Detecting Breast Cancer to Save a Life

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amanda_M_Cravens]Amanda M Cravens
When thinking about the people in life that we love the most; that we try hardest to protect and that we'd be lost without, we tend to think of the women in our lives. It is our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, daughters and other special women that we feel the most protective over. Unfortunately, they are also the people most likely to be diagnosed withe breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Luckily, breast cancer does not have to be a life sentence. Detecting it early equals a greater chance of survival. Cancer in the breast can be detected by self breast exams (SBE), clinical breast exams (CBE) and mammograms. Taking the time to learn about breast cancer and informing others can help save a life of the people we love.
Self breast exams should be done monthly after the woman's menstrual cycle. There are several steps to performing a SBE. First, without a shirt or bra on, a woman should examine her breasts in the mirror looking for warning signals such as lumps, dimpling, discharge or any other sudden changes in the appearance of the breast. Continue looking at the breasts with both arms above the head. Second, lying down with the right arm overhead, use the three middle fingers of the left hand to feel around the right breast. Starting at the nipple and moving outward, make circular motions around the breast using light pressure, then medium pressure and hard pressure. Next, using the same fingers, feel the breast in lines going up and down the breast from the nipple. Switch the arm and the hand and redo the steps on the left breast. Although doing SBE's is not the recommended method for finding breast cancer, it is highly important in helping women know what is normal for their breast and their body while helping to spot any changes.
To assist in early detection, women over 20 are also encouraged to get clinical breast exams (CBE) by their doctor every three years and every year after age 40. The process of a CBE is much like that of a SBE only it is done by a trained medical professional.
While self breast exams and clinical breast exams are important factors in detecting breast cancer, the most effective tool is a mammogram. Mammograms are recommended yearly for women over 40.
The best detection method is to use all three of this exams together as recommended.
While early detection is helpful to survive breast cancer, there are also steps that can be taken to prevent it. A person can help to prevent breast cancer by limiting alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day, exercising regularly, knowing their body and knowing their family history.
Together, we can educate all of the special women in our lives and encourage them to start a breast exam schedule.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Detecting-Breast-Cancer-to-Save-a-Life&id=6527645] Detecting Breast Cancer to Save a Life

Obesity: A Leading Cause Of Breast Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker]Kirsten Whittaker
Important news on a leading cause of breast cancer. New research has found that obesity is the largest cause of the hormone sensitive type of breast cancer in mature women.
Doctors know that carrying too much fat ups hormone levels, and past studies have found that women past the menopause with elevated levels of the oestrogen hormone along with testosterone have from 2 to 3 times the chance of developing breast cancer compared to those with the smallest levels of these hormones.
After menopause, the fat cells in a woman's body become the chief source of hormones.
Experts know that risks of developing breast cancer include family and reproductive history, use of hormones and exposure to radiation. The troubling thing is, about 70% of those who get breast cancer don't have any of these known risk factors. What's more, over the last 20 years the numbers of overweight and obese people have been going up, now reaching alarming numbers. As have the numbers with breast cancer.
The team of researchers looked at health records from almost 6,300 postmenopausal women from 13 different studies in an attempt to find out why some of them were diagnosed with the hormone sensitive form of cancer of the breast, while others were not.
They saw oestrogen levels in obese subjects were 50% higher than leaner women; testosterone levels were 16% higher leading them to conclude that weight had the biggest bearing on sex hormone levels, followed by smoking 15 cigarettes or drinking more than 2 and a half alcoholic drinks a day.
And while family history and being older are risk factors for breast cancer that you can't control, drinking too much alcohol, smoking cigarettes and most damaging of all, being overweight or obese are things that you can most certainly do something about. Start by knowing where you stand, and calculating your own BMI.
If the number is higher than it should be, over 25.0, it's time to start making some changes. There are lots of programs to help you lose weight, but no matter which you choose, the simple secret to losing weight it to take in fewer calories than you burn.
Look at what you're eating, and make changes that limit your processed and high calorie food intake and include more natural, healthy options like fruits, veggies and whole grains.
You'll also want to talk to your doctor (especially if you've been inactive for a while) about a fitness program. It's always smart to start slow, and work up to thirty minutes of moderately intense activity on most days of the week. By watching what you eat, and being more active, you'll start to see the weight drop off.
The good news is that even a small weight loss, such as 5-10% of your body weight, can bring benefits. And encourage you to keep going.
Obesity is not only a leading cause of breast cancer. By holding onto those extra pounds you increase your risk of life altering diseases like this as well as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, depression and even painful osteoarthritis. All good reasons for tackling any weight issues now, while you have the chance to influence your health now and in the future.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Obesity:-A-Leading-Cause-Of-Breast-Cancer&id=6543565] Obesity: A Leading Cause Of Breast Cancer

Lower Breast Cancer Risk With These Grocery Items

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker]Kirsten Whittaker
More news on diet and breast cancer risk. A pair of studies on veggies and on coffee have brought attention to some new superfoods that might actually help lower breast cancer risk.
Both research projects examined freely made lifestyle choices when it comes to drinking coffee and eating certain vegetables and the impact these choices might have on future risk.
The study on vegetables was conducted by a team who made use of lab rats to see whether a specific compound (apigenin) impacted the formation of tumors when introduced into a rat's body compared to rats who were not given the substance.
Apigenin is naturally part of foods like parsley, apples, celery, oranges and some nuts, as well as other foods, and appears not just to slow the growth of tumors but it also reduced the amount of tumors in the body. Keeping some minimum levels of apigenin in the blood seems to be beneficial in terms of breast cancer risk reduction.
So next time you see a garnish of celery or parsley, it might be a good idea to have a taste.
The study on coffee took place in Sweden and was conducted by a team using a study group of women with an age range between 50 to 74 years old and they were studied in two groups, one with cancer of the breast, and the other without.
Participants were matched for age, and the team saw that those who regularly drank 5 or more cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of estrogen receptor negative breast cancers. Other studies have brought similar results.
Here are some other interesting numbers that come from the two studies...
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with cancer of the breast.
- 30 is the BMI number where women are considered to be obese, which is a recognized risk factor that's identified by the study on coffee and many other studies as increasing your risk of developing this form of cancer.
- 45% of premenopausal women who have breast cancer have the estrogen receptor negative form of the disease; this was the form of disease examined in the study on coffee.
- 51 is the average age a U.S. woman will go through menopause. Those working on the coffee study suggest that the age a woman starts menopause as another key factor in breast cancer risk.
- 200,000+ women in the U.S. are given a diagnosis of breast cancer
- 6 to 10 million women are prescribed hormone replacement therapy annually in the U.S. The study on veggies was looking at how to cut the chances of this form of cancer associated with these medications.
Talk with your doctor about how to lower breast cancer risk, and be aware that preventing disease is always easier than treating it once it happens. The good thing to take from these two studies is that there are things you can do, actions you can take, to defend yourself against breast cancer. It's up to you.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Lower-Breast-Cancer-Risk-With-These-Grocery-Items&id=6560938] Lower Breast Cancer Risk With These Grocery Items

Oncotype DX: Do All Patients With Early Stage Breast Cancer Need Chemotherapy?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ramesh_T_Kumar]Ramesh T Kumar
What is Oncotype Dx?
There are over 25000 genes in human beings. Several of these genes were analyzed in breast cancer patients undergoing  clinical studies to identify a group of 21 genes that were most strongly correlated with cancer recurrence. Studies done on these genes in breast cancer tissue became the basis for developing the Oncotype Dx test to determine what is called a Recurrence Score.
How do you use the information from this test?
The Recurrence score determines the risk of patients developing a recurrence of their breast cancers over the following ten years.
This information also helps cancer physicians choose the most appropriate form of treatment including the ability to determine the likely benefit from chemotherapy.
Thus, this test not only allowed physicians to be able to predict the behavior of these cancers better but also allowed a more accurate estimation of the beneficial effects of adding chemotherapy.
Do we need to perform this test on ALL patients diagnosed with breast cancer?
Traditionally, physicians have used breast cancer characteristics such as size of the cancer, receptor status, and lymph node status to estimate how likely their cancer is to come back, and to help determine treatment decisions including the need for chemotherapy. These characteristics are still helpful in choosing a course of treatment, but the additional information provided by the Oncotype DX test has helped refine the treatment choices that can be offered to these patients.
We do not need to perform this test on ALL patients diagnosed with Breast cancer. Oncotype Dx for breast cancer was initially used to help patients with stage I and II cancers who do not have lymph node or distant spread of their tumors and who have tumors that were positive for estrogen receptors. Traditionally, these patients have been treated with such medications as Tamoxifen alone. It was felt that many of these patients failed this form of treatment and could have been served well with the addition of chemotherapy in addition to Tamoxifen. Oncotype Dx thus allows identification of this subset of patients who could benefit with the addition of chemotherapy while sparing others from it.
Newer studies are suggesting similar predictive and prognostic value in those patients who have early stage, estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who already show cancer spread to lymph nodes in the axilla.
There is no benefit of this test in patients with non-invasive breast cancers and those who have obvious evidence of breast  cancer spread.
In summary: Oncotype Dx is a simple test that has had a profound impact on our ability to predict the prognosis as well as to tailor make more precise treatment decisions in patients with early stage breast cancers.
This test is but a harbinger of things to come in the world of cancer care where testing  cancers at a molecular level for each individual patient will lead to further refinements in our ability to plan effective treatment strategies for them.
Dr. Kumar is a board certified Radiation Oncologist who is co-founder of a private practice group in Florida. He has over 17 years experience dealing with cancer patients including several members in his own family who have been afflicted by this disease.
His philosophy of managing patients is through a unique holistic approach that takes into account the wishes and needs of patients and their families. He believes that any battle is won at the level of the mind first before the body goes into action to win the war. His website http://curingcancerofthemind.com reflects this philosophy.
He is always available to help any patient with questions regarding cancer and radiation therapy and can be reached at 772 293 0377.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Oncotype-DX:-Do-All-Patients-With-Early-Stage-Breast-Cancer-Need-Chemotherapy?&id=6575027] Oncotype DX: Do All Patients With Early Stage Breast Cancer Need Chemotherapy?

What Is Prophylactic Mastectomy?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ramesh_T_Kumar]Ramesh T Kumar
Meaning of prophylactic mastectomy: It is the surgical removal of a non-cancerous breast with the intention of preventing onset of breast cancer in that breast.
The question of prophylactic mastectomy comes in two clinical situations:
1. Those women who have been diagnosed with cancer in one breast and who are concerned of a new cancer coming up in the opposite breast and thus explore the possibility of removing this breast as prevention. This is called contra-lateral prophylactic mastectomy (the word contra meaning the opposite side).
2. Those women who do NOT have a diagnosis of cancer but who have high risk factors for developing breast cancer. Such patients may explore the possibility of removing both breasts to prevent the onset of cancer. This is called bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (the word bilateral meaning both sides).
Let us consider the first situation of contra-lateral prophylactic mastectomy in women already diagnosed with cancer in one breast. The following are some of the situations where this decision may be appropriate.
1. Diagnosed at age 45 or younger, regardless of family history.
2. Diagnosed at age 50 or younger and EITHER of the following:
- at least one close blood relative with breast cancer at age 50 or younger.
- at least one close blood relative with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.
3. Diagnosed with two breast primaries (includes bilateral disease or cases where there are two or more clearly separate ipsi-lateral primary tumors) when the first breast cancer diagnosis occurred prior to age 50,
4. Diagnosed at age 60 or younger with a triple negative breast cancer.
5. Diagnosed with two breast primaries when the first breast cancer diagnosis occurred prior to age 50.
6. Personal history of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.
7. Close male blood relative with breast cancer.
8. Women of Ashkenazi Jewish, Icelandic, Swedish, Hungarian, or Dutch descent.
9. Development of invasive lobular or ductal carcinoma in the contra-lateral breast after electing surveillance for lobular carcinoma in situ of the ipsi-lateral breast..
10. Lobular carcinoma in situ confirmed on biopsy.
11. Lobular carcinoma in situ in the contra-lateral breast.
12. Diffuse indeterminate micro-calcifications or dense tissue in the contra-lateral breast that is difficult to evaluate mammographically and clinically.
Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy may be considered in women who have the following situations:
1. Those with confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation.
2. Those with close blood relative with a known BRCA1, BRCA2 mutation.
3. First or second-degree blood relative meeting any of the above criteria for individuals with a personal history of cancer.
4. Third-degree blood relative with two or more close blood relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer (with at least one close blood relative with breast cancer prior to age 50).
5. Those with a history of treatment with radiation to the chest.
6. Those with atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia, especially if combined with a family history of breast cancer.
7. Those with dense breasts that are difficult to evaluate through mammograms and breast exams. Those with several prior breast biopsies for abnormalities with a strong concern about breast cancer risk.
The decision to proceed with prophylactic mastectomy should be taken very seriously because of its irreversible nature and its major implications on the physical and psychological welfare of these women. There are a number of non-surgical options that are available to lower the risk of breast cancer in the situations outlined above. It is strongly urged that women exploring this difficult decision discuss with expert physicians regarding less radical, non-surgical options.
Dr. Kumar is a board certified Radiation Oncologist who is co-founder of a private practice group in Florida. He has over 17 years experience dealing with cancer patients including several members in his own family who have been afflicted by this disease.
His philosophy of managing patients is through a unique holistic approach that takes into account the wishes and needs of patients and their families. He believes that any battle is won at the level of the mind first before the body goes into action to win the war. His website http://curingcancerofthemind.com reflects this philosophy.
He is always available to help any patient with questions regarding cancer and radiation therapy and can be reached at 772 293 0377.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-Prophylactic-Mastectomy?&id=6577264] What Is Prophylactic Mastectomy?

Custom Printed Pink Promos for Breast Cancer Awareness

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amin_Ramjee]Amin Ramjee
It is reportedly believed that one in every eight woman in the United States will get affected by an invasive type of breast cancer in the course of her life. This is a reality that many people have to deal with and it is vital that any effort towards cancer awareness is given the much needed support. Breast cancer awareness promotional products have been used effectively to raise awareness about the ailment and custom printed pink promos are one of the items that have been effectively used for this purpose.
The pink ribbon is the most conspicuous badge for breast cancer awareness and in all countries, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in the month of October. In America, many cancer awareness organizations are given a considerable amount of money by the corporate world for sponsorship. Getting involved in this drive to create awareness about breast cancer is a an effort that helps to raise money for research and other activities is a noble act that can also help bring visibility to any company that shows its sympathies to the idea.
Any company that chooses to distribute custom printed pink promos as giveaways for cancer awareness is creating a very big difference in the lives of many people who get affected with this problem. Custom printed pink promos will raise awareness while at the same time helping your business keep its brand visible in many events that are held for the purpose of this awareness.
While showing your support at the fundraisers, at the medical centers, health campaigns and related events, your logo and your company name and message will be prominently displayed on the pink promos that you distribute and this will help you stay in the eyes of prospects.
Custom printed pink promos are perfect giveaways for trade shows, for breast cancer awareness educational programs, business handouts and much more. By giving the printed pink promos away, you showcase your logo and ensure that you are always remembered thus creating an opportunity for your business to grow. There is no better way to advertise your company while at the same time you lend your support to a worthy cause. Breast cancer awareness campaigns are very important and it is important that the public is made aware of the implications of breast cancer as a disease.
Awareness and early detection has saved many lives. With custom printed pink promos, you also play a part in saving these lives while also promoting your company. There is only one way to deal with the menace of cancer. To battle the disease, there has to be awareness, scientific research and funding. Joining hands with organizations that are actively involved in all these activities will always produce positive results. These organizations welcome any combined efforts to raise awareness and are quite open to the idea of the corporate world assisting them with funds while promoting their businesses. Custom printed pink promo items are thus multifunctional in that they help businesses build their brands while at the same time advancing the fight against cancer.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Custom-Printed-Pink-Promos-for-Breast-Cancer-Awareness&id=6574421] Custom Printed Pink Promos for Breast Cancer Awareness

Go Pink and Support Breast Cancer Survivors!

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Fabiola_Delgado_De_La_Flor]Fabiola Delgado De La Flor
Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the US. In 2010 alone, a quarter of a million women were diagnosed with this type of cancer. Twenty-five percent of those women will die. But grim statistics don't tell the whole tale. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, and plenty of ways to show your optimism!
That's why this October its time to support the cause. Breast cancer awareness and research lead to longer lives for your friends and family, and that's worth supporting!
So how can you help with breast cancer awareness? How can you help save lives?
The most important thing you can do is just to talk about breast cancer. Amazingly, many women still don't seek screening and thus do not get treatment soon enough. These women indeed have lower survival rates.
What else can you do? Go pink! Today the pink ribbon and the color pink is universally associated with breast cancer. When you wear breast cancer pins or pink ribbon charms or pink bracelets or whatever you choose, you're reminding people that there's hope. You're reminding people that it's possible to save lives, and that it's their responsibility to help save lives. You're leading the way by taking that responsibility on yourself: suggesting, asking, imploring, and shaming others into following your lead.
You don't need to put on a pink ribbon every day to create awareness. A great way to create awareness is to put the pink ribbon directly on stuff that you use every day, so you know it will always be there: your grocery totes, coffee mugs, jogging caps and backpacks can all "wear" the pink ribbon all the time.
When you show your awareness and motivate others to do so, you've taken the first step. The next step is to support research and treatment programs.
So how can you support the cause? How can you save even more lives?
This October is breast cancer awareness month and it's a great opportunity to increase both awareness and funding for the cause. Hundreds of events are happening around the world, from the "Avon Walk For Breast Cancer" to "Wear It Pink Day" in the UK, you can participate in events that help save lives.
Walkathons bring in millions of dollars for breast cancer research and for support for victims. But if walking isn't your thing, there are many activities where you can participate, from golfing to swimming to biking.
Better yet, if you can't find the right activity for you, you can organize your own! It's not too late to get an event up and running this year. Put one together. Challenge people to do something fun. Take the lead and save lives! Whatever you decide to do: Go Pink!
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Go-Pink-and-Support-Breast-Cancer-Survivors!&id=6586923] Go Pink and Support Breast Cancer Survivors!

High Fiber Diet And Breast Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker]Kirsten Whittaker
More reason to up your fiber intake. Another look at the evidence between diet and breast cancer finds that women who consume more fiber have a lower chance of getting this type of cancer according to a team of researchers from China.
In fact, the subjects who ate the highest amounts of plant components were less likely to be diagnosed with dangerous, disfiguring breast cancer than those who consumed the least amount were.
It's quite likely that fiber does more than aid digestion or keep you feeling fuller, longer - cancer fighter might soon be added to its list of benefits.
The researchers believe this finding is supported by the idea that those have a high fiber diet also have less of the hormone estrogen, known to be a risk factor of breast tumors.
Digging deeper into the question, the team combined 10 earlier research studies that examined women's diets and monitored them from 7 to 18 years, looking to see who was diagnosed with this form of cancer.
Of the 710,000 subjects, 2.4% were diagnosed with breast cancer, with those who had a higher fiber intake being 11% less likely to have this form of cancer than those women whose intake was low.
This held even after accounting for well-known risk factors such as alcohol intake, being overweight, HRT and even family history.
While the findings don't prove that fiber lowers the risk of breast cancer, women who consume more fiber might be healthier in many other ways than their counterparts. Perhaps they eat other healthy foods, or engage in healthy behaviors. The findings only point out an association; they can't say what might happen if women changed the way they ate.
The potential effect of fiber on breast cancer is very small. Still, it's something that experts know is good for you in terms of bringing down cholesterol and helping you lose weight, and if it does end up being a cancer fighter as well, so much the better.
The American Department of Agriculture believes that most Americans don't get enough fiber. Women should be taking in 25 grams per day; men need to be eating 38 grams according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Unfortunately, the average American gets far less, just under 15 grams of beneficial fiber each day.
Your best sources of this nutrient are beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Statistics suggest that one in eight US women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. The biggest risk factors for the disease are being a female and getting older... neither of which you can do much about.
But you can make an impact in your risk of this disease by choosing how you maintain your body... and what you put into it. Overweight and obese women, especially after menopause, are known to have an increased risk of breast cancer, and this is something you can most assuredly do something about. And while a high fiber diet and breast cancer (as well as lots of other natural, healthy choices) hasn't been proven beyond doubt to be protective, it certainly can't hurt.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?High-Fiber-Diet-And-Breast-Cancer&id=6588881] High Fiber Diet And Breast Cancer

Diet for Breast Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Dipple]Shannon Dipple
Following a diet for breast cancer is an excellent way to fight the disease, whether you already have it or you want to reduce your risk of developing it. Among all cases of cancer in women, breast cancer is by far the most common and many women lose their lives each year trying to battle the condition. Scientists and researchers are hard at work to find a cure, but until then, living a healthy lifestyle and sticking to a nutrition packed, cancer fighting diet are the most effective ways to prevent the disease and to handicap its growth in existing cases.
How Can a Diet Help Fight Breast Cancer? It's simple: You are what you eat. Eating a healthy diet is important for everyone, not just those dealing with cancer. There are chemicals and nutrients in our food that when eaten can help turn our bodies into a cancer fighting machine. The human body is a miraculous thing and it has its own way off fighting and warding off disease as long as you are giving it the fuel it needs to do so.
What's in My Food? A number of nutrients and chemicals found in different types of food seem to help the body fight and defend itself against breast cancer. The ties between nutrition and breast cancer are linked to several agents in our food, most notably phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals A number of chemicals found in plant-based foods are known to promote overall health and help prevent disease. Those chemicals, known as phytochemicals, do a great service to our bodies when we eat them in abundance. Thousands of known phytochemicals exist in our food and should be included in a cancer fighting diet as each has a different purpose and benefit to the body.
What Do Phytochemicals Do? Phytochemicals actually do many helpful things for our body including:

Provide Antioxidant Activity - most phytochemicals induce antioxidant activity, which protects our body's cells against oxidative damage and greatly reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Prevent Pathogen Adherence - Many phytochemicals stick to cell walls, which in turn prevents pathogens from adhering to the cells and causing the development of disease.
Interfere with DNA - several phytochemicals have the ability to prevent the replication of a cell's DNA. This basic action is a great help in preventing the replication of cancer cells and can slow or stop the development of the disease.

What's in a Cancer Fighting Diet? Unlike diets for weight loss or that lower your cholesterol, a solid anti-cancer diet does not focus on taking away foods that you love. The key to this healthy diet regimen is to include an abundance of foods that are both healthy for you and that inhibit the spread, growth and development of breast cancer.
What You Should Be Eating If you are looking to begin following a nutrient rich breast cancer fighting diet, base your meals and snacks around these guidelines regarding types of food and number of servings per day.
Fiber - On average, Americans only consume about 12g of fiber per day. Cancer research shows that increasing that amount to 25-30g each day can be a great asset in fighting breast cancer. Research suggests that those who are getting more fiber reduce their risk of breast cancer by nearly 11%. The best fiber supplement by far is fruits and vegetable, which contain large natural amounts of fiber.
Fruits and Vegetables - Nutritionists recommend that you increase the well-known 'five servings a day' guideline to nine or more. This is because fruits and vegetables are incredible natural sources of fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants, essential elements in a diet for breast cancer. Fruits and veggies that are most recommended for their cancer fighting abilities include:

broccoli
brussel sprouts
cabbage
tomatoes
grapefruits
kale
collards
raspberries

Dairy Products - Research suggests that one to two servings of low fat dairy per day in a diet for breast cancer whelps increase your intake of conjugated linoleic acid which is said to promote anti-cancer activity.
Nuts - Including nuts in your diet several times a week will not only help increase your fiber intake but also provides you with monounsaturated fats which are essential to a diet for breast cancer as they help fight the development of this disease.
Fish - Several types of fish are an excellent addition to a cancer fighting diet including salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna. These fish contain an abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids that improve blood flow, lower the risk of breast cancer and may help improve the body's response to chemotherapy.
Whole Grains - Nutritionists suggest eating at least 3-6 servings of whole grain each day as part of a cancer fighting diet. This is because it helps to increase fiber intake and can help lower estrogen levels.
While starting a diet for breast cancer may sound difficult, incorporating these phytochemical and antioxidant-rich foods has immeasurable benefits to fighting and preventing cancer of the breast. Most of the foods included in this type of diet are flavorful and enjoyable so have no fear about tasteless, bland meals. Changing your diet to increase your intake of certain substances will not guarantee that you will not develop breast cancer, but it does help dramatically lower your risk. It also helps fight existing breast cancer and may help the body be more receptive to treatments. http://www.discover-classic-remedies.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Diet-for-Breast-Cancer&id=6586473] Diet for Breast Cancer

The Controversy Over Screening Mammogram

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dr_Mai_Brooks]Dr Mai Brooks
The mortality rate from breast malignancy in the United States has decreased by 31% between 1990 and 2007. Most of this success is attributed to screening mammogram. Improved medical treatments have helped to a lesser degree. As expected, the key to long survival after cancer diagnosis is to discover it early and then to eradicate it with surgical excision. Once the cancer has spread, no amount of drugs can cure it. In the case of breast cancer, the key to early detection is screening mammogram (and physical exam).
The evidence for screening mammogram comes from several large studies from many European countries as well as the United States. The largest randomized controlled trial was conducted in Sweden. This result was recently published by author L�szl� Tab�r and colleagues (Swedish Two-County Trial: Impact of Mammographic Screening on Breast Cancer Mortality during 3 Decades, in the journal Radiology, volume 260, pages 658-663, September 2011). A total of 133,065 women aged 40-74 years were randomly assigned into a group invited to mammographic screening and a control group receiving the usual care. After 29 years of follow-up, the study shows a 31% reduction in breast cancer mortality in women invited to screening. The authors calculate that screening 300 women for 10 years prevents one death from breast tumor. Many experts think that the benefit of screening mammography is even greater in women who actually undergo testing compared to those women who do not. This is because in the large population studies like the Swedish report above, some women invited to screen did not have mammogram. On the other hand, women not invited also had mammogram, but to a lesser degree.
Yes, it is true that sometimes screening mammogram can pick up some findings, which lead to biopsies, that turn out to be benign or just pre-cancer. Yes, this would cause anxiety, discomfort, and would cost some healthcare money. Critics call this "over-diagnosis". This is because we have no perfect test that can tell will absolute 100% accuracy in each person which mammogram finding is bad invasive cancer and which is not. Screening mammogram can also find tiny cancers, that then get treated with surgery, maybe even radiation and anti-estrogen pills or chemotherapy. Critics call this "over-treatment". This is because we have no perfect test that can tell will absolute 100% accuracy in each person which tiny cancer will kill without treatment, and which would be fine left alone. But the bottom line is that despite these imperfections, screening mammogram still significantly saves lives. The current recommendation still stands, and it is annual screening mammogram starting at age 40. Each woman needs to decide for herself whether she wants to have a test proven to reduce breast cancer mortality by 31%, over the inconvenience of "over-diagnosis" and the possible side effects of "over-treatment".
Dr. Mai Brooks is a surgical oncologist/general surgeon, with expertise in early detection and prevention of cancer. More at [http://www.drbrooksmd.com]http://www.drbrooksmd.com, [http://thecancerexperience.wordpress.com]http://thecancerexperience.wordpress.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Controversy-Over-Screening-Mammogram&id=6552543] The Controversy Over Screening Mammogram

Effects Breast Cancer Can Have On Your Sex Life

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Louis_L_Price]Louis L Price
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I thought I'd take a minute to remind you about boobs. Boobs are great! They fill out our favorite shirts, get us out of speeding tickets, and make us feel super-sexy in the Victoria's Secret teddy's we bought during their winter clearance sale. But do you know what isn't great about boobs? They're prone to getting cancer. Now, we've all been told about the dangers and effects of cancer, but no one really tells you about the effect it can have on your social life- Especially your sex life.
So strap yourselves in, because you're about to get hit with the harsh reality of what will happen to your love life if you don't check your boobs on a regular basis!
Shitty Things Breast Cancer Does To Your Sex Life
Low Libido
The biggest side effect breast cancer has on your sex life, is that you simply don't want one! Your body shuts down the endorphins you get when you have sex, so instead of feeling amazing while you do it, you feel like you're doing a chore. You don't get pleasure when you put a toothbrush in your mouth, and now you won't get pleasure when you put a P in your V.
Fatigue
You know those long days where you get home from work, fix your kids dinner, get them ready for bed, do the rest of the work you catch up on, then have to drag yourself up to bed? And you know how little you feel like having sex when you're that tired? Imagine being that tired all. the. time. Even when you've done nothing but lay down all day, you're still that tired. Chances are you won't have the energy to have sex. And we're not just talking about on that Thursday night of what seemed like the longest week ever. We're talking all the time. You'll generally be just to damn tired to bang.
Vaginal Dryness
Instead of feeling like the hot insert-your-age-here year old you are, you'll feel like a dried up grandmother downstairs. Not only will it feel uncomfortable to have sex like that, but because you're not producing natural lube, it's likely to be painful for both of you.
Breast Appearance
You know those days when you feel like your body looks weird and you just don't want the guy you're dating to see you naked? Well imagine how you would feel if your boobs had giant scars across them. Or they didn't have nipples. Or your boobs were missing all together.
Obviously there are more important reasons to check your breasts than your sex life, but whatever your reason is, get checked early and get checked often! http://womenfindingmen.com is a website dedicated to the health, love lives, and entertainment interests of women around the world. Whether it's tips on how to approach someone you're interested online, or the reality of why someone like Kim Kardashian has a better life than you, WomenFindingMen is a great place to get all the advice and help you need.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Effects-Breast-Cancer-Can-Have-On-Your-Sex-Life&id=6592445] Effects Breast Cancer Can Have On Your Sex Life

Breasts, Broccoli and Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dr_Thomas_Lodi]Dr Thomas Lodi
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world today. More than 1.1 million women each year are diagnosed with breast cancer and over 200,000 of these women are Americans. These statistics are frightening especially in light of the fact that we are increasingly being told that genetics play such a major role in the development of cancer. The result is that most women feel helpless. As if getting cancer is as likely to happen as getting the flu.
Fortunately, we are coming to understand that influences other than genetics are far more important in the development of cancer and can even override genetic 'tendencies'. In January of 2008, the National Institute of Health announced that it would invest over $190 million over the subsequent five years into researching epigenetics. Epigenetic processes determine how a gene will be expressed and therefore control growth and development.
Epigenetic refers to the fact that it is the environment of the cell that determines which genes will be turned on and which genes will be turned off. Clearly, if all of the 30,000 to 35,000 genes in our cells were turned on simultaneously, we would not only be totally dysfunctional and unable to sustain life, but we would not even look human. So, it is not the genetic code that influences health and disease but rather the delicate coordination of these genes turning on and off. It is this symphonic interplay of gene expression, which results in the unique complexity of every individual. Even identical twins change differently over time when exposed to different environments.
What determines the environment of a cell? Diet and environmental conditions! Researchers have also come to understand that epigenetic changes can be passed on from generation to generation. So, what you eat and how you live can actually influence how your grandchildren will fare when they are born. This 'inheritance' is far more important than any amount of money or property that one could or would leave. Let health be your legacy.
What in the world does this have to do with broccoli?
There are over 300 case controlled studies, which clearly demonstrate that eating vegetables protects against the development of cancer, specifically vegetables that are in the genus of plants known as Brassica, and more specifically, broccoli. Other vegetables in this category include cabbage, watercress, kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi and lesser known ones like Peruvian maca and mustards. As the number of servings eaten per month go up, the odds ratio of developing cancer drops significantly. For example, the odds ratio for breast cancer when five or more servings per week are eaten is 0.58, which is almost a 50% reduction in risk!
Although researchers at the University of California at Berkeley discovered that a compound in Brassica vegetables is a powerful modulator of the immune system resulting in potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity, it is Dr. Jed Fahey who has been at the forefront in this explosive area of research.
Dr. Jed Fahey is a Faculty Research Associate in the Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a plant physiologist who manages the university's Brassica Chemoprotection Laboratory. Much of his work has been in the developing of cruciferous (Brassica) plants as chemoprotective agents.
This information is becoming critically important and supremely relevant today. The WHO announced last year that by 2010, cancer would become the leading cause of death worldwide. The Multinational Brassica Genome Project (MBGP) and much of the research in this area can be found at   rel=nofollow [http://www.brassica.info]http://www.brassica.info.
Researchers in Italy published in the June, 2005 issue of the Journal of Nutrition that when they mixed cauliflower juice with breast cancer cells, not only did the cancerous cells stop growing, but at higher doses they were actually killed (they exploded), and not by the usual mechanism known as apoptosis. Furthermore, normal cells were not affected because, for some unknown reason, cauliflower has a preference for breast cancer cells over other mammalian cell lines. Even more remarkable is that this same effect was seen in both estrogen-receptor ER (+) and ER (-) cells. There is an obvious implication here that not only are these vegetables protective regarding the development of breast cancer, but they may even be useful in treating cancer once it has arisen.
Metabolism and Detoxification
It is not estrogen that is the problem in breast and other cancers, it is what the liver does with the estrogen...the metabolites. The cytochrome 1B1 enzymes in the liver are stimulated by cigarette smoke, charbroiling of flesh foods, the burning of different fuels as well as many other environmental toxins. These enzymes, in turn convert estrogen into 4-OH-estrone, (E1) a potent genotoxic (cancer producing) substance. On the other hand, 2-OH-E1 is a "good" estrogen metabolite that is produced by the cytochrome 1A1 enzymes of the liver, stimulated by broccoli and its Brassica cousins.
One can easily measure the ratio of the 2-OH E1 to the 16-alpha-OH E1 in the urine over time (24 hours). If the ratio is low, the risk for breast cancer is increased, and if high, the risk is reduced. In fact, one pound of broccoli per day (approximately 500 gms) shifts the ratio significantly. For every 10 grams of broccoli consumed per day, there is an increase in the ratio of 0.8. Therefore, the recommended amount to be consumed for different individuals can be calculated readily, once these results have been obtained. The conclusion drawn by a respected cancer journal is that broccoli is an effective and acceptable strategy to prevent breast cancer.
In addition to the metabolism of estrogens, the Brassica plants stimulate certain enzymes in the liver to enhance detoxification, which is of considerable import since we swim in a sea of carcinogenic toxins.
The liver utilizes two mechanisms to remove toxins, referred to as Phase I and Phase II detoxification. In Phase I, liver enzymes modify toxic substances in order to make them recognizable to Phase II enzymes. In Phase II, a different set of enzymes convert these modified toxins into more water-soluble forms, which can then eliminated through the urine or the feces. The compounds in Brassica plants that make them bitter and give them a strong and sometimes disagreeable odor are actually the active, anti-cancer components. They function as the defense system of the plant, sort of like an 'immune system'. They are known as phytoalexins. These substances are actually modified and used by the agriculture industry to develop pesticides and fumigants.
Chemically, these compounds are known as glucosinolates, which are modified to become isothiocyanates (ITC), the active, anti-cancer compound. An enzyme known as myrosinase is released when these plants are injured which converts the glucosinolates into ITC, hence chewing is required to activate these anti-cancer compounds. The normal gut flora (healthy bacteria) also produces myrosinase, however, most Americans have taken too many antibiotics and other toxic chemicals, both voluntarily and involuntarily resulting in very unhealthy and unbalanced gut flora. So, it is advisable that we all chew thoroughly, just in case.
These ITC compounds, after conversion from glucosinolates, greatly induce Phase II enzymes in the liver, which results in excretion of the carcinogens circulating throughout the body. Although these compounds from Brassica vegetables may modify the Phase I enzymes, they have a much greater effect on Phase II, which is why they are so important. Environmental toxins, such as dioxin (extremely poisonous), have their effect by inducing only Phase I enzymes, which activate many carcinogens. Without the concomitant activation of Phase II enzymes, the results are often fatal.
These Brassica derived chemicals also stop the growth of cancer cells after the initiation phase (cancer cells begin), interfere with promoters that make cancer cells grow (such as estrogen), interfere with angiogenesis (blood vessel growth in tumors), activate apoptosis (cell death) and block rapid growth of cells. This data is found throughout the scientific literature in both in-vitro and animal studies.
There are many excellent supplements containing flavonoids, quercitin, sulforaphanes and the other compounds derived from Brassica plants, but if one wishes to obtain these benefits in the most potent, efficacious and natural way, just eat them. A word of caution is in order. About 97% of these nutrients are lost with microwaving and 66% with boiling. Steaming is an acceptable way of preparing these vegetables for consumption, but raw, fresh and organic will give you what nature intended...a long and joyful life.
Thomas Lodi, M.D., a Master's level psychologist, received his medical degree in 1985 from the University of Hawaii. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Columbia University and worked for ten years as an internist, urgent care physician, and intensivist (ICU/CCU). After several years of additional training in alternative modalities, he narrowed his focus to integrative oncology. He is a member of ASCO, a Diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, an instructor and practitioner in Insulin Potentiation Therapy, and he is certified in oxidative and chelation therapies. Dr. Lodi is a licensed Medical Doctor in the state of New York and Homeopathic Medical Doctor in the state of Arizona. At his practice, An Oasis of Healing in Mesa, Arizona, the foundation of the therapies is restoring the integrity of the immune system and organ function through detoxification and proper nutrition.
Please visit http://www.anoasisofhealing.com/ for more information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Breasts,-Broccoli-and-Cancer&id=6595171] Breasts, Broccoli and Cancer

Breast Cancer: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chalesea_A_Maccow]Chalesea A Maccow
On September 26, 2011, my grandmother (on mother's side) would have celebrated her 84th birthday. It would have been amazing to see her celebrate this day, because she was a fun-loving party girl (I am putting this mildly). However, her life was cut short by breast cancer at the age of 62. I was 13 at that time. The doctors said the cause of her illness was genetic triggered by environmental factors. Since it was genetic, my mother, aunt and I may have inherited the gene. Therefore, we always did breast exams when we felt a pain or something strange in our breasts.
For a long time, I wondered what environmental factors could have triggered my grandmother's genes to cause cancer in her body. Since she was born and lived on the islands all her life, she had a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood. She also did a total body cleanse every week and made us participate in her awful concoction of freshly picked aloes and other natural herbs (sorry, I am having a mental flashback that is upsetting my stomach). Therefore, her diet could not have contributed to her illness. So who or what was the culprit?
Based on studies such as the relationship between the intake of metals such as Aluminum found in cookware and deodorants, and breast cancer, I thought "Aha" this might be the culprit because she did prepare her meals in Aluminum pots. However, I am not sure about the deodorant since I don't remember the brand she used. Therefore, I decided to stop using any products with Aluminum. Then recently, I heard a report on the connection between breast cancer and the type of bra we wear. The report stated that bras with underwire may be linked to breast cancer, and I thought back to my grandmother. She wore large underwire bras, because she was a voluptuous woman and needed a lot of frontal and back support.
After this report, I have come to the conclusion that I may never know which environmental factor may have triggered my grandmother's genes to produce cancer in her body. What I do know that our exposure to so many different environmental factors increase our risk to breast cancer each year. We have all experienced the loss of a loved (either a relative or friend) through breast cancer, and yet some of us are not taking the precautionary measures to prevent this illness in our own life. The combination of our diets and the products that we use and wear is increasing our risk of getting this illness. We have to be proactive about our health, and not reactive. Don't wait until you feel a lump or pain to change your lifestyle, change it today.
Here are some things, you can do:
1. Eat healthy; incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and fiber in your diet. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals which contribute to growth of cancer cells. Fruits such as pomegranate, acai berry, noni, goji and mangosteen are high in antioxidants. Also, a high fiber diet promotes natural elimination, which we should be doing daily to remove waste and toxins from our body.
2. Detox your body regularly (at least once a week); use natural products.
3. Change the products you use to environmentally-friendly and natural products such as green cleaning products, non-toxic cookware (preferably stainless steel).
4. Change the type of bra you use; if you use underwire bras, then it is time to purchase new bras. Your bra should allow proper blood circulation under and around the breast, as well as provide proper back support.
5. Spread the word about Breast Cancer. Don't wait until Breast Cancer Awareness month to get involved. This disease does not wait until a specific month to attack our family and friends. Everyday someone we know is dealing with the effects of breast cancer. Help your family and friends to be proactive about their health. Host a monthly party or participate in a local event to promote awareness and change.
Chalesea Maccow teaches healthy lifestyle classes to individuals and groups. She is also a distributor of nutritional products such as Le'vive, Ultracleanse, and Cranaloe, under garments (healthy bras- no underwire) and environmentally-friendly products such as cookware and cleaning products. For additional information, email maccow.mpenterprises@gmail.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Breast-Cancer:-Be-Proactive,-Not-Reactive&id=6589033] Breast Cancer: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Cancer: Vanity Trumps Fear

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Novotny]Dawn Novotny
Funny how one thinks they will know how they might react when given a potentially life threatening verdict. When I heard women talk about breast cancer, I assumed if I were the one receiving those words I would be terrified. Nope! No at first anyway.
Common sense, maturity and even the possibility of death vanished as vanity prevailed upon hearing my diagnoses of breast cancer in December of 2003. One week had passed since the needle biopsy on my right breast which remained blotchy black, dark blue and painful.
Gripping the phone, I ask, "How much boob is normally removed during a lumpectomy?
"We won't know until we go in and see the size and how much surrounding tissue is affected."
"Could you make a guess? Like will I lose the size of a marble, a ping pone ball, golf ball or maybe....? Ok, Ok, Ok, I'll wait and see". Yea right as I gnawed on my fingers.
Setting the phone down I am assailed by an inner critic shouting, "How vain can you get?" As time would tell, pretty darn vain, in fact, vanity was my constant companion throughout my year of cancer treatment. If I wasn't focused on the chiseling away of the boob, it was the loss of hair, breast reconstruction or how I would ever again wear Victoria Secret bras. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Lips parched, body stiff, my eyes focused on the bright lights of the recovery room. "Welcome back Dawn says the nurse. The doctor will be in soon."
Always hyper vigilant, something in the doctor's voice didn't sound quit right, "You did great, how you feel." Ignoring his question I ask anxiously, "Ok, so how many golf balls did you take out?"
Laughing at my rather childish analogy, he says, "About two ping pone balls." Then his voice changes to a serious tone. "But it is irrelevant because we found more cancer in another quadrant of the breast which will have to be removed. I am referring you to an oncologist in Seattle.
Stunned, I stopped listening. You know it's not good when the doctor says, "I am referring you to...." After several tests, exams, tests and more tests my choices were either a second lumpectomy or a mastectomy as subsequent tests would reveal,
"Patient has multicentric disease which tested estrogen and progesterone receptor positive. A 1.9 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma and an additional 2.3 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma with extensive in situ carcinoma extending to multiple margins. Finale pathology demonstrates an infiltrating ductal carcinoma estimated to be 4 cm mass in size approaching the posterior margin within a � a millimeter in two areas." Ok, I think, with a lumpectomy I would have maybe a two ping pong size boob left which I could work with but I would always be wondering if ALL of the cancer was removed. That will be two little ping pong balls of a boob out of a starting point of about six ping pong balls, weighed against no cancer left in my body.
Hummm!
Oh thank God! Finally, fear over vanity. Ok, maybe it was just for a brief moment, but still. Choosing the mastectomy I fully intended reconstruction one day. So focused on restoring my chest to its pre-mastectomy state I failed to hear the radiologist say, "Radiation may preclude the possibility of breast implants."
Ah Yes. The power of the mind to let in only what it can handle in moments of distress. I even started thinking about a double boob job. I mean after all, I was 59 years old. What better justification for my shallow parts could my vanity critic part possible need than having a mastectomy? Ok then, I thought, maybe this will be the silver lining at the end of the storm. Off I went on my cavalier (if somewhat delusional) conveyer belt of cancer treatment.
Throughout my cancer diagnoses and lengthy treatment process, I experienced every conceivable emotion. In fact, every feeling seemed magnified. Regrets visited then revisited, sometimes humbled, existential questions manifested, considered then peacefully resolved only to repeat this entire process with every new procedure.
I didn't know then it was a process. I didn't know then all of these feelings were completely normal. Including the vanity. Yes, especially the vanity.
Dawn D. Novotny LCSW
104-C Hilltop Drive
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 683-7624 http://beyondtheparts.com http://beyondtheparts.net
Dawn Novotny LCSW, MTS, CDP, CP, is a clinician, teacher, author, and workshop leader. She is in private practice in Sequim, WA. since 1987. She specializes in systems theory focusing both on the "external" (family, cultural, roles) as well as the "internal" family system (internalized roles, parts, archetypes, ego states, conflicts, etc.). As a clinical practitioner of psychodrama, sociomety and group therapy, Dawn utilizes a variety of action methods. She conducts workshops in CA. and WA. She holds Masters Degrees in Clinical Social work, and theology. She was an adjunct professor at Seattle University. She is a nationally certified psychotherapist-dramatist.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cancer:-Vanity-Trumps-Fear&id=6604036] Cancer: Vanity Trumps Fear

Awareness: Remember

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Laurali_Noteman]Laurali Noteman
I believe it all started with chivalry. When the brave knight would ride into battle wearing the colors of his family, or the flag bearer leading the troops, his banner proudly held high for all to see, and no mistake to be made who they were fighting for.
Perhaps the Lady offering her Knight her colors at the beginning of a joust to show all present that he was her champion.
If you rode in the cavalry in the 19th century you might hear "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" being sung as men rode to war, (or more than likely from John Wayne's movie). Holding that one piece of home, a small reminder that someone cared. Someone was waiting for his return. Perhaps it started then.
In the 1970's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" was popular. It sang of guy getting out of prison. Wondering against all odds, would his love still be waiting for him? If there was no yellow ribbon tied around the tree, he would "stay on the bus, forget about us". Ahhhh, but when his bus arrived there were 100 yellow ribbons tied around the old oak tree.
Taking that to heart Penney Laingen, whose husband was being held hostage in Iraq tied yellow ribbons around the trees in her front yard. Friends and family followed suit and to this day we all know that someone is waiting for someone to come home when we see those yellow ribbons.
I don't know about you but I know and relate to that feeling. One of the hardest things I ever had to do at the young age of 18 was take my new husband to the airport. We had to say goodbye, he left for Viet Nam. We waited 13 months and he returned. (Just as a side bar, we are celebrating our 44th anniversary this month, Oct. 2011.)
Take a look around the football stadium or basketball court. Our colors broadcast our champions. Win or lose they are our team, the other color is our rival those with whom we do battle.
Ribbons are no different. They boast our cause. They bring focus to our fight. They unite us as a team. Today there are days, weeks, months and colors encouraging us to remember. Remember those who won their battles and those who lost.
Regardless of when and who was responsible for the Awareness ribbons of today they still stand for strength, love and hope. Ribbons today let us collectively hold to the truth that we believe, care and still champion our causes by bringing Awareness to the public forefront. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and time for your pink ribbons, but it is also a great month to remember those causes which are worth fighting for.
Marky's Market will take a percentage of all earrings in the last 12 months, ending October 31, 2011 and donate to Kane County, Utah's, Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Coalition. http://www.markysmarket.com/results.cfm?category=38
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Awareness:-Remember&id=6600104] Awareness: Remember

Breast Cancer and Natural Options

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_J_Foreman]David J Foreman
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. To date, modern medicine is still taking the invasive approach to preventing the disease. Prevention should be built around understanding the disease including such things as; knowing the risk factors and lifestyle changes (including my 4-Pillars of Great Health).
Please don't take me the wrong way, I believe there is a time and place for modern medicine. The modern medical world does-in most cases-have our best interest at heart. My regret is that too often it (modern medicine) looks at the surface of health instead of the root of the problem. There should be more focus on education about lifestyle changes and less spent on potentially bogus research.
Who gets Breast Cancer?
Remarkably, some women who have one or more risk factors never get breast cancer. And most women who do get breast cancer don't have any risk factors at all. The crazy fact is-about 70% of women with breast cancer have no known risk factors. This is even more reason to live a healthier lifestyle. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Things you can't change
Age (risk rises as you get older)
Genetics
Sex (100 times more common in women)
Race (Whites more than African-American, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian)
Menstrual Periods (women who begin before 12 or end after the age(s) of 55)
Breast lesions (previous breast biopsy with abnormal cells)

Things you can change (if it isn't too late)
Child Birth (Either not having a child or having one after the age of 30)
Birth Control Pill use
Hormone Therapy
Not breast-feeding (breast-feeding lowers the risk)
Alcohol Use (especially 2 or more drinks per day)
Being Overweight
Exercise (increased activity decreases your risk)

Remember, risk factors are just that-having one or more of these will increase the possibility of developing the condition. Having any one of these isn't necessarily a sentence of doom, but should be treated as a wake-up call to take better care of you.
The following is based on "what would the Herbal Pharmacist do if he had this condition?" I choose to start with the following comments:
1. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known risk factors
2. No matter where the condition is-breast, colon, lung, etc.-CANCER can be life threatening.
3. Modern medicine does acknowledge that lifestyle choices (being overweight, smoking, eating habits, not enough exercise, etc.) increase your risk of developing cancer.
Having stated these (obvious to many) points, I am drawn to one conclusion: Lifestyle is the one constant in the majority (probably all-but I don't have the time to look it up) of the forms of cancer we get. If we could just change certain things about how we live (LIFESTYLE) we probably wouldn't get cancer. In past articles on cancer I stated that you won't get cancer if your immune system is functioning optimally. Cancer cells are abnormal cells. If your immune system was working the way it should, it would identify the bad cells and destroy them. I believe that because of the many lifestyle choices we make (not following my 4-Pillars of Great Health), we place our bodies in harms way by decreasing the effectiveness of our immune system.
As I state, the 4-Pillars are Supplements, Diet, Activity and Spirituality. Let's start with Dietary supplements. Whether I have this condition or I am looking to not develop it, I would look to the same basic supplements. Doses may change based on your condition and its severity. (Someone with Stage IV cancer would be more aggressive with dosing than someone who is just looking at prevention) This is the laundry list of supplement you should consider:
Green Tea
Melatonin
Lignans (Flax)
EPA/DHA (Fish oil)
I3C (comes from cruciferous veggies) (besides diet, use cruciferous extracts)
IP-6
DIM
Calcium D-Glucarate
Iodine (or other natural sources of this mineral)
Maitake Mushroom (extract-I prefer D-Fraction from Maitake Products)
Vitamin D3
Vitamin A (use caution-high doses are linked to liver damage)
CoQ10
Turmeric

Of these listed supplements, many can be purchased in "breast health" supplements. Examples such as Advanced Breast Support (M.D. Select) and Healthy Cells Breast (Enzymatic Therapy) would be a great step in the right direction. I would use these as part of my foundation when building the Herbal Pharmacist Dietary supplement program.
The next level up would be to use a good antioxidant targeting your condition. Supplements like Super Critical Antioxidant (New Chapter) would be a great fit. You may wish to add more antioxidants if you wish to be more aggressive. Finding a combination antioxidant which contains CoQ10, A, and maybe the herbs Green Tea and Turmeric would be great. I also throw Flor*Essence Tea into this level. This amazing tea is ALWAYS part of my supplement recommendations for those with cancer concerns. Not only is it a great antioxidant, but also possesses detoxification properties. I especially like its ability to work on cleansing the lymphatic system. This system is critical in all forms of cancer, but especially breast cancer. I have had great success using this tea on a daily basis. Doses ranging from 1-2 ounces per day to the more aggressive 4-8 ounces per day (very severe cases) (this large dose will usually cause side effects like digestive discomfort and diarrhea)
The third level of supplementation would be your fish oil supplement. The jury is still out on how much is enough without going overboard (no pun intended). I usually recommend we consume 2-3 grams per day as part of maintaining great health. Perhaps 5-10 grams per day would be considered the high end for a more aggressive approach.
Even though a probiotic is not listed above, I believe we all should be taking a daily supplement of these friendly bacteria. There isn't any research to say it helps, but with more "good guys" in your digestive system, your body can focus on doing positive work instead of energy on another health issue that my crop up due to insufficient friendly bacteria. Look for a guaranteed delivery product like Reuteri Pearls (Nature's Way) or MD Select for blended formulations.
As I always preach-you can't do just one Pillar and expect to be a healthy individual. Let's take a quick look at other recommendation for those concerned with Breast Cancer.
Diet
I feel like a broke record, but here it goes. Throw away and stop consuming refined foods. (Especially Sugar and flour based products) I define a refined foods as a food that isn't in its original state-Don't Eat It! (Pasta, bread, bagels, refined oils, etc.) You can eat: Whole foods! Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, meats (organic lean cuts), chicken (organic), eggs (organic) and fish (not too much because of heavy metal toxicity) I prefer being heavy on the fruits and veggies and lighter on the animal proteins. If you are having trouble with the fruits and veggies, then buy powdered supplements that contain fruit and vegetable extracts. If you're into soy, eat fermented soy products like tofu. (I recommend staying away from soy because there are too many conflicting studies about it being beneficial or harmful-especially with estrogen positive forms of cancer)
Activity
Studies show that exercise reduces breast cancer risk. I teach in my seminars that regardless of health challenge you are fighting or preventing to walk briskly 30-45 minutes per day. Brisk walking is defined like this: If you are walking with someone and talking, you should be having trouble catching your breath. According to the American Cancer Society website (   rel=nofollow [http://www.cancer.org/]www.cancer.org ) one study found that as little as 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 and a half hours of brisk walking per week reduced the risk by 18%. Their recommendation is you exercise for 45 to 60 minutes 5 or more days a week
Mind/Spirit
I have covered the power of prayer and the belief in GOD before. I think that the majority of us understand the power of religion (whatever you may follow) and our overall health outcome. I recommend we all take a deeper look into our hearts and souls to help us be healthier individuals. What about the mind/body connection? My favorite source for this is Louise Hay. Louise Hay believes there is a mental or emotional link to our health (and so do I). I recommend you get her book(s) and begin working on replacing your negative thought/emotion with a positive one. Too often we overlook the mind/spirit component of health. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired then there is no time like the present to start.
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How Digital Mammography Is Improving Breast Screening

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Glinn_Klienberg]Glinn Klienberg
Detecting breast cancer as early as possible is essential to breast care and to ensure that survival isn't a matter of luck but a matter of science. The best way to detect breast cancer is with a mammography and digital mammography is the most accurate method available today. The main reason for this is because computers aid in the diagnostic phase and are able to detect cancers much sooner than other methods and years before they can be felt as a lump.
The general rule of thumb is that you should have mammograms each year once you turn 40. They also state that a baseline mammogram should be taken when you're around thirty-five as this will be the one all other mammograms are compared to. Having all mammograms digital will make for the most accurate baseline as well as comparisons as well. Even though these guidelines have been suggested for years, you have to do things differently if you're in a high-risk category.
If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, especially if someone in your immediate family such as your mother, grandmother or sister has had breast cancer this places you in a high risk group. If you don't know your family history, for instance if you lost your mother at a young age, the best way is to assume you're in a high-risk group which changes the guidelines significantly. Instead of having a baseline digital mammogram when you're thirty-five, have one when you're thirty instead. To be on the safe side, you'll want to start having your yearly mammograms when you reach 35 as those in the high-risk category have higher chances of developing breast cancer much younger as well.
An added suggestion for those in high risk groups is to have a mammogram done twice a year after age forty as well. With digital mammography and a good baseline to compare with, any changes noticed by the technologist can be examined sooner and a core biopsy with a breast MRI can be done immediately to see if the change is benign or malignant. Catching things early enables doctors to cut out the problem area without having to resort to more drastic measures such as a mastectomy.
Since there is currently no way to vaccinate against breast cancer, detecting it early is the best way to survive it. Take every precaution possible such as doing self-exams regularly, getting breast cancer screening exams and having digital mammograms done to ensure that if you do develop breast cancer, it's caught early. [http://www.porterhospital.org/breastcare]Breast care is extremely important for woman of any age but many simply don't think about how exams can literally save their lives. The Porter Breast & Mammogram Center at Porter Adventist Hospital is leading the way in [http://www.porterhospital.org/breast-diagnostics]breast cancer screening and treatment.
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What You Should Know About Older Women and Breast Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Bishop]Charlotte Bishop
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I had a question from one of my clients about why should she worry about breast cancer "at her age?" We devote a lot of press to mothers and daughters and sisters and spouses, but what about grandmothers and great-grandmothers? What I am going to share with you in this posting may seem a bit of a surprise, because we tend to focus a lot of our attention on women who are in their prime when we think about breast cancer. We may even think that older - and very post-menopausal - women need not be as concerned about a medical risk often associated with hormonal activity.
There has been research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering that basically says that regular testing works as well if not better for older patients as it does for younger patients, because if the cancer is caught early - and therefore small - these women have a very favorable prognosis. In other research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston doctors followed about 65,000 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer using Medicare data alongside women without breast cancer who numbered 170,000. Women over 65 who were diagnosed in this group with what is called ductal cell carcinoma in situ and stage I cancer - what they refer to as DCIS - were just as likely to survive for the study period of eight years as those without this diagnosis. Now, this is the amazing part. The women who were diagnosed before 80 years of age actually lived a bit longer than women who did not have breast cancer.
Treatment decisions can be complicated for older patients. And it is mostly because older patients tend to have other medical issues going on which providers refer to as co-morbidities. As we get older, we may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or something else. In other research physicians have found that more conservative, non-surgical, non-radiation, even non-chemotherapy can be effective. But again, it comes down to early detection to avoid the complications of a more aggressive cancer.
Even if we just come out and say women who got breast exams were just taking better care of themselves, early detection seems to be working better for older women than their younger counterparts. And, of course, we should take the larger lesson that early diagnosis and treatment are incredibly important for any elder for whom we are caregivers. When I first looked into breast cancer and older patients I actually thought I was going to find professionals suggesting it is not as essential to have breast exams as patients get older. The research seems to be saying that doctors ought to be talking to their female patients at every age, because stage II and stage III patients did not fair as well. Talk to your provider to see what is optimal for the age of the elder for whom you care.
Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of [http://www.creativecasemanagement.com]Creative Case Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families. Please email your questions to  [mailto:ccbishop@creativecasemanagement.com]Charlotte Bishop.
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Benefits Of Eating Walnuts Include Lower Risk Of Getting Breast Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker]Kirsten Whittaker
Delicious news. You can add tasty, crunchy walnuts to the types of foods that might just help lower your risk of getting breast cancer. A just released study supports earlier work that suggested one of the benefits of eating walnuts as a regular part of your diet each day is that they can significantly cut your risk of breast cancer.
Walnuts can even help you combat the disease once you've been diagnosed. Figures show that one in eight women will deal with breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
Risks for breast cancer that you can't control include your age, being female, having a family history of disease, a genetic defect, your menstrual history or having been treated with radiation at a younger age.
However, there are risk factors you can control - things you can do something about. Like how much alcohol you drink (maximum of 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day), when you have your children, if you take hormone replacement therapy and of course, if you're carrying too much weight.
The research on breast cancer and walnuts was done on mice, with the researchers following the lifespan of the mice. They monitored the mother's diet when she was pregnant as well as the diet of her offspring through their lives.
The mice were divided into two groups, one that were given the equivalent of 2 ounces of walnuts a day in their daily diet, the second group following a typical diet but with no walnuts.
The team saw that mice who had been given walnuts had a significant lower risk of breast cancer, and for those that did they had fewer and smaller tumors.
The latest study found a 50% reduction in the quantities of mice who got breast cancer when eating walnuts every day.
The researchers feel that this warrants a recommendation of adding walnuts to your diet on a daily basis.
It's likely the omega-3 fatty acids are what make these tasty snacks so helpful. Experts recommend a maximum of 2 ounces (8 to 10 halves) per day of walnuts be added to your diet, because they are also high in calories.
Interesting that walnuts are also rich sources of a particularly beneficial form of vitamin E, and it may well be a combination of the good fats and the beneficial vitamin that brings benefits in terms of breast cancer.
This combination has also been shown to be especially helpful in terms of heart problems. Yet, despite this, few U.S. adults have made walnuts a daily addition to their diet - only 5.5% get about 1.25 ounces of tree nuts each day.
Walnuts are also a source of a phytonutrient that is not in other commonly found in other foods.
It's easy to get walnuts at your local store, a benefit in terms of freshness. This delicious nut can be chopped and added to a salad, veggie dishes, stuffing recipes, sprinkled over fruits, yogurts or desserts. You should try to include the skin, a white sometime waxy, flaky outer part of the walnut you'll see after it's been shelled - 90% of the beneficial phenols in walnuts come from the skin.
It's hard to deny the many benefits of eating walnuts, even if the most recent research of lowering the risk of getting breast cancer was done on mice and not on people.
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Breast Cancer And How It Can Be Diagnosed

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Ezie_Efoghor]Joseph Ezie Efoghor
The diagnosis of breast cancer is made only after all careful and thorough examinations of both breasts have been done. Usually both physical, radiographic or infra-red and laboratory examinations are carried out before arriving at a conclusive diagnosis. These have to be examined by the doctor who would decide whether the cells are normal or distorted by cancerous growth.
Physical examination
This is usually done by checking both breasts to see if there are abnormalities in their shape, size, colour, etc. They are checked for unusual rashes, lumps, dimpling, nodules, etc. The nipples may be squeezed to check for fluid discharge.
Besides, should there be any lump (whether small or big), the shape and texture is checked to be sure if it is benign or malignant cancer. Malignant lumps are likely to be hard, firmly attached and odd, whereas benign tumours are likely to be movable, soft and smooth.
Mammography
This is the radiographic or infra-red examination of the breasts to detect abnormalities. Abnormalities to look out for include lumps or precancerous cells. It is advisable for women who are already 40 years or older to have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. This usually helps to detect any strange development even before they become palpable or visible to the naked eyes.
Mammothermography
This is another way of detecting cancerous cells. It involves measuring the amount of heat given off by the breast, using infra-red photography. Usually the amount of blood supplied to the cancerous cells is higher than that supplied to the surrounding normal cells. This method can be used for the early detection of breast cancer.
Biopsy
This is the removal of some tissues of breast for special examination for the purpose of diagnosing breast cancer. This can either be aspiration, excisional, needle or punch biopsy.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound are ultrasonic waves used for the examination of interior organs of the body. This can also be used to determine whether the lump felt on palpation of the breasts is cancerous or not. The computer pictures produced would show the type of lump, if it is solid or just a cyst.
Laboratory investigations
Apart from the afore-mentioned examinations, laboratory investigations could be ordered to determine the actual cause of the cancer. Some of the tests that could be done include hormone receptor test to determine if the tumour is caused by oestrogen or progesterone or both; and HER2/neu test to determine whether the tumour is caused by HER2/neu protein.
However, diagnosis should not be made in haste until all necessary investigations are carried out. This is because some conditions of the breast may resemble cancer: to avoid wrong diagnosis and danger arising from the application of wrong therapy, thorough investigations have to be done. After the investigations, the results are interpreted by the doctor before prescription of drugs and treatments are commenced. [http://www.africannursesforum.com]Join My Health Forum to learn more on how to take care of your health. Joseph Ezie Efoghor is a Registered Nurse and Safety Officer. To get more of his write-ups, visit http://www.africannursesforum.com/blog
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Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer - What You Need To Know Before Undergoing The Treatment

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Celine_Yong]Celine Yong
Chemotherapy is generally prescribed as a treatment for patients with early stage breast cancer. It is also the treatment of choice for patients with high-risk metastatic breast cancer. The drugs used in the treatment kill rapidly dividing tumor cells that may be spreading through the body. This helps reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in another part of the body.
Chemotherapy can also be used as the main treatment for cancer that has spread outside the breast and underarm area. It can also be used to shrink a large tumor prior to surgery. The treatment can be administered in-patient, outpatient, at home or a combination of these. Chemotherapy for breast cancer and tamoxifen have been shown to independently reduce the risk of developing a second cancer in the other breast. The risk reduction may persist for at least five to ten years.
Chemotherapy also works best in younger women. This treatment is usually administered between two to six weeks following surgery and continues for total of three to six months. The same treatment is usually given after surgery because it can reduce the chance of the cancer returning. This is known as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and may boost cure rates by as much as fifteen percent.
One may therefore conclude that chemotherapy is the initial choice for the treatment of breast cancer. However, there are several factors to be considered before deciding to undergo the treatment.
Before the doctor decides to recommend chemotherapy to his or her breast cancer patient, the doctor would generally take into consideration the age of the patient, as well as her life stage. While chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery may slow the progression of recurrent breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation can permanently damage ovaries.
Early menopause may set in when the ovaries stop producing estrogen. If a patient is relatively young and plans to start a family eventually, she could first have her eggs harvested for future use before undergoing chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy should not be given during the first three months of pregnancy as it may cause fetal malformations. The treatment has been more widely used in the second and third trimesters, as organogenesis is complete. However, it may still cause early labor and low birth weight.
Other research has shown that chemotherapy may affect a developing fetus in the second or third trimester. If the breast cancer must be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy and if your oncologist deems the treatment may harm the fetus, you may face the painful decision of having to end your pregnancy. This decision will likely depend on the stage of cancer, the age of the fetus and the mother's chance of survival. Be sure to discuss with your oncologist to make sure you fully understand the risks before commencing your treatment.
While the chemotherapy kills the cancer cells, it will leave the patient weak. Your medical oncologist and nurse will discuss possible side effects with you before treatment begins.
To cope with the side effects, be sure to get adequate rest between treatments. Eat non greasy, nutritious food and drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices to ensure that your body is well nourished. Take multivitamins if necessary. Vitamins and minerals to take with chemotherapy for breast cancer would include Vitamin C and D, as well as calcium, magnesium and zinc, among others.
Taking multivitamins with minerals after diagnosis was found to be associated with a 20% lower risk of recurrence and 29% lower risk of breast cancer-specific death compared to never using multivitamins.You may also eat organic yogurt as a way of helping your digestive tract to recover and repopulate your gut with friendly bacteria to boost your immune system.
Click on [http://www.healthtipsforwomen.net/breast-cancer-treatment/types-of-breast-cancer-treatments]types of breast cancer treatments for the latest information on the types of breast cancer treatments available. Celine Yong has done extensive research on women's health and beauty. Visit her blog at http://healthtipsforwomen.net for more valuable tips on breast cancer treatment.
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Interesting Facts About Human Hair Wigs

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mary_E_Case]Mary E Case
Human hair wigs are everywhere these days. You can find them in shopping malls, boutiques, salons and even on your favorite TV show. Seeing various types of wigs is really a feast to the eyes. There are numerous reasons why women love to wear wigs.
Some wear wigs because they want to get a new look every now and then without the need of expert stylists from the salon. Others may have undergone therapy or are suffering from extreme hair loss which is why they wear wigs. Isn't it amazing how easily these major changes can now be done these days?
Oftentimes, those who wear wigs are looking for those that are easy to use and ones that fit perfectly on them. Aside from that, these women also want wigs that are natural looking. Due to this reason, human hair wigs are what they should use.
These wigs don't look artificial; they actually look like real hair! What's good about these wigs is that they don't have to look the same all the time. If you want to change the way they look, you can easily style them, cut them or color them just the way you like it. How long can a wig last? Actually, it depends upon how it is taken care of.
If a wig is properly styled, shampooed and conditioned, it will surely last for a long time. If you are planning to buy your very own human wig, then you should be prepared for its cost because it usually doesn't come out cheap. When compared to synthetic wigs, these wigs are more costly. You also need to equip yourself with the knowledge on how to take care of your wig properly so that you can extend its life span. Are you wondering how real wigs look like?
Most of the time, these wigs have nylon mesh caps attached to them. However, this construction still varies for every manufacturer.
If what you're looking for is a wig that looks very natural, then you must always look for one that is tied to a monofilament top wig cap. You should specify this to the salesperson of the store in which you plan to buy one. Did you know that a wig may also be brushed?
This is because it is composed of hairs that are hand tied. This means it can move in almost any way possible. If you want to get several styles out of your wig, you can do so with the use of a flat iron, curlers and a blow drier. When you look around the market, you will notice that these wigs are either unstyled, semi styled or styled. They also usually have extra hair in them so that they can be re-styled anytime. With all of these to offer, human hair wigs are clearly worth buying.
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The Ever Changing Screens For Breast Cancer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Charles_M._Counce,_M.D.]Charles M. Counce, M.D.
We've been seeing a lot of NFL players wearing pink this month. Every October, we celebrate our strides against breast cancer and push to make people aware of the disease and help hunt for a cure. Certainly, when efforts such as these have come before, we have been stalwart, and winners against cancer. All one has to do is look back on the 1960's and see the horrible disease that childhood leukemia was, and now, 95% survival rates and 60% remission rates are the rule. Or how about cervical and uterine cancer, and our success against this one time leading cause of cancer death in women, now controlled.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important. Over the years it has helped to raise awareness of the severity of the disease in medical and economic impact. Ultimately, we look for ways to save human lives. Much has changed over the years. One has to remember that just not long ago, we "Baby Boomers" watched as our mothers succumbed to the most common death inducing cancer in women, uterine cancer. That's right. Up until the early 1970's, this was the cancer most common in killing women. The fight with breast cancer has been ongoing, with diagnostic screening meeting new challenges around every turn.
In 1959, the introduction of a standard screen called The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear changed everything, and a national campaign to get women into the doctor for Pap screenings created a paradigm shift in the routine care of women when visiting their doctor. With this tool, we eventually discovered that there was a culprit now known as, "The Papillomavirus"; we were able to develop a vaccine against. With this victory, however, Breast cancer became the real malignant villain in taking down women. It has become rampant, involving all kinds of theories as to cause, including everything from medicines, hormones, and lifestyle practices to oncogenetics and environmental exposure.

Controversial guidelines in physical screenings and imaging continue to change. Economically, it seems sometimes that insurance companies drive our screening studies. Basing guidelines on thready actuarial information, they change mammography guidelines constantly, jumping on any information that suggests spending less on screening. Now, a recent study suggests that mammography may not be as important as previously thought in reducing a woman's risk of dying from breast cancer. Coming on the heels of guideline changes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2009, indicating women do not need mammograms in their 40s, this latest research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, adds another "scratch your head" position to the idea that mammograms make a substantial impact in saving lives.

The study, conducted in Norway, showed that women who receive breast cancer screenings have a 10 percent lower risk of dying from cancer, but researchers could trace only a third of this so-called reduced risk to mammograms themselves. Screenings reduced death from breast cancer by only 2.4 per 100,000 women. The Norwegian study followed more than 40,000 women with breast cancer.

American women shouldn't be too quick to back away from recommended biannual screenings for breast cancer for those over age 50, however. Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, feels the Norwegian study was too short in duration. According to Dr. Brawley, "The report's estimate of the relative value of mammography is lower than in a number of previous screening studies". This may be due to the relatively short two year follow-up of the population. Brawley points out, that most randomized trials have at least 10 years of follow-up after the last round of screenings, and many have covered periods of 20 to 40 years.

Dr. Daniel B. Kopans, professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, agrees and feels the study was incomplete and not long enough in duration. "This study contradicts other studies from the Netherlands and Sweden which show just the opposite, namely that screening accounts for over 60% of the decrease in deaths seen over the past 50 years," he says. "I suspect that most everyone who cares for women with breast cancer would acknowledge that therapy only saves lives when breast cancers are found and treated early."
As a physician, I must add that the ability of doctors to perform a thorough palpatory exam is crucial. Many doctors just have their patient lie down on the exam table and circumferentially feel both breasts and consider them examined. The real physician will ask pertinent questions while examining the "patient", not just their breasts. In addition, the exam should start with a visual exam of the patient and her breasts, looking carefully for skin and nipple changes, and then utilizing maneuvers that force breast tissue to respond to different angles of muscular contraction along the chest wall. This captures lesions deep along the ligamentous attachments of the breasts. This should then be followed with a very thorough palpatory exam of both breasts and the axillae.
I should also comment that regular breast cancer screenings heighten women's awareness of the disease. This leads to early detection and a better prognosis. While the American Cancer Society no longer recommends monthly breast self-examination, I feel current guidelines regarding mammography should not be changed. The total body of science supports the fact that regular mammography is an important part of a woman's preventative health care.
Wear some pink this month,
Dr. Counce
Dr. Counce founded The Conservatory of Medical Arts and Sciences. A non-profit higher education platform institution, The Conservatory of Medical Arts and Sciences began as a medical academy and tutorship to aid local college students in Colorado Springs, Colorado, however, The Conservatory website has grown and now reaches not only a large contingent of college students in the United States, but has reached World Wide. We now have a vast number of supporters and users in Europe, including France, Germany, The Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, and The United Kingdom. Our large base of supporters and students in China, India, Japan, and The Republic of Korea, continues to grow exponentially.
Dr. Counce maintains a regular blog at The Conservatory website called The Searchlight Messenger.
The Doctor is well known to provide a well rounded, leadership level educational experience to any teaching environment. He pursues an attitude of "make everyone glad they met with you today". He commands authority of knowledge, is an eloquent speaker, pursues the student/mentor relationship, and cultivates introspection.
Visit The Conservatory at http://www.venture17.com
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