Breast Cancer Symptoms in Men
There is a common misconception that men cannot have breast cancer. Men often ignore the symptoms of cancer or mistake them for other illnesses. Factors such as social stigma and embarrassment contribute to the increasing denial among men of the possibility of getting cancer of the breast The development of male cancer ( of the breast) is largely similar to what women encounter. Males around the ages of sixty and seventy are more prone to the incidence of this type of cancer than any other age group.
Cancer Statistics
The latest American Cancer Society estimates for male breast cancer shows that in 2009 about 1,910 cases will be diagnosed with about 440 fatalities. Approximately one percent of the cancer cases, cancer of the breast cases, affect men. The lifetime risk for developing this type of cancer is at about one in a thousand. Recent studies also shows that the prognosis for this type of cancer for both men and women remains the same and the outlook is still hinged on what stage the cancer was diagnosed.
As in any other cancer, early detection and treatment is vital to an individual's survival. Thus, men are encouraged to be more aware of the cancer's signs and symptoms. Educating males in combating the social stigma brought about by cancer also assist in helping men against this type of cancer.
Detecting breast cancer in men
Knowledge and awareness on the signs and symptoms of cancer are very valuable in delivering the earliest possible detection and treatment for men with this cancer of the breast. Here are some of the symptoms associated with cancer of the breast.
Painless development of lump or thickening of the breast
Scaling and redness of the nipple and surrounding area
Indentation or retraction in the nipple area
Bloody or clear nipple discharge
Risk Factors
There are several factors that increase the risk of men getting cancer of the breast. Some of which like genetics and age are uncontrollable. However, some risk factors such as poor diet, alcohol consumption and smoking can be controlled, so it best to learn what we need to avoid. Below is a list of breast cancer risk factors in men.
The average age of male breast cancer diagnosis is sixty-seven and breast cancer commonly occurs in men between the ages of sixty and seventy.
One in five men with breast cancer had a female relative who had breast cancer too.
Those who have undergone prior radiation treatment on the chest area have a greater likelihood for breast cancer.
About five to ten percent of male breast cancers are inherited. Genetic defects on the CHEK-2, p53 tumor suppressor, BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes increases a person's cancer risk. These genes usually help prevent cancer by keeping cells from growing abnormally.
Those who had a history of Klinefelter syndrome, a congenital abnormality wherein males had an extra X chromosome resulting to lower levels of male hormones and increased female hormones.
Those who had taken estrogen-related drugs have a higher risk for breast cancer. Breast cancer cells are known to have estrogen receptors which improve the cancer's ability to progress.
Those who had liver diseases are also at risk as the body's estrogen activity increases while the androgen activity reduces when a person is experiencing liver diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver.
Those who are obese may also be at risk for male breast cancer due to increased number of fat cells. Fat cells produce estrogen from androgen, thus increasing the estrogen concentration in the body.
Excessive alcohol drinking also promotes breast cancer in men mainly due to the fact that alcohol consumption increases liver diseases and fat accumulation.
Treatment options for cancer of the breast in men
There are a number of treatment methods available for men with cancer of the breast. These methods do not differ from those done for women. Cancer staging is done to determine the best breast cancer treatment option a patient needs. Here are some of the treatment options available.
Surgery - There are several surgical options used to remove breast cancer in men these include simple mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Simple mastectomy involves removal of all breast tissue including lobules, ducts, fatty tissue and skin including the nipple and areola.
In a modified radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast and a portion of the underarm lymph nodes. The surgeon may also remove chest wall muscle if the cancer has spread to that area. The lymph nodes will be examined to check if the cancer has spread and additional treatment is necessary.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure developed to locate sentinel nodes, lymph nodes receiving drainage from a breast tumor. Sentinel nodes are removed for biopsy to check for cancer development to the other lymph nodes. This procedure decreases the risk of complications as removal of a single node is necessary for examination.
Radiation Therapy - High energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells during a radiation therapy. Administered by a radiation oncologist, the therapy is commonly done before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often painless but may result in tiredness in men who had undergone therapy and tenderness of the breast.
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Biological Therapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body after breast cancer surgery. The treatment is usually scheduled every two to three weeks after surgery for about three to six months.
Chemotherapy may be administered intravenously or in pill form. Most patients choose oral chemotherapy as this reduces the need to visit the clinic and can be done at home.
Some chemotherapies target the cancer itself reducing damage to healthy cells. Still, side affects like hair loss, fatigue, vomiting and loss of cognitive abilities may occur.
Estrogen receptor positive breast cancers rely on estrogen to induce the development of breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy is administered in order to prevent estrogen from bonding to sites in the body where cancer cells may have spread. The male hormone, androgen also helps in the growth of cancer cells. Thus, limiting both estrogen and androgen levels are essential in abating the spread of cancer cells.
In biological therapy, a biological response modifier is used to stimulate the body's immune system to combat cancer. This helps in enhancing the body's natural defense against specific diseases such as cancer. However, biological therapy is still in clinic trials.
You do not want any type of cancer to reach these stages. This is why Thit is extremely essential that you go and see a doctor as soon as possible, the moment you see any of these possible cancer symptoms given above manifesting themselves. Listen to your body "talk", and follow the signs.
Don't Fall Victim to Breast Cancer, Identify the Early Warning Signs and Find out about Symptoms and Treatment Options Today. Visit Symptoms-of-Cancer.com today and find more information about how to identify Breast Cancer Symptoms
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Cappetta
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Breast Cancer Myths You Should Not Believe
When women reach an age of 35, it's more likely that they are closer to having breast cancer. The number among women less than 50 years old are increasing day by day, however most of the cases occurs after 50 years and can affect women of high position, married women, women living in urban or rural areas, in a word, every one is in danger of this state.
It is important to understand the basic things whether it is breast cancer, lung cancer or other types of cancers since preventing cancer and getting proper control over it depends upon appropriate understanding of the nature of the cancer. Understanding cancer will help to overcome the condition easily, but there are many people who still believe many myths about breast cancer that must be avoided for a better control over it. However, all these cant but bring a worse situation which could have been avoided easily through proper workings.
Ancestry Fears of Having Breast Cancer: Genetic diseases are always been a scary thing among mass people. If you see the human anatomy, you will see that every human is unique and the human body is made up of an amalgamation of inherited qualities. Which means, even if your test result shows you positive, you still can have complete control on your in general health which can be attained by taking healthy food and doing regular exercises, and stopping bad habits like smoking, taking alcohol, etc.
Having Kids Since Breast Feeding Will Keep You Safe: Many people believes that having at least 2 kids and breast feeding them before the age of 30 can reduce the risk. You should know it clearly that this is certainly not an assurance of safety against breast cancer.
It Happens with Age-Old Woman: Age is of course not a deciding factor, even women at 30 years old can have breast cancer. It's been established that women of 40 to 49 years old has 4% risk of getting affected and the risk is 7% for the age group of 60 to 79. The only way of being safe is to develop a healthy and balanced environment that can help you overcome the situation effectively.
Fatty Diets Will Help Preventing Breast Cancer: People think that fatty diets can help them avoiding such a situation which is absolutely incorrect. Excess body weight results in higher estrogen production, which may ignite some kinds of breast tumors. A low fat (lower cholesterol) diet containing lots of green vegetable and nutritious food is always good for your heart health and breast health as well.
One more myth about breast cancer is, it is the end of life, whereas, breast cancer can be cured completely if it can be treated in its primary stage. This is why, early detection is extremely important to eradicate it properly, therefore, its vital to have regular checkups and follow the guidelines of your doctor.
Health Tips Pedia is offering nice resources about cancer and healthy nutrition that can help preventing the situation and have control over it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shibli_Tareq
It is important to understand the basic things whether it is breast cancer, lung cancer or other types of cancers since preventing cancer and getting proper control over it depends upon appropriate understanding of the nature of the cancer. Understanding cancer will help to overcome the condition easily, but there are many people who still believe many myths about breast cancer that must be avoided for a better control over it. However, all these cant but bring a worse situation which could have been avoided easily through proper workings.
Ancestry Fears of Having Breast Cancer: Genetic diseases are always been a scary thing among mass people. If you see the human anatomy, you will see that every human is unique and the human body is made up of an amalgamation of inherited qualities. Which means, even if your test result shows you positive, you still can have complete control on your in general health which can be attained by taking healthy food and doing regular exercises, and stopping bad habits like smoking, taking alcohol, etc.
Having Kids Since Breast Feeding Will Keep You Safe: Many people believes that having at least 2 kids and breast feeding them before the age of 30 can reduce the risk. You should know it clearly that this is certainly not an assurance of safety against breast cancer.
It Happens with Age-Old Woman: Age is of course not a deciding factor, even women at 30 years old can have breast cancer. It's been established that women of 40 to 49 years old has 4% risk of getting affected and the risk is 7% for the age group of 60 to 79. The only way of being safe is to develop a healthy and balanced environment that can help you overcome the situation effectively.
Fatty Diets Will Help Preventing Breast Cancer: People think that fatty diets can help them avoiding such a situation which is absolutely incorrect. Excess body weight results in higher estrogen production, which may ignite some kinds of breast tumors. A low fat (lower cholesterol) diet containing lots of green vegetable and nutritious food is always good for your heart health and breast health as well.
One more myth about breast cancer is, it is the end of life, whereas, breast cancer can be cured completely if it can be treated in its primary stage. This is why, early detection is extremely important to eradicate it properly, therefore, its vital to have regular checkups and follow the guidelines of your doctor.
Health Tips Pedia is offering nice resources about cancer and healthy nutrition that can help preventing the situation and have control over it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shibli_Tareq
Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence
Approximately 10% of women receiving radiation therapy and lumpectomy for the treatment of breast cancer are likely to get a recurrence in about 12 years. There is no possible method to entirely eradicate the probability of breast cancer recurrence. Though, there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of return of the disease.
Lifestyle Changes
According to a research conducted by University of California, involving about 1550 women who earlier underwent a treatment, women with maximum plasma carotenoid ratio had lower chances for a recurrence by about 40%.
You can get high plasma carotenoid concentration from eating vegetables and fruits. Beta-carotene is present in carrots, cantaloupe, kale, and spinach etc., lycopene is present in apricots, pink grapefruits, and tomatoes etc., and lutien is present in broccoli, collards and leafy vegetables. All the desired nutrients are present in vegetables and fruits, so consuming more of them reduces the risks of cancer recurrence.
Overweight women have higher chances of a reappearance, so if you are overweight, you should try to reduce your weight, and consume less fats. Also, you should exercise more. You can go on morning or evening walks to increase your physical activity.
If you consume alcohol or tobacco, quit these habits now, as they highly enhance the risks of breast cancer recurrence.
Treatments
Some women take hormone therapy after their menopause. This enhances the risk of recurrence. Avoid any hormone therapy including transvaginal, tropical, and oral medications. If you are required to get estrogen replacements, make sure you also take progesterone supplements, as it reduces the hazards that estrogen has over breasts.
You can take tamoxifen, which is an SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator). It is given to both male and female breast cancer patients for suppressing estrogen and preventing the return of breast cancer. Tamoxifen should not be taken with juice of grapefruit. Also, pregnant women should not take this drug. Some common side effects of tamoxifen are menopause symptoms, like vaginal dryness, irregular menstrual cycle, headache, fatigue etc.
You can undergo precautionary surgery to decrease the chances of a recurrence. Undergoing bilateral mastectomy can reduce the chances of breast cancer recurrence by as much as 90%. It is the surgical removal of one or both breasts, and it greatly helps reduce the chances of return of breast cancer. Preventive mastectomy is of two types: subcutaneous mastectomy and total mastectomy. In subcutaneous mastectomy, the breast tissue is removed, but the nipple is left, whereas in total mastectomy, breast tissue is removed along with the nipple. According to American Cancer Society, removal of the ovaries decreases risk of breast cancer recurrence by 50%.
Generally, a woman who had cancer in one breast has more chances of developing cancer in the opposite breast. Prevention is very important when it comes to breast cancer. It is a deadly disease, and has high chances of recurrence. It is better to follow a healthy living style to be safe from the return of breast cancer.
The author has been writing articles online for over 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in health, fitness and relationships.
you can also check out his latest websites on Hockey Gifts and Yonex Badminton Racquet Created to ensure you're informed when making the right product decision.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_West
Lifestyle Changes
According to a research conducted by University of California, involving about 1550 women who earlier underwent a treatment, women with maximum plasma carotenoid ratio had lower chances for a recurrence by about 40%.
You can get high plasma carotenoid concentration from eating vegetables and fruits. Beta-carotene is present in carrots, cantaloupe, kale, and spinach etc., lycopene is present in apricots, pink grapefruits, and tomatoes etc., and lutien is present in broccoli, collards and leafy vegetables. All the desired nutrients are present in vegetables and fruits, so consuming more of them reduces the risks of cancer recurrence.
Overweight women have higher chances of a reappearance, so if you are overweight, you should try to reduce your weight, and consume less fats. Also, you should exercise more. You can go on morning or evening walks to increase your physical activity.
If you consume alcohol or tobacco, quit these habits now, as they highly enhance the risks of breast cancer recurrence.
Treatments
Some women take hormone therapy after their menopause. This enhances the risk of recurrence. Avoid any hormone therapy including transvaginal, tropical, and oral medications. If you are required to get estrogen replacements, make sure you also take progesterone supplements, as it reduces the hazards that estrogen has over breasts.
You can take tamoxifen, which is an SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator). It is given to both male and female breast cancer patients for suppressing estrogen and preventing the return of breast cancer. Tamoxifen should not be taken with juice of grapefruit. Also, pregnant women should not take this drug. Some common side effects of tamoxifen are menopause symptoms, like vaginal dryness, irregular menstrual cycle, headache, fatigue etc.
You can undergo precautionary surgery to decrease the chances of a recurrence. Undergoing bilateral mastectomy can reduce the chances of breast cancer recurrence by as much as 90%. It is the surgical removal of one or both breasts, and it greatly helps reduce the chances of return of breast cancer. Preventive mastectomy is of two types: subcutaneous mastectomy and total mastectomy. In subcutaneous mastectomy, the breast tissue is removed, but the nipple is left, whereas in total mastectomy, breast tissue is removed along with the nipple. According to American Cancer Society, removal of the ovaries decreases risk of breast cancer recurrence by 50%.
Generally, a woman who had cancer in one breast has more chances of developing cancer in the opposite breast. Prevention is very important when it comes to breast cancer. It is a deadly disease, and has high chances of recurrence. It is better to follow a healthy living style to be safe from the return of breast cancer.
The author has been writing articles online for over 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in health, fitness and relationships.
you can also check out his latest websites on Hockey Gifts and Yonex Badminton Racquet Created to ensure you're informed when making the right product decision.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_West
Vital Factors in Surviving Breast Cancer
People that have been given a prognosis and then come to the realization that they have breast cancer will have a bit of shock to recover from in the initial days. Fortunately this shock wears off, and they seek support. This is a good thing, because support is precisely what a breast cancer patient needs at this crucial time in their life. This support can be given by friends, family, or even a support group.
Breast cancer treatment is a lot better now than it was in the past, fortunately. There are a number of factors that the success of such treatment relies on however, and therein lies the problem. The patient needs to be strong to undergo the prescribed treatments. This means they need to be both emotionally an physically fit.
Cancer is not a unique condition. In fact, everyone may have cancer cells somewhere in their body. There are a few factors that can trigger these cells into activity, one of which is a weakened immune system.
This isn't the only reason that people will contract breast cancer however. As you probably guessed, there are some hereditary reasons as well. For example, it could be something that was passed on from an ancestor. There are treatments of course, but not everyone is as open to treatment as you might think.
Sometimes the breast cancer treatment causes more harm that good. There has been more than one person that ended up with some sort of illness related to treatment itself. Secondary illnesses are quite common, especially when the immune system is weakened after chemotherapy.
There are several alternative treatments for breast cancer that you could look into. Alternative treatments and more traditional ones can be used in concert. These are things that you will need to go over with your doctor at some point.
Your breast cancer could be severe, or it could be less severe, but either way you need to be well informed. You need to know what it is that is happening to your body, and you need to know as soon as possible. Support groups are everywhere, and if you don't want to leave your home you can always use internet support groups. There is always someone that is willing to help, you just have to search for them.
If you wish to be cured of your illness, then you need to take measures to reduce stress in your life and make sure you are healthy. This means you need to be well in every sense of the word. Be at peace, and do not be afraid. This is where the support groups come in, and you will find them to be particularly helpful during this painful time.
The tendency for people to procrastinate only exacerbates the problem of breast cancer. Doing this only hurts you! Don't put it off, and think that the problem will resolve itself. Get the help you need! With proper attention and care, the chances of getting on the road to recovery greatly increase.
Building awareness and giving people actionable steps in the fight against breast cancer became a passion of Joan Wilson ever since a personal encounter with the dreaded disease. Since then, helping people recognize symptoms of breast cancer has become a priority in her life.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Ann_Wilson
Breast cancer treatment is a lot better now than it was in the past, fortunately. There are a number of factors that the success of such treatment relies on however, and therein lies the problem. The patient needs to be strong to undergo the prescribed treatments. This means they need to be both emotionally an physically fit.
Cancer is not a unique condition. In fact, everyone may have cancer cells somewhere in their body. There are a few factors that can trigger these cells into activity, one of which is a weakened immune system.
This isn't the only reason that people will contract breast cancer however. As you probably guessed, there are some hereditary reasons as well. For example, it could be something that was passed on from an ancestor. There are treatments of course, but not everyone is as open to treatment as you might think.
Sometimes the breast cancer treatment causes more harm that good. There has been more than one person that ended up with some sort of illness related to treatment itself. Secondary illnesses are quite common, especially when the immune system is weakened after chemotherapy.
There are several alternative treatments for breast cancer that you could look into. Alternative treatments and more traditional ones can be used in concert. These are things that you will need to go over with your doctor at some point.
Your breast cancer could be severe, or it could be less severe, but either way you need to be well informed. You need to know what it is that is happening to your body, and you need to know as soon as possible. Support groups are everywhere, and if you don't want to leave your home you can always use internet support groups. There is always someone that is willing to help, you just have to search for them.
If you wish to be cured of your illness, then you need to take measures to reduce stress in your life and make sure you are healthy. This means you need to be well in every sense of the word. Be at peace, and do not be afraid. This is where the support groups come in, and you will find them to be particularly helpful during this painful time.
The tendency for people to procrastinate only exacerbates the problem of breast cancer. Doing this only hurts you! Don't put it off, and think that the problem will resolve itself. Get the help you need! With proper attention and care, the chances of getting on the road to recovery greatly increase.
Building awareness and giving people actionable steps in the fight against breast cancer became a passion of Joan Wilson ever since a personal encounter with the dreaded disease. Since then, helping people recognize symptoms of breast cancer has become a priority in her life.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Ann_Wilson
Learn How You Can Identify Early Signs of Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer refers to the type of cancer that is characterized by the uncontrolled progression of abnormal cells located in the tissues of the breast. It is the second prevalent form of cancer affecting women with an incidence rate of one in every eight women.
Breast cancer comes in several form, the more common types are ductal carcinoma, which makes up approximately eighty five to ninety percent of breast cancers, and lobular carcinoma, found in about eight percent of breast cancer patients. Ductal carcinoma starts from the ducts that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple. When the cancer starts at the milk producing lobules, it is called lobular carcinoma.
There has yet to be a scientific explanation on how breast cells become abnormal and ultimately malignant. However, breast cancer is attributed to a combination of risk factors that a woman may inherit or acquire.
Some breast cancer risk factors are genetic in nature. It is widely accepted that women who have one or more relatives afflicted with breast cancer have a higher risk of having breast cancer incidence themselves. Studies show that some families have defects in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene and this account to about ten percent of breast cancer cases.
Hormonal risk factors are also involved in the formation of breast cancer. The female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, assists in the development and division of breast cancer cells. Women may increase their risk for breast cancer if they had hormonal replacement therapy during their menopausal stages.
Age and gender plays a key role in the development of cancerous cells in the breast. Women are thought to have a hundred percent likelihood of growing breast cancer than men especially those who area above the age of fifty.
A person's overall health condition also factors in as a risk. Women who are less active and with less exercise have higher cancer development rate than those who have physically active. It is also well established that alcohol consumption and weight gain contributes to the incidence certain illnesses, including breast cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Here are some signs that a woman may have breast cancer.
1. A painless lump growing in the breast area or armpit.
2. Unusual change in size and shape of the breast.
3. The nipple may produce a pus-like or clear discharge.
4. The color and texture of the skin, particularly the areola.
Women should immediately report occurrence of one or a combination of these symptoms to their physician so that early detection can be accomplished. The stage in which breast cancer is diagnosed largely identifies the treatment method needed and the survival rate that a patient may expect. For those who have detected the cancer growth at very early stages, the five year survival rate goes to as high as a hundred percent.
The following procedures are done in order to establish the breast cancer occurrence and identify the stage on which the cancer was diagnosed.
1. Physical Examination - your physician will examine your breast through visual inspection and palpation. In visual inspection, changes in the contour and texture of the breast will be noted. Appearance of sores, dimpling, nipple discharge, ulcers, nipple inversion and puckering may signify breast cancer occurrence. Your doctor will also use the pads of the finger to palpate the breast area for unusual bumps. Take note that benign tumors have a different feel from cancerous ones.
2. Mammography - is an important procedure that shows the development of cancerous tumors before they are physically or visually noticeable. This is done by using a high energy x-ray of the breast to check for abnormal breast tissue density and calcium deposits. Advancements in mammography have drastically reduced the fatality rate of breast cancer as the malignancy is often found using mammography at stages where it is highly curable.
3. Ultrasonography - The use of high frequency sound wave helps in identifying the state of breast lump. If a lump is solid, there is a great likelihood that it is cancer as opposed fluid-filled tumors which are usually non-cancerous.
4. Breast cancer biopsy - when an abnormal growth on a woman's breast is detected, a biopsy is done to extract samples of its tissue. These samples examined in a laboratory to look for the presence of cancerous cells. Biopsies are done in three different ways. Fine needle aspiration uses a fine needle to withdraw cell samples from the suspected are. Surgical biopsy remove part or the entire suspected area, while large core biopsy uses a large core biopsy uses large needle to remove the core of the suspicious area.
After the detection of cancer, your physician will determine the phase of development of the cancer in order to establish the necessary treatment method. This is called staging and cancers are classified into five stages.
1. Stage Zero - also called carcinoma in situ is the earliest stage of the cancer. The cancer is still contained in the area where it originated and is not yet invasive. The neighboring lymph nodes and other organs are still free from cancer cells.
2. Stage One - this is a stage wherein the cancer solidifies but is still smaller than two centimeters and the cancer cells have not yet reached other tissues and organs.
3. Stage Two - in this stage, the cancer has not yet affected the lymph nodes in the underarm its size is about two to three centimeters.
4. Stage Three - is a stage where the cancer is larger than five centimeters and has already reached the lymph nodes in the underarm or other areas around the breast.
5. Stage Four - is when the cancer becomes metastatic or has spread to other organs of the body including the chest cavity, bones, lungs and liver. The cancer is often untreatable at this stage and the main goal of the treatment is to prolong the patient's life expectancy.
Treatment for breast cancer is generally grouped into two methods.
1. Local treatment - these are treatments that remove or kill abnormal cells in a particular area. Surgery and Radiation therapy are two examples of this kind of treatment
2. Systematic treatment - are used for the control and elimination of cancer cells in the body. Examples of this treatment are chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.
Depending on the severity and location of the cancer growth and overall health condition of the patient, one or a combination of these treatments may be applied.
The most common treatment for cancer, surgical procedures may be done in two ways, sparing surgery and mastectomy. Breast sparing surgery or lumpectomy, removes the cancerous lumps but not the entire breast. In addition, a full lymph node dissection or a sentinel node dissection may be done to check whether the cancer has spread to adjacent areas.
Mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast and is usually done when the tumor has becomes too large or has spread to the skin of the breast. A full lymph or sentinel lymph node dissection may also be performed alongside mastectomy.
In radiation therapy - a machine emitting high energy x-rays is used to radiate and damage the tumor and to stop the cells from growing. Radiation is often used after sparring surgery in order to eliminate abnormal cells and fight off metastasis and recurrence.
Surgery and radiation may not completely eliminate cancer cells. To kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy may be used. Chemotherapy involves the use of cancer cell killing drugs which may be administered intravenously or orally. Drugs such as adriamycin, cytoxan, paclitaxel or docetaxel are some samples of drugs used in chemotherapy.
Hormonal therapy is done in women with hormone positive receptor cancers. These forms of breast cancers rely on the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, for its nutrient and development. Drugs such as Tamixofen, Arimidex, Aromasin and Femara are samples of drugs used in hormone therapy.
Get Doctors Advice
For more detailed information on breast cancer, visit your doctor regularly. Remember your physician's advice on how you could combat breast cancer and learn more on how you get the best possible support from an institution nearest you.
Don't Fall Victim to Breast Cancer, Identify the Early Warning Signs and Find out about Symptoms and Treatment Options Today. Visit Symptoms-of-Cancer.com today and find more information about how to identify Breast Cancer Symptoms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Cappetta
Breast cancer comes in several form, the more common types are ductal carcinoma, which makes up approximately eighty five to ninety percent of breast cancers, and lobular carcinoma, found in about eight percent of breast cancer patients. Ductal carcinoma starts from the ducts that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple. When the cancer starts at the milk producing lobules, it is called lobular carcinoma.
There has yet to be a scientific explanation on how breast cells become abnormal and ultimately malignant. However, breast cancer is attributed to a combination of risk factors that a woman may inherit or acquire.
Some breast cancer risk factors are genetic in nature. It is widely accepted that women who have one or more relatives afflicted with breast cancer have a higher risk of having breast cancer incidence themselves. Studies show that some families have defects in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene and this account to about ten percent of breast cancer cases.
Hormonal risk factors are also involved in the formation of breast cancer. The female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, assists in the development and division of breast cancer cells. Women may increase their risk for breast cancer if they had hormonal replacement therapy during their menopausal stages.
Age and gender plays a key role in the development of cancerous cells in the breast. Women are thought to have a hundred percent likelihood of growing breast cancer than men especially those who area above the age of fifty.
A person's overall health condition also factors in as a risk. Women who are less active and with less exercise have higher cancer development rate than those who have physically active. It is also well established that alcohol consumption and weight gain contributes to the incidence certain illnesses, including breast cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Here are some signs that a woman may have breast cancer.
1. A painless lump growing in the breast area or armpit.
2. Unusual change in size and shape of the breast.
3. The nipple may produce a pus-like or clear discharge.
4. The color and texture of the skin, particularly the areola.
Women should immediately report occurrence of one or a combination of these symptoms to their physician so that early detection can be accomplished. The stage in which breast cancer is diagnosed largely identifies the treatment method needed and the survival rate that a patient may expect. For those who have detected the cancer growth at very early stages, the five year survival rate goes to as high as a hundred percent.
The following procedures are done in order to establish the breast cancer occurrence and identify the stage on which the cancer was diagnosed.
1. Physical Examination - your physician will examine your breast through visual inspection and palpation. In visual inspection, changes in the contour and texture of the breast will be noted. Appearance of sores, dimpling, nipple discharge, ulcers, nipple inversion and puckering may signify breast cancer occurrence. Your doctor will also use the pads of the finger to palpate the breast area for unusual bumps. Take note that benign tumors have a different feel from cancerous ones.
2. Mammography - is an important procedure that shows the development of cancerous tumors before they are physically or visually noticeable. This is done by using a high energy x-ray of the breast to check for abnormal breast tissue density and calcium deposits. Advancements in mammography have drastically reduced the fatality rate of breast cancer as the malignancy is often found using mammography at stages where it is highly curable.
3. Ultrasonography - The use of high frequency sound wave helps in identifying the state of breast lump. If a lump is solid, there is a great likelihood that it is cancer as opposed fluid-filled tumors which are usually non-cancerous.
4. Breast cancer biopsy - when an abnormal growth on a woman's breast is detected, a biopsy is done to extract samples of its tissue. These samples examined in a laboratory to look for the presence of cancerous cells. Biopsies are done in three different ways. Fine needle aspiration uses a fine needle to withdraw cell samples from the suspected are. Surgical biopsy remove part or the entire suspected area, while large core biopsy uses a large core biopsy uses large needle to remove the core of the suspicious area.
After the detection of cancer, your physician will determine the phase of development of the cancer in order to establish the necessary treatment method. This is called staging and cancers are classified into five stages.
1. Stage Zero - also called carcinoma in situ is the earliest stage of the cancer. The cancer is still contained in the area where it originated and is not yet invasive. The neighboring lymph nodes and other organs are still free from cancer cells.
2. Stage One - this is a stage wherein the cancer solidifies but is still smaller than two centimeters and the cancer cells have not yet reached other tissues and organs.
3. Stage Two - in this stage, the cancer has not yet affected the lymph nodes in the underarm its size is about two to three centimeters.
4. Stage Three - is a stage where the cancer is larger than five centimeters and has already reached the lymph nodes in the underarm or other areas around the breast.
5. Stage Four - is when the cancer becomes metastatic or has spread to other organs of the body including the chest cavity, bones, lungs and liver. The cancer is often untreatable at this stage and the main goal of the treatment is to prolong the patient's life expectancy.
Treatment for breast cancer is generally grouped into two methods.
1. Local treatment - these are treatments that remove or kill abnormal cells in a particular area. Surgery and Radiation therapy are two examples of this kind of treatment
2. Systematic treatment - are used for the control and elimination of cancer cells in the body. Examples of this treatment are chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.
Depending on the severity and location of the cancer growth and overall health condition of the patient, one or a combination of these treatments may be applied.
The most common treatment for cancer, surgical procedures may be done in two ways, sparing surgery and mastectomy. Breast sparing surgery or lumpectomy, removes the cancerous lumps but not the entire breast. In addition, a full lymph node dissection or a sentinel node dissection may be done to check whether the cancer has spread to adjacent areas.
Mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast and is usually done when the tumor has becomes too large or has spread to the skin of the breast. A full lymph or sentinel lymph node dissection may also be performed alongside mastectomy.
In radiation therapy - a machine emitting high energy x-rays is used to radiate and damage the tumor and to stop the cells from growing. Radiation is often used after sparring surgery in order to eliminate abnormal cells and fight off metastasis and recurrence.
Surgery and radiation may not completely eliminate cancer cells. To kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy may be used. Chemotherapy involves the use of cancer cell killing drugs which may be administered intravenously or orally. Drugs such as adriamycin, cytoxan, paclitaxel or docetaxel are some samples of drugs used in chemotherapy.
Hormonal therapy is done in women with hormone positive receptor cancers. These forms of breast cancers rely on the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, for its nutrient and development. Drugs such as Tamixofen, Arimidex, Aromasin and Femara are samples of drugs used in hormone therapy.
Get Doctors Advice
For more detailed information on breast cancer, visit your doctor regularly. Remember your physician's advice on how you could combat breast cancer and learn more on how you get the best possible support from an institution nearest you.
Don't Fall Victim to Breast Cancer, Identify the Early Warning Signs and Find out about Symptoms and Treatment Options Today. Visit Symptoms-of-Cancer.com today and find more information about how to identify Breast Cancer Symptoms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Cappetta
Breast Cancer Alternative Treatments - Cure Your Cancer With the Help of Alternative Treatments!
All kinds of alternative treatments and natural remedies are getting more and more popular. This is mostly very positive but it can have some negative sides. The more people learn about different treatments options the better. People who have breast cancer need all the help they can get and every little detail, can become very helpful. Should you be using breast cancer alternative treatments?
Everyone knows how dangerous, expensive and ineffective conventional treatments are, so it is natural that people look for ways to heal themselves more effectively. That really is the goal for people - heal themselves. If there is something more effective and safer that traditional chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, then people will use them.
I guess that the main danger with various alternative treatments and remedies, is that you never really know what works and what does not. Certainly there are people, who take advantage of people, and sell them worthless junk, that is suppose to be an effective remedy for breast cancer. But then again there are people, who are honest and have done extensive research into various breast cancer alternative treatments. There is no magic pill that will eliminate cancer, but there are certainly many things you can do, to reduce the symptoms of traditional cancer treatments and make them more effective.
Diet and exercise are very important and they can make a very big difference. Women who have a proper diet, which includes essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and who exercise regularly, have a much bigger chance to beat cancer. Exercise can increase energy level, reduce stress and depression. It is recommended by doctors to have a diet, that is high on fruits and vegetables, such as cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. and low on animal fats.
This is not much but all of these little details can become very important later on. Is your diet what it should be? Are you exercising enough? Cancer cells thrive in some condition and suffer in other conditions. So the goal is through proper diet, supplements, natural remedies and treatments to make conditions, where the cancer cells can no thrive. There are so many things you can do yourself, to stop the spreading of cancer cells.
The goal is not to replace conventional treatments all together and replace them with breast cancer alternative treatments, but to combine them and make the fight against breast cancer more effective. People should work together and not get stuck in their beliefs, how things should work in their mind.
Discover the most effective, safest and cheapest alternative treatments and home remedies to revive your health. No matter what condition or illness you have, you can find help. http://www.home-remedies-and-alternative-treatments.info/beat_cancer.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaan_Tamm
Everyone knows how dangerous, expensive and ineffective conventional treatments are, so it is natural that people look for ways to heal themselves more effectively. That really is the goal for people - heal themselves. If there is something more effective and safer that traditional chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, then people will use them.
I guess that the main danger with various alternative treatments and remedies, is that you never really know what works and what does not. Certainly there are people, who take advantage of people, and sell them worthless junk, that is suppose to be an effective remedy for breast cancer. But then again there are people, who are honest and have done extensive research into various breast cancer alternative treatments. There is no magic pill that will eliminate cancer, but there are certainly many things you can do, to reduce the symptoms of traditional cancer treatments and make them more effective.
Diet and exercise are very important and they can make a very big difference. Women who have a proper diet, which includes essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and who exercise regularly, have a much bigger chance to beat cancer. Exercise can increase energy level, reduce stress and depression. It is recommended by doctors to have a diet, that is high on fruits and vegetables, such as cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. and low on animal fats.
This is not much but all of these little details can become very important later on. Is your diet what it should be? Are you exercising enough? Cancer cells thrive in some condition and suffer in other conditions. So the goal is through proper diet, supplements, natural remedies and treatments to make conditions, where the cancer cells can no thrive. There are so many things you can do yourself, to stop the spreading of cancer cells.
The goal is not to replace conventional treatments all together and replace them with breast cancer alternative treatments, but to combine them and make the fight against breast cancer more effective. People should work together and not get stuck in their beliefs, how things should work in their mind.
Discover the most effective, safest and cheapest alternative treatments and home remedies to revive your health. No matter what condition or illness you have, you can find help. http://www.home-remedies-and-alternative-treatments.info/beat_cancer.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaan_Tamm
Cancer Prevention - How to Do a Self Breast Exam
Women of all ages should perform a breast self examination once a month. The examination is easy to complete and it only takes 5 minutes. If you are going through menopause, you can perform an exam any day that you like. If you have not reached menopause yet, you should perform the examinations 3 days after your monthly period finishes. You can perform the exam in front of a mirror. Take off your top and examine your breasts. Look at the shape and size of your breasts, your nipples, and areolas. Make sure your breasts and nipples look healthy. Make sure the texture and color of your breasts have not changed. After you complete this part of the exam, you should lift your arms above your head and check to see that your breasts look the same when they move. Make sure you don't have bumps, dimples and indentation on your areolas and nipples. There should not be any swelling in the armpit area.
When that is complete, you should lift your left arm above your head. Use your right hand and fingers and apply light pressure to the breast on the left. Stroke the breast from top to bottom. Start from the cleavage area until you reach the armpit and make sure you cover the complete area of the breast. Make sure you don't feel bumps or lumps and note any changes in size or color. When you are finished examining the breast, you can check the other breast. You can do this part of the exam in the shower if you like.
Finally, you should lie in bed with your head and the top of your shoulders on a pillow. Place your left hand around the back of your head. Stroke your breast with your right hand and look for changes in color, texture, and size. When you are done, you can check the other side. You should perform this breast self examination at least once a month. If you notice a change or pain in the breast area, you should consult with a doctor immediately.
Looking for information on chemotherapy, or information on how to get the right Stomach Cancer Prognosis, our website is full of information to help you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gibson_Parsons
When that is complete, you should lift your left arm above your head. Use your right hand and fingers and apply light pressure to the breast on the left. Stroke the breast from top to bottom. Start from the cleavage area until you reach the armpit and make sure you cover the complete area of the breast. Make sure you don't feel bumps or lumps and note any changes in size or color. When you are finished examining the breast, you can check the other breast. You can do this part of the exam in the shower if you like.
Finally, you should lie in bed with your head and the top of your shoulders on a pillow. Place your left hand around the back of your head. Stroke your breast with your right hand and look for changes in color, texture, and size. When you are done, you can check the other side. You should perform this breast self examination at least once a month. If you notice a change or pain in the breast area, you should consult with a doctor immediately.
Looking for information on chemotherapy, or information on how to get the right Stomach Cancer Prognosis, our website is full of information to help you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gibson_Parsons
The Truth About a Breast Cancer Natural Cure!
It is very obvious that the treatment of cancer is very ineffective and although billions of dollars are spent each year to fight against cancer, there is no positive news. It is also very clear that money plays a very big role and a lot of people are not very interested in curing people from cancer permanently. But if you for example have breast cancer, then should you neglect conventional treatments all together and opt for some kind of a breast cancer natural cure? How to make the right choices?
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and it seems the numbers are only increasing. A women, who is diagnosed with breast cancer, has a lot of choices to make. The goal for everyone would be to heal themselves quickly, effectively and safely, no matter what kind of treatment is used. Some people are so disappointed of the fecklessness of the conventional cancer treatments, that they neglect them all together and look for various alternative and natural treatments options.
The obvious danger by doing this, is stumbling on people who try to trick you sell you garbage in order to make money. This is a very real danger and if someone says they know a breast cancer natural cure, then people need to be really careful.
Then again you can take the path, that so many breast cancer patients do, and use surgery, chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate cancer. This is very ineffective, expensive and dangerous as well. The chances to make a full recovery is not very high. I guess the best solution would be to combine the two and use natural cures to reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy drugs and to increase their effectiveness.
For example a very effective breast cancer natural cure, or treatment option, is Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT). It is great because this treatments increases the kill effect of chemotherapy drugs. The more effective chemotherapy drugs are the less drugs are needed. So the damage to the body is not that extensive.
The most important thing in the end for everyone, is to beat cancer and get well. The more people learn about cancer and different breast cancer natural cures, the better. Natural cures may or may not help you, but are you willing to take the chance and neglect them all together? The least you can do is educate yourself about natural cures and alternative treatments, whether or not you use them is your choice.
Get your copy of Cancer-Free - Your Guide to Gentle, Non-toxic Healing." It is an fantastic e-book full of various alternative cancer treatments and remedies. The information found in this e-book is extremely valuable for everyone, who is touched by cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaan_Tamm
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and it seems the numbers are only increasing. A women, who is diagnosed with breast cancer, has a lot of choices to make. The goal for everyone would be to heal themselves quickly, effectively and safely, no matter what kind of treatment is used. Some people are so disappointed of the fecklessness of the conventional cancer treatments, that they neglect them all together and look for various alternative and natural treatments options.
The obvious danger by doing this, is stumbling on people who try to trick you sell you garbage in order to make money. This is a very real danger and if someone says they know a breast cancer natural cure, then people need to be really careful.
Then again you can take the path, that so many breast cancer patients do, and use surgery, chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate cancer. This is very ineffective, expensive and dangerous as well. The chances to make a full recovery is not very high. I guess the best solution would be to combine the two and use natural cures to reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy drugs and to increase their effectiveness.
For example a very effective breast cancer natural cure, or treatment option, is Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT). It is great because this treatments increases the kill effect of chemotherapy drugs. The more effective chemotherapy drugs are the less drugs are needed. So the damage to the body is not that extensive.
The most important thing in the end for everyone, is to beat cancer and get well. The more people learn about cancer and different breast cancer natural cures, the better. Natural cures may or may not help you, but are you willing to take the chance and neglect them all together? The least you can do is educate yourself about natural cures and alternative treatments, whether or not you use them is your choice.
Get your copy of Cancer-Free - Your Guide to Gentle, Non-toxic Healing." It is an fantastic e-book full of various alternative cancer treatments and remedies. The information found in this e-book is extremely valuable for everyone, who is touched by cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaan_Tamm
Fruits, Phytochemicals & Breast Cancer
If you love sinking your teeth into juicy delectable fruits, you are in luck, particularly if you know someone with breast cancer or are a breast cancer patient yourself. New research indicates that substances found in pomegranates and mangoes may be natural alternatives to breast cancer medication and other treatment options. Pomegranates and mangoes are considered to be superfruits, or fruits that are known for their exceptional nutritional richness and antioxidant qualities. The wonderful thing about fruits as natural medicines is that they are delicious, contain a variety of nutrients, and there are no side-effects as a result of their consumption.
Pomegranates
In reference to the results of a study published in the January issue of Cancer Prevention Research, researchers say they've found a natural substance in pomegranates that could prevent the development of hormone-dependent cancer and stop the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors. Pomegranate fruit contains phytochemicals, specifically Urolithin B, that work like aromatase inhibitors.
Aromatase inhibitors are used by physicians to block the synthesis of estrogen in an attempt to subdue the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumors. According to the Mayo Clinic website, AI drugs come choc-full of side effects such as severe joint pain, muscle aches, hot flashes, headaches, bone fractures, fatigue, and even a risk of heart disease.
The research team for the aforementioned study discovered that natural phytochemicals found in pomegranates suppress estrogen production, thereby preventing the spread of cancer cells and the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors. One particular substance found in pomegranates - dubbed Urolithin B - significantly inhibited the growth of cultured cancer cells in the laboratory.
Mangos
At Texas A&M University's AgriLife Research department, laboratory experiments indicated that mango fruit prevented or stopped cancer growth in certain breast and colon cell lines. The experiments also showed that mango extract demonstrated some anticancer abilities when tested on prostate, leukemia and lung cancer cells. When tested on the most common breast and colon cancers, however, mango compounds were found to have even stronger cancer fighting abilities than when tested on the other types of cancer cells.
In the experiments, the researchers documented that the cancer cell division process was interrupted by the mango extract. In fact, the mango extract caused the colon and breast cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
What do mangoes contain that may eventually have the scientific and medical communities singing their praises as worthwhile adversaries of breast cancer? The answer is polyphenols, the natural phytochemicals found in plants. Polyphenols are antioxidants with the potential to protect the body from disease.
When husband and wife food scientists Dr. Suzanne and Steve Talcott performed the experiments at Texas A&M, they evaluated specific polyphenols for effectiveness. What they found was that gallotannins were the most active cancer-fighting agents in mangoes. Gallotannins are a class of natural polyphenolic compounds believed to aid in the prevention or halt the growth of cancer cells.
So, pomegranate and mango lovers, eat and drink up! Both fruits have the potential to alter some of those dismal breast cancer statistics by preventing the spread of cancer!
By Jenny Heart. Research breast cancer medication through extensive breast cancer info resource site. Find doctors, breast cancer statistics and patient stories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Heart
Pomegranates
In reference to the results of a study published in the January issue of Cancer Prevention Research, researchers say they've found a natural substance in pomegranates that could prevent the development of hormone-dependent cancer and stop the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors. Pomegranate fruit contains phytochemicals, specifically Urolithin B, that work like aromatase inhibitors.
Aromatase inhibitors are used by physicians to block the synthesis of estrogen in an attempt to subdue the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumors. According to the Mayo Clinic website, AI drugs come choc-full of side effects such as severe joint pain, muscle aches, hot flashes, headaches, bone fractures, fatigue, and even a risk of heart disease.
The research team for the aforementioned study discovered that natural phytochemicals found in pomegranates suppress estrogen production, thereby preventing the spread of cancer cells and the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors. One particular substance found in pomegranates - dubbed Urolithin B - significantly inhibited the growth of cultured cancer cells in the laboratory.
Mangos
At Texas A&M University's AgriLife Research department, laboratory experiments indicated that mango fruit prevented or stopped cancer growth in certain breast and colon cell lines. The experiments also showed that mango extract demonstrated some anticancer abilities when tested on prostate, leukemia and lung cancer cells. When tested on the most common breast and colon cancers, however, mango compounds were found to have even stronger cancer fighting abilities than when tested on the other types of cancer cells.
In the experiments, the researchers documented that the cancer cell division process was interrupted by the mango extract. In fact, the mango extract caused the colon and breast cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
What do mangoes contain that may eventually have the scientific and medical communities singing their praises as worthwhile adversaries of breast cancer? The answer is polyphenols, the natural phytochemicals found in plants. Polyphenols are antioxidants with the potential to protect the body from disease.
When husband and wife food scientists Dr. Suzanne and Steve Talcott performed the experiments at Texas A&M, they evaluated specific polyphenols for effectiveness. What they found was that gallotannins were the most active cancer-fighting agents in mangoes. Gallotannins are a class of natural polyphenolic compounds believed to aid in the prevention or halt the growth of cancer cells.
So, pomegranate and mango lovers, eat and drink up! Both fruits have the potential to alter some of those dismal breast cancer statistics by preventing the spread of cancer!
By Jenny Heart. Research breast cancer medication through extensive breast cancer info resource site. Find doctors, breast cancer statistics and patient stories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Heart
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