Fighting Against Breast Cancer – Know Your Options
Breast cancer affects women of all ages but the threat of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. It is uncommon in women under age 35. Most breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50, and the risk is mainly high for women over 60. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer, 10% of all cancer incidences, both sexes counted and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2005, it caused 502,000 deaths worldwide. The United States has the maximum incidence rates of breast cancer in women, globally. The American Cancer Society estimates that one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point during their lives.
Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the breast tissue. Because the breast is composed of the same tissues in males and females, that why male can be also affected by breast cancer. Incidences of this cancer in men are about 100 times less common than in women that why breast cancer in men is not uncommon and male breast cancer must be taken seriously.
Risk Factors
There are many risk factors. Some of these are your age, past incidences of breast lesions, your family’s medical history, and genetics. If you’ve had abnormal biopsies in the past or been exposed to some chemicals or radiation, those can present a risk as well, although a lesser one. The age a woman first gave birth, the age of her first period, the age she went through menopause, and whether or not she is overweight may also influence the chances of getting breast cancer to a lesser degree. However, 70 percent of women who get cancer do not fall into these risk groups. When we look in the dietary factors then meats, total fat, saturated fats, dairy, refined sugar and alcohol are the dietary factor that may increase the cancer risk as fish, whole grains, cabbage, vegetables, nut and fruits may help to lower the risk of cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
While you may experience symptoms of breast cancer, only a doctor can make the diagnosis that for sure. Indications which may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge but the main subjective sign is typically a lump that feels different than the surrounding breast tissue. More than 80% of this disease cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump. Obesity is one of another risk factor. However, seven out of ten women with breast cancer have no obvious risk factors.
Tests and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer can be diagnose by clinical breast exam, mammography, ultrasonography, Biopsy, Fine-needle, Surgical biopsy, Tissue evaluation and Genetic testing.
Treatments of Breast Cancer
There are quite a few options for breast cancer treatment which include surgery, chemotherapy, medical therapies and radiation therapy. Surgery is one option for breast cancer treatment. When surgery is indicated, there are several different types your surgeon may perform. In a mastectomy, the entire breast is removed. In a lumpectomy, just an area of the breast containing the cancer is removed. The choice depends on many factors. Your health care professional is the best person who helps you to understand these factors. Their are some supplements and herbs that may help to improving effectiveness of conventional treatment like AHCC, Ginkgo biloba, Lycopene, Melatonin, N-Acetylcysteine, Panax ginseng and Shark Cartilage.
Chemotherapy is another breast cancer treatment that is quite common. Chemotherapy affects the entire body by going through the bloodstream. The goal is to rid the body of any cancer cells that could have possibly spread from the breast into other parts of the body. Today this type of treatment is much more effective with fewer side effects than in previous years. Chemotherapy is process which has some side effects. The given supplements and herbs may assist for reducing the side effects of chemotherapy Acetyl-L-carnitine, AHCC, Beta-carotene, Chamomile Cream, CoQ10, Colostrum, Ginger, Glutamine, Melatonin, Milk Thistle, N-Acetylcysteine, Probiotics, Vitamin E and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Relaxation Therapy and Acupuncture/Acupressure is also a good option.
In addition to medical therapies, there are a variety of holistic treatments that one can pursue. Among them are yoga and acupuncture. Another treatment method is called radiation therapy. People might be worried of this form of therapy but they are often over reacting. Radiation therapy is precisely focused which means it is going to affect only the specific area designated by the radiologist for treatment and not other areas of the body. Aloe veraGel, Calendula Cream, Chamomile Cream, Sea Buckthorn, Multivitamin Multimineral and Zine Supplements are help to reducing the side effects of radiaton therapy. Whatever treatment decision you make be sure to discuss all the options with your doctor.
There are quite a few herbs and supplements like Alfalfa, Beta-carotene, Black Cohosh, Boron, Dong Quai, Estriol, Folate, Genistein, Licorice, Panax ginseng, Red Clover, Resveratrol, St. John’s Wort, Vitamin C and Vitamin E which can be use only with caution.
Prevention
The best thing that women can do is try to prevent breast cancer before it happens. You should try to eliminate undue stress in your life and this may need you to make a change in your present lifestyle. You should eat a proper diet and make sure that you take part in a regular exercise program. Here are a few more tips that you can follow:
* You Can Ask Your Doctor to Calculate Your Risk
* Examine Your Breasts
* Get Screened
* Discuss Preventive Options with Your Doctor
* Maintain A Healthy Weight
* Eat A Healthy Diet
* Take Your Genes into Account
It’s significant to do a regular self exam, because early detection is important. If you pay attention to breast cancer signs, you can have any symptoms investigated early on, and the sooner you are diagnosed, the more likely you are to triumph over this awful disease.
Always be aware of the risk of breast cancer. If you notice any symptoms during the self-examination process or if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, don’t hesitate to visit your health care provider. Identifying the symptoms early can literally save your life.
