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Breast Cancer What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is where cancerous (malignant) cells are found in the breast tissue.
There are several types of breast cancer.
Ductal cancer (effects the ducts and also is the most common type)
Lobular (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.
Picture from WebMD.com
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 depending on your risk.
(picture courtesy of breast cancer.org) .
Monthly Self Exams Its important to remember that monthly self exams are also a good tool for early detection.
Hereis a web site that has the complete monthly self-exam program @
.cyberus.ca/bse2.htm#bse2 http://www.infobreastcancer
Picture courtesy of Yahoo health 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.
www.breastthermography.com
Picture from breastthermography.com
Stages of breast cancer The first stage is stage 0 this stage is sometimes referred to as a ‘non-evasive circoma’
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 its 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 has 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 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 week. 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 “boost” at the end of treatment. 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.
Treatments 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.
www. Breastcancer.org
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 the 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.
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
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 natural 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 mushrooms”
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 capsules”
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.
Picture from usda.gov 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 cancer”
(chapter 16 core concepts in health, Insel)
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 agents”.
Fruits and veggies also contain anti carcinogens, carotenoids, antioxidants, and free radicals that help protect our DNA.
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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