Breast Cancer
How to Perform Breast Self-Examination
Jan 31st
Breast cancer is one of the top diseases causing death among women. The problem of breast cancer haunts every woman. The cancer is dreaded not only for what it stands, but because of the string of complications it carries along its wake. In such a situation, detecting the onset of breast cancer is of prime consideration because in most cases, by the time the cancer is detected, the disease has spread so much that it may be too late to cure it. Nonetheless, with proper education and better treatment procedures, women have a far better chance combating the disease.
Because breast cancer is a widely dreaded disease, efforts are put in place to help women detect early signs of breast cancer and other forms of breast diseases. One such method used in detecting breast abnormalities is the breast self-examination (BSE). BSE is the process of finding abnormalities in the breast. It involves looking and feeling at both breasts for possible swellings that may be the telltale signs of breast cancer development.
How to Conduct Breast Self-Examination
BSE is performed in front of a mirror with the torso exposed so as to view better the procedure being done. The process involves doing the so-called 7Ps, which are the guide toward a successful breast examination and early detection of breast cancer. The 7 procedures are the following:
1. Position. This involves inspecting both breasts and palpate in the mirror with the arms at various positions to give the woman leverage on the examination at various angles. The examination is first performed lying down with a pillow under one shoulder and then followed by a pillow on the opposite shoulder and then finally lying flat.
2. Perimeter. This means the width with which the examination is done. First, the entire breast is examined, including the nipple and then followed by examining the area extending into the armpit and the nearby lymph nodes.
3. Palpation. This is done by palpating with the pads of the fingers without lifting the fingers as they move across the breast.
4. Pressure. This means the amount of pressure exerted on the breast during BSE. The process involves employing light pressure first, then moderate, and finally heavy pressure.
5. Pattern. There are three patterns available to a woman, whichever she feels most comfortable with. The first pattern is the so-called vertical strip, which involves moving the fingers up and down over the breast. The second pattern is the pie-wedge pattern, which starts at the nipple and then moves outwards. The third pattern is the circular pattern, which involves moving the fingers in circles outward from the nipple.
6. Practice. With the continued practice of conducting BSE, one will get a feel of the breast tissue and enable a woman to detect breast tissue changes.
7. Plan. This means knowing what to do in case changes in breast tissues are detected.
Although 80 percent of growth detected through BSE are non-malignant in nature and may not lead to breast cancer, it is nonetheless wise to report any changes to the doctor to conduct a mammogram.
Bad News – 1 Out of 2 Women Have Breast Cancer
Jan 23rd
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in men and women. It is diagnosed by the examination of surgically removed breast tissue.
Good News – Breast cancer is NOT a death sentence.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American women. It is extremely rare in women in their teens or early twenties and uncommon in women under 35.
The first symptom, or subjective sign, of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different than the surrounding breast tissue. Another reported symptom complex of breast cancer is Paget’s disease of the breast. Although many epidemiological risk factors have been identified, the cause of any individual breast cancer is often unknowable.
Risk
The primary risk factors that have been identified are sex, age, childbearing, hormones, a high-fat diet, alcohol intake, obesity, and environmental factors such as tobacco use, radiation and shift work.
However, in women who take 200 micrograms of folate (folic acid or Vitamin B9) every day, the risk of breast cancer drops below that of alcohol abstainers. Breathing secondhand smoke increases breast cancer risk by 70% in younger, primarily pre-menopausal women.
After taking into account various parameters about their health and family data through an interactive question-answer session, it identifies the risk group of the user and thus helps to detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Still, some benign breast conditions are important because women with these conditions have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Cells
Cells from benign tumors do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body. Cells from malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. When breast cancer cells invade the dermal lymphatics, small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, its presentation can resemble skin inflammation and thus is known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
The closer to normal cancer cells are, the slower their growth and a better prognosis. This radiation is very effective in killing cancer cells that may remain after surgery or recur where the tumor was removed. However, radiation affects normal cells and cancer cells alike, causing some damage to the normal tissue around where the tumor was.
Healthy tissue can repair itself, while cancer cells do not repair themselves as well as normal cells.
Lymph
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are connected by lymphatic vessels. Lymph is a clear fluid that contains immune system cells and waste products.
Stage is the most important, as it takes into consideration size, local involvement, lymph node status and whether metastatic disease is present. Breast cancer can also spread to other parts of the body via blood vessels or the lymphatic system. More recently, the technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection has become popular, as it requires the removal of far fewer lymph nodes, resulting in fewer side effects.
Research
The preliminary research into flax seeds indicates that flax can significantly change breast cancer growth and metastasis, and enhance the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on estrogen-dependent tumors. These improvements have had a direct result on the decrease in mortality rates of people diagnosed with breast cancer and would not have been made without ongoing effective research.
Phenomenal research is being done but there is so much more we need to learn.
Family
If you are worried about having a family history of breast cancer, you can speak to your GP about a referral to a breast clinic. 85% of all diagnoses have no family history. While a history of breast cancer in the family may lead to increased risk, most breast cancers are diagnosed in women with NO family history.
If a woman also has a family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives, her risk may be increased 11-fold.
Joni Bell provides information from personal experiences and research into cancer related issues for the last ten years. He is considered an expert in the area of alternate cancer treatments. http://www.vitaminb17works.com
How Dangerous Is Breast Cancer
Jan 8th
How dangerous is breast cancer? Well, breast cancer is really dangerous but there are now lots of treatments available. You’re free to choose between conventional treatments and alternative treatments. Through accurate diagnosis, the doctor can provide you with the proper treatment plan that can cure your cancer.
If you were diagnosed with breast cancer many years ago, it would have been a hopeless case. Thanks to the developments in the medical industry, the cancer treatments today are very effective and the survival rates are also high.
Most cancer patients are women but there are also men who develop the disease. In the US alone, more than 200,000 people are diagnosed breast cancer. Breast cancer is also the leading cause of deaths among women and it is also the highest so far as compared to other types of cancer. Women who are already in their menopause stage are prone to breast cancer; not only that, women taking HRTs and pills are also susceptible to the disease. Excessive alcohol intake and being overweight can also lead to cancer. Certain genes cause breast cancer and if one of these genes is present in your family, you’re at high risk.
When you have breast cancer, the tissues in your breast are already cancerous. It usually appears like a lump or tumor in the breast area. Not all lumps in the breast area are cancerous because some of them are just normal lumps but you need to be sure.
Some of the symptoms of breast cancer are swelling or lump in the breast, increased breast size, change in color or dimpling of the skin, and unusual nipple discharge. In order to cure breast cancer, early detection is vital. When the cancer has reached the advanced stage or Stage 4, it will be a bit difficult to treat.
There are different ways to detect breast cancer. Every year, you can undergo a medical exam conducted by a doctor. Women over 40 years can undergo mammogram or ultrasound. Doctors usually employ biopsy to determine if the lump or mass is cancerous. Some individuals also conduct BSE wherein they examine their breasts for any abnormality.
Some of the treatments available for treating breast cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, hormone treatment, and radiation therapy. If you find these treatments quite costly, you can opt for alternative treatments like natural medicines and homeopathy.
Since breast cancer is considered a dangerous disease, prevention is the key to stop its development. Some of the treatments can damage the body and so the patients often feel exhausted and stressed. For those who want to feel relaxed instead of tired, they can undergo a massage therapy or any other alternative treatment. Prevention is still better than cure and this applies to all kinds of health problem. If breast cancer runs in your genes and if you’re already aging, you need to be more aware if there are any changes in your breasts. Keep in mind that breast cancer does not discriminate.
So what are you waiting for? Have your breasts examined if you’re suspicious of any lump or mass in your breast. How dangerous is breast cancer? It can cause you your life so don’t take it lightly. Many people die of breast cancer and if you don’t want to end up like them, examine your breast area regularly.
Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women’s issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about How Dangerous is Breast Cancer…
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