“Breast Cancer - Symptoms and Treatment” plus 3 more |
- Breast Cancer - Symptoms and Treatment
- Cancer - American Cancer Society Drops a Bombshell!
- Young Women and Breast Cancer
- 5 Tips For Ensuring Healthy Breasts and Preventing Breast Cancer
| Breast Cancer - Symptoms and Treatment Posted: 04 Nov 2009 05:14 PM PST Breast cancer is a topic of global interest because it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Despite the mortality rate, it is one of the curable cancers only if women go for treatment upon discovering the early signs of breast cancer. Detection Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the breast tissue. Any breast lump that is hard is suspicious. Detecting breast cancer symptoms is quite easy but most women delay seeking medical screening. The recommendations for screening are as follows:
Medical Screening The commonly used screening procedure is mammography which is an imaging technique that employs serial X-rays to visualize breast tissues and detect masses not felt during a self-breast examination. This screening procedure is not perfect as it may fail to show some tumors or may show an abnormality in a normal breast. When a lump is found, a biopsy is done to check for the dreaded cancer. Treatments Chemotherapy and radiation remain the standard breast cancer treatments. There are other newer treatment methods which are still undergoing clinical trails. Targeted Biological Therapy is the treatment targeting specific characteristics of cancer cells. This method, when compared to chemotherapy, is less likely to harm normal healthy cells. Hormone Therapy, also known as anti-oestrogen therapy, retards the ability of oestrogen to stimulate the growth of the cancer cells. Anti-Angiogenic Medications are drugs which kill the cancer cells by cutting-off blood supply to them (cancer cells). Breast cancer is curable if it is detected and treated at its early stage or upon discovering symptoms. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.  |
| Cancer - American Cancer Society Drops a Bombshell! Posted: 04 Nov 2009 12:41 PM PST Early Detection Is An Expensive Fraud The chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society announced in the New York Times on October 21, 2009, "We don't want people to panic, but I am admitting that American medicine has over-promised when it comes to screening. The advantages to screening have been exaggerated." Oooops! In 1976, it was announced to the Conference on Breast Cancer, sponsored by the White House, the National Cancer Institute, and the American Cancer Society that "Long before a breast carcinoma can be detected by present technology, metastatic spread may occur and does in most cases." This was later also published in the journal of the American Cancer Society, so it is not exactly a secret unknown to the profession. If oncologists have known for thirty three years that, in most cases, by the time a cancer is detected by "early screening" it has already spread to other areas of the body, why have they been so slow to inform the public? Could it be the $20 Billion a year they pull in from one of the most successful marketing programs they've ever had? Could it be the hundreds of billions of dollars they've been raking in for mastectomies and prostatectomies every year made them reluctant to disclose the crucial knowledge that none of their surgeries would solve the real problem? If the Cancer Has Already Spread, Why Push Radical Mastectomies? This is a prime example of why our innocent public trust of the medical profession is misplaced in many cases. It is a prime reason why the patient must become conversant with the medical literature and all the options available to them for treatment. Obviously, they may not be informed of such by their doctor who has a strong financial interest in some courses of treatment that are far more profitable than others. How else can we explain why the medical profession has taken so long to tell us the truth? Cancer researchers also found out decades ago that tumor growth can be turned on or off by a very simple mechanism, accessible to any patient at no cost at all. Why haven't we heard more about this? Could it be that we don't want to offend the sacred cows of the American meat and dairy industry? Read all about it in Dr. T. Colin Campbell's book, The China Study. Medical science knows a lot more about what causes cancer than it is telling us (or even what they are teaching in medical schools). Could it be because the real money in medicine is found in treatment over a period of years, with escalating expensive choices of weaponry? There is no money in prevention of cancer. Cancer diagnosis alone, however, is worth 20 Billion a year, and it's easy money when patients can be urged to come in for a mammogram or PSA test. The real money comes when the doctor finds the tiniest speck of a cancer that has been growing and spreading around the patient's body for ten or more years. Shouldn't "Truth In Advertising" preclude calling cancer screening "early detection"? All across America, in my mind's ear, I can hear ambulance-chasing attorneys starting their engines after reading this admission from the American Cancer Society. They're racing off to file class-action lawsuits for the millions of women and men who have been scarred and mutilated by unnecessary cancer surgeries. The race is on -- who will get to the courthouse first with the largest group of plaintiffs? Fortunately for the consumers of medical services, there are a growing number of doctors and cancer researchers who have identified what initiates cancer growth and therefore, can recommend more appropriate and less costly means to treat or even prevent cancer growth. A little reading can save the informed patient a lifetime of regret caused by the barbaric and life-threatening methods of mainstream medicine's standard cut-and-burn methodologies. A good place to start reading is Dr. John McDougall's October, 2009, Newsletter. You can find it online. Caveat emptor: Let the buyer beware! Good advice for dealing with the medical profession. There is a lot they know, as we see, that is not reflected in the treatment options they recommend to patients. Get an enlightened second opinion from Dr. McDougall before you or a loved one get stampeded into treatments that are of questionable necessity. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Posted: 04 Nov 2009 12:17 PM PST I was in my twenties when I began to take notice of all the breast cancer stuff that seemed to be everywhere at certain times of the year, and it was around this time that I began to be more conscious of the issue of breast cancer - of all the pink stuff and knowing that it was important to worry about it when you turned 40. Every time I heard of breast cancer, it was within the context of women getting it at age 40 and over, so did not think I had anything to worry about. I had been doing my breast exams since I was thirteen; my mother taught me to do them at a young age, but still it never dawned on me that I could actually GET breast cancer, until it happened to me. When my mother had taught me to do my exams, she had explained that even though I barely had breasts, it was important that I know what they felt like, so as they grew and changed, I would know if anything abnormal appeared. Thanks to her education and diligence, 18 years later, when I found the lump, while in the shower, I knew immediately that something was wrong and that I needed to get checked. After finding the lump and visiting with a surgeon, even though the lump would not aspirate, the breast surgeon had it in her mind, that since I did not fit a statistic, I was to young to get breast cancer, so I should forget about it and go home - if it bothered me to come back in six months, but not to worry. "You're too young". I did wait six months and the lump doubled. After pushing for a biopsy, she did one and then called to tell me that it was cancer after all. The lump was Stage II - what if I had waited six more months? The sad truth about this story is that it is not unique. As I lay in my bed, bald, sick from chemo and wondering where life would lead me, I learned that approximately 11,000 American women younger than 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Of those approximately 1,100 die because they were told "You're too young" or "Come back in six months". I also learned that younger women have more aggressive breast cancers and higher mortality rates. Over the past three years, I have had an opportunity to meet and come to love many of these young women - some still living and some who have lost their lives needlessly to a preventable death from a disease that they did not know could take their lives. I thought to myself so many times, what if I had not been taught to do my breast examinations at an early age? What if I had not pushed the doctor for further diagnostics? What if I had not been educated and been my own advocate? Where would I be today? My being alive today, similar to the 10,000 or so women who survive breast cancer, are a result of awareness and early detection. When discovered in time, survival rates are higher. Knowledge and education are key. In 2006, when Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz introduced The Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (The EARLY Act) - H.R. 1740, S. 994, I was honored, as a young survivor of breast cancer, and representative of Tigerlily Foundation, to stand by her side, along with Senator Amy Klobuchar and representatives from other breast cancer foundations with young adult populations, to support this legislation. I thought, "The EARLY Act is just what younger women need. If it wasn't for early detection, many of them wouldn't be alive today." Imagine my surprise when opponents of this bill began to sprout up. Some said it was harmful and others said it would frighten young women. Yet, other healthcare practitioners and breast cancer advocates thought we needed more evidence, to prove that if young women did breast self examinations, it would affect their mortality rates. Others argued that it might cause more young women to go for needless biopsies and this might also impact healthcare costs and these young women's health long term. Still, others said that only a small percentage of younger women get breast cancer, so why make the investment in this legislation. After all the arguments, I still don't get it. What do all of those things matter if you get breast cancer at a young age and die because you are unaware of the risks? What do fear, medical costs, long term health issues, and what more harm could it cause if a young woman become metastatic and has to deal with a shortened life span, lack of proper insurance coverage, fertility issues, co-payments, high prescription costs, lack of fertility, physiological, mental and emotional issues and the inability to properly care for her family or pursue her goals and dreams because she has been struck by a silent enemy while she is in her prime? Also, I wonder, don't these young women have the right to life? That means that they need to be given the proper tools to make proper decisions about their health. That means that although it is a small population, these young women are not just numbers, they are individuals whose lives matter, as much as those in the majority. The thing is, these young women can and do survive if they are aware and find their lumps in time. At the very least, if a young woman never got a breast lump or other symptom, she could be an advocate amongst her peers, friends, family and in the community. The EARLY Act, introduced by Rep. Wasserman Schultz, would support this type of awareness and education. The bill has more than 360 cosponsors in the House and more than 36 in the Senate. It would fund a national education campaign on breast cancer and young women. The educational campaign would reach out to young adult women and also to physicians. It would not only educate young women and the communities in which they live, the bill would also help young women who have breast cancer get social and psychological support. The EARLY Act will encourage young women to 1) learn the facts; 2) know their bodies; 3) speak up for their health; and 4) embrace support. The draft bill calls for expenditures of $9 million per year from 2010 to 2014. Similar to other early detection and screening programs, it is simply an educational tool, and a powerful one, as it could change the lives of many young women nationally and maybe on a global scale. It's true that only a small percentage of young women get breast cancer. However, we tend to have higher mortality rates. Our futures grind to a halt: Our careers are put on hold, the disease may affect our ability to bear children, and we have to deal with problems such as under-insurance, along with challenges to our long-term health that arise from more aggressive treatments. Does it hurt young women to inform them about breast cancer? What would be more harmful - arming them with education, awareness and lifesaving tools life, or leaving ignorant of a disease that could rob them of their future? Without awareness, how would younger women know what to look for? Without awareness how could we push our doctors to take us more seriously when we go to them with a lump or, in some cases, with excruciating pain. My 6-year-old daughter told someone the other day, "My mommy and I are breast cancer survivors". My eyes filled with tears. It's been nearly three years and she is just now beginning to vocalize how she feels and what she went through. We need the new programs of the EARLY Act to address the psychological and social needs that younger women and younger families have, which are often different from those of women 40 and over. Today, I am a three-year survivor of breast cancer, and I am alive because of early detection. As I write this, I can reach over and touch my daughter's face - because I am still here; because I found my lump in time. In the fall, I took my daughter to school, as she started first grade, and watched her go in and find her way. And I was there waiting for her after school- because I am still be here, because of early detection. I wonder, how many other young women lost the opportunity to watch their children bloom and grow - learn to talk, walk, read, ride bikes, tie their shoes, go to their first day of school and will never see their children grow up to be men and women - because of lack of awareness. It is easy to play the numbers game when it is not personal, or when those opposing it are fighting in some way to maintain the status quo, some sort of power or control over the "way things are". However, times are changing; and as for those of us who are on either side of the statistic pool, it is an easy decision - we are here because of early detection or a life was lost because of a lack of it. The EARLY Act is necessary - it is not an option. Young women's lives and futures depend on it. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.  |
| 5 Tips For Ensuring Healthy Breasts and Preventing Breast Cancer Posted: 04 Nov 2009 09:26 AM PST Did you know that 30%-50% of breast cancer could be prevented with a healthy diet and getting regular exercise? Sounds too simple to be true, I know. But the human body is amazing when it comes to taking care of itself. Good nutrition is important but you also need to avoid xenoestrogens which are toxic to your body. Follow these tips below and you'll have healthy breasts and you'll be taking a proactive role in preventing breast cancer. 1 - Focus on Good Nutrition - Avoid simple carbohydrates and processed oils (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oil).
Choose good healthy fats. Our body requires good fat to function properly. Too many people eat processed vegetable oil or partially and hydrogenated oil which are harmful to the body.
Choose good protein sources. If your vegetarian it's important that you get some form of protein from beans, tofu or nuts. If you're a meat eater, follow the guidelines below:
2 - Avoid Xenoestrogen Substances Xenoestrogen substances are a major cause of breast cancer and other female health problems. They are chemical compounds from environmental pollutants. They mimic estrogen and attach to your estrogen receptor sites and cause the endocrine system to dysfunction. Xenoestrogen Sources
Counteracting Xenoestrogen Substances
3 - Use Natural Foods As Prevention Remedies There are lots of nutritious foods that promote good breast health and prevent breast cancer. The trick is to actually eat them. If you can't get the nutrients from your foods, then supplementing might be a good
Ellagic Acid is known for stopping carcinogens from intiating cancer cell growth and is found in in cherries, grapes, walnuts, raspberries, strawberries and pomegranates. Bioflavonoids detoxify harmful estrogens and help prevent the production of cancer cells. They are found in found in citrus, grapes, onions and buckwheat. Lignans prevent the growth of tumors and are found in nuts and seeds, especially flax seed. Beta carotene naturally protects against cancer and can be found in foods like beans, carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, winter squash, yams, broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach and sweet potatoes. Lutein and Zeaxanthin provide cancer fighting benefits for pre-menopausal women and women with a family history of breast cancer. The best food sources are found in collard greens, spinach, kale, corn and most yellow vegetables. Lycopene helps eliminate free radicals from cigarette smoke and can be found in tomatoes, carrots, guava, ruby red grapefruit and watermelon. Catechins have a powerful antioxidant effect and are found in black and green tea. Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, prevents damage to the DNA in cells which occurs when normal cells transform into cancerous cells. 4 - Be Positive and Reduce Stress We know the damage that stress causes to our body so controlling stress is always a good thing. But having a positive attitude can be very helpful in controlling our health too. Learn to pamper yourself to reduce stress. - Take a walk in nature
Breast Massage Regular breast massage helps to improve circulation and lymph drainage, it decreases symptoms of PMS, menopause and menstrual cramps, and decreases the discomfort from pregnancy and breast feeding. I have a link to an instructional video on my website. Getting trapped lymph fluid to move is good for healthy breasts and can alleviate pain and tenderness. You may eventually eliminate lumps if done regularly. 5 - Switch from Mammography to Thermography Avoid mammograms and consider thermography instead. I know this sounds a bit radical. But do some research on mammograms vs. thermograms. Thermography can detect abnormalities at the cellular level which could be 10 years before you might otherwise notice them and there is no harm done to sensitive breast tissue. Mammogram x-rays increase your risk of cancer. A typical mammogram of both breasts will expose you to 2,720 RADs (Radiation Absorbed Dose) that's 8 pictures at 340 RADS each. And they encourage us to get a mammogram every year. The non-direct natural radiation that we as humans absorb every year is only 300 RADs. There are times when x-rays are necessary, but if there is a safer and effective alternative to routine yearly mammograms, why not check it out? There is lots of money raised every year in support of finding a cure for breast cancer, which is great. But I wish there was more of a focus on educating women on how to prevent breast cancer. Because it all boils down to good nutrition and making healthy choices. By adopting these lifestyle changes in our life, we'd not only prevent breast cancer, but we would prevent all kinds of other illnesses and diseases as well. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Add Images to any RSS Feed copy To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment