Breast Cancer

Among all cancers in women, he takes the first place. In most cases, breast cancer develops in the presence of precancerous changes. This is primarily a benign mammary dysplasia and papilloma ducts.
Breast cancer is represented macroscopically nodular and diffuse forms, as well as cancer of the nipple and the nipple of the field (Paget's disease of the breast). For the nodular cancers are characterized by the node having a diameter of up to several centimeters. In some cases, a tight knot, is permeated with whitish layers tissue penetrating into the surrounding fatty tissue, in others - a soft, juicy on the cut, splits easily. Diffuse prostate cancer is covered for a considerable distance, the contours of the tumor are marked bad. Sometimes the cancer invades the skin and forms on the surface of decaying mushroom formation - a cancerous ulcer. In some cases, the tumor spreads along the surface of the breast and all the iron is covered with a dense shell.
In histological structure are the following types of breast cancer:
• noninvasive: intralobular and intraduct;
• infiltrative.
Noninvasive breast cancer can be intralobular (lobular carcinoma in situ), and intraduct (ductal carcinoma in situ).
Infiltrating (invasive) cancer is characterized by varying degrees of tissue and cell irregularities, which allowed to distinguish different degree of malignancy. This type of cancer include, in particular, infiltrating ductal and lobular carcinoma, which usually has the structure of scirrhus, as well as Paget's disease.
Causes of Breast Cancer.
The causes of breast cancer often are hormonal changes in the body: the entry into menopause, when there is an active restructuring of the hormonal regulation of the woman, the ovaries lose their activity, decreased production of progesterone and estrogen, the body is going through, "hormonal crisis." The mammary gland and endometrium (lining of the uterus) are most responsive to these changes, the breast tissue begins to dissolve and be replaced by fat.
Scientifically established that the female hormones estrogen-, plays a key role in the development of breast cancer. The excess hormones in the body creates a favorable background for developing the disease. The least active hormones estrogen behave during pregnancy and after birth - during breastfeeding. It is proved that the birth and prolonged breastfeeding (more than 1 year) to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. On the other hand, abortion lead to hormonal "explosion" in a woman's body that can trigger the development of tumors. So far there is no consensus about the impact on the development of tumors of hormonal contraceptive drugs, but it is believed that these drugs reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, but increase the risk of developing cancer of the female genital organs, and osteoporosis. In addition predisposition to breast cancer can cause harmful environmental factors: the environment, as well as inflammatory diseases previously deferred breast - mastitis.
In addition, patients with a family of first-degree relatives with breast cancer (mothers and sisters) risk of developing a tumor increasing by more than half - familial forms of cancer.
Benign breast diseases such as fibrocystic breast disease, or fibroadenoz intraduct papillomatosis alone do not lead to cancer, but at the same time, create an unfavorable background for its development.
The cause of breast cancer may be the effects of radiation, such as irradiation of the chest for other diseases (lung tumors, the lymphatic system), prolonged and frequent chest X-ray studies on inflammatory diseases or pulmonary tuberculosis.
Constitutional obesity can lead to cancer of the breast and female reproductive system, with an excess fatty tissue in the body, it becomes a separate endocrine organ and begins to actively produce hormones-estrogens, whose action and provokes the development of tumors.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
There are several forms of the growth of breast cancer:
- Nodular form, the most common, is characterized by a dense knot of 0.5 to 5 cm or more, it is characterized by all of the following symptoms;
- Diffuse. All of them are very aggressive, grow quickly, almost lightning speed, the tumor with no clear boundaries, "spreading" of the breast and skin. For the first two forms are characteristic signs of inflammation: pain of the breast, a bright red color of the skin it raises body temperature to 39 degrees C. In view of these symptoms often occur, and errors in diagnosis of patients treated for inflammatory diseases, which are named and are referred to these forms breast cancer. When tubular carcinoma breast cancer cover as a "skin" of its contracting and decreasing in size.
In some cases, breast cancer manifests in the form of metastases in the lymph nodes on the affected side, often fails to detect the tumor itself - show hidden breast cancer.
For small tumors of the breast, any symptoms arise. The most observant women and their husbands are able to detect tumor site in the gland by chance, but in a large breast to detect small size hard knot. Revealed a knot can be painful when pressed, round, smooth and agile, this speaks in favor of a benign tumor. Signs of malignancy other: a tight knot to touch the stone, its surface is uneven, it is stationary or slightly shifted, can be firmly fixed to the surrounding tissue or skin, usually painless, can reach a significant size (more than 3 - 5 cm and sometimes 10-15 cm).
Need to assess the surface of the skin over the tumor: the malignant process will be observed retraction of the skin, picking up in the folds, wrinkles, a symptom of "lemon peel" - a local swelling of the skin over the tumor, may be a direct tumor invasion to the skin surface, then it becomes a bright red color and sprawl as "cauliflower."

Breast Cancer - Should You Be Concerned If Your Mother Had Breast Cancer?

You, like most women, become anxious when one of the immediate members of your family is diagnosed with breast cancer. And you have a big question in mind - is breast cancer hereditary? This is tantamount to probing if you should be worried about being afflicted with breast cancer, just because your mother happens to be diagnosed with this ailment.
It may be true that when your mother or sister was diagnosed with the Big C in the breast, your risk is greater than any other woman who had no family history of the disease. When your mother had cancer of the breast, your risk can be twice or thrice greater than the general populace. But then this is just an increase in risk, not necessarily meaning that you too will be having the illness.
The cause of cancer of the breast is completely unknown but there had been enough convictions that this mostly occurs by chance. The hereditary factor could be due to genetic make-up.
There are three faulty genes in your system that had been usually linked to breast cancer. If you have one or more of these, you develop a risk of developing this Big C and in some instances ovarian cancer. If you carry one of these, it is likely that you will pass this on to your child. And if your mother had this kind of cancer caused by one of these faulty genes, you have a 50-50 chance of inheriting it. These faulty genes are the culprits why breast cancer occurs in some families. This is referred to as hereditary or familial breast cancer. Not all women who had inherited this faulty gene will be diagnosed with the ailment; this only increases the risk.
Breast cancer is very common to women and it is big possibility that you have a relative with this ailment. The cause may not be due to the faulty genes but the mitigating factor is chance. Most women with history of cancer in the family have the same risk as other women. However, there are some women who have greater hazards.
It is important that you are aware of the different factors that may increase your risk. These mostly pertain to blood relationship. The probability becomes high when many blood relatives are diagnosed with the disease. The younger, below 40 years old, your relative were when diagnosed with the Big C, the higher your chance is. Your relative has cancer in both of the breasts or when breast and ovarian cancer run in the family. A male relative diagnosed with such cancer also increases the possibility.
Because of these risks, you may be very concerned about your possibility of having this illness. Forget about your anxiety of being diagnosed with the affliction. To have peace of mind, see your doctor and undergo tests and assessments. The survival rate is very high when detected at an early stage and of course, when treated immediately.

Breast Cancer Treatment - Advanced Medical Care to Kill Cancer Cells and Prevent Them From Returning

If you are in need of breast cancer treatment a comprehensive medical center can provide you with the help you need. You highly can benefit from highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses, physicians, pharmacists, counselors, therapists, dietitians, and chaplains at the medical center, as they provide you with the treatment you need. This center may offer outpatient chemotherapy in addition to mastectomy surgery, and reconstructive surgery.
The two goals of breast cancer treatment include ridding your body of cancer and preventing the cancer from returning. If you have breast cancer, the type of treatment you will receive will depend on the extent of which the cancer has developed in your lymph nodes or throughout your body, the size of the tumor, and the presence progesterone and estrogen receptors. Underlying health issues, mental status, personal preferences, and age all play a vital role in the decision of what treatment to choose.
There are systematic or local breast cancer treatments available; these include:
• Surgery- This treatment can be either lumpectomy or mastectomy.
• Radiation Therapy- Uses high levels of radiation to kill the body's cancer cells or prevents the cells from growing and dividing. This treatment also minimizes the damage to your healthy cells.
• Chemotherapy-This treatment uses drugs in order to kill the cancer cells in the body.
• Hormone Therapy- Uses drugs to prevent hormones from encouraging the growth of cancerous breast cells that may stay following surgery.
• Biological Therapy- Uses drugs that work by using the body's own immune system to kill the cancerous breast cells.
In order to find the best treatment for you, call and set up a consultation with your doctor. During your consultation, your doctor may discuss all the benefits and risks of each treatment option available to you and how these treatments will relate to your own lifestyle. You should also consider joining a support group to help you with the emotional issues you may be facing that surround your diagnosis and treatment choice.
Breast cancer patients that are in the early stages of the disease may choose to have something like a partial mastectomy, which removes the tumor and a large part of the surrounding breast tissue. Individuals who have the advanced stages of breast cancer, those that have a high risk of the disease returning, or if the necessary breast tissue cannot be removed, your surgeon may recommend mastectomy treatment (a complete removal of your breast). For additional information of treatment call and schedule an appointment with a doctor at a reputable medical center.

Breast Cancer Awareness Products As Promotional Giveaways

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are so many different fundraising events going on that pink becomes one of the most popular colors for promotional products. Customized pink products are a great way to raise both money and awareness for breast cancer.
When choosing a product to customize for Breast Cancer Awareness, keep in mind the event which you are hosting. If you have a booth set up or are raising money for a Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run, for example, you should consider a product that is more geared towards athleticism.
Promotional sports bottles are great for events like 5K runs. Promotional sports bottles come in different materials such as acrylic, plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum. They are also available in different sizes starting from 14 ounces all the way to 34 ounces.
Sports bottles would make great items to give away at events such as 5K Runs and promote your company but they would also be great to customize and resell to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Sports bottles are a great choice because they are comfortable and convenient on the go items, which means runners can use them right away but they can also hold on to them for years to come.
Another great option to consider is t-shirts. Apparel is always a great choice because people will wear it for years to come as a way to show their pride or as a way to remember the event. Put a funny logo or phrase on it and it will instantly be a hit! You can choose from a wide range of different brands and styles. Shirts are a great option for Breast Cancer Awareness because you can customize them for children, women, and men so you won't be limiting yourself to just one age group or demographic.
If your purpose is to get your company noticed by a large amount of people, then a great way to do that is through pens. Pens are great because they are very affordable allowing you to give them out to several people without worrying too much. Since space is limited on a pen, you have the opportunity to put all the important company information on it without any clutter. Include your company name, phone number, and maybe the address, keep it simple and get noticed.
Whether you are shopping for a 5K Run, a fundraiser, a dinner, or any other Breast Cancer Awareness event, pink Breast Cancer promos are a great way to get your event noticed by all.

Breast Cancer Diet To Include Cruciferous Vegetables

More reason to eat those veggies! Women who follow a breast cancer diet and eat lots of cruciferous (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy) veggies have a greater chance of living longer and have less chance of their cancer recurring according to a large new study. It seems the more veggies the better.
Experts from the American Cancer Society estimate there will be almost 300,000 cases of cancer of the breast in the US this year. Nearly 40,000 patients will lose their lives to the disease.
The work included almost 5,000 Chinese survivors of breast cancer who were aged 20 to 75 years old who had been diagnosed in 2002 to 2006. They completed detailed questionnaires on dietary intake when the study started, and then again at the 18-month and 36 month point. The subjects were split into five groups based on their cruciferous veggie intake.
At about the five year point after diagnosis, those ladies in the top 20% (150 gms of cruciferous vegetables a day) had a 42% less chance of dying from the disease, and have a 58% lower chance of dying from any cause in comparison with those who had the lowest intake (under 54 grams per day).
Women in the top 20% were also nearly 20% less likely to experience a recurrence of their cancer.
The team of researchers also looked at other things that can impact breast cancer returning and survival rates - including how old you are, the stage of your cancer, your treatment, how active you are and other factors in your diet.
The good news is that it's very simple to add 150 grams of vegetables to your diet... and you might even like them. One cup of cooked cauliflower or broccoli or the more exotic mustard greens cabbage, kale and good old Brussels sprouts all have just about 150 grams per serving.
This research isn't the first time experts have suggested that eating these delicious veggies might help patients with breast cancer - it is one of the biggest however. Encouraging as the work is, it does not prove that cruciferous veggies made the difference. Those who eat this way might have other healthy habits (or advantages) that weren't measured by the study.
Also, Asian diets are quite different to the average western one we eat here in America. Some of the popular cruciferous veggies common in Chinese diets include turnips, bok choy and other greens. And Asians do eat more veggies overall than are in most Western diets.
So why are veggies so beneficial?
They contain large levels of compounds known as glucosinolates. These change into isothiocyanates and Indoles when ingested and have been found to have lots of anti-cancer properties - at least in the laboratory.
If you're worried about your chances of getting breast cancer, do what you can to reduce your risk. While there are factors like age and genetics that you can't change, there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself including following a breast cancer diet. You should also aim to keep your weight in the healthy range - being overweight or obese brings up your risk of breast cancer. Be more active on a regular basis as evidence continues to point to this as cutting breast cancer risk. You'll also want to limit your alcohol intake (not more than 1-2 drinks a day), and discuss the risks and benefits of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy after menopause with your healthcare team.

Can Digital Thermal Imaging Detect Breast Cancer?

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) has the potential to be a helpful tool in the detection of cancerous tissue in the human body. Advocates suggest that it could be used in addition to mammography (using x-ray images) because it does not emit radiation and can spot problem areas long before an x-ray image can reveal cancerous activity.
Let's be clear; it is not possible to diagnose cancer with thermal imaging, x-ray mammography or an ultrasound scan. Each imaging method is used as a means of detection, though DITI does not have the support of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for this clinical application. Only a surgically invasive biopsy can currently provide an accurate diagnosis. Self-examination, along with mammography, are the officially accepted methods of detection.
Cancerous activity in the body changes the metabolic activity in that area, since tumours use angiogenesis to feed themselves with blood. Vascular activity becomes abnormal and heat is created. It is possible to interpret hot-spots in a thermal image as what appears to be increased vascular activity in a subject breast and this may indicate abnormal activity. However, I would speculate that the NHS seems to think that thermography is inaccurate because there are lots of other harmless conditions that can appear as an "abnormal" result on the thermograph.
Opposition to thermal imaging in cancer detection has been based (not exclusively) on the insensitivity of images to thermal differences. Cancerous areas are warmer, but they need to be significantly warmer for infrared cameras to indicate usable information. One method, used by Angott Medical Products, suggests that cooling the body prior to examination will give a better, more readable, result. They suggest that the abnormal metabolic activity in the cancerous area does not cool as quickly as the surrounding body tissue, so it should be more evident on the thermal image.
Advocates of DITI for breast cancer detection are keen to suggest that it can depict potential cancers long before x-ray images because x-rays can only show larger - and therefore more advanced - cancerous fibroids. This is only valid if we are totally sure that thermal images are clearly pinpointing cancerous activity. Cancer Active, "Britain´s Number 1 holistic cancer information charity", make strong claims for the unique characteristics of DITI as an additional breast cancer detection tool, especially for younger women where higher breast tissue density makes both x-ray and ultrasound less useful as predictive tools.
At least two cases suggest that official bodies are more than circumspect when it comes to claims made by commercial interests. Recently the Advertising Standards Authority upheld a claim against The Homeopathic Clinic who had claimed, perhaps misleadingly, that thermography could detect the early signs of breast cancer in women under fifty. In the USA, a similar case was brought against Meditherm, Inc by the FDA.
No official US or UK source currently backs DITI as a breast cancer detection tool, anyone who suspects they have breast cancer is best relying on the advice of their doctor. Private firms operating DITI detection procedures may have trained clinicians who can decipher thermal images but there is no official quality control applied to their analysis and advice.
Thermal imaging is being used successfully as a clinical tool by veterinary surgeons, particularly in the detection of animal injury. It is also entering the world of sports medicine. At the moment the growth areas for thermal imaging are still in areas such as fire-fighting, and electrical and building safety inspection.

Lower Breast Cancer Risk By Avoiding Alcohol

If you want to lower breast cancer risk avoiding alcohol may be key, as even a little alcohol might be enough to get you in trouble. While experts have warned of the many health dangers of too much drinking, a new review reveals that just a single alcoholic drink each day can raise a woman's risk of breast cancer by almost 5%. Heavier intakes (3+ drinks/day) can bring the increase in risk to a dangerous 50% according to the team of researchers from France, Italy and Germany.
Warnings about alcohol consumption and cancer of the breast were first brought to light during the early 1980s, and have gained ground ever since. Alcohol is believed to raise estrogen levels, and there are earlier studies that have found alcohol linked strongly to estrogen receptor positive cancers that need the hormone in order to keep growing.
For the current review the team examined past research and selected 113 earlier studies that examined light drinking and cancer risk. They were able to attribute 2% of breast cancers in both North America and Europe to light drinking; almost 50,000 of these cancers the world over to drinking heavily. The findings do seem to echo the advice of physicians, to live a healthy lifestyle and minimize your intake of alcohol.
A healthy woman, who is at average risk for breast cancer, should not drink in excess of one alcoholic beverage a day. If you're at a higher risk due of a family history for example, you should avoid daily consumption of alcohol and perhaps only drink on special occasions, if at all.
While a family history of this disease increases your risk, remember that most women who get breast cancer do NOT have a family history of the disease.
The link between even moderate alcohol intake and a slightly higher risk of breast cancer was reported previously. The new findings update this thinking, and because they made use of both newer and older studies, are able to give a better estimate of the risk of drinking alcohol every day.
But, moderate alcohol intake is also believed to be good for the heart. So how do women choose?
Look to guidelines that suggest if you don't drink alcohol, don't start for health benefits. If you do drink, keep your intake to a maximum of one drink daily, though if you are at risk of cancer you might be smart to avoid alcohol altogether.
Experts believe that if you are at risk, a single change like this won't have much impact. You'll need to be doing other things - exercising and eating healthy - as well to truly lower breast cancer risk. In the U.S., estimates suggest that one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in her life. The risk from light alcohol intake is then added onto that starting point. The good news is that drinking alcohol is totally within your control -so you can do something about your breast cancer risk if you need to.

Essential Oils That Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

Did you know that some essential oils have the ability to identify improperly written DNA, while others can destroy that DNA, and still others re-program the DNA correctly? Some oils can actually do all three themselves. Being able to do just one, two or all three is quite astounding, isn't it? Besides these incredible properties they can also pass through the blood-brain barrier because even those essential oils with the largest molecules still have molecules that are many times smaller than necessary to pass through that barrier.
Do you see why I believe some of the best things God has given mankind are essential oils? When the wise men brought baby Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh they were, in essence, providing Jesus' parents with a pharmacy. Frankincense is immuno-stimulating and antitumoral while myrrh is antiviral, antiparasitic, an analgesic and also antitumoral. These oils could protect baby Jesus from the plagues and illnesses of that day and then, when they were gone - Mary and Joseph could purchase more with the gold. If you ask me, these are pretty great baby gifts for any time in history!
Are there oils that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and many other cancers? That answer is not black and white because, as I have said in other articles, everyone is unique and acts and reacts differently. However, generally speaking there are essential oils that help keep immune systems strong and others that suppress tumors - so, the answer is, in many cases, "yes"!
I believe most of you are aware that everyone has cancer cells within their bodies. The problem doesn't lie in that fact. It is when those cells are allowed to multiply because a person's immune system has been compromised, weakened and therefore functioning poorly that tumors form.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of pure water and exercising on a regular basis, the following oils can strengthen immunity and repair DNA in the cells.
Cistus (Cistus ladanifer) enhances immunity and immune cell regeneration.
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary to amplify immunity.
Oregano (Origanum compactum) is one of the most powerful antimicrobial essential oils. It helps fight off viruses, bacteria, fungal infections, and parasites allowing our bodies to concentrate on staying healthy.
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) amplifies immunity and DNA repair in addition to being antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the most powerful antioxidants of all essential oils and prevents cellular DNA damage. It is very important in cancer prevention to protect against cell oxidation. Additionally, it is antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal.
There are many more essential oils that have these same qualities, but this gives you an idea of some of the most powerful. These oils are packed with a huge wallop in every drop so you don't need to use them in large quantities. They last well in hot climates as long as they are not exposed to light and you keep them bottled tightly to keep them from evaporating.
Anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis might want to consider adding Frankincense or myrrh to their traditional treatment since they contain antitumoral properties. Frankincense is somewhat easier to work with because it is has less resin than myrrh. Of course, one should always check with their doctor first before adding any essential oils or starting any alternative treatment. This is because the oils could react negatively with other treatments and/or medications or they could nullify the benefits of traditional medicine.
To provide the greatest protection one should use only the highest grade essential oils available. For me that means Young Living oils. They have a great track record and have pretty much set the standard for all other essential oils. As with any high quality product, these small bottles of oils are not cheap. But, remember - they do go a long way. Young Living has combined many of the oils that stimulate the immune system into a blended oil called ImmuPower. You can check it, and the company, out at http://www.youngliving.com.
My prayer is that some day we will wipe out cancer; but until that day, essential oils offer great protection against cancer and can offer help and hope for those who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Much of the information on the list of oils came from "Essential Oils Desk Reference, fifth edition". It is compiled and published by Life Science Publishing. You can purchase the book online through several vendors, including Amazon.

How Indoor Tanning Helps Prevent Breast Cancer

Indoor tanning is safer than the sun helping to prevent breast cancer by up to 75% because of the Vitamin D benefits in the UV rays from tanning beds and booths.
Only a moderate amount of UV rays is needed to achieve a healthy body along with a beautiful tan. Vitamin D is needed to survive and the human body doesn't manufacture enough of it.
With our body starving for Vitamin D, the cells start to die causing all types of cancers with breast cancer ranking number one as the most deadly killer of cancers.
The food is depleted of this much-needed vitamin, therefore you can take supplements, soak up 30 minutes in the sun or go to a tanning salon where you can get a five-minute spray tan or use the tanning bed for 10 to 15 minutes.
UV rays are good for you in moderation because of the Vitamin D and you're getting a tan at the same time. The problem with the sun it emits not only UVA rays but also UVB rays.
A small amount of UVB rays is emitted damaging our DNA. Sun tanning is risky because the UV rays are not consistent all the time, whereas indoor tanning is consistent so you get the same amount of UV rays.
Sun tanning during mid-day is most dangerous because it's the hottest part of the day emitting more powerful UV rays causing heat strokes, cancer, premature aging and eye damage.
It's a myth that indoor tanning is risky, if instructions are followed properly. It takes just a small amount of UV rays to get a tan from the fluorescent UV bulbs in the tanning beds and booths.
With proper guidance, wearing tanning goggles to protect the eyes is totally safe and gives you a natural tan with your needed source of Vitamin D in just a few minutes.
More women die from breast cancer than any other form of cancer known. Most are deficient in vitamins which help keep us alive. Vitamin D along with other nutrients, destroys the bad cells that cause breast cancer.
The bad cells are stronger than the good cells attacking the immune system killing off the good cells. The sun gives you the Vitamin D you need, but the sun also causes burns among other illnesses and diseases if you stay in it too long.
Tanning beds and booths emit a small amount of UV rays supplying you with plenty of Vitamin D while making your skin healthy and beautiful all at the same time helping to prevent breast cancer.

Surgery for Breast Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, then it is likely that your surgeon will recommend a mastectomy operation. There are several variations of the mastectomy procedure, and the most suitable for you will depend on your situation and the extent of the tumours in your breasts.
If the tumour in your breast is small, then you may undergo a lumpectomy procedure. This is a common, safe procedure and involves removal of the lump and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it, to be sure that all of the tumour cells have been removed.
If the tumour is large or there are several within the breast, then a mastectomy is the more appropriate procedure. This is surgical removal of the entire breast. A simple, or total, mastectomy is when all of the breast tissue is removed. The words "simple" and "total" are interchangeable, and you may find your surgeon using either one of them when discussing the procedure with you. You may need to undergo chemotherapy or hormone treatment before the operation to try and shrink the size of the tumours, making surgery easier to perform. You may be offered a reconstruction at the same time as the removal operation; this is becoming standard medical practice as it helps to reduce the trauma experienced by patients who have had either one or both breasts removed. You do not need to take up this option, but it is something you may wish to consider.
If the cancer is thought to have spread further than the breast tissue, then you may need to undergo a radical mastectomy, which also involves the removal of the underlying chest wall muscle. This is highly unusual and will only be done if the tumours have spread into this area of muscle.
Whichever type of mastectomy you undergo, your surgeon may also take the opportunity to biopsy the lymph nodes in your armpit. This is done through the same incision as the mastectomy, so will not result in any additional scar tissue.
Surgery to remove the breasts can often be traumatic, whether you are having the procedure to remove cancer or because you have a strong family history of the disease and want to prevent it from occurring. This is why immediate reconstruction is now offered whenever possible, and it is recommended that you discuss this with your surgeon and breast care nurse, who will be able to give you all of the relevant information. There are also a number of support groups for women who have undergone, or are about to have, the procedure, and it can sometimes be helpful to make contact with these. The members will be able to talk to you about their own experiences, which can be worthwhile if you are at all concerned. Speak to your breast care nurse, who will be able to give you the contact details for your local group.

Stages Of Early Breast Cancer And The Chance of Its Coming Back

A cancer that develops in the breast is known as breast cancer. The ailment can be fatal if it had advanced and is not treated. Early detection can be treated successfully such that the affected person's survival rate is higher. The progress of the disease can be determined through two factors - grade and stage.
Grades of breast cancer
The grade indicates how fast the cancer cells are multiplying. This can range from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A low-grade such as Grade 1 indicates that the cancer growth is slow. On the other hand, a high-grade such as Grade 3 shows the fast spread and growth of the cancer cells. The higher is the grade, the more active the disease is. This can result to the spread of the ailment outside of the breast and into the lymph nodes and armpit.
Stages of breast cancer
When cancer of the breast is suspected, you may be required to undergo ultrasound, mammogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsies. The pathology report which is based on the biopsies will summarize the stages of breast cancer. Stages of breast cancer are given numbers I to IV. Stages I, II-A and II-B (lump measuring 2 to 5 centimeters) are classified as early stage. Stage II-B (lump is greater than 5 centimeters), III and IV are advanced stages.
The classification of early stage is based on two factors. First basis is the size of the cancerous lump. The second is the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes. When the lump is less than 2 centimeters and without cancer in the lymph node, it is Stage I.
There are three scenarios for Stage II-A.
First, the lump size is less than 2 centimeters with cancer in the lymph nodes.
Second, the size of the lump ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters without cancer in the lymph nodes.
Third, there is no cancer in the breast but the lymph nodes are positive for cancer.
For Stage II-B, the size of the lump ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters and there is cancer in the lymph nodes. When the size of the lump exceeds 5 centimeters, it will no longer be early stage, rather advanced stage.
There are several features that indicate the chance of early breast cancer recurrence. These are size of the lump, presence of cancer in the lymph nodes, presence of hormone receptors, HER 2 receptors, grade and surgical margin.
The disease has a slim chance of coming back
1. There is a big chance that when treated, the disease will not spread or come back. This is when the tumor is smaller than 2 centimeters.
2. Absence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
3. The tumor cells have hormone receptors and you undergo hormonal therapy.
4. Cancer cells are negative for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER 2).
5. The grade is low.
6. The surgical margin is clear.
The surgical margin is the healthy-looking tissues around the cancer. If there are no cancer cells in these healthy-looking tissues, the surgical margin is clear.
Th Big C is likely to recur
1. The lump is larger than 2 centimeters.
2. Presence of tumor cells in the lymph nodes.
3. The cancer cells do not have hormone receptors.
4. The cancer cells are positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER 2).
5. The grade is high (Grade 3).
6. The surgical margin is not clear.
Early breast cancer is treatable. Although this is a common ailment for women, it will also affect men. Early detection is paramount in surviving this dreaded disease.

The Different Types Of Mastectomy Procedures A Breast Cancer Patient Should Know

Many women are hard-hit when the diagnosis for a breast lump is confirmed as breast cancer. One thing that would come to the mind of this patient is endangered life and loss of breast. There is a big fear for cancer. However, with an earlier diagnosis and treatment, a breast cancer patient will have a high survival rate. When your cancer surgeon decides on your mastectomy to prevent the spread of cancer in the breast, you should never panic. Mastectomy has a short healing process and without the cancer-affected breast, you can be blessed with a longer life.
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast - total removal and perhaps some of the tissues surrounding the affected breast. And there are different degrees of mastectomy. These are partial, simple or total, modified radical and radical mastectomy. The kind may be dependent on the stage of the breast cancer and the spread and aggressiveness of cancer cells in the breast, lymph nodes or chest walls. In several cases, mastectomy is preferred over lumpectomy. The latter is merely the removal of the tumor and all the tissues that surround it.
Partial mastectomy will involve a simple removal of the lump and a few of the tissues surrounding it. This does not only remove cancerous tumor. The procedure may also remove some healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Lumpectomy can also be classified as partial mastectomy except that in the partial mastectomy, a bigger amount of breast tissues are removed.
The simple or total mastectomy will require the removal of the breast but will not involve removal of the lymph nodes or the muscles underlying the breast. When both breasts are affected, a double mastectomy can be the surgical procedure. Some cancer surgeons do skin sparing mastectomy which involves removal of the areola and the nipple. In the subcutaneous mastectomy, the surgeon removes the breast tissues but the nipple will be left untouched.
In simple or total mastectomy, the focus is the surgical removal of the breast tissues. This will not involve the auxiliary lymph node dissection. The simple or total mastectomy is performed when the patient is diagnosed to have multiple patches of carcinoma. This is also prophylactic in nature, not a treatment per se, but may be a preventive measure against occurrence of high risk breast cancer.
Breast removal involving the whole breast and some auxiliary lymph nodes is known as modified radical mastectomy. In this procedure, both breast tissues and lymph nodes are removed. The procedure will involve the removal of the whole breast after which the lymph nodes are dissected such that the underarm nodes can be removed.
A diagnosis of invasive cancer may force the woman to undergo mastectomy, usually a modified radical mastectomy. This will make the examination of the lymph nodes thorough and easier. This will determine whether the cancer has spread or not beyond the breast area.
The radical mastectomy may be the highest level of breast removal and surgery. Here, the breast, auxiliary lymph nodes and the chest wall muscles are removed. This procedure is more common in the past. Today, this is no longer the last resort; in fact this is only done when the cancer had spread to the chest muscles. Modified radical mastectomy is usually sufficient.

The Facts About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast tissue and there are two main types of it.
Lobular carcinoma is one type and it starts in the glands of the breasts that produce milk.
Ductal carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the tubes that carry the milk from the breast to the nipple.
There are uncommon cases where the cancer can start in other parts of the breasts as well. This type of cancer can be invasive or it can be non-invasive. If it is invasive that means it has spread from the lobules to other parts of the breasts. Non-invasive means that it hasn't spread to other areas of the breasts.
There are many types of breast cancer that are very sensitive to estrogen. This simply means that estrogen causes the cancer cells or tumor to increase and grow. There are cancers that have estrogen receptors on their cell's surface. These are called estrogen positive receptors.
Women who have these types of cells usually have a more serious form of cancer and it is more progressive. Unfortunately throughout the course of time it is said that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime. Below are some main causes of breast cancer in women:
Family history plays a big role in whether or not you will contract breast cancer. You have a bigger risk of getting cancer if you have a close relative who has had it. Many people have genes in their body that are more susceptible to cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have the most common defects in them. If a woman has one of these defective genes, she has an 80% chance of getting cancer in her lifetime.
As a woman gets older her chances of getting cancer increases. Most of the advanced cases of breast cancer are in women over 50.
Drinking more than 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages per day also increases a woman's risk for breast cancer. Also women who have never had children or who gave birth after the age of 30 have an increased risk as well.
There are some things you can do to help prevent cancer if you are at a high risk for contracting it. First and foremost seeing your doctor and discussing your options is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself against this disease.

Using Diet and Herbal Supplements to Fight Breast Cancer

A diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most frightening, and life changing events for any woman and her family. Though available treatments continue to improve, and survival rates continue to rise, it remains as traumatic and life threatening as ever. That is why regular self-exams and healthy lifestyle choices are so important to women of all ages. Early detection and treatment greatly increases a patient's chances of survival, and of returning to a positive healthy life. Women facing the breast cancer battle have few options when it comes to possible treatments, and conventional medicine still turns to surgery and chemotherapy as the best tools available to beat the cancer. Adding complimentary therapies however, have been proven to improve a patient's prognosis while helping to alleviate some of the more unpleasant side effects of conventional treatments. For many women facing the battle against breast cancer, the right supplementary therapy can offer relief from the pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy and can help strengthen their bodies for the all-important fight.
Diet and the Battle against Breast Cancer
A healthy diet is integral to the well-being of any person, regardless of sex or disease. But making precise dietary changes can help women augment their body's natural cancer fighting abilities. Much of the food that we ingest on a regular basis is treated with pesticides, hormones and other chemicals intended to increase yield and shelf stability. These chemicals can act like estrogen in the body, and can lead to the growth of hormone dependent tumors. This is particularly harmful when a woman's body is already compromised by breast cancer and chemotherapy. Step one in altering your diet to fight breast cancer is to increase the intake of wholly organic foods, and eliminate as many of these harmful chemicals from your diet as possible.
As patients begin to redesign their diets, it is important to begin adding foods that help the body to perform well, and to heal itself. Dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, water cress and daikon help to stimulate the kidneys and liver which are vital to the elimination of toxins from the bloodstream. This is particularly important for women undergoing chemotherapy, as once the drugs have done their work it is vital they be eliminated safely from the body. Adding probiotics also help to strengthen the digestive system, which in turn will help the body absorb much needed nutrients from the organic foods being added to the diet. Holistic clinicians and alternative cancer treatment centers also suggest that breast cancer patients increase the amounts of anti-inflammatory foods such as garlic, curcumin, flax seeds, hemp seeds and green leafy vegetables in their diets. These foods help to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, which in turn may prevent tumors from metastasizing.
Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
Women battling breast cancer, and struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy, should also consider adding a regimen of dietary supplements to their normal routine. The right mix of vitamins and herbal supplements can aid the body in it's fight against cancer, as well as provide a bulwark against the nausea and discomfort that follows intense chemotherapy.
The vitamins found to be most effective in alternative cancer treatment for breast cancer therapy are D, E, C and A. These vitamins are particularly important to cancer survivors who are rebuilding their immune systems after intensive chemotherapy. Additionally, mineral supplements such as selenium and zinc help to boost the body's innate health and ability to combat and ward of future cancer occurrences. These vitamins are all naturally occurring, and ideally patients will want to derive as much of their vitamin intake as possible directly from their diet. But for many cancer patients suffering with nausea it is increasing difficult to eat a well balance diet, and in these instances a regimen of vitamin supplements can help to offset any loss of nutrients from lack of appetite.
Herbal supplements also play a key role in the battle against breast cancer. Saw Palmetto, sulforaphane and bitter melon have all been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and can help to retard the growth of breast cancer cells. Likewise milk thistle has been shown to have an adverse effect on cancer cells, retarding their growth. For those patients struggling with the effects of chemotherapy, the use of ginger is suggested to help quiet the accompanying nausea and to increase appetite, while melatonin can help to ease sleep and allow patients to rest less fitfully.
Any cancer diagnosis is traumatic for the patient and their loved ones. Breast cancer survivors agree that attitude is paramount in beating the disease. Part of a healthy attitude to the cancer fight, is knowing you are doing everything you can to strengthen your body so it can fight the cancer. Through a holistic and alternative cancer treatment approach to diet and dietary supplements, breast cancer patients can take an active part in the fight against their cancer. Any complimentary cancer treatment should, of course, be only a part of the whole cancer treatment, and patients should coordinate all of their dietary changes, including vitamin and herbal supplement regimens, with their physicians and holistic clinicians.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is the most widespread type of cancer in women. It is a malignant tumor found in the breast. In the United States alone, one out of every eight women has been diagnosed with this disease. The disease has been widely associated with women but men can also be diagnosed with it. There are many different types of this cancer and the probability of its spreading will differ from person to person. Although the exact causes of the disease are still not known, yet there are many things which can increase the possibility of developing it. Cancer is undoubtedly the most fatal of all diseases but it can be treated if proper attention is given and provided it is diagnosed at an earlier stage when it hasn't spread in the surrounding areas of the body. Similar is the case with breast cancer; the treatment will depend on the stage of the disease and how much it has been spread.
The causes:
There is no one specific cause of this disease although there are many risk factors which can increase the chances of someone being diagnosed with it. Age is the most important risk factor and it is something that cannot be controlled like many other risk factors. The chances of someone having this cancer get higher as the age increases. Family history can also be quite influential. The chances of having this cancer increase if there is someone in the family who has been diagnosed with it earlier such as a mother, sister or daughter. Once you have been diagnosed with this cancer, there are chances that it might spread to the other breast too later on. So people who have had been diagnosed with this are recommended to get themselves checked up after every few months. Other than these there are many small factors that can play a role in the causation of this disease such as the race. It has been seen that white women have a higher chance of developing it. Women experiencing menopause after the age of fifty five or not having any children till the age of thirty also have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. Many other factors can be avoided or precaution can be taken at times. Women who breast feed babies for around two years have a slightly lower chance of having this cancer. Obesity and laziness are two things which should be avoided and treated.
The common signs of this cancer:
Although most of the times there are absolutely no physical signs to point towards a disease such as this, but there are a few signs which have been experienced such as nipple discharge or redness around the nipple area. Pain in the breast can be another sing but this has not been experienced by everyone who has been diagnosed with this cancer. Also, if you feel any irritation or pain in the nipple and see swelling around the breast, you should definitely contact a doctor.
Treatments:
Treatments for this type of cancer vary according to the stage of the cancer. There are many options available and sometimes the doctor will use a mixed approach, combining together two or more treatments, to deal with the situation. The most common treatment is the breast removal surgery and many women have gone through it. There are cases when it is not important to remove the entire breast but only a part of it will be removed. This is the breast-conserving surgery. Another common treatment for this is the radiation therapy which destroys the cancerous cells through beams of radiation.

Surgery for Breast Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, then it is likely that your surgeon will recommend a mastectomy operation. There are several variations of the mastectomy procedure, and the most suitable for you will depend on your situation and the extent of the tumours in your breasts.
If the tumour in your breast is small, then you may undergo a lumpectomy procedure. This is a common, safe procedure and involves removal of the lump and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it, to be sure that all of the tumour cells have been removed.
If the tumour is large or there are several within the breast, then a mastectomy is the more appropriate procedure. This is surgical removal of the entire breast. A simple, or total, mastectomy is when all of the breast tissue is removed. The words "simple" and "total" are interchangeable, and you may find your surgeon using either one of them when discussing the procedure with you. You may need to undergo chemotherapy or hormone treatment before the operation to try and shrink the size of the tumours, making surgery easier to perform. You may be offered a reconstruction at the same time as the removal operation; this is becoming standard medical practice as it helps to reduce the trauma experienced by patients who have had either one or both breasts removed. You do not need to take up this option, but it is something you may wish to consider.
If the cancer is thought to have spread further than the breast tissue, then you may need to undergo a radical mastectomy, which also involves the removal of the underlying chest wall muscle. This is highly unusual and will only be done if the tumours have spread into this area of muscle.
Whichever type of mastectomy you undergo, your surgeon may also take the opportunity to biopsy the lymph nodes in your armpit. This is done through the same incision as the mastectomy, so will not result in any additional scar tissue.
Surgery to remove the breasts can often be traumatic, whether you are having the procedure to remove cancer or because you have a strong family history of the disease and want to prevent it from occurring. This is why immediate reconstruction is now offered whenever possible, and it is recommended that you discuss this with your surgeon and breast care nurse, who will be able to give you all of the relevant information. There are also a number of support groups for women who have undergone, or are about to have, the procedure, and it can sometimes be helpful to make contact with these. The members will be able to talk to you about their own experiences, which can be worthwhile if you are at all concerned. Speak to your breast care nurse, who will be able to give you the contact details for your local group.

Essential Oils That Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

Did you know that some essential oils have the ability to identify improperly written DNA, while others can destroy that DNA, and still others re-program the DNA correctly? Some oils can actually do all three themselves. Being able to do just one, two or all three is quite astounding, isn't it? Besides these incredible properties they can also pass through the blood-brain barrier because even those essential oils with the largest molecules still have molecules that are many times smaller than necessary to pass through that barrier.
Do you see why I believe some of the best things God has given mankind are essential oils? When the wise men brought baby Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh they were, in essence, providing Jesus' parents with a pharmacy. Frankincense is immuno-stimulating and antitumoral while myrrh is antiviral, antiparasitic, an analgesic and also antitumoral. These oils could protect baby Jesus from the plagues and illnesses of that day and then, when they were gone - Mary and Joseph could purchase more with the gold. If you ask me, these are pretty great baby gifts for any time in history!
Are there oils that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and many other cancers? That answer is not black and white because, as I have said in other articles, everyone is unique and acts and reacts differently. However, generally speaking there are essential oils that help keep immune systems strong and others that suppress tumors - so, the answer is, in many cases, "yes"!
I believe most of you are aware that everyone has cancer cells within their bodies. The problem doesn't lie in that fact. It is when those cells are allowed to multiply because a person's immune system has been compromised, weakened and therefore functioning poorly that tumors form.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of pure water and exercising on a regular basis, the following oils can strengthen immunity and repair DNA in the cells.
Cistus (Cistus ladanifer) enhances immunity and immune cell regeneration.
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary to amplify immunity.
Oregano (Origanum compactum) is one of the most powerful antimicrobial essential oils. It helps fight off viruses, bacteria, fungal infections, and parasites allowing our bodies to concentrate on staying healthy.
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) amplifies immunity and DNA repair in addition to being antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the most powerful antioxidants of all essential oils and prevents cellular DNA damage. It is very important in cancer prevention to protect against cell oxidation. Additionally, it is antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal.
There are many more essential oils that have these same qualities, but this gives you an idea of some of the most powerful. These oils are packed with a huge wallop in every drop so you don't need to use them in large quantities. They last well in hot climates as long as they are not exposed to light and you keep them bottled tightly to keep them from evaporating.
Anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis might want to consider adding Frankincense or myrrh to their traditional treatment since they contain antitumoral properties. Frankincense is somewhat easier to work with because it is has less resin than myrrh. Of course, one should always check with their doctor first before adding any essential oils or starting any alternative treatment. This is because the oils could react negatively with other treatments and/or medications or they could nullify the benefits of traditional medicine.
To provide the greatest protection one should use only the highest grade essential oils available. For me that means Young Living oils. They have a great track record and have pretty much set the standard for all other essential oils. As with any high quality product, these small bottles of oils are not cheap. But, remember - they do go a long way. Young Living has combined many of the oils that stimulate the immune system into a blended oil called ImmuPower. You can check it, and the company, out at http://www.youngliving.com.
My prayer is that some day we will wipe out cancer; but until that day, essential oils offer great protection against cancer and can offer help and hope for those who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Much of the information on the list of oils came from "Essential Oils Desk Reference, fifth edition". It is compiled and published by Life Science Publishing. You can purchase the book online through several vendors, including Amazon.

The Different Types Of Mastectomy Procedures A Breast Cancer Patient Should Know

Many women are hard-hit when the diagnosis for a breast lump is confirmed as breast cancer. One thing that would come to the mind of this patient is endangered life and loss of breast. There is a big fear for cancer. However, with an earlier diagnosis and treatment, a breast cancer patient will have a high survival rate. When your cancer surgeon decides on your mastectomy to prevent the spread of cancer in the breast, you should never panic. Mastectomy has a short healing process and without the cancer-affected breast, you can be blessed with a longer life.
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast - total removal and perhaps some of the tissues surrounding the affected breast. And there are different degrees of mastectomy. These are partial, simple or total, modified radical and radical mastectomy. The kind may be dependent on the stage of the breast cancer and the spread and aggressiveness of cancer cells in the breast, lymph nodes or chest walls. In several cases, mastectomy is preferred over lumpectomy. The latter is merely the removal of the tumor and all the tissues that surround it.
Partial mastectomy will involve a simple removal of the lump and a few of the tissues surrounding it. This does not only remove cancerous tumor. The procedure may also remove some healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Lumpectomy can also be classified as partial mastectomy except that in the partial mastectomy, a bigger amount of breast tissues are removed.
The simple or total mastectomy will require the removal of the breast but will not involve removal of the lymph nodes or the muscles underlying the breast. When both breasts are affected, a double mastectomy can be the surgical procedure. Some cancer surgeons do skin sparing mastectomy which involves removal of the areola and the nipple. In the subcutaneous mastectomy, the surgeon removes the breast tissues but the nipple will be left untouched.
In simple or total mastectomy, the focus is the surgical removal of the breast tissues. This will not involve the auxiliary lymph node dissection. The simple or total mastectomy is performed when the patient is diagnosed to have multiple patches of carcinoma. This is also prophylactic in nature, not a treatment per se, but may be a preventive measure against occurrence of high risk breast cancer.
Breast removal involving the whole breast and some auxiliary lymph nodes is known as modified radical mastectomy. In this procedure, both breast tissues and lymph nodes are removed. The procedure will involve the removal of the whole breast after which the lymph nodes are dissected such that the underarm nodes can be removed.
A diagnosis of invasive cancer may force the woman to undergo mastectomy, usually a modified radical mastectomy. This will make the examination of the lymph nodes thorough and easier. This will determine whether the cancer has spread or not beyond the breast area.
The radical mastectomy may be the highest level of breast removal and surgery. Here, the breast, auxiliary lymph nodes and the chest wall muscles are removed. This procedure is more common in the past. Today, this is no longer the last resort; in fact this is only done when the cancer had spread to the chest muscles. Modified radical mastectomy is usually sufficient.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is the most widespread type of cancer in women. It is a malignant tumor found in the breast. In the United States alone, one out of every eight women has been diagnosed with this disease. The disease has been widely associated with women but men can also be diagnosed with it. There are many different types of this cancer and the probability of its spreading will differ from person to person. Although the exact causes of the disease are still not known, yet there are many things which can increase the possibility of developing it. Cancer is undoubtedly the most fatal of all diseases but it can be treated if proper attention is given and provided it is diagnosed at an earlier stage when it hasn't spread in the surrounding areas of the body. Similar is the case with breast cancer; the treatment will depend on the stage of the disease and how much it has been spread.
The causes:
There is no one specific cause of this disease although there are many risk factors which can increase the chances of someone being diagnosed with it. Age is the most important risk factor and it is something that cannot be controlled like many other risk factors. The chances of someone having this cancer get higher as the age increases. Family history can also be quite influential. The chances of having this cancer increase if there is someone in the family who has been diagnosed with it earlier such as a mother, sister or daughter. Once you have been diagnosed with this cancer, there are chances that it might spread to the other breast too later on. So people who have had been diagnosed with this are recommended to get themselves checked up after every few months. Other than these there are many small factors that can play a role in the causation of this disease such as the race. It has been seen that white women have a higher chance of developing it. Women experiencing menopause after the age of fifty five or not having any children till the age of thirty also have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. Many other factors can be avoided or precaution can be taken at times. Women who breast feed babies for around two years have a slightly lower chance of having this cancer. Obesity and laziness are two things which should be avoided and treated.
The common signs of this cancer:
Although most of the times there are absolutely no physical signs to point towards a disease such as this, but there are a few signs which have been experienced such as nipple discharge or redness around the nipple area. Pain in the breast can be another sing but this has not been experienced by everyone who has been diagnosed with this cancer. Also, if you feel any irritation or pain in the nipple and see swelling around the breast, you should definitely contact a doctor.
Treatments:
Treatments for this type of cancer vary according to the stage of the cancer. There are many options available and sometimes the doctor will use a mixed approach, combining together two or more treatments, to deal with the situation. The most common treatment is the breast removal surgery and many women have gone through it. There are cases when it is not important to remove the entire breast but only a part of it will be removed. This is the breast-conserving surgery. Another common treatment for this is the radiation therapy which destroys the cancerous cells through beams of radiation.

Using Diet and Herbal Supplements to Fight Breast Cancer

A diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most frightening, and life changing events for any woman and her family. Though available treatments continue to improve, and survival rates continue to rise, it remains as traumatic and life threatening as ever. That is why regular self-exams and healthy lifestyle choices are so important to women of all ages. Early detection and treatment greatly increases a patient's chances of survival, and of returning to a positive healthy life. Women facing the breast cancer battle have few options when it comes to possible treatments, and conventional medicine still turns to surgery and chemotherapy as the best tools available to beat the cancer. Adding complimentary therapies however, have been proven to improve a patient's prognosis while helping to alleviate some of the more unpleasant side effects of conventional treatments. For many women facing the battle against breast cancer, the right supplementary therapy can offer relief from the pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy and can help strengthen their bodies for the all-important fight.
Diet and the Battle against Breast Cancer
A healthy diet is integral to the well-being of any person, regardless of sex or disease. But making precise dietary changes can help women augment their body's natural cancer fighting abilities. Much of the food that we ingest on a regular basis is treated with pesticides, hormones and other chemicals intended to increase yield and shelf stability. These chemicals can act like estrogen in the body, and can lead to the growth of hormone dependent tumors. This is particularly harmful when a woman's body is already compromised by breast cancer and chemotherapy. Step one in altering your diet to fight breast cancer is to increase the intake of wholly organic foods, and eliminate as many of these harmful chemicals from your diet as possible.
As patients begin to redesign their diets, it is important to begin adding foods that help the body to perform well, and to heal itself. Dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, water cress and daikon help to stimulate the kidneys and liver which are vital to the elimination of toxins from the bloodstream. This is particularly important for women undergoing chemotherapy, as once the drugs have done their work it is vital they be eliminated safely from the body. Adding probiotics also help to strengthen the digestive system, which in turn will help the body absorb much needed nutrients from the organic foods being added to the diet. Holistic clinicians and alternative cancer treatment centers also suggest that breast cancer patients increase the amounts of anti-inflammatory foods such as garlic, curcumin, flax seeds, hemp seeds and green leafy vegetables in their diets. These foods help to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, which in turn may prevent tumors from metastasizing.
Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
Women battling breast cancer, and struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy, should also consider adding a regimen of dietary supplements to their normal routine. The right mix of vitamins and herbal supplements can aid the body in it's fight against cancer, as well as provide a bulwark against the nausea and discomfort that follows intense chemotherapy.
The vitamins found to be most effective in alternative cancer treatment for breast cancer therapy are D, E, C and A. These vitamins are particularly important to cancer survivors who are rebuilding their immune systems after intensive chemotherapy. Additionally, mineral supplements such as selenium and zinc help to boost the body's innate health and ability to combat and ward of future cancer occurrences. These vitamins are all naturally occurring, and ideally patients will want to derive as much of their vitamin intake as possible directly from their diet. But for many cancer patients suffering with nausea it is increasing difficult to eat a well balance diet, and in these instances a regimen of vitamin supplements can help to offset any loss of nutrients from lack of appetite.
Herbal supplements also play a key role in the battle against breast cancer. Saw Palmetto, sulforaphane and bitter melon have all been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and can help to retard the growth of breast cancer cells. Likewise milk thistle has been shown to have an adverse effect on cancer cells, retarding their growth. For those patients struggling with the effects of chemotherapy, the use of ginger is suggested to help quiet the accompanying nausea and to increase appetite, while melatonin can help to ease sleep and allow patients to rest less fitfully.
Any cancer diagnosis is traumatic for the patient and their loved ones. Breast cancer survivors agree that attitude is paramount in beating the disease. Part of a healthy attitude to the cancer fight, is knowing you are doing everything you can to strengthen your body so it can fight the cancer. Through a holistic and alternative cancer treatment approach to diet and dietary supplements, breast cancer patients can take an active part in the fight against their cancer. Any complimentary cancer treatment should, of course, be only a part of the whole cancer treatment, and patients should coordinate all of their dietary changes, including vitamin and herbal supplement regimens, with their physicians and holistic clinicians.