Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer?
‡ Breast cancer is where cancerous (malignant) cells are found in the breast tissue.

Types Of Breast Cancer
Types of Breast Cancer: ‡ Ductal Cancer (effects the ducts and also is the most common type) ‡ Lobular Cancer (which begins in the lobes of the breast and often is found in both breasts) ‡ Inflammatory Cancer (its where the breast appears swollen and hot; its also very uncommon.)

Monthly Self Exams
‡ Its important to remember that monthly self exams are also a good tool for early detection.

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Mammograms
‡ Getting a mammogram is an effective way to detect breast cancer in its early stages. It is recommended by the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY that all women over 40 get a yearly mammogram. Its also recommended that women over 20 should get a mammogram every 2-5 years 2depending on your risk.

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Thermograph
‡ Thermograph is one of the newest ways to detect breast cancer. ‡ Thermograph is a thermal image of the breast tissue. ‡ It can also detect cancer before the traditional mammogram can.

Stages of Breast Cancer
Stage 0
‡ The first stage is stage 0. This stage is sometimes referred to as a ¶non-evasive circoma· ¶non‡ In this stage there are abnormal cells present that might suggest that one is at higher risk for cancer. ‡ Some women chose to have a double mastectomy to avoid the potential of cancer, while others take tomoxifen. ‡ Either way it is important to have regular check ups with your doctor.

Stages of Breast Cancer
Stage I
‡ This stage is where the tumor is less than 1 cm across, and has not spread into the surrounding areas.

Stage II
‡ Stage II is when the cancer is anywhere from 1-2 cm across, and 1has spread into the surrounding areas including the lymph nodes (which must also be removed to prevent the further spread of the cancer)

Stage III
‡ ‡ This is the stage for cancer in the advanced stages. Its more than 2 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes. A type of cancer most associated with this is called inflammatory breast cancer, because the breast is inflamed because the cancer is blocking the lymph nodes.

Stages of Breast Cancer
Stage IV
‡ The last stage of cancer is stage IV.

‡ In stage IV, the cancer has spread past the breast and the lymph nodes and needs immediate treatment of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to keep it under control.

‡ Then there is remission. If you are in remission you have an extremely high risk of reoccurrence with in the first 5 years after the last know cancer is killed.

Treatments
‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ One of the most widely used treatments is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is targeted directly to the specific area and the side effects are limited to the area being treated. Radiation works by killing all the cells in the effected area. There are two types of radiation, one is administered externally and one internally. External radiation is delivered over a 5-7 weeks and 5 times a 5week. It is delivered by an liner acceptor. And is the most common of the two. Internal radiation is where radioactive material is delivered directly into the site where the tumor was. This is usually done at the end of traditional radiation to give it an extra ´boostµ at the end of treatment.

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Radiation top 10
‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ Radiation kills the cancer cells left after surgery. Radiation therapy doesn't make you radio active. Radiation is painless when it·s delivered, but it will become more painful over time. Treatments will be given up to 5-7 weeks, 5 days a week. 5Treatments only take ½ hour so you can keep your routine. Your hair won·t fall out unless you are also taking chemotherapy. Your skin in the area may become red and easily irritated. You may feel tired even after its over. Radiation after surgery reduces the chances of the cancer reoccurring.

Chemotherapy
‡ Chemotherapy effects the whole body even if the cancer has not spread. ‡ Chemotherapy is often administered prior to surgery to reduce the size of the tumor to leave clear margins. ‡ Chemotherapy also reduces your leukocytes (white blood cells that is also our immune system), making you more susceptible to every day bugs. ‡ The side effects include nausea and, losing all your hair. ‡ Its administered through and IV or its also available in pill, and liquid form. ‡ As always its your choice and should not be taken lightly.

Herceptin
‡ Herceptin introduces the cancer to your immune system, taking a more proactive approach to the cancer by attacking the cancer like any other foreign invader in your body. ‡ Herceptin is only effective in certain types of cancer. ‡ Herceptin side effects include, fever, chills, muscle aches, and nausea. ‡ In rare cases (5%) heart trauma occurs which can lead to strokes, and even congestive heart failure.

Tamoxifen
‡ Tamoxifen has been used widely over the past 20 years as an effective tool to help eliminate the cancer. Many cancers love the estrogen, which is already in our body. Tamoxifen, also known as an anti-estrogen, works by blocking antithe estrogen receptors in the cancer preventing it from getting the estrogen it feeds on shrinking or eliminating the cancer completely. It has also been given to high risk patients to reduce the likelihood that they will get cancer. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and even swelling in your lips. ‡ ‡

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Alternative medicine
‡ There are also several alternative medicines that can help to reduce or eliminate breast cancer. ‡ Vitamin A, Betacarotine, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E all increase the effect of chemotherapy. ‡ CO-Q10 reduces the toxicity of chemotherapy CO‡ Vitamin D, and Cholecalciferol helps inhibits growth in cancer cells ‡ Melitonin (which is a natural chemical produced in our brain) blocks the estrogen receptors to the cancer

Alternative medicine
‡ Also Astragalus acts as an anti-viral and enhances the antinatural killer cells ‡ Cur cumin turmeric (is an anti tumor) increases you leukocyte production ‡ And Caud· Arco is a mild herb that acts as an anti tumor Therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and stress relieving techniques are also used. Treat the whole person not just the illness

Alternative medicines
‡ Perhaps the most amazing of them all is the 5 mushrooms also known as the : ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ´5 precious mushroomsµ Coroxlus versicolor also known as cloud fungus Ganoderma lucidum also known as reishi Grifolia frondosus also known as maitke Lentinus edodes also known as shiitake Poria cocos also known as poria

‡ These are classified as anti tumors, anti cancer, and anti growth naturalistic medicines.

Alternative medicines
‡ There is also currently a Chinese herbal remedy on the market, called ´canelim capsulesµ ‡ They contain radix curcume, herba agrimonia, and fructus aurantil ‡ It works by inhancing the immune system ‡ It reduces the tumor ‡ Quickly releases the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy ‡ It can prolong a patients life and enhanse their quality of life ‡ Enhances blood circulation to reduce pain ‡ Helps to strengthen the body

Bone marrow transplant
‡ Getting a bone marrow transplant is one of the newest options for cancer. ‡ It is used when you receive high doses of radiation and chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy kills all the cells both good, and bad it replaces what was destroyed by the treatments. ‡ Bone marrow is donated from another person and then frozen and placed in the cancer patients body by injection. ‡ A word of caution though this is still in the preliminary stages of trials & testing for breast cancer.

Nutrition
‡ Perhaps one of the best ways to help prevent cancer is an easy one but often overlooked. Diets high in meat, fast foods, refined carbohydrates, simple sugars, low in fruit and veggies are at high risk of developing cancer. Diets need to be well balanced in that you need to eat your 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Don·t forget the whole grain foods as well.

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Nutrition
‡ Alcohol is associated with increasing the chances of many types of cancer, including breast cancer. ´An average alcohol intake of three drinks per day is associated with doubling the risk of breast cancerµ One should also avoid smoking because it increases the risk also. Fiber is also an interregnal part of our daily diets. Many foods that contain fiber also contain many other vitamins that are considered ´potential cancer fighting agentsµ. Fruits and veggies also contain anti carcinogens, carotenoids, antioxidants, and free radicals that help protect our DNA. ‡

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Exercise
‡ Another aspect is to maintain a healthy body weight. ‡ That means to get off the couch an do something, walk the dog, ride a bike or just exercise in you own home. ‡ If you stay away from fatty foods, (i.e.; fast foods) and eat a well balanced diet. Then you will greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer. ‡ Don·t forget to take care of your self!!

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