Considering Alternative Breast Cancer Treatment? 5 Important Facts!

Here are 5 reasons why you should definitely consider an alternative breast cancer treatment.

1. Despite all of the advancements in medical technology, the many cancer organizations around the world, the millions of dollars raised to fight the disease each year, the intense expensive treatments which include chemotherapy, radiation, drugs and surgery..... despite all of these things, the number of women dying of breast cancer continues to rise. Breast cancer takes the lives of over 50,000 women each year, which is more deaths from this disease now than every before in history.

2. Many women have actually died from the actual treatments and many women have a recurrence within 3-10 years of treatment. And let's not forget about the extreme side effects that these treatments cause. There is never any guarantee that radiation, chemotherapy, drugs and surgery treatments will work. It is basically a hit or miss, you have just as much chance of surviving as you do of not surviving. Because of this, many women are opting for an alternative breast cancer treatment.

3. Breast cancer cells do not multiply rapidly, so you have time to try an alternative breast cancer treatment. Doctors will make it seem like you have to act really fast or you will die within a very short time. This is not at all true. The breast cancer cells did not just appear that week. You have been living with these cancer cells in your body for a long time. Traditional breast cancer treatments should always be a last option, and in most cases is not necessary.

4. Most patients feel just fine until they are diagnosed and start to undergo treatment. That is when they begin to get sick. This is because the toxic treatments are severely compromising their immune systems ability to keep the body strong. Also, because the immune system is so weakened, other medical problems begin to surface, or previous problems will start to intensify. This coupled with the emotional stress of dealing with having cancer is what causes the body to break down rapidly.

5. Changing your diet and lifestyle is essential if you want to cure using an alternative breast cancer treatment. Many women get a recurrence of cancer because they complete the treatments, and then continue to eat the same diet and live the same lifestyle that caused the cancer to appear in the first place. Even during the treatments, they still continue to put toxic foods and chemicals in their bodies. Some make slight diet alterations, (ie baked chicken instead of steak) but this still is not enough. In order to cure cancer naturally, one must be willing to embrace an entirely new lifestyle.

Natural breast cancer treatments work, not just for curing breast cancer, but for curing practically all cancers. But you must arm yourself with knowledge! The most important thing to know is that chemotherapy, radiation, drugs and surgery are not your only options. Women CAN be cured of breast cancer naturally. Visit alternative breast cancer treatment and learn much more about curing cancer naturally. There is a powerful video clip on healing cancer on that site as well. Also, be sure to visit Natural Treatment For Cancer and learn what you can do to start healing breast cancer naturally today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pat_G.

A Lasting Gift - Straight Talk About Breast Cancer

Every October, the pink paraphernalia blossoms everywhere-car magnets, bracelets, coffee mugs, and even upscale attire. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. With the lifetime incidence of cancer at 1 in 8, everyone knows someone who has had breast cancer, received treatment for it, or passed away from it. Honoring loved ones and celebrating survivors feels rewarding temporarily, but we honor them best in the long term by taking meaningful action that will help many over time. That's why I'm writing this short commentary and research-based strategy, as a way of thanking everyone who has ever helped a loved-one through cancer or memorialized them after a heart-wrenching loss. This paper is a gift that you may send to anyone who needs it. Some medical "experts" aren't likely to agree with me, but I won't let that dampen my resolve. I speak from both scientific knowledge and first-hand experience.

I am a survivor of chemotherapy, radiation, and bi-lateral mastectomy, as I like to say. These can often prove deadlier than cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage III lobular carcinoma of the right breast in 2002, after many regular mammograms, "doing all the right things" except for sleep deprivation, and considering myself as succeeding against the odds after my mother succumbed to the disease. Today I am healthier than ever. My mother was not so fortunate: after a second diagnosis of cancer around her 48th birthday, she bravely endured the accelerating downward spiral of terminal cancer for 9 very long years.

The long-term survival statistics for breast cancer, despite decades and billions of research dollars and years of "races for the cure", are still not very encouraging. While the official word is that deaths from breast cancer are declining, the reality is very different: since chemo damages the immune system, breast cancer patients often have a diagnosis of a second cancer, not just a recurrence or metastasis of breast cancer. It's that second cancer that the medical authorities associate with the patient's demise, not the breast cancer treatment that destroyed their immune system in the first place.

After my treatment, recovery and experience of health regained, I can speak with no small amount of authority. We can do much about breast cancer, but the conventional thinking about it is wrong.

Last fall, Laura Bush was interviewed at the White House after lighting it pink (outdoors, no less) in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. While I admire her willingness to speak out for causes, I was dismayed with her message: get a mammogram and get every woman you love to have one, too. She emphasized ONLY the value of early detection. The problem is that mammography is radiation, which recent studies are showing contributes to cancer. Newer practitioners are very concerned about radiation exposure.

Not only that, but many women like me (or the former me!) have dense breast tissue and mammography often doesn't reveal tumors in such tissue. Furthermore, certain forms of cancer, such as lobular--about 15% of cases, mine included-- are impossible to detect early because they do not form well-defined tumors until the later stages. Mammography can give women a false sense of security that they can continue unhealthy lifestyles and not have to be concerned about breast cancer. That is, until it's too late.

Prevention, not frequent mammography, should be the emphasis. And for those who have been treated, rebuilding the immune system should be a life-long pursuit.

I've been reading research since before I was diagnosed in 2002, and I want to pass along to you and your loved ones what I have learned.

1. You can take meaningful steps to avoid breast cancer, and every woman can do them:

• Get plenty of sleep (easier said than done!). Studies show that this is a risk factor for breast cancer. The body and the immune system need daily recovery and repair.
• Get plenty of sunshine and Vitamin D. Studies show that Vitamin D, as much as 5,000 units daily, is needed for proper immune function. The RDA of 400 units is woefully inadequate.
• Support your liver. Studies show an increased risk of breast cancer after long-term alcohol consumption. What they aren't telling you is how medications, such as seemingly harmless Tylenol®, can damage it. You can protect and restore your liver with a number of herbs, and by limiting medications and alcohol.
• Maintain a normal body weight.
• Exercise. Cardio exercise in at least moderation (but not over-training) stimulates the immune system.
• Supplement your health:

- Try flax seed oil, which can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Selenium and turmeric have tumor suppressing benefits.
- IP-6, an inositol-based substance, can increase natural killer cells in the body (those that attack mutated cells) as much as 300%.
- Nucleic acids, such as RNA, help with correcting errors in cell replication, and should be seriously considered by anyone at risk by age or genetics.

These strategies are not expensive or time-consuming. However, entrenched patterns of behavior are resistant to change.

2. If you have been treated for cancer by chemotherapy or radiation, you MUST rebuild your immune system.

Chemotherapy and radiation kill healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. They damage the body's ability to resist another assault and hinder the natural process of identifying and killing cancer/mutated cells. The reason why the long-term survival rates for breast cancer appear to be improving is because thousands of women are diagnosed with another cancer within years of cancer treatment, and that second cancer is then counted as the immediate cause of death. When immune systems are compromised, the body cannot fend off additional attacks. Also, many women find that their brains no longer function as well as they did before chemotherapy: this condition is known as "chemobrain" or chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. The good news is that you can recover and you can help your immune system.

• Follow ALL the recommendations above, with a stricter adherence to the plan, and:
• Avoid soy and plastics (emit gases). These may have undesirable estrogenic effects in the body.
• Drink filtered spring water, not tap water, which has added fluoride and chlorine.
• Restore your digestive system, which also affects immunity, by taking a broad spectrum probiotic.
• Address your stress. If you had a stressful life before cancer diagnosis, don't dive back into it.
• Add more immune-enhancing supplements, such as quercetin, magnesium, Vitamin C and a cordyceps mushroom complex.
• Go to a reputable complementary medicine practitioner and have your thyroid and adrenal functions tested. Chiropractic can also help the healing process.

The mind is powerful. Healing and recovery begin in the mind and spirit. Believing that you can recover helps motivate you. Visualizing the new, revitalized body and mind can create new experiences that will enrich your life, not just extend it.

If you know someone who can benefit from this paper, please send it with my best wishes for health.
If you have a survivor hint or a story to share about recovery or prevention, a new web community is available as of May1, 2009: http://www.healthafterchemo.com

Best wishes for excellent health and vitality!

Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D.
susan.hardwicke@vabion.com

Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D. is a cognitive psychologist who has pioneered the field of neuro-nutrition. She has recently published an ebook on titled The Chemo Brain Report, which is available through http://www.vabion.com, or calling the office at (804) 308-1956.

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Know More About Breast Cancer Stage 4

Stage 4 illustrates invasive breast cancer in which the cancer has extended to other parts of the body -- typically the lungs, liver, bone, or brain.

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is the most advanced stage (stage 4) of breast cancer. Cancer cells have extended past the breast and axillary lymph nodes to other regions of the body where they keep on developing and multiplying. The disease has the possibility to extend to almost any area of the body. The most usual part breast cancer extends to is the bone, followed by the lung and liver. Treatment of MBC in general concentrates on lessening symptoms and extending a woman's life span.

In 10% of diagnoses, the cancer has already extended to distant areas in the body. A principal diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer might point to a fast development of the disease or that the cancer was present but not identified in the breast for some time.

The majority women accept a mixture of treatments. For women with stage 1, 2, or 3, the major objective is to treat the cancer and put off it from coming back. For women with stage 4 cancer, the objective is to recover symptoms and assist them survive longer. In a good number case, the later couldn't be treated.

Even though patients with stage 4 breast cancer might live for years, it is typically life-threatening in the future. Various factors affect this.

Here are a number of the customary treatments:

- Chemotherapy, or treatment with cancer drugs, is frequently the major treatment. It could decelerate the development of the cancer. Chemotherapy is frequently utilized in conjunction with hormone therapy or immunotherapy.

- Hormone therapy could be the solution for women with hormone receptor-positive cancers. These are cancers that require hormones to develop.

- Biological therapy is a new method. In roughly 25% of women with breast cancer, an excess of a protein known as HER2 makes the cancer broaden speedily.

- Clinical trials are open to several women with stage 4 cancer. A clinical trial might let you get into to cutting-edge treatments.

- Surgery and radiation are employed in a number of cases. These treatments aren't employed to treat the cancer. But they might assist treat pain and other symptoms in organs where the cancer has extend.

- Other drugs might assist treat a number of the side effects of breast cancer treatment as well, like nausea, fatigue, and also infections.

If you want to get some excellent resources on Breast Cancer, please visit my site on All about Breast Cancer or Breast Cancer Stage

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Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy With a 96% Survival Rate If Detected Early

If one has breast cancer, chemotherapy can help win the battle of this disease with early detection. 1 in 8 women will develop this disease. Around 200,000 women this year will be diagnose and about 1,700 men. This is an alarming rate.

If one's breast cancer is detected early, then one will have a 96% survival rate. If you are over the age of forty, you should have had a mammogram already. If not, then you should find a clinic or a doctor in your area and make a appointment. Again you will have a 96% insurance of survival in beating this infection. Early detection is the best.

The chances of a woman or a man getting this virus increases with age. And this is 100 times more prevalent in women than in men. After age 55, 2 out of 3 women are more susceptible of getting this disease. This is why early detection is best.

Since this defect is usually linked to inherited genes, you really need to visit a doctor. According to cancer.org, inherited genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have up to a 80% chance of one getting this infection. You need to get a test done in order to find out if you have had any gene changes within your breast. A mammogram will help to detect these changes in your genes. Make sure you go to a doctor for a breast cancer gene mutation test.

Another, if you have a family history of this disease, this may be a trickle down effect to you. This is why early detection is so important. Don't fool around with this. Go get tested now.

You should try to stay as healthy as you can by eating a well balanced diet, cooling out on the alcohol, exercising regularly and definitely not smoking.

As far a being treated for this disease, chemotherapy is one of the best ways to fight off breast cancer. Chemo is a great fighter against cancer's recurrences. A doctor and a nurses job is to keep track of the disease within you so they can help improve the way you feel for a successful recovery.

Find out more on breast cancer chemotherapy treatment and all natural cancer treatment alternatives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carmen_VJ

Ashkenazi Jewish Women and Breast Cancer

In a recent interview, a well-known congresswoman revealed that during a routine self-examination, she found a lump in her breast. After it was diagnosed as cancer, she opted to have a double mastectomy as well as the removal of her ovaries.

Ashkenazi Jewish women are at a higher risk for breast cancer. This is due to the abnormalities found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Not only are these abnormalities attributed to breast cancer, but there is also a risk of developing ovarian cancer as well.

In fact, statistics show that over 8% of Ashkenazi Jewish women had this BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation. In a study conducted by the National Institute of Health, it was determined that Jewish women of Ashkenazi descent had over a 50% chance of getting breast cancer and over a 15% chance of getting ovarian cancer if they carried the BRAC1 or BRAC2 mutation.

It was for this reason that this young women decided to have these multiple surgeries.

In addition, during her research and discussion with doctors, she found that African American women had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The statistics showed that over 15% of these women were found to have a mutated BRAC1 gene.

Moreover, more than 3% of Hispanic and over 2% of white women who are not of Jewish descent were also found to carry the BRCA1 mutated gene.

Thus, it has become even more important that early detection and screening be undertaken by performing self-examinations on a regular basis. In addition, having an annual mammography is essential.

It is recommended that you have a mammogram every year beginning at the age of 40, as well as a breast exam by a clinician beginning at the age of 20 every three years. Further, advise your doctor if there is any family history of breast cancer in your family.

For women who are at a higher risk, such as Ashkenazi Jewish women, an MRI may also be required, especially for women in their early 40s.

While not all lumps are cancerous, it is nonetheless important that you notify your doctor if you do find a lump during self-examination. It should also be noted that any noticeable changes in the breast such as pain, discoloration, discharge, or change in shape or size should also be reported.

Lillian M. Varrassi is a writer and website owner of Health-Mind-Body.com. This site was created to provide a wealth of knowledge and advice on healthy living and self-healing thought for women. You will also find articles on health issues for children, men, and seniors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillian_Varrassi

Breast Cancer Treatment Center

Breast Cancer can be treated effectively if it is detected early enough. Some 95 percent of breast cancers are discovered by the patient herself when she notices a lump. In all too many cases the discovery is made by chance and the lump may be quite large. The good news, though, is that most cities have a breast cancer treatment center.

The cure rate for breast cancer could be greatly improved if all women made a routine of monthly self-examination and then consulted a physician immediately if they found the least indication of a thickening or lump. Most such lumps are benign, but it is most important that the ones that are malignant be identified without delay. Nearly every city has a breast cancer treatment center that would provide patients of services for full diagnosis and various options of the treatment of their breast cancer.

Cancer of the breast is a leading cause of death in American women. One woman in 8 will develop this condition. The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute recommend that every woman follow a prescribed method of self-examination just after the menstrual period, continuing every month after the menopause.

The procedure consists of carefully looking at and feeling the breasts, and takes only a few minutes. However, most cancers are diagnosed only after they have begun to cause symptoms, and the diagnostic method most used is the biopsy.

Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends scheduling mammography-X-ray examination that detects breast cancers too small to feel (less than 1cm)-every 2 years for women between 40 and 49 years old and yearly thereafter.

A breast cancer treatment center would provide patients for information or facts about handling breast cancer. They have support programs and services that would help patients and also their family in managing and coping with their cancer experience. Treatment opportunities like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy with corresponding medicine therapies, including healthy nutrition for patients as well as mind, body and spirit development.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Breast Cancer Treatment Center...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlene_Nuble

How to Cope with Breast Cancer

It can be very hard to cope with your breast cancer diagnosis. No woman every wants to hear this type of dreaded news from her doctor. There are ways that you can cope and there are resources available for women who have breast cancer. Here are some ways to cope with your breast cancer diagnosis:
The first thing that you need to do is to compile a list of any questions that you have about breast cancer. You can ask these questions of your doctor or of other people that you know that have had breast cancer.

The second thing that you can do is help the breast cancer cause by participating in walkathons and other charitable fund raising events. It can be therapeutic to help others while you are trying to help yourself battle breast cancer. The third that that you can do is to join a breast cancer support group. There are many support groups out there for people who have breast cancer. These support groups can be very helpful and provide you with good resources that will help you deal with your illness. The American Cancer Society is a great resource for people who have breast cancer. The ACS has a great web site that has resources for women with breast cancer; one such resource is called Look Good…. Feel Better. This program is designed to help women with beauty tips after they have gone through chemotherapy and radiation. They have group workshops, one-on one salon consultations, and self help materials. Another program that is offered is called I Can Cope. I Can Hope is a program that helps people become educated about cancer; they offer classes to help cancer patients understand their diagnosis and prognosis. The classes also help people learn to cope with fatigue, nausea, weight loss, financial issues, and other effects of cancer. These classes can be very beneficial to people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer please use the resources that are listed above; you should not go through this alone. Your survival depends on how well your body does with the medical treatments that you receive and stress can really hurt your body. Hopefully, there will be a cure for a breast cancer very soon so that women will no longer have to go through this gruelling process. Visit Breast Cancer Help



About the Author
I am very interested in this subject and others

Breast Cancer Treatment Center

Breast Cancer can be treated effectively if it is detected early enough. Some 95 percent of breast cancers are discovered by the patient herself when she notices a lump. In all too many cases the discovery is made by chance and the lump may be quite large. The good news, though, is that most cities have a breast cancer treatment center.

The cure rate for breast cancer could be greatly improved if all women made a routine of monthly self-examination and then consulted a physician immediately if they found the least indication of a thickening or lump. Most such lumps are benign, but it is most important that the ones that are malignant be identified without delay. Nearly every city has a breast cancer treatment center that would provide patients of services for full diagnosis and various options of the treatment of their breast cancer.

Cancer of the breast is a leading cause of death in American women. One woman in 8 will develop this condition. The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute recommend that every woman follow a prescribed method of self-examination just after the menstrual period, continuing every month after the menopause.

The procedure consists of carefully looking at and feeling the breasts, and takes only a few minutes. However, most cancers are diagnosed only after they have begun to cause symptoms, and the diagnostic method most used is the biopsy.

Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends scheduling mammography-X-ray examination that detects breast cancers too small to feel (less than 1cm)-every 2 years for women between 40 and 49 years old and yearly thereafter.

A breast cancer treatment center would provide patients for information or facts about handling breast cancer. They have support programs and services that would help patients and also their family in managing and coping with their cancer experience. Treatment opportunities like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy with corresponding medicine therapies, including healthy nutrition for patients as well as mind, body and spirit development.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Breast Cancer Treatment Center...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlene_Nuble

Breast Cancer Facts - Knowing These 3 Breast Cancer Facts Can Save Your Life

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of diseases in the world. Even men are susceptible to this, in some cases. But not a lot of people can say much about it. Until they themselves are afflicted with the disease, they don't have a lot of breast cancer facts to tell.

It's highly important that you know the 3 vital facts in this article. This information won't only protect you from this killer disease; but it will also help you understand what many patients of this dreaded illness are going through.

Breast Cancer Facts # 1: It is often discovered by a lump.

It is a well-known fact that 80% of such situations are discovered because of a lump in the breast or near the armpit. This is why women all over the world are encouraged to give themselves a self-breast examination every month.

Breast Cancer Facts # 2: Women in the United States have the highest incidence.

If you live in the United States, it might be wise to double-check your lifestyle. However, this does not mean that the further you live away from the States, the lower your chances are of getting the disease.

Breast Cancer Facts # 3: Women in an urban environment are more prone to this disease.

Medical experts attribute this to the fast-paced lifestyle of city women. A study was actually done on the breasts of women living in urban areas and rural areas. Those who live in urban areas are revealed to have glandular breasts, thus making them four times more susceptible to this illness.

Don't take these breast cancer facts too lightly. It's surprising how people don't even think this sickness is something that could happen to them until it is too late. This information is around for a reason. Save yourself with the right knowledge.

If you want to uncover the truth about a new cancer cure said to be scientifically proven to cure cancer and ALL types of diseases (including AIDS, heart diseases, diabetes and many others), go to http://www.squidoo.com/newcancercure

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You Need to Wear a Breast Cancer Bracelet

The only intention of pink breast cancer bracelets is to illustrate consideration to the problem of breast cancer and assist fund the pursuit for potential breast cancer treatments. Accordingly, if you possess an attention in breast cancer, you ought to own a pink breast cancer bracelet.

Red bracelets might illustrate support for HIV/AIDS investigation or bring up consciousness of heart illness. Orange bracelets frequently illustrate encouragement for numerous sclerosis (MS) examination or anti-smoking campaigns. The most well-liked yellow bracelet is the Livestrong wristband, which holds up cancer examination and supports survivors, but it might illustrate encouragement for troops as well. Green bracelets usually denote that the wearer maintains environmental reasons or muscular dystrophy examination. Blue could symbolize some reasons, including child mistreatment avoidance and hold up for prostate cancer examination. Purple bracelets could mean encouragement for examination into Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, fibromyalgia as well as lupus. Pink bracelets characteristically demonstrate encouragement for breast cancer examination. White bracelets frequently illustrate encouragement for peace or religious matters. Black bracelets might stand for bereavement, prisoners of war, gang avoidance, skin cancer examination or counter-culture movements.

One method to show your dedication for the cause is to have on a breast cancer bracelet. It demonstrates everybody that you mind and that you are a partaker in the battle to discover a treatment. At this moment you are considering regarding whether or not the bracelet will be a strange shadow of pink, complement your clothes, seem suitable for the office and be an enjoyment to be dressed in. Self-importance could move stealthily, but your preferences for a breast cancer bracelet are approximately limitless.

If you are vigorously concerned in the movement and are element of a group of ladies that have a meeting over and over again, you might wish for having a unusual bracelet that all of you dress in. This demonstrates your agreement and strength when it comes to wrestle opposed to breast cancer. People become aware of unusual jewelry and might still inquire concerning it. This will provide you a chance to inform them regarding the unusual noteworthy of it and why you hold up such a significant reason.

No matter what kind of breast cancer bracelet you prefer, it must be important for you. Perhaps you dress in it since you are a survivor of breast cancer or since you missing somebody near to you from this ailment.

The most well-liked breast cancer bracelets are an easy group of pink rubber that elongates to suit around any wrist. There is an inspiring point imprinted in every bracelet, for example "Share Beauty Spread Hope" or "I Will." They be inclined to be more well-liked with younger wearers, but anybody could take pleasure in them and their note.

As breast cancer bracelets take a number of shapes, they are unified in the objectives of exaltation those who have combated the disease and encouraging consciousness. Whether you wish for to inform the world that you've survived cancer or you now consider it's a significant subject to bear in mind and encouragement, breast cancer bracelets could suit the bill.

If you want to get some excellent resources on Breast Cancer, please visit my site on All about Breast Cancer or Breast Cancer Bracelet

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Breast Cancer Information - Every Women Should Read This

Millions of women are affected with breast cancer all around the world. Breast cancer is growing like an epidemic and is predicted that 45,000 patients will die from breast cancer, this year. If you feel a solid lump in your breast, you must visit a specialist for consultation. Breast cancer symptom: Breast cancer in its early stages does not cause any pain. Unfortunately, in early stages when breast cancer develops, it does not show any breast cancer symptom. But as it grows, it can cause remarkable changes, which a woman should note.
Breast cancer symptoms include thickening or lump near or in the breast, change in the shape or size of the affected breast, tenderness of nipple or nipple discharge, inversion of nipple into the breast, pitting or ridges of the breast, skin of the breast appears warm, red, swollen and scaly. A woman should visit her doctor if she persists with any breast cancer symptom.
Specialists diagnose breast cancer by any of the following examinations: palpation, mammography, ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration, needle biopsy or surgical biopsy.
Breast cancer treatment: Breast cancer treatment options depend on location and size of the tumor in her breast. Various methods of breast cancer treatment Breast cancer treatments can be systemic or local. Radiation therapy and Surgery are the local breast cancer treatments. Local breast cancer treatments are used to destroy, remove, or control the growth of cancer cells.
Hormonal therapy and Chemotherapy are systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are targeted to control or destroy cancer cells all over the body. Different forms of breast cancer treatment can be prescribed at the same time or one after other.
Surgery is one of the most common breast cancer treatments. Many types of surgical interventions may be used. A surgical intervention to remove breast is called a mastectomy. An operation carried out to remove the cancer cells without affecting the size of breast is called breast conserving surgery or breast sparing. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy: Under this breast cancer treatment specialists use high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing.
Chemotherapeutic breast cancer treatment: specialists use different types of drugs or combination of different drugs to kill cancerous cells or stop them from growing. Drugs are given in cycles; a treatment period is followed by a recovery period that is again followed by another breast cancer treatment. Hormonal therapy for breast cancer treatment is used to stop the growth of cancerous cells that affect the female hormones. This breast cancer treatment may include use of medicines, which change the way hormones work or surgery to remove the ovaries that produce female hormones.
Breast cancer treatment decisions are complex. The decisions are usually affected by the stage of the disease, judgment of the doctors and the consent of the patients.
Breast cancer pictures can be found on various websites and in medical books. These breast cancer pictures can be helpful to make the patient's know about their cancer stage and the possible remedy if any..
Funds are arranged through various programs like breast cancer walk to spread breast cancer information
among the affected and suspected people and to give them moral and economic support as well.

Do Breast Cancer Treatment Work At All?

Which treatments are used is determined by which stage the cancer is in as well as where it is located and how big the tumor is found to be. Treatments for breast cancer are: chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, lumpectomy, mastectomy and lymphatic tissue removal.
The Beginning Stage
If a woman has very small blockages in her mammary glands called “lobular carcinoma”, usually nothing is done except to watch her very carefully. Some women who have lobular carcinoma choose to have both of their breasts removed because the chances of getting breast cancer in the other breast are very hight. In the case of ductal carcinoma, women can often have only a lumpectomy - the lump is removed without having to remove the breast. She will then be treated with radiation therapy. Again, some women also choose to have both of their breasts removed as a preventative.
Stages II through IV
Most women will try all treatments before choosing breast removal if there are any other options. A mastectomy is performed when the cancer is too far progressed, or it is spreading to the lymph nodes.
A woman can and often does choose to try chemotherapy for a while before surgery. If the tumor shrinks, she may only have to have the lump removed rather than have a mastectomy.
Regardless of whether or not a full mastectomy is performed, radiation and chemotherapies are usually indicated. Hormone therapies are an added measure. All of these make a woman’s chance for survival much higher.
If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and in many cases where it has not, a mastectomy is usually performed along with the removal of the lymph nodes in the axillary area.
The 4th Stage of Breast Cancer
In the case of stage IV breast cancer, the disease is considered inoperable. Treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. These do not save her life but often help her to live for a while longer. Women may choose to have no therapy in this stage and opt instead for supportive care. This is meant to help control pain and support a better quality of life while she is dying.
Reoccurrences of cancer do happen sometimes. If a woman is prepared and catches on very quickly, there is still a chance she will survive. If the cancer was “hiding” in the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body, it is probably in its last stages. Supportive care is usually the best way to treat this stage of cancer.
While women are the majority when it comes to having breast cancer, a small percentage of men have been known to get it as well. The treatment is much the same for them.

Author:

Gerardo Hunnell

How to Cancer Proof Your Life

It's no secret that fruit, vegetables, herbs and supplements can provide your body with powerful protection against cancer. But some are better than others. Read on to discover those you SHOULD eat. Some may surprise you.The Cancer Council of Australia says around 11 percent of cancers are directly attributable to low consumption of fruit and vegetables. Researchers are finding that people who consume a large range of fruit and vegetables have a much lower chance of developing cancer than those who restrict the diet of these important foods.These foods are all powerful antioxidants that help your body fight against cancer causing and tissue damaging free radicals. Vegetables and fruit are rich sources of antioxidants and according to Dr Linda Calabresi, editor of Medical Observer there is considerable evidence that a diet high in vegetables and fruit is associated with reduced cancer risk.What has not been shown is whether you can achieve the same result by taking supplements of the antioxidants. It would appear that the reduced risk requires the antioxidants be consumed as they would naturally occur.In food.Dr Simir Samman of the Human Nutrition Unit at the University of Sydney cautions against taking supplements in place of vegetables. An example is synthetic beta-carotene, which was associated with a number of health problems, including a higher risk of lung cancer.According to Dr Samman, "When you eat a carrot, you're eating hundreds of different substances, not just beta-carotene." The other advantage of that whole carrot is absorption. Small amounts of cancer fighting vitamins and minerals are released throughout the day and the interaction of different chemicals from other foods eaten boosts digestion further. Take a megadose of a single vitamin and your body struggles to absorb it efficiently, swiftly expelling what it doesn't need.However, presuming you are following a diet rich in fruit and vegetables you may wish to supplement your diet with antioxidant substances including vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and beta carotene, says Dr Calabresi.Here are some important cancer fighters.CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES.Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, are believed to contain compounds that block the production of cancer causing carcinogens. These vegetables, particularly broccoli, contain health enhancing phytochemicals that protect your body from cancer, heart disease and premature aging, according to Dr Andrew Weil, author of "8 Weeks to Optimum Health."A University of Leicester study has found that a molecule found in cruciferous vegetables, called 13C, made breast cancer tumours more vulnerable to chemotherapy drugs. Studies at the John Hopkins Medical Centre have shown that broccoli sprouts have at least 30 times the antioxidant concentration of mature broccoli. That means you'd have to eat 15 cups of broccoli to get the same cancer- fighting power of half a cup of broccoli sprouts. MAGNESIUM.To reduce your risk of colon cancer, eat ample amounts of foods that contain the highest concentrations of magnesium. These include green leafy vegetables, avocados, nuts and seeds and whole grains.A study from the University of Minnesota involving more than 35 000 women over the age of 61, found the risk of colon cancer was significantly lower among women who had magnesium intakes of more than 365 mg per day. TOMATOES.Tomatoes contain the powerful nutritional antioxidant lycopene. A diet rich in tomatoes is linked to a reduced risk of cancers, including cancer of the mouth, stomach, colon and rectum. Studies indicate that women with high lycopene levels are five times less likely to develop pre-cancerous signs of cervical cancer than women with low levels.Harvard University research has found eating five to seven tomatoes or tomato based products a week, reduces the risk of prostate cancer 21 percent to 34 percent.While present in fresh tomatoes, lycopene is in much higher concentrations in cooked tomato products such as paste and sauce. Here's an added bonus. Avocado, a truly nutrient dense food, has been associated with increased absorption of lycopene. A 2004 research study at Iowa and Ohio State Universities, found that subjects who ate avocado absorbed more than 4.5 times more lycopene than those who didn't eat avocado.Both tomatoes and avocado are important foods in the Mediterranean diet which tends to support heart health and prevent cancer. ALIUMS.These include garlic, leaks and onions. Studies show they can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells or make them easier for the body to excrete.BLUEBERRIES.Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Centre have ranked blueberries number one in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruit and vegetables. They are associated with numerous health benefits including protection against cancer, heart disease and brain damage from strokes.
About The Author-- Graeme Lanham is a freelance writer and health/fitness researcher. His new book "Your Life Fitness" includes current research studies on fitness and anti-aging.