the area of the breast where they started. If these changes occur within the ducts then the condition is called ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS and where they occur in the lobules they are known as lobular carcinomas in situ or LCIS.
The most serious form of breast cancer is metastatic cancer which involves the spread of a cancer from the place where it began. It generally metastasizes into the lymph nodes under the arms or above the collarbone on the same side of the body as the cancer which results in pain and swelling to the affected area as the lymphatic drainage system is compromised. Other common sites of breast cancer metastasis are the brain, liver and the bones.
Apart from the very obvious factor of gender, age is a critical factor when looking at the risk of contracting breast cancer. Although it can and does appear at any age the risk of getting it certainly rises as you get older. A normal woman aged 30 will normally have a 1 in 280 chance of getting breast cancer by the time she reaches 40. However, this then increases to a 1 in 70 chance when that same women is in her forties.
Family history is also an important risk factor for breast cancer with the risk being particularly high when you have a close relative (like an aunt or mother) who has developed cancer of the breast at a young age.
Although it has yet to be confirmed, there is thought to be a cancer gene that can be passed from mother to daughter.

Breast cancer touches many of us today and for those of us with breast cancer questions then there can be no better place than http://breastcancertreatmentinformation.com to find the answers we are looking for.

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Breast Examination Helps Prevents Breast Cancer

Most people think that breast cancer only strike those who are older. It is true that the older you are the more likely you are to get breast cancer but the younger you are (if you get breast cancer) it can be fatal. If you get breast cancer when you are younger chances are you may die from it.
Could it happen to you?
No women want to hear the words ... "You have got Breast Cancer".
You definitely look better having two breasts. And if you look better and feel better you will definitely live better. Thus we have to learn how to improve our odds of not having cancer at all.
Breast Cancer
1. Most common form of cancer in women - more than 30% of the cancers.
2. In the US, I out of 8 women will be diagnosed as having breast cancer. In Canada 1 out of 17. And in Malaysia 1 out of 14.
3. 85% have no family history of breast cancer.
4. 2nd only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death.
Prevention is the best option. It's for yourself and the people you care about.
Prevention of breast cancer is also applicable to other forms of cancer.
Managing your risk of Breast Cancer - 3 Step Process
1. Prevention (Best)
2. Early detection (Best Alternative)
If you do step (1) chances are low that you will not get cancer. If you do step (2) you may survive.
Prevention of Breast Cancer
1. Maintain BMI below 25 - maintain a healthy body weight.
2. Reduce alcohol consumption.
3. Stop smoking.
4. Take a blood or lymphatic cleanser.
5. Take Phytoestrogens
6. Take Whole Food Antioxidants.
7. Take B-complex vitamins.
8. Take Fiber Supplement (25 gm per day)
9. Avoid HRT.
Your goal is to stay healthy - by Prevention. Fibre, Antioxidants and Glucarate - all helps to prevent breast cancer.
Early Detection
1. Monthly Breast Self-examination starting at age 20.
2. Clinical Breast Examination every 3 years from age (20-39)
3. Annual mammogram starting at age 40
Why Early Detection?
The difference between a 1 cm (about the size of a blueberry) and a 2cm tumour (about the size of a cherry) is several years worth of growth and several million cancer cells. A woman do not die from breast cancer. It's when it spreads to other vital organs that death occur.
Nobody wants to hear the words - "You've got cancer". However, early detection when it is still small is okay. Better not to have cancer. But if you have it, better to find it when small.
Reasons not wanting to do a Breast Self-Examination.
* It takes time
* Lack of confidence
* Fear
Are the above reasons or excuses? Most people don't do it even though they know how to do it. In most lumps detected 80% is not cancer and 20% will be cancer.
Find out how anyone can help their loved ones to prevent breast cancer by using a device to help making breast self examination easier at http://www.howcanigethealthy.com/healthblog/womens-health/breast-examination-prevents-breast-cancer

Siong Khee is providing information for individuals who wants to achieve optimal health with the use of nutritional supplements on his health blog at http://www.howcanigethealthy.com/healthblog

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What's Up With Being Negative? ER - Breast Cancer Patients Need to Know!

I was speaking in Milwaukee a few weeks ago to a large Komen group and a young lady, just 26 years old, came up to me and said, "I have estrogen receptor negative breast cancer...I don't fit into the same mold as other women. So, what kinds of foods should I be eating?"
Eight years ago, when I was writing Challenge Cancer and Win!, that same question sent me to the National Library of Medicine to find an answer. I couldn't find one. While we have thousands of studies specific to breast cancer, it is only recently that researchers are focusing on the dietary link to breast cancer based on estrogen receptor status.
As you probably know, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Most women will be diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer-which means that their cancers are spurred on by excess estrogen in the body. Many studies have helped us formulate certain dietary recommendations specific to this kind of cancer. But what about the individuals who are diagnosed with estrogen receptor negative breast cancer-a type of cancer that accounts for nearly 25% of all breast cancer diagnoses?
Recent studies have surfaced in the last five years and now we have a game plan for estrogen receptor negative breast cancer survivors too! In a study published in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that women who scored high on Harvard University's Alternate Healthy Eating Index had a lower risk of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. This index provides guidelines describing the "gold standard" for cancer risk reduction and includes recommendations to consume a daily intake of the following: 9 servings of fruits and veggies, 7+ grams of dietary fiber, eating three times more chicken and fish than beef, lamb and pork, consuming 30-40% less saturated fat than polyunsaturated fats, eating less than 3 grams of trans fats and consuming 1 ounce of nuts or soy. So, basically, the researchers recommend a diet that is rich in plants. That's no surprise. And those recommendations apply to any woman concerned with breast cancer, or any cancer or disease for that matter.
In August 2005, a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention revealed that researchers looked at folate intake and risk of breast cancer characterized by hormone receptor status. Remember that folate is a B vitamin given to pregnant women to help prevent birth defects. B vitamins play a crucial role in many body functions, including accurate cell division. For optimal health, we want accurate cell division-we want those healthy cells to keep duplicating themselves so we have even more healthy cells! The researchers found that women whose diets were deficient in folate had an increased estrogen receptor negative breast cancer risk. Higher folate intake was not associated with a lower risk of developing estrogen receptor breast cancer. So, while it makes sense for everyone to strive for accurate cell division and consume foods rich in folate, those individuals with estrogen receptor negative breast cancer may want to add these folate-rich foods to their daily checklist: fruits like cherries, oranges and strawberries, beans and peas, and dark, green leafy veggies. Alcohol, by the way, robs the body of folate and other B vitamins, so it's prudent to enjoy alcohol only occasionally, if at all.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that high intakes of linoleic acid were associated with more than a 300% greater risk of estrogen receptor negative disease than estrogen receptor positive disease. Linoleic acids are found in polyunsaturated fats like cottonseed, soybean, and corn oil as well as vegetable-based margarines. We have certainly seen a link to all breast cancers with the intake of excessive polyunsaturated fats (sources for linoleic acid) but this study offers significant insight for those individuals with estrogen receptor negative status. I would recommend exclusive use of extra virgin olive oil and butter, rather than margarine. And don't forget the hidden fats found in crackers and other bakery products. It's time to choose non-hydrogenated food products if you haven't paid attention to this suggestion already.
In a final study, Roswell Park Cancer Institute researchers published their findings in Breast Cancer Research Treatment journal in October 2006. They found that among premenopausal women, there was a reduced risk of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer for those women who consumed the highest lignan intake. We see benefits of lignans in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer studies as well. Lignans, a fibrous compound, are found in flaxseed, and to a lesser degree in sesame seeds, and kale. Ground flax seed can be added into soups, stews, cereals, waffle and pancake batter, tossed into a salad, mixed into a smoothie or stirred into a glass of orange juice.
The take home message is simple: dietary recommendations for estrogen receptor negative breast cancer survivors are similar to those recommended to estrogen receptor positive breast cancer survivors. It's time to eat more fruits, veggies and fiber containing foods like grains and beans, limit alcohol and fats, use olive oil and butter and include flax in your diet. I believe that impact of these studies is more profound: For those of you with estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, when you read nutrition information specific to breast cancer, you can rest assured that the majority of those recommendations will apply to you too. You are not alone! Isn't that positively wonderful?

Dr. Kim Dalzell is a doctor of holistic nutrition and registered dietitian who has helped thousands of cancer patients with her nature-based healing approach to cancer control. She is a sought after speaker, author of Challenge Cancer and Win!, and industry spokesperson. To learn more about how you can control cancer with nutrition, please visit:
http://www.cancerbusters.org

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Breast Cancer - How to Succeed - Part 2

Signs and Symptoms
A lump that appears in the breast that feels at variance with the surrounding breast tissue is typically the first symptom or indication of the presence of breast cancer.
The prestigious Merck Manual has indicated that, in the vast majority of breast cancer cases, it is the woman herself who first discovers the presence of a lump. The first medical indication of breast cancer, as stated in the reviews of the American Cancer Society, is usually discovered when the patient is subjected to a mammogram upon the advice of her doctor. Another indicator is the presence of hardened tissue found in the lymph nodes located under the armpits or in the region of the collarbone.
Alterations in the size or shape of the breast, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or discharge from a nipple may be regarded as alternative indications of the presence of breast cancer. The incidence of pain is not a reliable determinant for the presence of the cancer. Such an observation may in fact be more indicative of other breast related issues such as mastodynia.
An appearance that can resemble skin inflammation is caused when the cells attack the small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Such a characterisation is known as inflammatory breast cancer. The onset of pain and swelling, the presence of warmth and redness all across the breast, together with a skin texture which has the appearance of the outer skin of an orange, are all initial characteristics associated with inflammatory breast cancer.
Paget's disease of the breast is yet another, somewhat complex, symptom. This syndrome, which refers to the association of several clinically recognizable features, presents skin changes which are synonymous with eczema, such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. The presence of a tingling sensation, of itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain are all characteristics associated with the advance of Paget's syndrome. Another symptom may involve a discharge from the nipple. It has been found that a good proportion of women diagnosed with Paget's also experienced a lump in the breast.
There are times when it occurs as a metastatic disease. As such, it represents a cancer that has spread beyond the original source and into neighbouring areas. This type of breast cancer will give rise to symptoms that depend on where the metastasis is situated. The bone, liver, lung and brain are where Metastasis is most commonly found.
An occult breast cancer can sometimes manifest itself in the form of unexplained weight loss. Another symptom could present itself in the form of fevers or chills. Further determinants of metastatic breast cancer can take the form of bone or joint pains, as well as jaundice or possibly even neurological indications. It must be remembered that some of these symptoms are non specific, and as such may be applicable to many other illnesses.
In this respect, therefore, it has been found that many symptoms of breast disorder do not actually turn out to represent an underlying presence of breast cancer. To establish this notion, benign breast diseases, such as mastitis and fibroadenoma of the breast, are more common causes of breast disorder symptoms.
Since there is a distinct possibility of acquiring an underlying breast cancer at almost any age, then the appearance of a new symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors.
Breast Cancer - How To Succeed

Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a wide range of subjects. Breast Cancer Articles cover Background, Classification, Signs and Symptoms, Risk, Prevention, Forms of Treatment.
Website has many more Articles.
View his Website at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.com
View his Blog at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Rare But Dangerous

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and very aggressive type of breast cancer that can be difficult to treat. The name, inflammatory breast cancer, may cause some confusion. It is called "inflammatory" because with this type of cancer, the breast appears inflamed or swollen, red and tender. However, an infection of the breast will cause these same symptoms. Inflammation occurs when there is injury to a cell. The body responds by sending additional red and white blood cells and chemical substances to the area to help it heal. This is not, however, what happens with inflammatory breast cancer. In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells grow and spread rapidly, penetrating and eventually blocking the lymph vessels just below the skin of the breast. When these vessels are blocked, lymph fluid backs up and redness and swelling occur. If there is a true infection of the breast, antibiotics will help the swelling and inflammation. If cancer cells are causing the inflammation, antibiotics won't help.
Inflammatory breast cancer can be difficult to diagnose. It is less likely that a lump will be felt because of the way in which it grows and spreads. In addition, this type of cancer is not usually detected by mammograms and ultrasounds. Symptoms can include any of the following, but not necessarily all of them.
· Sudden breast swelling
· Breast may feel warm to the touch
· Itching
· Pain
· Inverted nipple or discharge
· Pinkish or bruised and thickened areas of the skin, sometimes looking like the skin of an orange
Symptoms often come about quickly, even within a matter of days or weeks. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms arise and the cancer is diagnosed, it has already reached stage IIIB (spread to lymph nodes) or stage IV (spread to other areas). Inflammatory breast cancer is typically diagnosed with a biopsy of the breast skin and tissue. As these can be symptoms of other medical conditions, a biopsy is usually performed after antibiotic treatment has failed. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, additional tests will help determine how far the cancer has spread.
Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer starts with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is given first to reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as the size of the cancerous area. This makes surgery easier and helps improve the outcome of the operation. The recommended surgery for this type of cancer is a mastectomy. Chemotherapy may also be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
The course of treatment after surgery is radiation therapy. This helps lessen the chance of recurrence. If the cancer is considered inoperable, radiation may be used as the main treatment to help slow the progression of the disease.
Even with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, this type of cancer has a very high rate of recurrence. With this in mind, doctors may recommend further treatments with chemotherapy or other drugs. Clinical trials for new procedures or drugs may also be available.
While inflammatory breast cancer affects a very small percentage of women, it's important to be aware of its symptoms. If changes in the skin of the breast occur, see a doctor right away and ask about this type of breast cancer. Research and new treatment options continue to improve the prognosis for inflammatory breast cancer offering hope for a future.

I have been interested in cancer since my brother Jerry was diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago. After two surgeries he is doing well and is still cancer free. The first surgery was to remove a large tumor from his colon and the second was to remove his colon. Needless to say he has been through a lot and the road to recovery was a long one. About two years ago my brother Fred was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Man, you talk about devastating! Well after about a month or two the shock started to ware off and treatments started to begin. My brother Fred was in denial for, what seemed to be a long time. I wanted to write about both of my brothers cancers but, decided against it thinking it would hurt them some how so I decided to write about cancers that no one in the family has as of yet. If you'd like to send a massage of support to my brothers Jerry and Fred, leave a comment here and I'll see that they get it. If you'd like more information on breast cancer treatment, please click this link. http://www.understanding-breast-cancer-treatment.com
P.S. My brother Fred is doing well. The chemo the doctors used on him shrunk the tumor until it was off the radar. We're not sure its gone but we know that its not growing, at least for now.

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Breast Cancer Symptoms You Want to Know About

Breast cancer symptoms vary, and may not be the same from person to person. You may experience some, or even none or all of the common symptoms. This is why it's important to get checked out by a doctor promptly if you suspect you may be experiencing breast cancer symptoms, or have any questions about your breast cancer symptoms.
Breast cancer symptoms vary widely "" from lumps to swelling to skin changes "" and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. Symptoms that are similar to those of breast cancer may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like infection or a cyst.Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine, and you should visit your doctor if you experience breast changes.
Real breast cancer symptoms are often confused with normal breast occurrences. For instance, during certain points in a woman's menstrual cycle, the breasts may become swollen and sore. This is a natural occurrence caused by fluctuating hormones and not necessarily a symptom of breast cancer. However, if you have never experienced this before, schedule an appointment with your doctor to be safe.
A lump on the breast is the best-known symptom of breast cancer. Many of these lumps really are early signs of cancer, and need to be checked as quickly as possible. The lump is more likely to be dangerous if it somewhat firm, but not painful. Cysts and other non-cancerous ailments lead to painful lumps. While these lumps may appear anywhere on the breast, they are most frequent beneath the nipple and near the armpit at the breast's outer fringes.
It's important to note that not all lumps are an indication of cancer. Many women have naturally fibrous (or "lumpy") breasts. If this is the case, you should discuss with your doctor the best method of testing for you. Recent scientific studies have shown that women are often not able to detect most lumps by doing a breast self exam, as many hide too far below the surface, or are very small.
The term, metastatic, describes a cancer that has spread to distant organs from the original tumor site. Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage (stage IV) of breast cancer information. Cancer cells have spread past the breast and axillary (underarm) lymph nodes to other areas of the body where they continue to grow and multiply. Breast cancer has the potential to spread to almost any region of the body. The most common region breast cancer spreads to is the bone, followed by the lung and liver. Treatment of metastatic breast cancer generally focuses on relieving symptoms.

Breast cancer symptoms can be confusing. It is normal to have fibrous areas or lumps. Visit http://www.getbreastcancersupport.com for a variety of articles written about breast cancer and the treatment options and care.

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Review of Men's Breast Cancer

Men's breast cancer is rare, but it happens to approximately 2000 men every year with thousands more reporting benign lumps or non-cancerous tissue growth. Men account for approximately one percent of all breast cancer patients. To learn more about male breast cancer, keep reading.
Male Breast Cancer Symptoms
Typically, any changes in tissue growth or bumps in men are usually benign (non-cancerous). However, that doesn't mean men should feel comfortable in ignoring it.
The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are actually quite similar to the symptoms for women. These include nipple inversion, detecting a lump, unexplained tissue growth, change in breast size, skin puckering or dimpling, nipple discharge, itchiness or redness.
Men generally have less breast tissue than women, making it much easier to detect lumps. However, this also means the cancer can spread to other parts of the body more quickly than in women. This is why early detection is so critical for men.
Risk Factors for Men's Breast Cancer
Advancing Age
Men between the ages of 60 and 70 are the most likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Genealogy
About one-fifth of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer have at least one immediate female relative who has or had breast cancer.
Prior Radiation Exposure
Radiation exposure to the chest (for example, past treatment for lung cancer) can be a risk factor for the development of male breast cancer.
History of Liver Diseases
Because the liver helps to regulate hormone levels, many men who have endured a liver disease have hormonal problems such as lower levels of androgens. This puts them at an increased risk for developing breast cancer or gynecomastia (benign tissue growth).
Estrogen Treatments
Often men who are being treated for prostate cancer are put on estrogen treatments to help control the disease. These men may be at a higher risk for developing breast cancer. That said, the American Cancer Society says those risks are small and worth the benefits of improved health for prostate cancer patients.
Klinefelter's Syndrome
Typically, men are born with one Y chromosome and one X chromosome. Klinefelter's Syndrome is when a man is born with two or more X chromosomes (female chromosomes). Approximately 1 in 850 men were born with Klinefelter's.
Men with Klinefelter's usually have higher estrogen levels and lower androgen levels. This typically translates to a more significant risk rate for breast cancer.
Treating Breast Cancer in Men
Men's breast cancer is typically treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy - or a combination of the four treatment courses.
Survival rates, particularly for those cases detected early, are good - 96% for stage I diagnosis, 84% for stage II diagnosis, 52% for stage III diagnosis and 24% for stage IV diagnosis.

For helpful information on various cancers - please visit cancerinfotips.com - a popular site providing symptom and treatment insights - such as men's breast cancer [http://www.cancerinfotips.com/mens-breast-cancer.shtml] - childhood osteosarcoma [http://www.cancerinfotips.com/childhood-osteosarcoma.shtml] - and many more!

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Breast Cancer and Osteoporosis

There is nothing more frightening than knowing that you have something inside your body destroying your organs and your health. Breast Cancer is women biggest fear, today there are treatments that work and even cure cancer. Removing the breast is no longer a necessary step for treatment. If found early enough you have a great chance of beating this ugly disease, doctors do not know what exactly causes breast cancer. Breast Cancer is when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both breasts. A mass forms and can spread to other areas of the body; the mass is called a malignant tumor. Most people do not know this but breast cancer also affects men, one in every hundred cases of breast cancer effects men.
The risk factors for breast cancer are aging this disease is much more common in older women, family history, hormones after menopause it raises your risk of getting the disease. Women who inherit genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 are more likely to get it. Having too much body fat, drinking to much alcohol can raise your estrogen higher and put you at risk. Being inactive is not good either, if you find a usual lump or your breast has changed looking like dimples on them similar to an orange go see your doctor right away. The symptoms of Breast Cancer is a change in the way the breast feel, a thickening of the breast or underarm, a painless lump or a change in the size or shape of your breasts. A change in the nipple, it might turn in or look scaly. Clear or bloody fluid that comes out of the nipple.
It is very important to have regular check-ups and mammograms. Mammograms are an x-ray of the breast to detect anything usual about the breast. If a lump is found your doctor will want to do a biopsy, that is when your doctor takes some cells from your breast and do test on them. Surgery is necessary with cancer you may have radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells and get chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Your doctor will decide what is best for you between treatments. Try to stay healthy eating nutritious foods, lots of vegetables and fruits. Be active exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. If you drink alcohol try drinking in moderation and even after menopause even one drink can raise your risk. Breast Cancer effects:
Four out of 1,000 women in their 30s. 15 out of 1,000 women in their 40s. 26 out of 1,000 women in their 50s. 37 out of 1,000 women in their 60s
There are three stages of Breast Cancer
Stage 0 is when there is no evidence of cancer and cancer cells, such as DCIS and LCIS. Stage 1 is when the cells invade the tissue of the breast. Stage 2 is divided into subcategories IIA and IIB. IIA is when the cancer is in the breast and lymph node, underarms and the tumor is about 2 centimeters. IIB is when the cancer is in the lymph node and the tumor is more then 2 centimeters, but no bigger than five. Stage 3 is divided into subcategories IIA, IIB and IIC. IIA is when no breast cancer is found in the breast, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and can have settle to the breastbone of the body. IIB is when the cancer has spread to the chest wall and the tumor is bigger then 5 centimeters and it can also be in the lymph nodes to. IIC the cancer has settle to the chest wall and the skin of the breast.
Just because you might have, a big tumor does not mean it is as serious as a little tumor. A little tumor may give you more of a fight than a bigger one, depending on one's body. Many do not know this, but bone health is very important when it comes to breast cancer. It is very crucial that you take care of your bones through out your life especially if you have breast cancer. Breast Cancer has been known to cause bone loss in some cases, it is important for women to take care of their bones since we are more likely to develop osteoporosis then men. See you doctor for supplements on building strong bones and keeping them strong especially during your treatment.
Get enough calcium. People older than 50 should get 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. Make foods that are high in calcium part of your diet: dairy products such as
low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese calcium-fortified dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, collard greens, and bok choy tofu almonds vitamin-fortified cereal calcium supplements
Get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. People older than 50 should get 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day. People older than 70 need 600 IU of vitamin D daily. Your body makes vitamin D when you are in sunlight, but if you are indoors most of the time or lives in areas where sunlight is limited, add foods rich in vitamin D to your diet:
vitamin D-fortified milk herring, salmon, and tuna vitamin-fortified cereal
Do weight-bearing exercise. Exercise makes your bones and muscles stronger and helps slow bone loss. Do 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise 3-4 times a week for maximum bone health benefits: walking jogging stair climbing playing tennis, racquetball, or squash dancing lifting weights
Limit your alcohol and quit smoking these both can increase weakening of your bones.
Lorna Darden

For more health topics
[http://www.wirelessdiva.wordpress.com]

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All About Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Breast cancer is considered as a killer disease and it is known to be the top cause of cancer death among women. According to American cancer society, about 1.3 million new breast cancer cases are diagnosed on an annual basis which includes 465,000 deaths. In order to successfully tackle this devastating disease, we must encourage innovative scientists to study cancer at its most basic level. In other words, breast cancer research work should be conducted at its molecular level. Also, besides the governments, private organizations should provide flexible funding to scientists who will be conducting breast cancer research work. Proper funding of breast cancer research projects; can not only lead to better prevention strategies but it can also help towards earlier diagnostic techniques and new anticancer drugs and treatments.
A world renowned cancer researcher, named Lothar Hirneise has come to an understanding that cancer exist with stress. He is of the opinion that when the mind is under constant stress, the body then produces high levels of stress hormone called Cortisol. The immune system gets suppressed with high levels of Cortisol in the body. Also, a stressed mind will release out Adrenaline to an extent of depletion. People suffering from cancer are found to be having almost no adrenaline in their cells. In fact, cells of cancer patients are often overloaded with insulin and plenty of sugar. Another leading German cancer researcher by the name of 'Ryke-Geerd Hamer has gone through twenty thousand cancer patients and found a direct relationship between psycho-emotional conflict and cancer patients. This occurs between 1 to 3 years, prior to cancer diagnosis and cancer forming within the body. Cancer patients, who have experienced a psycho - emotional conflict shock, in the form of loss of a loved one etc, few years prior to their cancer urine, has experienced emotional pain and stress within themselves. Such a state of mind can have an adverse effect on the immune system of the person's body.
Recently, researchers who are working towards breast cancer research project, have developed and successfully tested a breast cancer vaccine which is likely to treat women with treatment - resistant HER2 - positive breast cancer and thus be able to prevent cancer re - occurrence. Breast cancer researchers look forward to use HER2 DNA vaccines for cancer - free women, in order to prevent initial development of such tumours. At present, therapies such as trastuzumab and lapatimib are used towards treating breast cancer patients. However, it was lately noticed that a huge group of patients develop a resistance towards trastuzumab and lapatimib. HER2 receptors are known to promote a particularly aggressive type of tumour that affects about thirty percent of breast cancer patients.
The new breast cancer vaccine is produced by the body's own cells. It delivers a cancer fighting gene into cells, which then produce immune system proteins and also tumor - destroying cells. According to the lead researcher Wei - Zen Wei, a professor of immunology and microbiology at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, the vaccine is made by using so - called naked DNA from genes that produces the HER2 receptor. This DNA is put along with an immune stimulant. The process involved in the making of the vaccine, is called as electroporation. In this process, pulses of electricity were used in order to inject the vaccine into the leg muscles in mice. The genes moved towards the cells, which then produced HER2 receptors that led to activation of antibodies and immune cells called Killer T cells. This vaccine is unique and much more research will be further required so that it can one day be applicable towards humans for treating breast cancer.

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Breast Cancer - How to Succeed

Overview
When a group of cells display uninhibited growth, which refers to division beyond the normal limits, this phenomenon is commonly referred to as cancer. Other characteristics include an attack and destruction of surrounding tissues, and the spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood, which is known as metastasis.
These malignant, which refers to a severe and progressively worsening disease, properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited and do not invade or metastasise.
A tumor refers to a swelling or lesion formed by an unusually high growth of cells and occurs with most cancers. However, some, like leukemia, do not produce tumors.
Breast cancer becomes established, initially, in the cells of the breast in men and women. On a worldwide basis, the second most established form of cancer, after lung cancer, is that of breast cancer. It represents 10% of all cancers relating to both sexes. It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
The most common type of cancer specifically related to women, globally, is that of breast cancer. It occurs at more than twice the rate of that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and about three times that of lung cancer. Further, in the case of women, deaths, worldwide, is approximately 25% more than that from lung cancer.
In a study in 2005, it was found that breast cancer produced 502,000 deaths worldwide. To get this into context, this represents about 7% of all cancer deaths, and nearly 1% of all recorded deaths. Further, there has been a substantial increase, globally, since the 1970s. This statistic, it is suggested, may be associated with modern lifestyles in the western world.
On a global basis, the occurrence of breast cancer differs significantly according to region. It is less widespread in less-developed countries and more so in the further-developed countries. In the twelve designated regions of the world, the annual incidence rates per 100,000 women are as follows: Eastern Asia, 18; Southern Central Asia, 22; sub-Saharan Africa, 22; South-Eastern Asia, 26; North Africa and Western Asia, 28; South and Central America, 42; Eastern Europe, 49; Southern Europe, 56; Northern Europe, 73; Oceania, 74; Western Europe, 78; and in North America, 90.
The United States has the highest incidence rates of breast cancer in women, globally. A study has shown 141 cases among white women and 122 among African American women. Also in the US, breast cancer amongst women is the most prevalent cancer. After lung cancer, it produces the second highest occurrence of deaths from all cancers.
There is a 12.5% chance of women in the US developing invasive breast cancer within their lifetime. Further, there is a 3% chance that the breast cancer that they may contract will actually cause their death. A forecast has suggested that, in 2007, breast cancer would be the cause of 40,910 deaths in the US. This would represent some 7% of cancer deaths, and almost 2% of all deaths.
For the last few years, both the incidence and death rates from breast cancer in the US have been in decline. In 2005, a study conducted in the US by the Society for Women's Health Research concluded that breast cancer remains the disease that causes the most concern. This is an interesting outcome since heart disease is a much more widespread determinant when considering all deaths among women.
Breast cancer is also prevalent in men. This is due to the fact that the breast is composed of identical tissues in respect of both genders. However, it must be remembered that the manifestation in men is some 100 times less common than that in women. Conversely, men with breast cancer are considered to have the same statistical survival rates as women.
Breast Cancer - How To Succeed

Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a wide range of subjects. Breast Cancer Articles cover Background, Signs and Symptoms, Risk, Prevention, Forms of Treatment.
Website has many more Articles.
View his Website at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.com
View his Blog at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer - The Killer Cancer in Young Women!

Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive of all these cancers in which a tumor of any size has spread to the breast skin, chest wall, or internal mammary lymph nodes (located beneath the breast right under the ribs, inside the middle of the chest). This is a very uncommon but very serious, aggressive type of cancer.
The most distinguishing feature of this cancer is redness involving part or all of the breast. The redness feels warm. You may see puffiness of the breast's skin that looks like the peel of a navel orange ("peau d'orange"), or even ridges, welts, or hives caused by a buildup of fluid and edema (swelling) in the breast.. And part or all of the breast may be enlarged and hard. A lump is present only half of the time. This cancer is sometimes misdiagnosed as a simple infection.
Inflammatory breast cancer, although rare, is called "inflammatory" because the breast often looks swollen and red, or "inflamed." This cancer accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all cancer cases in the United States. It tends to be diagnosed in younger women compared to non-inflammatory breast cancer. It occurs more frequently and at a younger age in African Americans than in Whites.
Like other types of cancer, inflammatory breast cancer can also occur in men, but usually at an older age than in women. Other symptoms include heaviness, burning, aching, increase in breast size, tenderness, or a nipple that is inverted (facing inward). These symptoms usually develop quickly-over a period of weeks or months. However, it is important to note that these symptoms may also be signs of other conditions such as infection, injury, or other types of cancer.
Diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is based primarily on the results of a doctor's clinical examination . Biopsy, mammogram, and breast ultrasound are used to confirm the diagnosis. This cancer is classified as either stage IIIB or stage IV . Stage IIIB cancers are locally advanced; stage IV cancer is cancer that has spread to other organs. Inflammatory breast cancer tends to grow rapidly, and the physical appearance of the breast of patients with this cancer is different from that of patients with other stage III cancers.
Prognosis describes the likely course and outcome of a disease - that is, the chance that a patient will recover or have a recurrence. Inflammatory breast cancer is more likely to have metastasized (spread to other areas of the body) at the time of diagnosis than non-inflammatory cancer cases.
As a result, the 5-year survival rate for patients with this cancer is between 25 and 50 percent, which is significantly lower than the survival rate for patients with non-inflammatory. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these statistics are averages based on large numbers of patients. Statistics cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular patient because each person's situation is unique.

Wyatt Schell is webmaster and publisher with the exclusive cancer help resource, Cancer-Help-Treatment.com Inflammatory breast cancer can be beaten

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Breast Cancer Treatments - How is Breast Cancer Treated?

Becoming diagnosed with cancer is one of the worst things you can find out. It is becoming incredibly more common today with people infected with all types of cancer. Among these, one of the more common type is breast cancer and it is rapidly becoming more prevalent. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the next thing you should think about is to consult your doctors on what are the breast cancer treatments options that are available to you. This article will talk about some of the ways breast cancer is currently being treated.
Depending on what stage the cancer is in, surgery or a lumpectomy (removal of just the lump) might be necessary. Lumpectomy is used for a breast conservation surgery where they want to keep the breast. However, removal of the entire affected breast might even be necessary. Surgical removal of the entire breast is known as a mastectomy.
After surgery, radiation therapy is commonly prescribed. The radiation therapy is used to reduce the chances that the cancer relapse. The radiation therapy consists of gamma rays that target the tumor or where the tumor once was before the surgery. The radiation removes the traces of cancer cells left behind around the area where the surgery was performed. Unfortunately, the radiation also attacks the other normal cell in the body as well and can cause damages to the tissue around the tumor.
There are other ways, as an alternative and an addition in the breast cancer treatment mentioned above. Chemotherapy can be used before, after and even as an alternative to surgery - it all depends on the type of breast cancer and the stage that it is in. Hormonal treatment is often used after chemotherapy. Targeted therapy is also another way to treat breast cancer. With this type of treatment, monoclonal antibodies are used to battle an over abundance of HER2 protein in cancer cells slowing the growth of the cancer cells in the process. When used with chemotherapy, this can reduce the chances of cancer cells returning as well as improving the patient's survival rate.
These are just a few of the many ways breast cancer is being treated. Incidentally, these are the most commonly used and sometimes the most reliable treatments of breast cancer. A lot of research is presently being conducted worldwide in the hope of discovering the cure for breast cancer and cancer in general. It's only a matter of time before a new and better treatment or cure is discovered. In the meantime, it's very important for you to be kept informed about breast cancer and the type of breast cancer treatments that are available to you.

Lester Lee is the webmaster of www.Cancer-Tumor.info, an informative website that provides the latest advice, info and updates on Breast Cancer Treatments Visit our site today for more helpful info on Breast Cancer Treatments and other similar topics.

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Breast Cancer Symptoms - What to Look Out For?

Cancer is rapidly increasing every day. There are so many different types of cancer that it's almost impossible to not know someone who has been affected by it. One of the most rapidly increasing forms of cancer is breast cancer. It is important for us to know what the breast cancer symptoms are so that we can seek necessary treatments early, thereby increasing our chances of an early recovery.
Breast cancer has steadily been on the rise since the 1970's and its rise often blamed on modern western lifestyles. It's the number 2 most common form of cancer worldwide and is the number 5 most common cause of cancer death. For North American women, it is the number 2 cause of cancer death after lung cancer.
Early symptoms of breast cancer are usually breast pain or a painful lump. Since the invention of breast mammograms, breast cancer is found as an asymptomatic nodule even before any symptoms arise. When the cancer has reached small vessels under the skin, known as dermal lymphatic, it can represent itself as a skin inflammatory. This inflammatory can cause pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and an "orange peel" like texture to the skin.
Cancer of the breast can also represent itself as a metastatic disease meaning that it can spread to other areas in the body. The common places it spreads to are the bones, the liver, the lungs and the brain. Rapid unexpected weight loss can be another symptom of this type of cancer, as well as chills bone and joint pain.
Since this form of cancer is becoming increasingly more common, doctors have encouraged all women to get regular mammogram x-rays. Mammogram x-rays are relatively fast, cheap and accurate and are available in most countries. Mammograms have shown to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by 20 or 30%.
Because of the increase in the incidence of breast cancer, especially in North America, more and more people are becoming aware of it. It is important for us to know what these breast cancer symptoms are so that we can consult our doctor early. Ironically, although cancer of the breast is most common among women, men can also get this type of cancer. Hence, it is of utmost importance that we should pay close attention to our bodies, especially our breast, and arrest any cancer growth before it becomes a major problem to us. A regiment of periodical self-check of our body, especially our breast, should be encouraged.

Lester Lee is the webmaster of www.Cancer-Tumor.info, an informative website that provides the latest advice, info and updates on Breast Cancer Symptoms. Visit our site today for more helpful info on these symptoms of breast cancer and other related topics.

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Breast Cancer - Incidence, Symptoms, Causation, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Prognosis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women affecting one in eight women during their lives. It may develop at any time but the risk of developing it increases as women get older. It is far more common in post-menopausal women and the risk continues to increase with rising age.
CAUSE
The cause of breast cancer is not known and while it can also occur in men, the much higher occurrence in women implicates estrogen.
Today, BC like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of multiple environmental and hereditary factors. Breathing secondhand smoke increases risk by 70% in younger, primarily pre-menopausal women.
A newly released study indicates a correlation between the drop in breast cancer and the drop in women taking HRT.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Breast carcinoma elicits so many fears, including those relating to surgery, death, loss of body image and loss of sexuality, however it is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early, therefore regular self examination and screening is essential. The cancer usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue, although most breast lumps are not cancerous.
Certain predisposing factors are clear.
Women at high risk are those who:
Have a family history of breast cancer.
Have long menstrual cycles, began menses early or menopause late.
Have never been pregnant
Were first pregnant after age 31.
Have had unilateral breast cancer.
Have endometrial or Ovarian cancer.
Were exposed to low level ionizing radiation.
Many other possible factors are still under investigation including, obesity, alcohol and environmental factors.
Those with lower risk include women who:
Were pregnant before age 20.
Have had multiple pregnancies.
Are native American or Asian.
The cancer occurs more often in the left breast and in the upper quadrant.
Indications of breast cancer other than a lump may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge.
TYPES
When the cancer cells invade the dermal lymphatics, small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, its presentation can resemble skin inflammation and thus is known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d'orange.
The most common pathologic types are invasive ductal carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast's ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast's lobules.
Occasionally, BC presents as metastatic disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ. Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms.
TREATMENT
Much controversy still exists over treatment, options include; Surgery, chemotherapy, Radiotherapy,Hormonal therapies,Herceptin and complementary treatments.
The mainstay of treatment is surgery when the tumor is localized, with possible adjuvant hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor), chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy.
In February 2007, the MammaPrint test became the first breast cancer predictor to win formal approval from the Food and Drug Administration. This is a new gene test to help predict whether women with early-stage breast cancer will relapse in 5 or 10 years, this could help influence how aggressively the initial tumor is treated.
Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) is an innovative method of treating breast cancer in a minimally invasive manner and without the need for surgical removal, and with the absence of any adverse effect on the health and survival of the patient during intermediate followup.
PREVENTION
Routine (annual) mammography of women older than age 40 or 50 is recommended by numerous organizations as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer and has demonstrated a protective effect in multiple clinical trials.
Women with one or more first-degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter) with premenopausal cancer should begin screening at an earlier age.
PROGNOSIS
There are many prognostic factors associated with breast cancer: staging, tumour size and location, grade, whether disease is systemic (has metastasized, or traveled to other parts of the body), recurrence of the disease, and age of patient.
With advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the death rate has declined by about 20% over the past decade, and research is ongoing to develop even more effective screening and treatment programs.

Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry.He now runs health sites, including http://www.life-wave-patches.com and http://www.healthinnovationsonline.com

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Gynecomastia and Breast Cancer

Most people associate breast cancer with women. Unfortunately, breast cancer is not contained just to women. Men can also get breast cancer, even though approximately 99% of all breast cancer cases occur in women. But one question that many men have is whether men with man boobs, or Gynecomastia, are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than men who do not have man boobs.
While women are more susceptible to breast cancer, the fact remains that they are also more likely to survive it than a man will, simply because they are more likely to seek treatment earlier. Men simply are not aware of the risk that they have for breast cancer, however men who have man boobs often fear it.
Men who have male boobs should be worried about breast cancer. In most cases, when a man develops breast cancer - whether or not he has male boobs - the cause is hormonal changes - specifically a rise in estrogen, which is contributed to the development of man boobs.
It is important, however, to realize that man boobs is not a definite indication that one will develop breast cancer as well, and breast cancer is not just a threat for men with man boobs. All men can develop breast cancer. With that said, however, when it comes to breast cancer in older men and young males, Gynecomastia is a factor, even though the condition itself is not cancerous.
Research has shown that approximately 40% of the men who develop man boobs will also develop breast cancer. Those are staggering numbers, and because that number is so high, it is vital that any male who develops man boobs seek treatment from his health care provider. It is also important for any man, even if he doesn't have man boobs, to be aware of the signs of breast cancer.
Family history does play a role, even if you do not develop Gynecomastia. Approximately 20% of the men who develop breast cancer at some point in life have a family history of breast cancer - from either male or female relatives. In other words, if a man's mother had breast cancer, his risk for developing breast cancer is higher than the average man's - regardless of whether or not he has man boobs.
Again, it is important for every man to be aware of the symptoms which include a lump in the breast, nipple discharge, a retracted nipple, and/or ulcerations on the breast. It is important to note that lumps that indicate breast cancer will not be painful, which is why they are often ignored by men.
Ironically, while men who have man boobs are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than men who do not, those who do have male boobs have a greater chance of survival. This is because if you have man boobs, the cancer will typically be further away from the chest cavity, reducing the speed at which the cancer spreads, whereas if you do not have man boobs, the cancer is right next to the chest cavity, and the cancer spreads quickly.

You can get more information on man boobs by visiting our new site that teaches you all about man boobs. Also, there is a system that teaches you How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs!

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What to Do Before You Have Breast Cancer Symptoms

Breast cancer is a major health concern and you need to know if you have breast cancer symptoms or signs. Women including men have breast cancer as I wrote in my last newsletter. According to the recent survey worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world.
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women. The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on the way that we eat and the pollution that exists in the water, air, and food. The other big factor in cancer is the thoughts that we have. Toxins and chemical pollution cause acid and free radicals in our body and so do negative thoughts. It is these acids and free radicals that change your body's pH and that depletes the oxygen in your cells allowing cancer to form freely and to multiple. To protect yourself against cancer, you need to know the signs of breast cancer so you can take action against it right away and to learn good nutritional habits.
Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Recommended screening methods include breast self-examination and mammogram. This test has been estimated to reduce breast cancer-related mortality by 20-30%. Routine and annual mammography of women older than age 40 or 50 is recommended.
Mammograms do not detect all possible cancer tissue. They can detect micro calcification of calcium, which might indicate the presents of cancer. Calcium can deposit in tissue and this is caused by an acid body. To stay in solution, calcium must have enough sodium in the surrounding liquid. In an alkaline body, there is plenty of sodium to keep calcium in solution, but in an acid body, calcium will precipitate out and form crystals.
Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer are usually not painful. This may be the reason why most women don't know they have breast cancer until after several breast cancer signs and symptoms start to appear. You should see your health care provider, if you notice the following:
· Lump in the armpit or above the collarbone that does not go away in two weeks or so. Although most breast lumps are not cancerous, it always best to check them out
· Breast discharge is a common problem and is rarely a symptom of cancer, but if it is from only one breast or if it is bloody, then check with your doctor
· Nipple inversion is a common in normal nipples, but nipple inversion that has developed recently can be of concern
· Changes in the breast skin including redness, changes in texture, and puckering. These changes are usually caused by skin diseases but occasionally can be associated with breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a condition where you lack oxygen in your cells and when you have an acid body. To prevent cancer from forming, you need to learn how to make your body more alkaline. In my new nutrition course, I concentrate on how you can make your body more alkaline. An alkaline body not only stops cancer but also stops and prevents most diseases from forming in your body.
Don't wait until you have symptoms of breast cancer or any other disease before you start improving your health habits. Start now learning what good nutrition is and how you can be free from illness.

Discover how you can eliminate or prevent illness using natural remedies. Go here Now to get my Free report on the "Top 67 Best Foods" to eat to keep disease free.Breast Cancer

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Causes Of Breast Cancer - Information You Need To Know

There are many risk factors that can potentiate breast cancer in women, and the life time incidence of breast cancer is 1 in 8. This means for every 8 women you know, one of them will develop this type of cancer in their lifetime. So what causes breast cancer and what are we doing to help this to happen?
Cancer of the breast occurs when certain cells within breast tissue divide in a manner which allows uncontrolled growth and destruction of surrounding tissue; the cancer cell can then spread to lymph glands and other organs where they grow in the same destructive way. This growth is not the normal growth that is necessary to the function of the body part it is growing in, in this case, breast tissue. Researchers continue to look for the different factors which can influence the occurrence of breast cancer. They feel that essentially something happens to the DNA or genes of the cells which causes the factors which normally control growth to be compromised. This could be a genetic mutation a woman is born with, it can be age, exposure to radiation at a younger age, or a host of other lifestyle issues.
There are many causes for breast cancer, but one risk factor which has been raised and is somewhat controversial is that of obesity. There are statistics from research centers suggesting that 25-30% of breast cancer may be prevented by maintaining a lean body mass. Epidemiologists note that the incidence of this kind of cancer is rising, however they speculate that our genes have been essentially the same over the past many decades.
So what does fat have to do with breast cancer? The fat cells that develop later in life tend to store estrogen, so the more fat there is, the more estrogen the breast tissue will be exposed to. Since estrogen fuels many breast cancers, this could lead to an increased risk that some researchers feel is as high as 60 %. It is recommended by the American Cancer Society to engage in 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week to lower your risk of cancer. It is also recommended that even lean women continue to work at maintaining increased muscle mass to lessen the creation of new fat cells. As mentioned above, this risk factor is felt to be controversial and not easy to prove. It has been noted however, that the risk of breast cancer seems to occur when weight is gained later in life and not at a younger age. This may in part be due to the fact that weight gain in menopausal years is often visceral fat which is hormonally more active than subcutaneous fat.
What are the other risk factors for Breast Cancer?
1. Gender- being female means increased amounts of estrogen acting on cell growth in breast tissue.
2. Age- 2/3 s of breast cancer occurs after age 55; 1/8 of breast cancers occur under age 45. Age effects the genes which regulate our bodies function and the older a person is, the more likelihood a mistake in the genetic code will occur.
3. Genetic factors- many women believe that if no one in their family has had cancer of the breast, they are not likely to get it. Inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 only account for 5-10% of cancers.
4. Family history- having a first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer doubles the risk of developing this form of cancer. It is thought that 20-30% of women with breast cancer have a positive family history.
5. Prior history of breast cancer- this increases risk of a second cancer not considered a recurrence by 3-4 times.
6. Race and ethnicity- there is a slightly higher rate of breast cancer in White women over African American women, however African American women are more likely to die from their cancer as they tend to get more aggressive types of breast cancer. Asian, Hispanic and Native American women have a lower incidence and risk of dying from breast cancer.
7. Dense breast tissue- make screening harder, there is more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
8. Menses- beginning before age 12 and menopause after 55 increases risk due to breast tissue being exposed to more hormonal cycles. For this same reason, no children or children after 30 and less years of breast feeding can also mean more estrogen and progesterone exposure to breast tissue which in turn raises risk.
9. Previous chest radiation for other conditions such as lymphoma and certain cancers which can occur at young age.
10. DES- Women who were given DES during pregnancy and their daughters in utero at that time are at higher risk for breast cancer due to mutations of genes.
There are some life style issues that are felt to affect the risk of getting cancer in breast tissue. There is a slight increase in risk to women who have been on Oral Contraceptives for several years although this risk declines when the OCP is stopped and continues to decline there after.
Combined HRT has been shown in studies to increase the risk of cancer in breast tissue in as little as 2 years of use. This risk is somewhat attenuated when estrogen is used alone, without progesterone.
Use of more than 7 alcoholic drinks a week can also increase risk of breast cancer, this risk can be as much as 1 ½ times normal if 2-5 drinks per day are consumed on a regular basis.
Having one or more of the above risk factors does not mean a woman will get breast cancer, it merely reflects risk may be higher. Life style changes may help reduce those risks. In many cases, the diagnosis of cancer can be made early, treatments have come a long way and are very effective. There continues to be exciting research discovering new factors influencing the occurrence and growth of breast cancer, which can and will open up new therapies.
Having risk factors and an unhealthy life style can potentiate any kind of cancer, hopefully the above information will help you to reduce your risk of cancer occurring in you breasts. There are also many other health benefits to a healthy lifestyle, not just cancer prevention. Heart health and bone health are also achieved with a healthy diet, exercise, avoidance of cigarette smoking and limiting alcohol. It is not just our genes, it is also what we do to those genes.

Anne Vaillancourt @ http://www.femalemenopausementors.com
I am a practicing Physician Assistant for 27 years and have been working in Family Practice for 15 1/2 years. I see a wide variety of medical problems, but primarily focus in women's health. I also have a blog, title above, with another PA. We are providing information to menopausal and post menopausal women about health issues associated with aging.

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7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Breasts - Quick Facts About Breast Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, there were more than 2.5 million women in 2006 who had a history of any type of breast cancer, and have managed to survive the ordeal.
To give you an idea about just how serious this disease is, take a look at some other statistics:
- Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer (next to lung cancer) in both men and women.
- Breast cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer-related deaths.
- Breast cancer is 100 times more frequent in women than in men - although the survival rate is equal in both sexes.
As you may already know, breast cancer is a type of cancer which starts in the cells of the breasts in both men and women. Although it does occur more frequently in women, the severity of the illness is just as serious where men are concerned.
Here, we will try to learn a few more things about women's breasts that you may not necessarily have known about. How do these facts about women's breasts affect the probability of having breast cancer? Read on to find out.
7 Things You Probably Didn't Know about Breasts
As mentioned earlier, what we will provide you with is a list of the top 7 things that you probably didn't know about breasts.
Half of these facts do not necessarily have anything to do with breast cancer, but half of them are related to the incidence of this serious disease. Take a look at the following list:
1. A woman's breasts swell during sex.
Traditionally, a woman's breasts represent her femininity and it's also a symbol of motherhood. Now, if you are tangling the sheets with your significant other, do you feel as if your breasts are swelling when you are already sexually aroused? There is a basis to this and it actually does in fact physically swell.
According to the British Medical Journal, women do experience up to 25% of swelling in their breasts when they are indulging in sexual activity. This is caused by the feeling of arousal and the hormonal surge in a woman's body. In addition, swollen breasts become the body's natural way of boosting its seductive powers from a man's point of view.
2. Breastfeeding can actually help you lose weight.
Whether you're a first-time, second-time or third-time mom, you will notice significant changes in your body during your entire pregnancy - especially when it comes to your breasts.
During the pregnancy stage, the breasts become larger in size due to lactation.
But did you know that if you do go for breastfeeding over feeding your baby with formula milk, it can actually help you lose weight? [Breastfeeding benefits]
According to the studies conducted by Dewey, Heinig and Nommsen of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who breastfeed from about three to six months have experienced a significant amount of fat loss in their own bodies. The weight loss may continue six months after your baby is born.
3. Women who are 50 years and up have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Perhaps the number one reason why there are fewer and fewer deaths associated with breast cancer is awareness on the part of the general women's population. [Breast cancer awareness]
Early diagnosis is actually the number one preventive measure that can be taken to fight death caused by breast cancer. So the earlier the condition is detected, the better the chances of survival rate.
But did you know that as you age, you would have a higher risk of developing the big C on your breasts? This is due to the fact that as women age, cellular mutation is on an increasing pattern.
Whether or not you have a family history of breast cancer, you should be more concerned about the possibility of developing the disease by the time that you hit your 50's.
4. Consuming milk may actually lead to breast cancer.
Sure, giving your milk to your baby when you are lactating may help you lose weight - but did you know that consuming milk yourself may actually lead to breast cancer?
The types of milk which are on the safe side include rice milk, goat's milk and almond milk.
On the other hand, those which are highly suspected of causing breast cancer include soy milk which contains isoflavones.
This is a plant-like estrogen which imitates the estrogen in humans - so drinking a lot of soy milk is not recommended by the experts.
If you have breast cancer, the goal is to keep the estrogen level low, and the recommended intake of isoflavones is only about 100 milligrams a day.
5. The healthier you are, the better it would be for the health of your breasts.
These days, it is quite easy to succumb into leading a sedentary lifestyle because everything seems to be easily within reach. There seems to be a link between obesity and breast cancer - which is exactly the reason why you should try to remain as healthy as you can for the benefit of your breast health and also your overall health.
Eating a lot of fruits and veggies, foods with antioxidants and having a proper exercise and diet program are the preventive measures that you can apply to prevent having breast cancer in the future.
Another way to live a cancer-free life is by avoiding alcohol as much as you can. There may be just a tiny link connecting these two - but the link is there just the same.
6. Women who religiously self-examine their breasts are no less likely to die of breast cancer, as compared to women who do not perform a breast self exam.
For the longest time now, women have been lead to believe that they should conduct a breast self exam every month.
A few years ago, the American Cancer Society has already tagged self-breast exams as being optional rather than a necessity.
A new way of doing things is with TLC or touch, look and check. This is the new rule of thumb that you need to live by, according to the British breast cancer foundation called Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
What you need to do is be aware of how your breasts feel normally. The minute that you feel a change, track it and if it does not go away, that is the time that you should seek the help of your doctor.
7. Wearing an underwire bra may be one of the many causes of cancer.
Sure, there are a lot of myths about how carcinogens are highly suspected when it comes to being the reasons for developing breast cancer. But the one thing which you may be doing on a regular basis that can actually cause such a disease to develop is wearing underwire bras.
Basically, in order for you to prevent cancer from happening, you do need to have a healthy lymphatic system. When you wear bras which have underwire in them, the circulation of the blood in the armpit area gets cut off.
As a result, your lymph nodes cannot properly eliminate the cancer-causing waste materials accumulated in the body - and this could be one of the reasons why your underwire bra is highly suspected when it comes to breast cancer development.
Now that you already have an idea about some of the common and not-so-common things that you know about a woman's breasts, you can take the precautionary measures in order to prevent breast cancer from developing in your body.
All in all, early detection of breast cancer, taking precautionary measures and being aware of the changes in your body are the things that you need to be armed with, if you want to win the fight against breast cancer.

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for WomensHealthZone.com. Womens Health Blog helps you learn everything you need to know about women's health. For more information Visit Womens Health Blog.

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How Breast Cancer Will Affect You

Breast Cancer in Women
Facts
The emotional trauma brought about by cancer among women brings to light the importance of awareness of what breast cancer really is. Unknown to many, breast cancer is a single disease but a collection of diseases that originates in the ducts and lobules of the female breast. According the American Cancer Society study of 2007, breast cancer ranks next to non-melanoma skin cancer as the most prevalent cancer in women. It is estimated that about 178,000 women each year are affected with the disease with approximately 40,500 probable fatalities.
In 2006, another major ACS study indicated that the number of new breast cancer cases have immensely dropped from the levels reached in 2002 and 2003. This leveling off of new cases has a profound impact as there was a twenty-year continuous rise in the number of new cases. Medical advancement and social awareness contributed to the decrease.
In addition to this, the five year survival rate for localized breast cancer has risen to almost a hundred percent in recent years. For cancer cases that have spread to nearby tissues, the survival rate is at eighty three percent. However, those with later stage breast cancer have a survival rate of only twenty percent. Overall, the survival rate for all stage of breast cancer is eighty percent for a five year period and eighty percent for ten years.
Screening
Nowadays, cancer screening has become an integral part of the overall disease prevention method that women undergo. There are several ways to conduct breast cancer screening. This includes monthly breast self-examination, physician performed clinical breast examination and screening mammography. When a mass or lump is notice during these examinations, a biopsy is undertaken in order to analyze the lump for the presence of cancerous cells. Breast cancer biopsy, may be done using fine-needle aspiration, large needle core or surgical dissection.
Additional tests like magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or PET scan may be done to determine the size, extent and exact location of the cancer. The combination of all these tests gives the physician an idea on how the cancer may react to treatment. This also helps doctors predict a patient's life expectancy.
Treatment
The treatment of cancer generally involves surgical removal of the tumor or the entire breast. This may be followed by an accompanying therapy to eliminate any trace of cancer cells in the body.
Mastectomy and breast-sparring surgery are two ways of performing removal of the tumor. During these procedures, a full lymph node or sentinel lymph node dissection is also done to check if the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Depending on the stage of the cancer, procedures such as radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy may be done to fully rid the body of cancer cells. Radiation therapy is done using a machine to target a certain area around the breast and killing trace abnormal cells which are left behind after surgery. Breast cancer chemotherapy follows the same principle but to a larger extent. It involves the entire body and is usually administered to prevent metastasis or recurrence to happen. It can be taken orally or intravenously depending on the patient's arrangement with her physician.
Hormonal therapy, for its part, is used in cases where the cancer cells have hormone positive receptors. Drugs are used to cut off the supply of estrogen or progesterone to the cancer cells stopping its growth and spread to other areas in the body.
Breast Cancer Staging
As mentioned earlier, staging dictates the kind of treatment necessary for a certain cancer case. Cancer staging is typically grouped into five stages. Carcinoma in situ or Stage 0 is when the cancer is just starting to develop and has yet to reach other tissues and organs. Stage 1 happens when the cancer has formed a mass smaller than 2 centimeters. In this stage, the cancer has yet to affect neighboring lymph nodes. Stage 2 is when the cancer is about 2-5 centimeters and has not yet affected the underarm lymph nodes. Stage 3 happens when the cancer has affected the underarm lymph nodes and measures more than 5 centimeters. In Stage 4, other organs such as the lungs and liver are already affected by the disease. At this stage, the cancer may have already spread throughout the breast or may have affected the other breast.
Risks Factors and Symptoms
Make note that the hormone, estrogen, plays a key role in the development of the cancer. Some breast cancer cells have estrogen receptors that facilitate their growth and progression. Even when a woman is already in menopause, the other parts of her body produces the hormone androgen that is converted into fatty deposits and ultimately estrogen. This is the main reason why women with more fat are at higher risk for breast cancer.
More than ever, new and improved breast cancer treatment methods have helped more women fight the illness and live longer, more meaningful lives. However, sometimes cancer can recur even with the removal of tumor and affected lymph nodes. This is the reason why breast cancer survivors are generally advised to continue having regular consultation with their physician.
A patient may experience complications or side effects brought about by treatment. Radiation therapy, for example, may cause temporary aches, pains and swelling of the breast area. It is best to ask your doctor about these complications so you would be ready for their occurrence.
Here are some conditions that help us know when to contact your physician. If you notice a presence of a lump in the breast or armpit, if you are above forty and have not had a mammogram the previous year, if you are above thirty-five with an immediate relative who had breast, ovarian or colon cancer, and finally, if you are unsure about your health condition and want to learn how to perform self-examination of the breast.
In closing, your best ally against breast cancer is yourself. Awareness of the risk factor and breast cancer signs and symptoms is your best prevention against this unwelcome illness.

Don't Fall Victim to Breast Cancer, Identify the Early Warning Signs and Find out about Symptoms and Treatment Options Today. Visit Symptoms-of-Cancer.com today and find more information about how to identify Breast Cancer Symptoms

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How to Calculate Your Risk For Breast Cancer

Using known risk factors for breast cancer, mathematical models can be developed to help answer important questions. These mathematical models are useful tools for researchers and for patients as follows:
1. Research on risk factors - The Claus risk assessment model was used to discover the subpopulation of people who had an autosomal dominant genetic allele that increased their risk from 10% to 92%. This led to the discovery of the BRCA genes associated with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
2. Clinical trial eligibility - The Gail risk assessment model was developed to help researchers determine who to enroll in the NSAPB Breast Cancer Prevention Trials
where chemoprevention was shown to reduce breast cancer risk.
3. Guidelines for doing BRCA testing - BRCA testing is very expensive and practically worthless if done on everyone (because it is so rare to be homozygous for BRCA1 or BRCA2). Mathematical models such as the BRCAPRO, BOADICEA, and Tyrer-Cuzick models can help determine what patients should undergo BRCA testing. The decision for testing is usually made when one of these models predicts a 10% or greater chance that there is a mutation of the BRCA1, BRCA2, or both genes.
4. Guidelines for doing MRI screening for breast cancer - MRI screening for breast cancer is not a cost effective screening test for the general population, but in specific groups, there are clear cut reasons to do so. In general, screening MRI is recommended for women with 20-25% or greater lifetime risk of breast cancer. The BRCAPRO and Tyrer-Cuzick models have been used to help make clinical decisions about ordering MRIs for breast cancer screening.
5. Guidelines for breast cancer therapy - The Gail model is used clinically to help
determine who should be put on tamoxifen or raloxifene for chemoprevention. Other models have been used to help make decisions about breast cancer risk reduction with prophylactic mastectomy.
For these reasons, it is important to understand these models. These models are collectively refered to as "risk assessment tools". The following paragraphs summarize the most popular and most widely used risk assessment tools. Keep in mind that none of these risk assessment tools apply to breast cancer survivors. No mathematical model has been widely accepted to determine cancer risk in cancer survivors.
General Risk Assessment Tools
Gail Model: The Gail model is a validated risk-assessment model that focuses primarily on nonhereditary risk factors, with limited information on family history. It was developed by scientists at the National Cancer Institute and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) to assist health care providers in discussing breast cancer risk to determine their eligibility for the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. The tool allows one to project a woman's individual estimate of breast cancer risk over a five-year period of time and over her lifetime. It also compares the woman's risk calculation with the average risk for a woman of the same age. The Gail Model is an on-line quiz that has 13 questions and is interactive. This calculator is based on published risk statistics and methods gathered from peer-reviewed journals, and has been extensively tested for its validity.
The major limitation of the Gail model is the inclusion of only first-degree relatives, which results in underestimating risk in the 50% of families with cancer in the paternal lineage and also takes no account of the age of onset of breast cancer. It may underestimate risk in certain groups, such as obese patients.
National Cancer Institute Model: The NCI risk assessment tool is essentially a simplified Gail Model that also factors in race. Race is a factor in determining breast cancer risk but is excluded when determining eligibility for clinical trials. This tool is probably the most popular risk assessment tool available to the public as an on-line, interactive risk calculator. The on-line quiz is a shorter, nine-point questionnaire that includes multiple factors, giving a woman her future five-year risk of breast cancer and her lifetime risk of breast cancer.
The NCI tool does not account for a lot of risk factors that can be modified. For this reason, it is difficult to use this test as a motivation tool to show people how lifestyle can alter their risk of breast cancer. It also cannot be used in breast cancer survivors, in patients with DCIS, LCIS, or people who carry one of the BRCA genes.
BRCAPRO model: This is a statistical model available as a computer program that uses two different algorithms to evaluate family history and helps a doctor determine the likelihood of finding either a BRCA1 mutation or a BRCA2 mutation in a family. The results of this can be used to determine if BRCA testing is indicated. This is very useful in light of the high cost of BRCA testing ($3,000). None of the nonhereditary risk factors can yet be incorporated into the model, however. In a comparison of four different methods for estimating breast cancer risk in patients with a family history of breast cancer, the BRCAPRO model was the least accurate. It predicted only 49% of the breast cancers that actually occurred in the screened group of patients with a family history of breast cancer.
Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention Risk Assessment Tool: This is another breast cancer risk assessment tool that includes more lifestyle factors than the NCI or Gail Model tools. It has not been studied as extensively as the Gail Model or the simplified NCI model, but it is promising in that it includes many lifestyle factors that people can do to modify their risk of developing cancer. It is also an on-line questionnaire that can be used by both women and men to estimate their breast cancer risk.
Making all this practical
Now after a thorough and confusing discussion of all these statistical models, it's time to make all this information practical. What is the best way to help a patient accurately assess her risk of breast cancer and if possible, show her what positive factors are reducing her risk and what negative factors can be changed to reduce her risk? If possible, it would also be great to show the patient the value and indications for testing, imaging, chemoprevention, and in some cases surgery. A discussion of the practical aspect of each of these is addressed in a Q & A format below:
Q: What (free) online programs can be used to help a patient assess their risk of breast cancer?
A: Several of the risk assessment tools mentioned above can be accessed for free by the public. Here are the tests and their websites:
1. Your Disease Risk - English version: www.diseaseriskindex.harvard.edu
This is a great interactive questionnaire that calculates five-year and lifetime risk of breast cancer developed by the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention and made public online in 2000. In 2005, they launched the Spanish version of the site, "Cuidar de su Salud". The risk calculator includes lifestyle factors such as weight, dietary vegetables, alcohol intake, as well as Jewish ethnicity. It does not include other ethnicities, however, and is not accurate for BRCA mutation carriers or breast cancer survivors. Despite these issues, this is by far the best free online risk calculator since it is very interactive and gives you a personalized description of your risk in the form of a colored bar graph, which they can electronically manipulate to experience "virtual" risk reduction. The bar graph is a seven-level scale that compares users to a typical man or woman your age. Users learn where to focus their prevention efforts and how to make lifestyle changes by "clicking on" personalized strategies. With each click, the bar graph shrinks, and the user watches his/her predicted risk drop. This is a great concept to motivate people to participate and comply with lifestyle modification measures.
2. The NCI Risk Assessment Tool -regular web: www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool
This is the easy to use, on-line questionnaire based on a modified Gail model that also includes ethnicity. It does not factor in a personal history of breast cancer, DCIS, or LCIS. It does not account for other factors such as BRCA status, hormonal replacement therapy, lifestyle factors, breast feeding, menopause, or mammographic density. Despite these issues, it is a very useful tool that gives a woman her five-year and lifetime risk of breast cancer. It is the only risk assessment tool that can be used via mobile handheld devices (any type). A version of this can be downloaded for PDAs with Windows Pocket PC operating system as well.
Q: What programs can be used to help a doctor make decisions about ordering a breast MRI?
A: The American Cancer Society has developed some very good guidelines for breast cancer screening with MRI. It should be emphasized that MRI is an adjunct to mammography, not a replacement. Some programs can be used to help in clinical decision making. Please look up the American Cancer Society website.

Dr. Mai Brooks is a surgical oncologist/general surgeon, with expertise in early detection and prevention of cancer. More at http://www.drbrooksmd.com, thecancerexperience.wordpress.com and progressreportoncancer.wordpress.com.

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