A Brief History of Breast Cancer

A Brief History of Breast Cancer
By Michael Russell

Ancient Egyptians first noted and recorded the disease as tumors, or ulcers, of the breasts, concluded that there was no real cure and that the only form of treatment was cauterization with a tool called the fire drill. Since then, there have been many similar cases described by doctors throughout history that concluded that there was no cure; or really effective treatment.

When doctors started to understand the human circulatory system in the seventieth century, they also managed to establish a link between breast cancer and the lymph nodes in the armpits. Between the seventeen and eighteen hundreds, the French surgeon Jean Petit and Scotsman Benjamin Bell were the first ones to remove the lymph nodes, breast tissue and chest muscle in an effort to save woman from breast cancer.

By the 1880s, William Halsted started performing mastectomies. His procedure became known as the Halsted Radical Mastectomy and it remained a popular procedure in the fight against breast cancer right up to the 1970s.

Breast cancer is a cancer of the glandular breast tissue and is found in both male and female patients. Worldwide breast cancer accounts for almost 1% of all deaths, is the fifth most common form of cancer and the most common form found in women.

Although breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women in the United States, it is only the second most common cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). U.S. women have a one in eight lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer and an almost 3% chance of breast cancer causing their death. Due to our modern lifestyle the experts claim and have also noted, a significant increase in the number of cases since the 1970s.

The breast is composed of identical tissues in males and females. Therefore breast cancer also occurs in males, though it is less common. Although men have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, this risk appears to be rising. There seems to be an increased incidence of breast cancer in men with prostate cancer.

The notable point about male breast cancer is that the prognosis is worse in men than in women and treatment of men with breast cancer is similar to that of the treatment given to older women. Because the male breast tissue is confined to the area directly behind the nipple, treatment for males has usually been a mastectomy.

On a more positive note, most breast cancer symptoms do not turn out to represent underlying breast cancer. These normally turn out to be benign diseases of the breast and only represent the more common symptoms similar to breast cancer itself. However, any appearance of new breast symptom should be taken very seriously by patients and doctors; because of the possibility of an underlying breast cancer that can develop at any age.

As with all types of cancer, the detection and treatment of breast cancer has a far greater chance of a positive outcome by detecting it earlier rather than later.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Breast Cancer

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There Is More Than One Kind Of Breast Cancer: The Silent Killer (IBC)

There Is More Than One Kind Of Breast Cancer: The Silent Killer (IBC)
By Alfred Jones

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of IBC is certainly no exception.

Ladies have been told and frequently reminded by advertisements, Doctors, Women's Magazines and so on, that they should regularly check their breasts for a lump or lumps.If anything is found they should immediately seek medical advice. This is still true, see your doctor as soon as possible.

There is another kind of breast cancer, it is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), it is an accelerated type of breast cancer, and it usually does not show on a mammogram or ultrasound.It is a rare form of breast cancer, but it accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all breast cancers.

It is a breast cancer that many ladies have never heard of, but it can be so serious that everyone should learn about it and what signs or symptoms to look for in its early stage of development.

Inflammatory breast cancer causes the breast to appear swollen and inflamed. This inflammation occurs, not because of an infection, but because the cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast, this blocks the lymph flow, which usually causes a red inflamed condition of the breast.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and IBC experts is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to IBC.

Some ladies have IBC even when they are seeing their doctor regularly, and they may remain undiagnosed for quite some time, which can be very unfortunate. The symptoms are very often similar to mastitis, a breast infection and doctors frequently fail to recognise that it is IBC, and will often prescribe antibiotics, if it has not cleared or showing signs of clearing within a week of taking the antibiotics, it is time to take further action, by seeing a specialist.

It appears that IBC can happen at a reasonably young age, in fact some ladies had the first symptoms during pregnancy or lactation. It is important to be aware of this disease, as younger ladies are thought to be at a lower risk for breast cancer, remember that IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and ignorance can result in metastases.

Typical Symptoms Of IBC

Swelling, quite sudden, as large as a cup in a few days. Itching. Pink, Red, or dark colored area sometimes with a texture similar to orange skin. Ridges and thickened area of the skin. Looks like bruising, but does not go away. Nipple retraction, or inverted. Discharge from the nipple.Breast is warmer than usual when touched. Pain in the breast. Color or a change in texture of the areola. One breast larger than the other. Rash. Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Because IBC progresses rapidly, it is so important that ladies seek medical advice as soon as possible, don't ignore things in the hope that it will go away. Time is of the essence with this disease.

More information is available through the search engines, and I will add a link in the box below, where you can see a short video, or you can email me through my websites, and I will send you the video by email, so you can see the seriousness of this disease yourself. Tell all the ladies you know, because in this case knowledge is king.

Now you can understand why there ought to be more interest in IBC. When people start looking for more information about IBC, you'll be in a position to meet their needs.

Article by Alfred Jones, Information Advisor for Health Related websites http://www.sugarsr4u.com and http://www.rusweetenuf.com

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The Value Of Radiation Therapy And Chemotherapy After Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer

The Value Of Radiation Therapy And Chemotherapy After Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer
By Carol Kornmehl

Pancreatic cancer, which generally has a very poor prognosis, is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths. It killed greater than 32,000 Americans last year. Therefore, researchers are investigating methods to improve the outlook.

A large study recently demonstrated that patients who underwent surgical removal of the pancreas, who were given both radiation therapy and chemotherapy afterwards, derived improved survival.

When radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are administered to a person who has undergone an operation to remove all the visible cancer, it is termed adjuvant therapy. An example of the routine use of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy is that of a woman who has had a lumpectomy to remove a malignant breast tumor.

Investigators reviewed the records of 472 people who had complete surgical removal of the pancreas. All had negative margins, meaning a rim of normal tissue surrounded the cancer cells. Patients whose disease spread beyond the pancreas or whose disease could not be removed entirely were excluded from the study. Also excluded were patients who had a slow growing variant of pancreatic cancer.

At the end of the review, the records of 454 patients were eligible for analysis. A comparison was then made of those who received adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy concurrently after surgery versus those who did not.

Over half of the patients received adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy (274 out of 454 patients). 50 percent of these survived two years and 28 percent went on to live at least five years.

This data was in stark contrast to one-third (180 out of 454 patients) who received no additional therapy after surgery and whose survival was significantly less; 39 percent at two years and 17 percent at five years, respectively.

In addition, patients who received further chemotherapy after their course of adjuvant concomitant radiation therapy and chemotherapy seemed to have even better survival; 61 percent and 31 percent at two and five years, respectively. However, only 28 of 454 patients received this regimen, so it is premature to draw conclusions from this limited sized population.

Nonetheless, the findings of this study suggest a significant improvement in survival rates for those who undergo adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy after complete removal of pancreatic cancer. More good news is that the incidence of pancreatic cancer has decreased over the past few years.

Dr. Kornmehl is a board certified radiation oncologist at Passaic Beth Israel Regional Medical Center, Passaic, NJ and author of the critically acclaimed consumer health book, The Best News About Radiation Therapy (M. Evans, 2004). Her website is http://www.RTSupportDoc.com

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Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer

Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer
By Michael Russell

There are many risk factors for kidney cancer. Among a few of the top risks are smoking, an inactive life style, exposure to chemicals at home or where you work, being overweight and family history. There are other risk factors that can lead to kidney cancer also, such as, high blood pressure, taking diuretics, race, gender and certain medications. The thing to remember is just because risk factors are present does not mean the disease will form. Risk factors give the physician a better idea on how to assess symptoms and how closely to watch a patient. A patient with a higher amount of risk factors will be watched more closely when symptoms of the disease arise than those without risk factors.

It is also important to know risk factors to help aid in preventing the disease from occurring. If there are risk factors you can prevent such as smoking or increasing vitamin intake, you maybe able to help lower your chance of getting the disease. If you stop smoking, the chances of you contracting kidney cancer are greatly reduced by as much as 40%.

Some risk factors can not be avoided; such as genetic factors. As with many forms of kidney cancer, losing weight and maintaining daily exercise will definitely help your cause. Obesity is the most common reason for adult onset diabetes and juvenile diabetes, causing the need for dialysis or kidney failure. Dialysis is inevitable in most patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Among these common risk factors are also Tuberous Sclerosis, Von Hippel Lindau disease and low vitamin E intake. Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a disease of tumors, which cause complications in the nervous system. It causes continuous growth of tumors in the brain; causing problems with common things like walking, vision loss and retinal problems. It also causes tumors in the kidneys and pancreas. Von Hippel Lindau disease in very rare and is found in only 1 of 36,000 cases and commonly diagnosed in the mid to upper twenties. Symptoms of the disease are mostly finding multiple tumors in common areas, or one tumor in named areas and a definite family history of the disease.

Tuberous Sclerosis, also known as TSC, is a complex; which causes irregular development of benign tumors in the central nervous system. TSC can cause seizures, behavioral problems and skin abnormalities. The tumors often form in the heart, kidneys and lungs. TSC can be mild or severe and one can live a normal life, if it is treated properly.

The most important thing that you need to do is to consult with your physician regularly if you have any of these risk factors. Prevention is important by taking actions on those things that you can control or stop. However, do not stop taking medications. Remember, these are risk factors and though having them does not guarantee that you will contract kidney cancer it does mean you should educate yourself and get regular checkups to aid in early detection. The earlier the cancer is found the better the prognosis.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Kidney Cancer

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Breast Cancer Risk Factors And Symptoms

Breast Cancer - Risk Factors And Symptoms
By Michael Russell

Breast Cancer. For most women it is something they dread hearing, but it is something more and more will hear in their lifetime. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, but also occurs in a small number of men. It is most commonly associated with those above the age of 50. It can be contracted by those in younger age groups, but the risk is not as high as for those in the older age range.

There is currently no defined cause for breast cancer, although there are factors which can put someone at a higher risk. Some risk factors are unavoidable, while some are not.

Unavoidable risk factors include;

- Gender: Women are more susceptible to contracting breast cancer than men.

- Age: The older a person gets, the greater the risk factor.

- Family history: If a family member has previously contracted the disease, the chances of another family member contracting it rises considerably.

- Genetic predisposition: If the body carries a gene associated with the disease, the odds can increase greatly. This gene can be passed down through generations. If a parent is known to carry a genetic predisposition, it is also possible for their children to carry the gene as well.

- Race: White women are much more susceptible to contracting breast cancer than black or Hispanic women.

- Prolonged exposure to estrogen: Those who enter the menopause at a more advanced age than normal (55+) are believed to have a higher risk factor. Estrogen is believed to play a part in causing breast cancer to form.

Factors which can be controlled include;

- Weight: As in most cancers, those who are overweight place themselves at a higher risk of cancer. Anyone overweight would be advised to begin an exercise program and improve their diet as soon as possible. Especially if coupled with age factors. Always be sure to consult with a doctor before beginning a rigorous exercise program.

- Smoking: Again, as with other cancers, those who smoke are putting themselves at a higher risk for cancer. Quit smoking as soon as possible to reduce the risk of cancer.

- Drinking: Those who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day are thought to be at greater risk of breast cancer. If you struggle with alcohol, seek help to quit and cut the risk. If that is not possible, try to limit yourself to only one alcoholic beverage per day.

There are many symptoms, which may point to breast cancer. Finding a lump or hardening of the breast, or areas near the breast, is the most common symptom. Other symptoms can include a change in breast size, discharge from the nipple itself, tenderness and even a change in how the breast feels. If you experience any of these symptoms, you are advised to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

If caught in the early stages, breast cancer is much easier to combat and in most cases can be beaten. If allowed to reach an advanced stage, the survival rates are much worse. That means screening and preventative measure are essential. If you are over the age of 50, a mammogram is an essential tool in breast cancer prevention. Have your doctor schedule one at appropriate intervals. If you find a lump, have it checked. A little prevention can go a long way in avoiding an unnecessary battle with the advanced stages of this dreaded disease.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

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8 Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer

8 Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer
By Alex Fir

Women should focus on keeping breast health through good lifestyle and dietary choices.Here are eight ways to help you prevent breast cancer. They are supported with many researches and studies. You should embark them all if possible.

1. You should be more active. A recent Norwegian study discovered that women who exercised on a regular basis cut their breast cancer risk by 72 percent.

2. You should eat more unrefined seed foods. They all contain phytoestrogens. If you eat foods rich in these elements, you are 4 times less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. You should consume whole grains, beans, nuts, edible seeds, fruits and vegetables with their seeds.

3. You should eat less vegetable oil and increase the consumption of animal fat and dairy products. Consume yogurt, cheese, milk, butter, and olive oil on a daily basis, and eat meat from time to time.

4. You should eat less tofu and soy beverage. The isoflavone found in soy causes breast cancer cells to grow rapidly. On the other hand, eat more miso and tamari. Studies have found that they are very effective in preventing cancer.

5. You should eat foods rich in antioxidants. At the same time, avoid supplements of vitamins E and C. It was discovered that supplements increase breast cancer risk. Eat five to seven servings of dark green and bright red/orange foods every day.

6. You should sleep in the dark. Recent studies found out that exposure to light at night increases the risk of breast cancer by at least 36 percent.

7. You should drink red clover blossom infusion. Drink a quart of red clover infusion every week.

8. You should eat seaweed as a vegetable. Consume at least a half-cup serving per week. Wakame, kombu, kelp, and alaria are very effective.

If you follow these eight tips you will greatly increase your chances of preventing breast cancer.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Breast Cancer Facts. To learn about symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer visit his site right now.

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Alcohol Stimulates Cancer Development

Alcohol Stimulates Cancer Development
By Laurence Magne

Researchers are now making a strong association between alcohol use and cancers of the esophagus, pharynx, and mouth, whereas another study links alcohol with liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. Together, these cancers kill more than 125,000 people annually in the United States. For the first time scientists have demonstrated how alcohol stimulates tumor growth.

Their study, published in the January 15, 2005 issue of Cancer, says alcohol fuels the production of a growth factor that stimulates blood vessel development in tumors. For almost a hundred years mounting evidence has linked alcohol use to an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon. Researchers were never able to explain how alcohol may cause cancer.

Theories suggests that the acetaldehyde found in alcohol, dietary imbalances, and impaired nutrient metabolism and the inability of the body to detoxify due to alcohol consumption, activation of precancerous enzymes, and suppression of the immune system.

8 Times More Cancer Cells

The investigators found that compared to their control group, the subjects who had been exposed to high alcohol consumption experienced increases in tumor size, tumor blood vessel density, cancer cell infiltration of blood vessels. Tumor volume and vascular volume more than doubled.

They had more than eight times the level of cancer cell invasion of blood vessels compared to the control group.

These findings support the hypothesis that alcohol represents an important mechanism of cancer progression associated with alcoholic beverage consumption. A recent study indicates that as few as two drinks per day can suppress any beneficial effects of a correct diet on decreasing risk of colon cancer. Although the study suggests that a diet high in folic acid, a B vitamin found in fresh fruits and vegetables, decreases the risk for colon cancer, it also warns that alcohol consumption may counter this protective action and increase the risk for colon cancer by reducing folic acid levels.

Suppression of immune response. Alcoholism has been associated with suppression of the immune system. Immune suppression makes chronic alcohol users more susceptible to various infectious diseases, and to cancer.

by Dr Laurence Magne, publisher of Alternative Health Ebooks and Author of Cancer Free for Life

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8 Urgent Needs for a Cancer Patient to Heed! Fight and Win!

8 Urgent Needs for a Cancer Patient to Heed! Fight and Win!
By Lucy Wong Moi

The WILL to SURVIVE cancer is the most urgent need for just any cancer patient. No one can survive when his or her will to survive cancer is gone. Hope will bring light, light will bring confidence, confidence is faith. Faith will survive the fight! Emerge as Winners!

[1 The will to survive

Do not be disheartened and discouraged! Listen! Obey! Respect! and Follow your Faith! What ever the trouble, the pain or suffering, the only goal of our life should be holding on to the Faith! This is the essence of our life.

Pray for inner strength, the surge of which will carry you through the ups and downs of the mind's rebellion. To uproot the chaos that is already present. You must find the strength of a rock to face the challenges. Love conquers all. Fill every thought with the might of its warmth, maturity and compassion. This is the only race where one should emerge a winner, not a whiner! This is the most urgent need, the strong will to survive! Tell yourself that you WILL DEFINITELY recover!

[2 The will to accept and adapt to certain changes

The expectations of certain degrees of discomforts, disabilities, sufferings would be there. There is nothing as unbearable, treat sufferings and miseries as footsteps towards deeper understanding of True Self. When one is in deep suffering, one will be forced to search within and look for resolutions.

We should have equanimity towards honor and dishonor, cold and heat, pleasure and pain. Without pain, one cannot understand pleasure, sorrow is verily the royal road to joy.

Sufferings are the stepping stones that lead man towards virtuous conducts. Deep suffering and pain is also one form of meditation in faith. It always lead to self realization and self awakening. Be patient to understand these changes. Fear not.

[3 The will to change for the better

Certain foods and drinks that are carcinogeous should be immediately avoided. Unhealthy lifestyles should be put to a stop. Doctors of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame and diet, and the cause and prevention of diseases. Understand what Thomas A. Edison said. Find out the cause and prevent it from happening at the first place.

But fear not, as I always confide in many people, there are also certain miraculous and wonderful food that can cure cancer. Change for the better. Stop poisoning our body, go for a detoxification program where one can go on a strict diet on just certain fruits, vegetables and herbs. It will heal. Starve the cancerous cells, feed the immune system.

[4 The will to smile at adversity

Do not fear, carry the luggage of will and strength. Strive on, tough man will last, tough time won't! Whenever you find truth, beauty, goodness, justice, wisdom, compassion, hope, love, God is present and active! We must surrender our judgement to the Lord, then the Lord will assume full responsibility and be your guardian, guide and the motivator. Our worries and tears cannot change what is predetermined. Be equal-minded to happiness and unhappiness.

People are being tested, but it should not be called so. It is grace, those who suffer have God's grace. Only through suffering will they be persuaded to turn inward and make the inquiry. And without turning inward and making inquiry, they can never escape misery! Pass the test of adversity, pass it with doctorate!

[5 The will to reprogram one's thinking

Life brings the message to live it to the fullest, but how many of you are using the power of this strength, fully and completely? Rid off poor habits and restraints, delete uncontrolled desires of the mind which are simply excusedly called 'pleasures' and 'prizes' Reprogram one's thinking to more meaningful works. Choose to stay with positive companions and environment. Be positive in thoughts, in words, in deeds and apply all positive emotions.

[6 The will to 'look beyond' our mortal body

Planning ahead, yes planning ahead. With each sunset, the span of life is being chipped away remorselessly but man does not prepare himself for the eventuality of death and the aftermaths. Our mortal body cannot survive forever. But our immortal soul is embedded inside our mortal body. Have one ever given a second thought on how to attain immortality and that we are actually a spark of Divinity?

[7 The will to cooperate with doctors and physicians

There are many cases where patients aren't cooperating well with healing doctors. We have our choice to which physicians we trust. We need the doctors to diagnosis our well-being and our status of cancer. To survive a cancer, one MUST work hand in hand with your doctor. It is a MUST!

[8 The will to return to normal living, accepting oneself among friends, loved ones, relatives and family

Love will solves all problems and challenges. Recovery from a near-death illness is no game to gamble or play with. All of us learn in a difficult and expensive way in realizing the value of life. All of us should show discipline and wisdom in emerging as a winner and once again one is breathing freely and feeling the warmth and beauty of sunshine. Life written cannot be rewritten. All of us should learn to treasure life.

This article is taken from my personal blog and actually is written for a new friend who is now having ovarian cancer and is now hospitalized. I wish her speedy recovery and would like to share with more people on how to survive cancer. Fight we must, survive we will. This is the 3rd article on cancer that I have wrote.

If there is a will, there is a way, if there are 8 WILLS, there are MANY WAYS!

Lucy Wong is a health and nutrition consultant. Her interest in health related issues include the development of mental health. She is also keen in sharing Multiple Qs, she is also an educator and has written many articles on this subject in her personal column under alternative health in http://submitarticles.biz Read more about mental health articles in her personal column and discover the secrets of maintaining good mental health. She has a personal blog. Read more from 'Lucy's tips for a healthier and happier You'.

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