Awareness Pins » Breast Tissue http://www.awarenesspins.net Latest Pins and News on Awareness Causes Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:14:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Breast Cancer Causes, Symptoms and Treatment http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/23/breast-cancer-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-2/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/23/breast-cancer-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-2/#comments Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:38:42 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/23/breast-cancer-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-2/ Breast cancer is a cancer of both men and women. But in case of men, it is less common than women. Cancer grows in the cells of the breast and it develops uncontrollably and spreads to other parts of the body. If cancer occurs in cells of breast, one will feel a lump at a self-examination test. In the earlier stage, it is difficult to feel the lump and so in the initial stage no symptoms occur.Causes:The underlying cause of most is unclear. However, some risk factors have been identified, many of which suggest that the female hormone estrogen is an important factor in the development and progress of the disease. It is known that women who have their first menstrual period before age 11, or who have a late menopause, seem to be at increased risk of developing this cancer, probably because they are exposed to high levels of estrogen for longer. The number of menstrual cycles before a first pregnancy is also significant. And a woman who has her first child before age 20 has chances. Breast feeding is thought to have an additional protective effect.Symptoms:Breast cancer 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. Breast cancer usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue, although most breast lumps are not cancerous.In some women breast cancer may have spread to distant organs, before mammography screening or symptoms showed the breast cancer. This can happen because early stage breast cancer does not usually cause any symptoms. If the cancer has spread to other organs these women may present with symptoms related to these organs. For example if the cancer has spread to the bone the woman may develop bone pain or bone fracture.Treatment:Treatment of breast cancer depends on the stage and grade of the cancer, patient’s age, whether the cancer cells have receptors for certain hormones or proteins, and the size of the tumor. Most breast cancers are treated with surgery to remove the tumor, all or part of the breast tissue may be removed at the same time but reconstructive breast surgery can be done at the time of initial surgery or at a later date. Chemotherapy or hormone therapy may be done before surgery to shrink the cancer. After surgery, radiotherapy may be given to make sure any remaining cancer cells are destroyed.The simplest way to remove a breast cancer surgically is by an operation that is often called a lumpectomy. In this procedure, which is usually performed in conjunction with radiotherapy, the surgeon removes the tumour and a small amount of tissue around it, but leaves the skin over it in place. The most extensive procedure is the radical mastectomy – the total removal of the breast along with underlying chest muscles and the axillary lymph nodes in the adjoining armpit.

]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/23/breast-cancer-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-2/feed/ 0 Educate Yourself About Breast Cancer Prevention http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/22/educate-yourself-about-breast-cancer-prevention/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/22/educate-yourself-about-breast-cancer-prevention/#comments Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:05:51 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/22/educate-yourself-about-breast-cancer-prevention/ Breast cancer prevention is important for women to learn about, especially since breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women. The American Cancer Society’s web site reports that over two-hundred thousand women were diagnosed with this disease in 2006 and there are over two million women in the United States who have received treatment for breast cancer. With numbers this staggering, preventing cancer should be a priority for all women.
Thanks to all the new treatments available to women, death rates from breast cancer have declined in the last several years. When deciding how to go about lowering your chances of developing breast cancer, you should consider your risk factors. A risk factor is something that can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Some risk factors can be controlled but others are considered irrepressible. Uncontrollable risk factors are age, gender, family history, genetic make-up, race and even personal medical history. Lifestyle risks usually fall in the “controllable” category.
These are things such as not exercising enough, being overweight, eating a diet high in fat, using birth control and smoking. It is important to take a look at your own lifestyle and family history to determine if you are susceptible to any of these risk factors.
There are certain medications available to women who fall under high risk factors for breast cancer. The drug Tamoxifen has been used in the United States for over twenty-five years to help in the fight for breast cancer prevention. The drug is taken once daily as a pill and interferes with the female hormone estrogen, preventing it from attaching itself to cells in the breast tissue.
This medication can also be used to treat women already diagnosed with breast cancer because it can slow down or cease the growth of cancerous cells. Tamoxifen has even been associated with helping prevent a recurrence in women who previously suffered from breast cancer.
A more common way to prevent breast cancer is through mammograms. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and is the most common form of prevention. Women who are over forty years of age should get mammograms on a yearly basis.
For women in their twenty’s and thirty’s, the American Cancer Society’s web site recommends getting clinical breast exams at least every three years from a medical professional. This test is performed using the tips of the fingers to check the entire breast area and under the arm.
In addition to mammograms and clinical breast exams, women should also perform breast self exams each month to recognize any signs of lumps or abnormalities in the tissue.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is able to help women who fall within the lower poverty levels, are uninsured or underserved gain access to screenings for breast cancer. This program is called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
The CDC’s web site touts it has served more than two million women under this program since its inception in 1991. In 2000, Congress expanded this service by opening it up to women who are on Medicaid. This breast cancer control act, formally titled the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act, is a way to help women, who may have little access to quality health care, have a chance at breast and cervical cancer prevention.
Breast cancer prevention can be a simple way to help you live a healthier life. Although not all risk factors are controllable, there are ways to help you recognize the warning signs of cancer. Be smart and know your body so you can live cancer free.

Visit Mike Selvon cancer prevention portal for more information on breast cancer prevention, and leave a comment at our cancer prevention blog. Don’t forget to claim your FREE self help ebook on dealing with cancer.
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]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/22/educate-yourself-about-breast-cancer-prevention/feed/ 0 General Synopsis of Male Breast Cancer http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/21/general-synopsis-of-male-breast-cancer/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/21/general-synopsis-of-male-breast-cancer/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:41:11 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/21/general-synopsis-of-male-breast-cancer/ Though far less common than in women, men’s breast cancer is possible. According to the American Cancer Society, over 2000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, meaning men account for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases diagnosed nationally. To gain more understanding about this lesser known male disease, take a look below.
Male Breast Cancer Symptoms
Though most lumps or changes in the breast for men are benign (not cancerous) abnormalities, men should still report any major changes, irritations or problems to their doctors as soon as possible.
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.
Contributing Factors for Men’s Breast Cancer
Elder Age
Most men diagnosed with male breast cancer are between the ages of 60 and 70.
Family History
Approximately 20 percent of men with breast cancer have one or more close family members who have or have had the disease.
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
The liver works to regulate hormones, meaning men who have survived liver failure or liver disease often have lower levels of androgens, the male hormones. Those low levels can put them at a higher risk for developing breast cancer or non-cancerous tissue growth.
Estrogen Therapy
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
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 this syndrome generally have lower levels of androgens and higher levels of estrogen and are therefore at a greater risk for developing male breast cancer.
How Breast Cancer in Men is Treated
Methods for treating men’s breast cancer include surgical removal of the tumor and any cancerous cells, chemo, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or a combination of all these treatments.
The survival rates for men with breast cancer often depend on the stage of the disease but range from 96% for stage I diagnosis to 24% for a stage IV diagnosis.
Men experiencing symptoms of breast cancer may be inhibited through embarrassment from requesting the assessment of a qualified physician. But given the severity of any type of cancer, the potential risk merits an extra effort to swallow one’s pride and make sure.

]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/21/general-synopsis-of-male-breast-cancer/feed/ 0 Diet and Breast Cancer http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/20/diet-and-breast-cancer/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/20/diet-and-breast-cancer/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:51:08 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/20/diet-and-breast-cancer/ Breast cancer is a cancer of the glandular breast tissue. Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. Breast cancer may be one of the oldest known forms of cancer tumors in humans. Breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any cancer except lung cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease. Breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women between the ages of 45 and 55. Although breast cancer in women is a common form of cancer, male breast cancer does occur and accounts for about 1% of all cancer deaths in men. Breast cancer usually begins with the formation of a small, confined tumor. Some tumors are benign, meaning they do not invade other tissue; others are malignant, or cancerous. Malignant tumors have the potential to metastasize, or spread. Some risk factors, such as your age, and family history, can’t be changed, whereas others, including weight, smoking and a poor diet, are under your control.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer is higher mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer. The risk can actually be lower if you have a short menstrual life, large family or first child before age 18 years. Men have a lower risk of developing breast cancer (approximately 1.08 per 100,000 men per year), but this risk appears to be rising. Other risks include being overweight, using hormone replacement therapy, taking birth control pills, drinking alcohol, not having children or having your first child after age 35 or having dense breasts. Alcohol appears to increase the risk of breast cancer, though meaningful increases are limited to higher alcohol intake levels. Breast cancer constitutes about 7.3% of all cancers. Symptoms of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast or discharge from a nipple. Most breast lumps are benign , that is, they are not cancer. Benign breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast and they are not life threatening.

Treatment of breast cancer include Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, and Immune Therapy. Certain foods, vitamins, or minerals may interfere with cancer treatment. Drink plenty of fluids but avoid drinks during meals because they may cause a bloated feeling. Proteins: May provide protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Meats, beans, nuts, and seeds provide these benefits. Some seeds, like almonds, are good sources of vitamin E. Dairy products: Milk and cheese provide calcium, protein, and vitamin B12. Grains: Breads, pasta, rice, and cereals provide carbohydrates and B vitamins. Carbohydrates are an important source of energy. Eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, and brussel sprouts – which contain plant phytochemicals that lower blood estrogen levels by increasing the estrogen detoxification capacity of the liver. Try cool foods. Warm foods may worsen nausea. Do not eat or drink until vomiting is under control.

Breast Cancer Treatrment and Diet Tips

1.Eat a diet lower in fat, ideally no more than 18% of your daily caloric intake.

2. Use “good” fats — monounsaturated and omega-3 fats – from olive oil, flax seed oil, almond oil and canola oil, as well as fats from deep-sea fish.

3. Eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, and brussel sprouts.

4. Eat a diet high in fiber, with plant-based sources of protein.

5. Soy, aim for 1 to 2 servings of soy products per day.

6. Tea (black or green), aim for 3 to 5 servings per day.

7. Nitrates and nitrites, avoid cured meats when possible.

8. Carbohydrates are an important source of energy.

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and women health care. More information on health related topics visit our site at http://www.health-care-articles.info.
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]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/20/diet-and-breast-cancer/feed/ 0 Information on Breast Cancer http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/information-on-breast-cancer/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/information-on-breast-cancer/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:56:19 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/information-on-breast-cancer/ The breasts sit on the chest muscles that cover the ribs. Each breast is made of 15 to 20 lobes. Lobes contain many smaller lobules. Lobules contain groups of tiny glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through thin tubes called ducts to the nipple. The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Fat fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts.

Breast cancer incidence is much higher in industrialised Western countries, whether in Europe or North America, than in developing countries. North American women have the highest incidence of breast cancer in the world. Among women in the U.S., breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second-most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). Women in the U.S. have a 1 in 8 (12.5%) lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer and a 1 in 35 (3%) chance of breast cancer causing their death. In 2007, breast cancer was expected to cause 40,910 deaths in the U.S. (7% of cancer deaths; almost 2% of all deaths)

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease. Heightened awareness of breast cancer risk in the past decades has led to an increase in the number of women undergoing mammography for screening, leading to detection of cancers in earlier stages and a resultant improvement in survival rates.

Breast cancer is the number one disease that women in the United States fear the most, and for compelling reasons. It is the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55 years of age and is the second overall cause of death among women (exceeded only by lung cancer). Unfortunately, it is also on the rise worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, this year about 175,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and about 43,300 deaths from breast cancer will occur among women in the USA.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in North America and Europe. Close to 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any particular woman getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8 although the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower at 1 in 28. Men are also at risk for development of breast cancer, although this risk is much lower than it is for women.

Breast cancer is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early. Monthly breast self-examinations should begin at age 20. Recommended screening methods include breast self-examination and mammography.

The most serious cancers are metastatic cancers. Metastasis means that the cancer has spread from the place where it started into other tissues distant from the original tumor site. The most common place for breast cancer to metastasize is into the lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone on the same side as the cancer. Other common sites of breast cancer metastasis are the brain, the bones, and the liver.

Death rates from breast cancer have been gradually declining and continue to decline. These decreases are likely due both to increased awareness and screening and improved treatment methods.

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]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/information-on-breast-cancer/feed/ 0 Breast Cancer – Diagnosis,Causes, Symptoms,Treatments,Prognosis http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/breast-cancer-diagnosiscauses-symptomstreatmentsprognosis/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/breast-cancer-diagnosiscauses-symptomstreatmentsprognosis/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:40:03 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/breast-cancer-diagnosiscauses-symptomstreatmentsprognosis/ 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, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of multiple environmental and hereditary factors.
Breathing secondhand smoke increases breast cancer 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 cancer 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. Breast 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.
Breast 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 breast 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 of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast’s ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast’s lobules.
Occasionally, breast cancer 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 of breast cancer, options include; Surgery , chemotherapy, Radiotherapy,Hormonal therapies,Herceptin and complementary treatments.
The mainstay of breast cancer 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 follow up.
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 breast 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 for breast cancer 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 set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites <a href="http:// Go” target=”_blank”>www.healthinnovationsonline.com/”>Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cancer Information Online
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]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/19/breast-cancer-diagnosiscauses-symptomstreatmentsprognosis/feed/ 0 Green Tea Extract And Other Nutritional Supplements To Combat Breast Cancer http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/green-tea-extract-and-other-nutritional-supplements-to-combat-breast-cancer/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/green-tea-extract-and-other-nutritional-supplements-to-combat-breast-cancer/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:34:21 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/green-tea-extract-and-other-nutritional-supplements-to-combat-breast-cancer/ Most likely, there is nothing more frightening for a woman than the discovery of a lump in her breast. Her mind is quickly flooded with cancer and all of its consequences. Most women have a friend, a sister, or a coworker who has been diagnosed with the disease and know how difficult dealing with it can be. Fortunately, 80% of all breast lumps are not cancer, as most are cysts or a benign clump of tissue. From puberty on, a woman’s breasts undergo many changes. Because of these continual changes, breast tissue requires adequate nutrition. Although everyone benefits from a healthy diet, there are additional nutrients which can specifically benefit women including B vitamins, calcium D-glucarate, broccoli extract, green tea extract, maitake mushrooms, and iodine.
Because scientists can learn a lot about diseases from simply observing it, they have learned that certain cultures have a very low incidence of breast cancer, among these being China and Japan. As compared to women in America, Canada, and parts of Europe, the Asian cultures have a much lower breast cancer rate and it seems likely that something in their diet could be protecting these women from the disease because as Asian women adopt a western diet their breast cancer rates climb. It has also been recognized that certain types of vegetables play a large role in the prevention of all types of disease, including cancer. Based on this, scientists have carried out many studies to determine what it is about these nutrients that can prevent breast cancer.
Deficiencies in vitamin B12 can result in a serious type of anemia, as well as nerve damage, and is now being researched to see if these deficiencies can also, in part, cause breast cancer. A scientific study proved that women who had the lowest levels of B12 in their blood had the highest rates of breast cancer. Another study discovered that when B12 was applied directly to cancer cells, it actually stopped cancer cells from growing. The researchers conducting this experiment believe that giving B12 to women with breast cancer as a part of a chemotherapy regime might help to keep cancer in check.
Similarly, low folic acid intake is linked to the development of all cancers because folic acid is crucial to the making and continual repair of DNA. A recent study discovered that high intakes of folic acid may actually reduce the risk of breast cancer, as women who eat lots of foods that contain folic acid have much lower rates of breast cancer. Although there is no clear-cut, single cause of breast cancer, many factors are required for the disease to appear, including estrogen. Studies have shown that women who have higher levels of estrogen tend to develop breast cancer more often. This means that women who got the periods before age eleven or entered menopause after the age of fifty-five have a higher risk of breast cancer. Another factor affecting breast cancer is the consumption of alcohol. Since alcohol raises estrogen levels, a woman who consumes even moderate amounts of alcohol increases her risk of breast cancer. However a recent study has shown that folic acid can overtake this link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer as those women who drink one alcoholic drink a day and have high levels of folic acid have the same rate of breast cancer as those women with high folic acid intakes who did not drink.
While women need estrogen to soften skin, thicken hair, and fill out hips and breasts, estrogen can also nourish breast tumors and help them to grow bigger, stronger, and more deadly. Thanks to good nutrition, American women get their periods early and go through menopause later in life. Today, women also have fewer pregnancies, with the average number of children being one or two. Each of these factors increases the time in which women’s bodies are exposed to estrogen, meaning increased opportunities for estrogen to cause trouble. We are also continuously exposed to cancer-causing chemicals and toxins, coming from contaminants in the food we eat and pollutants in the air we breathe. Although the body does have a system that eliminates some of the excess estrogen and toxic chemicals before they cause harm, an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase can interrupt the excretion process, allowing the hormone or toxin to continue to cause harm. Fortunately, scientists have discovered a natural substance found in foods, calcium d-glucarate, which can stop the activity of beta-glucuronidase. Calcium d-glucarate, which is found in fruits and vegetables, has been shown in experimental studies to significantly stop breast cancer growth. There are also many other trials currently underway studying its ability to decrease the breast cancer risk in women at high risk for the disease.
Iodine, which is the trace element in a hormone found in the thyroid gland and is involved in several metabolic functions, functions as a protection of breast tissue from cancerous cells. A study exposing breast cancer cells and breast tissue without any cancer to a type of seaweed containing high amounts of iodine concluded that the seaweed killed all of the cancerous cells and did not harm the normal breast cells. Researchers believe that it is because many Japanese women eat this kind of seaweed, containing great amounts of iodine, that they have very low rates of breast cancer.
For a great deal of time, cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, have been observed by scientists for their ability to reduce the risk of diseases including cancer. It appears that the phytochemical sulforaphane, found in broccoli, is one of the chemicals responsible for this beneficial ability. Sulforaphane increases certain enzymes in the body called phase 2 enzymes, which deactivate cancer-causing chemicals. When breast cancer cells were exposed to sulforaphane in a lab experiment, the compound inhibited the growth of the cancer cells up to eighty percent.
There is a good amount of research that has concluded that green tea extract beverage consumption is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer. Researchers have long noted the low rates of breast cancer in Japan, where green tea extract is consumed at great amounts. The active compound found in green tea extract that is responsible for breast cancer inhibition is EGCG, which stops the cells from growing, causes them to lose their ability to replicate, and die.
For many years, maitake mushrooms have been linked to good health in all that eat them, partly because they contain an important compound called D-fraction. D-fraction not only stops the growth of cancerous tumors, but it also alerts and stimulates immune cells to fight the disease. Due to its success, maitake is now being used in clinical trials of women with breast cancer, improving many symptoms including reduction of the tumor.
There nutrients should not be used in place of traditional treatment for breast cancer, as none of these nutrients can cure breast cancer. However, they can be a part of plan of treatment. If you have breast cancer, talk to your healthcare practitioner about these nutrients and remember that nutritional supplements are supplements to your food, medication, and treatment, to enhance and prevent, not a replacement. Supplements such as green tea extract or calcium d glucarate can be found at your local health food store or online vitamin store.

]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/green-tea-extract-and-other-nutritional-supplements-to-combat-breast-cancer/feed/ 0 Breast Cancer – A Complete Overview http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/breast-cancer-a-complete-overview/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/breast-cancer-a-complete-overview/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:34:40 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/breast-cancer-a-complete-overview/ 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, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of multiple environmental and hereditary factors. Breathing secondhand smoke increases breast cancer 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 cancer 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. Breast 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.
Breast 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 breast 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 of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast’s ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast’s lobules.
Occasionally, breast cancer 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 of breast cancer, options include; Surgery , chemotherapy, Radiotherapy,Hormonal therapies,Herceptin and complementary treatments.
The mainstay of breast cancer 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 breast 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 for breast cancer has declined by about 20% over the past decade, and research is ongoing to develop even more effective screening and treatment programs.

]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/17/breast-cancer-a-complete-overview/feed/ 0 Tips to Help Sexual Recovery After Breast Cancer Surgery http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/15/tips-to-help-sexual-recovery-after-breast-cancer-surgery/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/15/tips-to-help-sexual-recovery-after-breast-cancer-surgery/#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:35:05 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/15/tips-to-help-sexual-recovery-after-breast-cancer-surgery/ As the most common form of cancer among women today, breast cancer makes many indelible changes. A woman’s sex life may suffer as she learns to cope with the changes within her body. Losing one or both breasts in a partial or radical mastectomy can drastically change a woman’s appearance which may affect her self-esteem and her sexuality.

A woman whose breast tissue has been treated or surgically altered may find the area extra sensitive, numb, or even painful. As she recovers from her surgery she may either find she wants no touching in the breast area, or even more touching than before! Why more? Because touching and affection towards the recovering area reassures some woman that they are still sexy.

While having a mastectomy usually leads to a loss in sexual interest, women who have had a lumpectomy often report heightened sex drive and an increase desire for their breasts to be caressed.

Reconstructive surgery is one option for women who have had one or both breasts removed due to breast cancer. However, if she chooses to have her breast reconstructed, she can expect to experience dulled sensations if any at all.

Your partner will also find this to be an awkward time period and will be in need of more guidance during your sexual encounters. You will have to communicate with them more about what makes you uncomfortable and may have to physically show them what you want by taking hold of their hand and guiding it. Try putting your hand over his and moving it how and where you want it to go. You will have to learn to be more assertive than you are used to being, but this will greatly reduce the pressure he feels to please you.

It is normal for some mastectomy patients to be uncomfortable with any sort of breast touching. For some, it is a painful reminder of a loss. This is a situation that needs to handled delicately by both partners. She needs to make this a firm request and he needs to comply, with both knowing that she may change her mind at a later date. It is of utmost importance that both partners know that this will be a learning process for both of them.

Kat Williams
Ladies… go to http://www.greatsex4girls.com now and learn how to enhance sexual intimacy with your husband or boyfriend!
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]]> http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/15/tips-to-help-sexual-recovery-after-breast-cancer-surgery/feed/ 0 Important news For Breast Cancer http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/11/important-news-for-breast-cancer/ http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/11/important-news-for-breast-cancer/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:58:16 +0000 admin http://www.awarenesspins.net/2009/08/11/important-news-for-breast-cancer/ Breast cancer can affect one in eight women, and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, second only to lung cancer. There doesn’t seem to be any definitive prevention for breast cancer, but there are certain risk factors that make women susceptible, including age and genetics. Women with genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, or women that have family history of breast cancer, should get tested regularly. A breast self-examination once a month is a good way to catch lumps before they become bigger problems. The best way to examine is to make note of nipple size, skin tone, and differences in size. Since most breasts can already feel lumpy, look for lumps that are not regularly on the breast, or if there is thickening around the nipple. Breasts should be checked with three fingers in a clockwise motion, both standing and lying on your side. Check the whole breast area, including under the breasts and up to the armpits. A mammogram can also detect breast cancer, and screening is recommended yearly for women over 35. It’s an x-ray that scan the breast tissue to detect cysts and tumors, or abnormalities in tissue.If breast cancer is found, there are treatments available, including surgery to remove tissue or cysts, chemotherapy, radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells or anti-estrogen therapy. Treatments depend on the stage the cancer is in, and also on the patient’s comfort level – not all treatments are good for all types of breast cancer.

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