The Conventional Medical Treatment for Breast Cancer

Current statistics report that one woman in nine will get breast cancer in her lifetime. This does not mean that a 30-year-old woman is at high risk of developing breast cancer at that point in her life, but rather that she has a one-in-nine chance of developing the condition at some point in her life. In actuality, a woman has a I-in-5900 chance of having breast cancer at age 30, and a risk of 1-in-800 at age 80. Men rarely develop breast cancer.

Heredity plays a large role in determining a woman's risk for breast cancer. People who have three or more close relatives with the condition, and people whose families have breast cancer in more than one generation are at increased risk. People who have relatives with early onset of breast cancer, cancer in both breasts, or ovarian cancer also have an elevated risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have mutations of the BRCAI or BRCA2 genes have up to an 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer by age 70. This genetic mutation occurs most often in Jewish women of Ashkenazi descent.

Yet, heredity is not the only risk factor for developing breast cancer. A high-fat diet, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, giving birth to a child after the age of 30 or not giving birth at all, an early onset of menstruation, and menopause after age 52 are all thought to increase breast cancer risk. Exposure to environmental toxins are another suspected risk factor. On the other hand, some women develop breast cancer without being in any of the high-risk groups.

Signs and Symptoms

A lump or thickening in the breast or the tissue surrounding the breast

Tenderness in the breast

Swelling in the armpit area

Change in the appearance of the breast (one may be higher than the other, or take on a different shape)

An area of flattening or indentation of the skin of the breast Change in color or texture of the breast

Change in the nipple (nipple may be retracted, dimpled, itchy, or flaking)

Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you notice even a slight change in one or both breasts, visit your physician immediately, since breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and to other parts of the body. Your doctor physically examines your breasts and takes a mammogram, or breast X-ray. If the mammogram reveals a mass of tissue, or is unclear, your physician may recommend an ultrasound test. This diagnostic test uses sound waves to create an image of interior breast tissue. It is used not only to pinpoint the location of a mass, but to help determine whether the mass is cancerous. In many cases, a needle biopsy is required to confirm diagnosis. There are two types of needle biopsies. During fine needle aspiration, a small needle is inserted into the breast lump. If the lump is a cyst and not a tumor, fluid will drain from it when pierced with the needle. If the lump is a tumor, cells are removed for examination. During a core needle biopsy, actual breast tissue cells are removed for examination.

If the tumor is less than 4 centimeters in size, it can be surgically removed with a lumpectomy (removal of the lump), followed by radiation. If the tumor is large, mastectomy (removal of the breast and underlying tissue) is necessary. After mastectomy, the breast can be reconstructed either at the time of surgery or at a later date. During breast cancer surgery, lymph nodes from the underarm are removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells. Women with positive lymph nodes require follow-up chemotherapy or hormone therapy with tamoxifen. There are several treatment options for breast cancer, depending on ,the size of the tumor, lymph node involvement, and whether the tumor cells have positive or negative estrogen receptors. Women should discuss the various options with their physicians.

Hormone therapy is another common method of treating breast cancer. The hormone tamoxifen blocks the effects of estrogen on the breast, which in turns stops the growth of cancerous cells. Unfortunately, tamoxifen has been shown to raise the risk of uterine cancer, so women are screened carefully before being given the drug.

Thank natural to make herbals for good life!

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Natural Cancer Treatment Vs Conventional Cancer Treatment

During anti cancer treatment (Conventional cancer treatment), it is difficult to protect the healthy cells of side effects caused by the drugs administered. Although the effects of treatment vary according to each patient and the medications used, all cancer patients suffer adverse effects of treatment that affect their skin, look and internal organs. An important part of the work of clinicians and patients is to precisely manage those potential side effects. The role of this article is to summarize the main side effects caused by different types of conventional cancer treatments and potential natural treatment (including nutrition, remedies and immunotherapy). Let’s start with the conventional methods.

There are four (4) types of anti cancer treatment:

Surgery – Surgery, the oldest form of cancer treatment, is used in cancer treatment either to remove only the tumor, or the entire organ. Cancer surgery offers the greatest chance for cure of cancers that have not spread to other parts of the body. However, no matter how successful a surgery can be, it provokes one or all the following side effects: - Risk of wound infection - Damage to internal organs and blood vessels during surgery - Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs after surgery, especially if a person remains in bed for a long time - Reactions to anesthesia or other medicines. Although rare, these can be serious because they can cause dangerously low blood pressures. - Problems with other organs, such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys. These are very rare but can happen and can be life-threatening.

Radiotherapy - Radiation therapy is the use of ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered externally (external beam radiotherapy) or internally (brachytherapy). Unfortunately, radiation can cause severe blood changes including drop in production of new blood cells, nausea, anemia and vomiting. Other short/long-term side effects of radiotherapy may include: - Irritation and burning of the skin - Infertility - radiation to the testicles can cause permanent loss of sperm production - Fatigue is a common effect of radiation. It may be linked to anemia or weakened immune system - Brain disorder - radiation therapy to the brain can cause changes in brain function that can lead to memory loss, lower sexual desire, etc. - Skin disorder - radiation therapy can make your skin become tender or sensitive. The skin may also become dry and itchy. Peeling of the skin may occur. - Second cancers – the radiation itself can cause Second cancers (metastases) - Erectile dysfunction - radiation therapy to the pelvis can damage the arteries and nerves that supply the penis and cause problems with erections

Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, its effects affect both healthy cells as cancer cells. Generally, these effects depend to a large proportion of drugs prescribed and their dosage. The anti-cancer drugs quickly affect cell division. This means that the white blood cells, which fight against infection, are also affected. This combination of factors explains why patients are more prone to infections and fatigue or even anemia during cancer treatment. Similarly, this change of cell division causes hair loss or alopecia. Intestinal disorders such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and finally lesions in the mouth (mucositis) can be observed.

Hormonotherapy - Side effects caused by hormonotherapy depend largely on the type of treatment used and prescribed medicines. One of the drugs in hormonotherapy is called Tamoxifen: it has the effect of depriving cancer cells of estrogen. The Tamoxifen can cause hot flashes, irritation or vaginal discharge, nausea and irregular menstruation.

During and after cancer treatment (conventional treatment)

Here are some advices that can help: Keep your diet low in saturated fats. Use mostly unsaturated fats such as fish oil and flax seed oil which are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Eat fruits and raw vegetables abundantly; fruits and cruciferous vegetables reduce the risk of all types of cancers and their reoccurrences. Increase your intake of calcium; High intake of calcium reduces the risk of certain type of cancers. Maintain a normal weight; too much body fat is associated with a great number of diseases. Eat foods rich in antioxidant nutrients. Do not smoke! Cigarette smoke, including second hand smoke, is the number one cause of lung cancer. Exercise regularly and keep your body hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids daily; Silver water is necessary. Increase your fiber consumption; It is proven in several researches high fiber lower the chances of having colorectal cancers. Reduce stress, anxiety and depression by laughing, praying and singing; prayer is key to opening the door of impossibility.

Natural cancer treatment

Alternative cancer treatment is the use of herbal remedies to address the causes of the cancer (not just the symptoms) and boost the immune system to fight against pathogens and help the body heal itself. Taken regularly, certain natural herbal remedies may help to maintain the healthy functioning of every cell in your body and strengthen the immune system to ensure continued health and vitality. As we all know, a healthy strong immune system is a key element in protecting the body against infection or diseases like cancer, as well as in the promotion of recovery after illness and during cancer treatment.

By: Remy Vixamar
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Tanning And Cancer

If one were living in any of the colder regions of the world, the tell tale signs of having enjoyed a good vacation would be to wear a tan, acquired from hours of lazing in the sun, on some beach. Better still, is the idea of wearing a tan regularly by resorting to tanning under a tanning bed, under artificial conditions. While the latter form of tanning may look very authentic and satisfactory, it is a process of tanning that is fraught with the risk of cancer.

Thus, the debate on tanning and the risks of cancer has been raging as a debatable issue with strong contenders on both sides. Several studies have shown that tanning under a tanning bed can increase the risk of getting cancer. On the other hand studies have shown that tanning has helped reduce the risks of cancer by its controlled system that reduces the risk of sunburn.

The UV rays that tanning under lights creates stimulates the skin cells. The activated and stimulated skin cells produce more melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Thus a tanning bed activates this principle under controlled conditions and the fashion industry has promoted this method, making it highly popular among Scandinavian women. That is why the effects of tanning and the risk of cancer have been extensively carried out among this category of women. The results have shown that among the women who regularly resorted to tanning, the risk of developing cancer had increased to 55%. In the same way a similar study carried out at Dartmouth concluded that the regular user of the tanning method was two and half times more likely to develop cancer.

The above studies as well as findings from independent sources had led the American Medical Association (AMA) to adopt a resolution calling for a total ban on tanning under light, so as to prevent the incidence of cancer from this source. But the US Federal Trade Commission (USFTC) was no twilling to go with them on this resolution and declined to institute such a ban. The contention of the USFTC was that the use and sale of tanning equipment for cosmetic purposes could be permitted as it had certain healthy benefits accruing from its use.

Supporting the argument put forth by the Federal Trade Commission lobby another organization, namely the Tanning Trends, contended that tanning on a tanning bed actually reduced the risk f developing skin cancer. Their argument was based on the fact that as the conditions of tanning were being done in a controlled environment the tanning process was completely regulated and there was no risk of getting sunburn in the process. In a natural condition, as on a beach the holiday maker for instance, had no control over the tanning process and if the sun was hot then there were chances of getting too much sunburn, in the bargain. Such exposure to sunburn ran the risk of getting cancer even more. Thus by getting a tanning done on a tanning bed, the cancer could actually be prevented altogether.

Tanning And Cancer
by Javier Fuller

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Cancer Hair Loss And What It Entails

As we all have knowledge of in today’s world there are numerous causes out there for the condition hair loss whether it is hereditary or some kind of underlying health condition or the over treatment of hair. The thing is by far one of the worst ways to lose your hair is through what is called more or less cancer hair loss. This usually happens or occurs when a person is dealing with a certain type of cancer and undergoes evident amount baldness on their head.

The real spin on this type of hair loss that comes as result of cancer is because the chemotherapy those cancer patients usually have to attend as a form of treatment for the disease. Chemotherapy basically is the use of drugs and/or medication along with radiation in the case of cancer to cure disease destroying cancer cells that have spread to parts of the body far away from the primary (original) tumor. The radiation however is very powerful and most times result in damaging the hair shaft at root of the scalp and causes baldness.

What should not be forgotten or mistaken is that the medication taken can also result in hair loss. That is the main reason why before starting a medication plan you should gain awareness of the drugs and the side effects of such by sitting down and having a one on one with your doctor.

What should be expected?

As it is related to cancer hair loss, it is of utmost importance to the patient him/herself to realize and have knowledge of what is to be expected and be ready for what is to come. Really and truly when you think of it you might take your hair granted that is has always been there and will always be there, unless of course that hair loss runs in your family, you might realize the importance of it to you until there is a pending threat that you will lose it. What you have to know is, if you have cancer and you are to undergo chemotherapy then hair loss is a very big possibility, probably a define one.

This is not to say your hair will fall out as a result because this is not always the case. The hair loss is really dependent on you the person, especially in the case of your hair type and also how far along your cancer is.

Is this Avoidable?

Is it? Think about it, cancer hair is really inevitable no matter how you look at it, unless of course you decide that your hair is to important and you pass up the chemotherapy and as such voluntarily put your life at risk. Now really is there even a minute comparison here, really even a choice, now think, your life or your hair, your life or your hair, are you getting the gist. The thing is the lost will eventually grow back anyway after the treatment is finished.

What you really should know hair loss unfortunately is not the only side that results for chemotherapy, there are also symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite; diarrhea, constipation, and nausea are also often experienced.

Though cancer hair loss is one the hardest types of hair loss to deal with because of the lack of options in treatment resulting from the interim where you taking the chemo medication, you can talk to your doctor if you do have a hair loss. This way he/she can along with properly assess your condition and find a way to deal with it and find a treatment plan that would work for you.

Cancer Hair Loss And What It Entails
by Trendon Cato

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Natural Healing Herbs For Cancer

Nature has its own ways to life, there are some bad things and good things as well to make us cheerful. The same goes for cancer. If the body can be infected by cancer then the body too has mechanisms to throw it away. These mechanisms help in fighting against cancer and revitalize immunity to further enhance our fighting abilities. There are groups of herbs (natural) that are potent in cancer prevention; the herbs have qualities like antioxidant & help revitalize the immune system, examples are given underneath

EXTRACTS OF MAITAKE

Chinese mushroom are used for these extracts. The extracts from Maitake are helpful in eradication of cancer cells & at the same time stops tumors from multiplying.

EXTRACTS FROM GREEN TEA

These extracts come from tea plant leaves; the leaf extracts have ECGC a chemical, the chemical as ingredients which can negate free radicals that can cause immense harm. Also cell replication is inhibited; replication is a major characteristic of cancer.

TURMERIC

There exists curcumin which is a therapeutic compound, it has been proved to be cancer fighter & stops growth of tumor, plus properties of immunity-stimulating.

Quercetin

In other term it is a citrus bioflavanoid, it has a good remedy to annul cell growth & also slows prostate cancer process.

RED CLOVER

It is derived form an herb having 3 leaves and has as many as 4 anti-tumor composite. Tocopherol is in excessive quantities, it too is a antioxidant that will suppress and kill free radicals that destroy cells.

Beta Glucan

They can rejuvenate the immune system as they are polysaccharides.

Vitamin C & K

Cancer growth will be inhibited by taking the two together. Liver cancer can be treated with Vitamin K.

Certain herbs are useful in treating cancer. If there is no relief then they could a minimal be reducing the free radicals, herbs increase life time period and thwart development of cancerous cells. Garlic extract, cat’s claw, L-arginine, suma, flaxseed, pau d’arco, Norwegian kelp, red clover, dandelion root, graviola & barberry help greatly. Specific conditions of cancer require specialized medication

· INTESTINAL and STOMACH CANCER: Cancer is a painful disease and more so when affecting the intestine & stomach. Shove off the cramping, bleeding and pain by consuming fennel, milk thistle extract, fenugreek, cat’s claw, goldenseal, cayenne, cascara sagrada, cinnamon bark, ginger root, psyllium husks, and oat bran.

· BONE CANCER: Cancer of bones could affect any bone, such as skull, spine, shins, pelvis, limbs, hips, ribs and others. In this type of cancer the bone is more likely to have fractures and becomes fragile too. Paget’s disease too might take over the body. This disease can get treatment in the form of coral calcium, glucosamine sulfate, L-phenylalanine, shavegrass, alfalfa, white willow bark, and nettle.

· PROSTATE CANCER: This type of cancer is the 2nd most reason leading to the death of men through cancer. This is certainly a life threatening disease. Graviola, dandelion root, saw palmetto, red clover, pygeum bark, licorice root, and yarrow can prove helpful.

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