Friday, October 23, 2009

“DCIS Diagnosis - Does This Cancer Diagnosis Require the Rigorous Treatment Used For Other Cancers?” plus 3 more

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“DCIS Diagnosis - Does This Cancer Diagnosis Require the Rigorous Treatment Used For Other Cancers?” plus 3 more

DCIS Diagnosis - Does This Cancer Diagnosis Require the Rigorous Treatment Used For Other Cancers?

Posted: 22 Oct 2009 03:15 PM PDT

More than 60,000 American women are diagnosed with DCIS annually. For those unfamiliar with the term, and I was too until I was diagnosed with it in 1999, DCIS stands for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, which is a growth of malignant cells inside the milk ducts of the breast. Some doctors call it a pre-cancer, while others say that it's the earliest stage of cancer.

I don't know for sure, but I imagine if you're reading this article you personally or someone in your life has been diagnosed with DCIS and you're wondering what kind of treatment is best, given that it's labeled a pre-cancer or early stage cancer. Should you choose treatment that is as aggressive as that prescribed for aggressive cancers, or people with large tumors?

As I am not an oncologist, but a 10-year cancer survivor, I am not in a position to give you any advice. But your questions are ones the medical profession has been asking itself lately as well. Susan Reed, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center recently served on an expert panel on DCIS in September, 2009 at the National Institutes of Health. Reed was quoted as saying that the medical profession is asking women to make decisions that are crucial to their lives, without a lot of hard evidence.

Part of the reason for the uncertainty around DCIS is because the diagnosis is relatively new. Its incidence has grown seven-fold since the early '70s, when doctors began using mammograms. These X-rays of the breast, which are the butt of thousands of jokes by the women who have to endure them, can find tumors that are too small to be felt by hand.

While doctors would like to spare those diagnosed with DCIS the pain of chemotherapy and radiation, oncologist Patricia Ganz, a professor at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre says that they don't know enough yet about it to tell a harmless tumor from one that could turn lethal. As a result, they tend to treat all women the same, regardless of the tumor's size.

Thirty years ago doctors, who before the advent of mammography had never seen such tiny tumors, assumed that they should treat them like the large, lethal masses they were used to finding. They recommended additional treatments over the years as studies showed that radiation and hormonal therapies further reduced the risk of relapse.

The results? The cure rate is now strikingly high. After 10 to 15 years, only about 10 per cent of women with "low-grade" lesions -- the least aggressive kind -- have relapses. And these relapses are usually curable. Ninety-six percent to 98% of women are alive 10 years later. While the results are impressive, the debate on whether or not the treatments are all needed are still being questioned.

As a patient or loved one or friend of someone recently diagnosed with DCIS, was does this all mean for you? Like all cancer patients, your treatment choices are yours to make and should be made after consulting with the best oncologist you can consult. And don't be afraid to get a second opinion, if that's an option available to you. After my diagnosis, I sent my mammography films to a doctor who was known to specialize in DCIS, as a way of assuaging my fear and confirming my treatment choice.

While some women might feel comfortable refusing surgery and monitoring the DCIS via mammograms to see what happens next, that might not be the best route for you. As in investing, we all have different risk profiles. Some tend to be conservative, while others are comfortable making choices that others consider high risk. The Internet makes getting educated before making your choices incredibly doable these days, just make sure to go to reliable sites.

How you decide to proceed given a DCIS diagnosis is a decision best made between you, the educated patient and your oncologist.

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National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Sandwiched Boomers

Posted: 22 Oct 2009 01:50 PM PDT

For the past 25 years, October has been designated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You'll find races to run that raise funds for research. Stores will be selling everything from mixmasters to iPods in pink. In fact, pink ribbons will be virtually everywhere. What does this focus on early detection and recovery mean to you?

If you are over 40, have regular screening mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams. And see your physician for an annual breast exam and consultation about risk factors and additional diagnostic steps to take, such as MRI. With early detection, most breast cancers now can be successfully treated. There are between 2 and 3 million American women living today who have survived breast cancer and are thriving. Yet, as many survivors have learned, the process of coping with any serious illness can take its toll - emotionally and physically. These 7 tips will help you manage your recovery so you can move forward with your life:

1. Accept your changing emotions as normal and give yourself permission to express them. After a brush with cancer, it's normal to experience many different feelings, such as anger, fear, anxiety, depression or stress. Talk openly with those you trust and acknowledge these feelings to yourself. Only then can you begin to cope with them.

2. Recognize the changes in your body. You may feel that your body has betrayed you, leaving you vulnerable and with a loss of innocence about your own invincibility. Take time to grieve this loss. You may also experience side effects of the treatments - fatigue, weight change, hair loss, or menopausal symptoms. Once you determine how your body is reacting, you can address each of the symptoms in efforts to alleviate them.

3. Enjoy the support you receive from others. Your family and friends can provide a caring network. You may also want to join a breast cancer support group, either in person or on-line. Support is helpful in many ways - it gives you someone to listen to you when you need to talk, someone to give you information and feedback, someone to help you with practical matters such as meals and errands. Support will be there for you if you look for it. It may feel awkward at first to ask, but you'll find friends want to do what they can to help you out.

4. Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself - you deserve it! Set aside time to start or continue an exercise program that includes aerobics, flexibility and strengthening exercises. Enjoy eating a more healthful diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. Schedule relaxation time to decrease the stresses in your life. Learn visualization techniques. Think about what you really enjoy doing and do it. Of course this may be easier said than done, but stick with your decision to make time for yourself. You can make it happen.

5. Redirect yourself toward active goal setting. When a serious illness strikes, you may feel like your life is completely out of control. To regain a sense of direction, reflect on the priorities that are important to you and then set a goal within your reach. Identify your strengths and build on them as you plan how to achieve your objectives. Journaling can help as you consider different strategies and options. Initiate your plan in small steps and review your progress regularly.

6. Make something positive come out of a difficult situation. Women who are able to find some positive meaning in negative circumstances experience growth as well as a sense of control and feelings of confidence and optimism. Think about how you can use the unique perspective you have gained to make the rest of your life richer and more meaningful.

7. Take credit for the challenge you have overcome and the changes you are making. Recognize and accept that you have faced many difficulties in the process of healing. Give yourself credit for the hard work it took to get to this point in your recovery. You have learned a lot about yourself - and made changes in the way you think, feel and react to others and the situation around you.

As women move through the steps of coping with breast cancer and its treatments, staying informed and involved in the process provides a sense of power and resiliency. One breast cancer survivor put it this way after completing a tough charity walk to raise funds for research: "As I crossed the 'finish line' in the pouring cold rain, I felt the exhilaration of my accomplishment, knowing that I had begun to trust myself again. I realized it had taken a long time for me to finally come to terms with the disease that had threatened my life. But now, with the acknowledgement and recognition that I allowed myself to accept from family and friends, I knew, through my tears, that I would have the strength to continue rebuilding myself, body and soul."

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Fundraising For a Cause of Breast Cancer in October

Posted: 22 Oct 2009 12:37 PM PDT

President Barack Obama proclaimed October as a Breast Cancer Month and announced resolute support of his administration to fight Breast cancer. For needed fundraising for a cause, he asked the Government agencies like, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to invest over $1 billion in research only this year to strengthen the awareness and knowledge of Breast Cancer development that can lead to improvements in its prevention and treatment.

No doubt such proclamations, encouraging citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, Pink Merchandise sellers, and other interested groups to join or support activities that will help Americans understand what they can do to prevent and control Breast Cancer. To support related activities of individuals and organizations, fundraising for a cause is in full swing. You must have observed hundred of activists and organizations are supporting different type of events in their area of work. They are distributing Pink Merchandise to Families, friends, and participants in their awareness drive, and letting them join hands in helping fundraising for a cause.

You may have surprised that despite of tight budgets and unparalleled economic slowdowns, the administration is attaching high importance to the Breast Cancer prevention and treatment. What may the driving force or a motive behind? Actually, it's due the reports and statistics that lead every one of us to realize the seriousness of the issue. What statistics reveal is that more than 190,000 women are expected, in USA alone, to be diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and some 40,000 are expected to lose their fight to this devastating disease. Being the second leading cause of death in women, Breast Cancer need more than ever funds, support and devoted participation roughly from each American, even a child or adult. Efforts that are more coherent are need of the time to support and strengthen ever-needing Research and Development activities, so more fundraising for a cause of Breast Cancer should not be over sighted or taken pathetically. What we suppose to do: salute every Woman on the Planet, including the brave Americans, fighting Breast Cancer conditions. Especial salute should be for all who are devotedly supporting, working and fundraising for a cause of Breast Cancer early detection and complete eradication!

What is our action plan in this month? Have we reaffirmed our commitment to reduce the burden of Breast Cancer and our support for those who are living with this devastating disease? A minimum we can do, buy a Pink Merchandise of our choice/ use / interest to keep for ourselves. However, more alluring may be buying Pink Merchandise for the purpose of gift to an effected patient or supplying Pink Merchandise to the cancer clinics, hospitals, community centers, event managers, and churches to display at prominent places.

You can put in your share by participating in fundraising for a cause that just require you buy Pink Merchandise that you can select from the given list that meets your esthetic sense: Pink ribbon jewelry, pink ribbon bracelet, pink Ribbon ring, pink ribbon pin, Pink ribbon angel pin, pink ribbon coffee mug, pink ribbon mug, pink ribbon socks, pink ribbon shirt, pink ribbon t-shirt, pink ribbon silicone bracelet, pink rubber gloves, etc.

If you have time and physically fit to participate in events that require your physical presence, following may be the programs that you'd like support and join: Susan G Komen 3 Day walk, Avon Walk, Making Strides Walk, Avon Breast Cancer walk, Breast Cancer Run, Rally For the Cure, Breast Cancer Bike, Revlon walk, Breast Cancer charity event, and so many.

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Rigorous Exercise Can Cut the Chances of Developing Breast Cancer in Older Women

Posted: 22 Oct 2009 11:14 AM PDT

Finally I've got some good news for my mom and her friends--who have been fretting over breast cancer risks ever since one of their close pal died of this cancer a couple of years ago. To keep the dreaded disease at bay, these women on the wrong side of 50, need to stay fit and physically active. And my mom should not worry because she is quite active, even though she crossed 58 last month.

She'll be too glad to know that moderate to vigorous exercise have been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, especially if the women are not overweight. Simply put, it's not just aerobics, running or fast jogging, but heavy housework like scrubbing floors or washing windows too can keep malignant breast disease at bay in older women. This is the finding of a group of researchers based at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland published in the journal BMC Cancer.

Led by Dr. Tricia M Peters at the institute, an international team of researchers investigated the link between breast cancer and vigorous exercise. Researchers asked more than 110,000 post-menopausal women to rate their physical activity levels--including everyday tasks like housework, work-related activity and leisure activity--at various stages of life. It was found that over the next six and half years of follow up, women in the group who had done more than 7 hours per week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise for the last 10 years were 16 per cent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who were inactive.

However, no link was observed between breast cancer risk and physical activity in women who were active at a younger age. Neither did light exercise (such as walking, playing golf, light jogging or less strenuous household works like vacuuming or gardening) help. The researchers categorically mention the benefits of heavy housework, garden digging, chopping wood, strenuous sports and exercise (such as, running, fast jogging and aerobics), cycling on hills (as opposed to on the flat surface), and even fast dancing.

Dr Peters writes, "Our findings could help inform the mechanisms of the physical activity-breast cancer relationship. With breast cancer still claiming so many lives, all the information of potential preventive measures we can get is vital".

So, my mom, who loves heavy household work, has nothing to worry about.

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