As a woman you should know what are the basic symptoms of breast cancer.
Since men are at a potential risk they should know about the breast cancer symptoms as well.
It’s a fact that all that most women only know that breast cancer is something they may be affected with but nothing beyond.
So in this article we will concentrate on breast cancer symptoms and share them via this platform.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
The breast with cancer will feel warm when you touch it.
Such a breast always feels warm.
Sometimes-even warmer.
That is – hot to touch and this is a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer.
Visit the doctor who will evaluate a breast that is red or blotchy, even having a rash-like appearance.
These are all Signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
It is dangerous and rare type of cancer.
So learning to read the symptom in time helps and it is not so difficult.
You can always touch and feel if you notice something wrong.
Therefore knowledge is important.
Both of These Symptoms Are of Breast Cancer
1- If your breast feels itchy that too quite often of late, don’t ignore it.
2- Either it is Itchy breasts or itchy nipples; you need to talk to your doctor.
Other symptoms of Breast Cancer
1- Yet another symptom is noticing flat and/or inverted nipples.
2- One nipple of both depending upon whether cancer has struck in one breast or both is flat or inverted.
Some girls have inverted nipples from birth.
It’s a different case altogether and has nothing to do with breast cancer.
3- If woman has breast cancer she can notice the skin around her breast is dimpled or gives a look of an orange peel.
4- Surrounding skin of breast or breast itself can develop dimpled appearance.
It’s natural for women under such circumstances to visit the doctor and have breast examined.
Being Shy to go for Breast Cancer Examination
Women need to get the shyness out of the way and take an early appointment with the doctor.
The chances are that if she approaches the doctoring time the situation can be altogether avoided by nipping the disease at the bud or brought under control when there is still time.
No need to feel shy or embarrassed and all.
Opt for a woman doctor at the most.
It’s a normal tendency that a woman’s breast becomes swollen and tender during her normal menstrual cycle, but when such a thing stops to show for a long time, it need to be examined by a doctor.
Notice if there is a sudden increase in their breast size.
More Information About Breast Cancer, Self-Examination
Some women are complaining, it states that mammograms are painful.
This is not necessarily true.
Broken leg is painful!
A mammogram can be uncomfortable but if rarely painful.
I think statements like these only serve to cause women NOT to have this test as opposed to seeking it out.
There is no intention of putting any woman off from taking the mammogram test by saying it is painful.
In fact I did say that they should follow up on these appointments.
Depends on the person who is doing the test.
That is not an actual statement it is my own thoughts.
Most women are not afraid of a bit of pain especially when it is for such an important reason so they are not likely to be put off by it.
Mammogram is fleeting and over in a matter of minutes.
A further part of the response; Also, the statement that CT imaging or ultrasound are “better” might lead women to think that they should do this instead of a mammogram.
This article does not address the fact that this test is expensive, not readily available across the nation, and unless there is documentation that it is medically necessary , most insurance companies won’t cover it.
It doesn’t address the increase radiation that a woman is exposed to via CT -v- mammogram.
Here is the Latter Part of my Posting:
CT imaging is at present under going further tests and even when available may prove too expensive for insurance companies to agree to its use.
Most people in The US and countries abroad rely on insurance companies to cover their health costs they are not likely to pay the high costs themselves.
As explained unless it was thought absolutely necessary the insurance companies would probably not pay out the expensive cost of CT imaging.
Further part of the response; It doesn’t address the increase radiation that a woman is exposed to via CT -v- mammogram.
Also, a CT image can NOT show if a “spot” is malignant or benign.
Only a biopsy can show this.
CT scan can give increased radiation, but this scan gives approximately the same as a mammogram so is no different in that respect.
I do apologize for stating that it shows if a spot is malignant or benign you are perfectly correct it does require a biopsy to prove that, it was a misstatement.
According to reports it is still undergoing tests and not yet available to the general public and it may be some time before it is.
Cost of Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Diagnosis that could extend peoples lives or give them a better quality of life are refused because of the cost.
Same will happen with CT imaging unless you can pay the costs yourself.
It may not deem to be medically necessary, but if you value your life it could be money well spent even if you do prove to be a healthy being.
Your money or your life; which would you choose?
I am going off tack now to a similar subject but different.
My best friend had been having problems for over two years, visits to the doctors and hospital were she was given x-rays, tablets and other tests showed nothing, they told her she had stomach problems.
She lost lots of weight and it was only when she had really severe pains in her side that they finally decided to do a scan which revealed that she had cancer.
Six weeks later my friend was dead.
If a scan had been done two years earlier it would have been found and her life may have been extended with cancer treatments.
But the expense of a scan is deemed too much to warrant the possibility of a life being saved. That is what we must assume anyway.
So when we talk about options about whether to go for cheap or expensive it is your life so you choose if you are able.
Yes, Men Can Get Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer is rare but men do have breast tissue so they need to be aware that they are also susceptible.
Percentage of men getting this type of cancer is very low, about 0.20% to 1%.
The testosterone in men prevents them from developing breasts but it consists of mainly small undeveloped ducts and a certain quantity of fat and connective tissue.
Breast tissue in men does not produce milk and is in the area behind the nipple.
Moreover, breast cancer in men is similar to the cancer women get in that it is because of the unrestrained growth of cells in this tissue.
Men of any age can develop this cancer but the cancer has been found mostly in men aged 60 to 70 years.
Just like female breast cancer, the causes of male breast cancer have not yet been fully determined.
Genetics and Environmental effects are thought to play a role in Men Breast Cancer
When a man has high levels of estrogen, which is uncommon, it may lead to an increased risk of cancer.
If you have had radiation therapy to treat tumors in the chest area the exposure to the radiation increases your chances of developing breast cancer.
Also, if a man has Klinefelter’s syndrome, where an additional female chromosome leads to enlarged breasts and increased levels of estrogen, his risk of developing breast cancer rises strikingly.
Cirrhosis of the liver also causes an increase in estrogen levels and so a man suffering from this is at risk.
Therefore, women in your family who have had breast cancer the chances are that you are much at risk.
Significant number of cases of male breast cancer is increasing and researchers are focusing more on this area of oncology.
Until now the emphasis was on the treatment of women with breast cancer and since men were not alerted to the fact that they could also be at risk, very often the diagnosis was made at a later stage.
Researchers have established that men get the same kind of breast cancer as women.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
The symptoms they complained of, apart from enlarged breasts, was a painless lump in the breast or nipple inversion.
Cancer is generally found behind the nipple in the breast tissue.
Men have less breast tissue than women so the cancer might have spread to other parts of the body by the time it is diagnosed.
Surgery is the most common treatment for incidences of male breast cancer, followed by radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
So if any of the factors mentioned above apply to you then get a screening done and look out for unusual growths or developments in your breasts.
Be advised that men can also develop breast cancer and take the necessary precautions.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Warning Signs!
Breast Cancer is the second most common type of cancer after cancer of the lungs.
We don’t know why but Breast Cancer is like an epidemic among women.
Another important thing to note is that breast cancer can affect men also. Against every 100 women, one man is diagnosed with it.
Women less than 20 are less like to get breast cancer as compared to someone over 45.
It can happen at any age so it becomes all the more important for women to get themselves checked against Breast cancer regularly.
Such a cancer is a unique type of cancer and its not very common.
In Inflammatory Breast Cancer doesn’t develop lump in the breast, which makes diagnoses rather difficult.
Mammograms cannot detect it so easily.
The skin and lymph vessels of the breast get infiltrated in Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
As inflammatory breast cancer cells block lymph vessels, the breasts become swollen, red and feel slightly warm.
Other symptoms may include presence of enlarged lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone on the side that is affected.
Typical signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer Includes:
- Pinkness in breast
- one breast larger than the other
- Swelling
- Rash
- Skin feels warm
- Pain – itchiness
- Thickened areas of breast
- Discharge from nipples
- Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit
- Occasionally swollen lymph nodes of the neck
- Inverted or flattened appearance of nipples
Inflammatory Breast Cancer grows at a fast pace and needs to be treated aggressively.
Diagnoses by biopsy and clinical judgments.
It’s treated with the combination of Local as well as Total treatment.
The regular sequence of treatment starts with chemotherapy which is a systemic treatment, followed by surgery and radiation therapy – which are local treatments.
These two are often followed by another round of chemotherapy with hormone treatments to set things in order.
40% of the people getting treated for Inflammatory Breast Cancer survive for 5 years.
Not starting with the right course of medication and so on.
Women should make sure they are visiting doctor regularly for breast check up.
There may sometimes be signs like lump in the breast but in case of inflammatory cancer there are no signs or they start to show after it’s late.
By visiting doctor regularly one can diagnose it when its just starting and treatment at that stage is that much less easier with better chances of survival and much less painful for the victim and the family both.
Risk of Breast Cancer in Younger Women
Breast cancer is mostly referred to or associated with older or ageing women.
Which is not always the case.
There have been instances where women as young as 35 were diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through all the complicated therapies and radiation besides.
Shocks that the victim and her relatives had to undergo for getting it at an age they were not expecting.
In younger women the diagnosis, recovery, treatment and after effects can be far more profound.
The statistics and journals sometimes just ignore the younger women who are affected with breast cancer.
It is popular belief and also a fact to an extent that breast cancer mostly strikes women at an older age.
Meaning, the chances of breast cancer increase with age. But young women are getting affected with it. That too with no family history to show for it.
Factors responsible for breast cancer in young women are, past personal history, family history.
Some studies have suggested (and the debate to contradict the same has been going on forever)
That extended use of oral contraceptives has increased the risk of breast cancer to a little extent among young women as compared to women who never use oral contraceptive.
Researchers continue to study and observe the opposite results in these trials to come to a final conclusion, if birth control pills have a role to play in breast cancer.
Why is it Difficult to Diagnose Breast Cancer in Younger Women?
Since breast tissue in younger women is generally denser than the breast tissue in older women it becomes very difficult to feel the lump in a younger woman’s breast.
Where as this would be the first symptom that would alert an older woman.
Another reason why breast cancer in younger women is not diagnosed in time is because their approach to symptoms is very casual.
I am too young to have breast cancer leads to developing one beyond an easy repair.
Can breast caner among younger women be prevented: No, breast cancer in younger women cannot exactly be prevented but early diagnosis can make the treatment far more successful.
90% of those young women whose breast cancer is detects in time will survive it.
Young women should understand the risk factors and take it up with their health care adviser from time to time.
Going through checks if necessary and advised. Let’s not be casual.
While we are young. Let’s be alert and aware.
You have to be able to know it before doctor when something is not going right with your body.
But I am hardly trying to say, assume what could be wrong and start self medication or ask a friend who has somewhat similar symptom and follow the prescription her doctor gave her for a few dollars or lack of time.
Please do not mis-interpret what I am trying to say: Understand your body.
Understand the feeling of being fit from being in slight discomfort.
Can Environmental Risks Result in Breast Cancer?
Is everyday lifestyle, things we do on a day-to-day basis without realizing its impact on our health lead to a dangerous situation where we can be diagnosed with breast cancer?
Do you think hair dyes, deodorant, makeup, or house cleaning detergent result in an increased risk of breast cancer?
Let us find out about risk factors present in environment through this article.
Toxins known as carcinogens surround us in the form of air we breathe, food we eat, water we drink.
There are thousands of such toxins present in the environment and majority of them have not even been studied for their effects on human beings.
However, the ones on which studies and researches have been performed has been found that exposure to some of these toxin can result in breast cancer and many other health problems.
According to what scientists say after studying the risk factors for breast cancer, is that it’s very hard to pin down specific foods or chemicals that are definitely and certainly linked to a higher or lower risk for breast cancer.
Therefor, that matter specific lifestyle and environmental factors that may contribute to higher or lower risk of getting breast cancer.
Rumor that using underarm deodorant or antiperspirant can cause breast cancer has been doing the rounds for years.
Women worry that there might be a link because underarm is so close to the breast, we feel that chemicals may find a way to your body through the skin, and affect the breast.
Some of us may worry about sweat building up may harm the lymph nodes in the breast area.
Also concerned that antiperspirants may have cancer-causing substance.
But no scientific evidence has been found that proves that there is a definite link between use of deodorant and breast cancer.
Like the rumor of hair dyes being a cause of breast cancer has been found doing the rounds for which again scientists have no evidences.
Eating barbecued food are found to be more at breast cancer risk than the women who don’t include too much of it in their everyday diet.
Alcohol and Breast Cancer
Drinking a moderate dose of alcohol is a risk factor for breast cancer in women.
As per the research conducted by scientists about alcohol – the growth of a breast cancer by increasing the number of blood vessels that feed the breast cancer.
Researchers are working round the clock to find out about specific lifestyle and environmental factors and if they can affect breast cancer risk.
We should however watch out for the chemicals listed below as they may contain cancerous toxins. Chemicals to watch out for are:
Perfluorooctanoic acid, which is used in making Teflon and Gore Tex.
Phthalates used in plastics, hair products and perfume, lubricants, and wood finishers.
Phytoestrogens these occur naturally in plants like soybeans that act like weak estrogen in the body.
Polybrominated biphenyls: due to this chemical its difficult to burn plastic.
Can Dietary Fiber Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?
A healthy diet is a precaution against a variety of diseases.
Nutritionists say that the diet should include a portion of dietary fiber, especially for women who want to avoid the risk of breast cancer.
Researchers have, over the decades, focused on the relation between dietary fiber and breast cancer.
Western and Asian diets were compared in such studies where it was found that breast cancer was rarer in Asian countries because the diet was higher in fiber and low on fat as compared to Western diets.
The theory was that estrogen leads to the development of breast cancer.
Low-fat high-fiber diet reduces the production of estrogen while simultaneously increasing the excretion of this hormone by the body.
Dietary fiber may also lead to a reduction in the absorption of toxic chemicals and in this manner reduces the risk of breast cancer.
However, estrogen taken in low doses is seen to relieve the symptoms of menopause, and also decreases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Recently, researchers from the University of Leeds, who conducted a study on around 35,000 women, aged 35 to 69, found that if women ate at least 30 grams of fiber they halved their risk of developing breast cancer as compared to women who had 20 grams of fiber or less.
The researchers found that pre-menopausal women with breast cancer had a higher percentage of energy obtained from protein and also less total carbohydrate or sugar and dietary fiber, and vitamin C as compared with women without cancer.
Effect was not seen among the postmenopausal women with cancer. The women in the study had a range of diets from being totally vegetarian to not eating red meat.
Vegetable, fruits, and whole grain foods, such as wholemeal bread that are rich with fiber will ward off breast cancer in premenopausal women.
Does this mean that women should automatically have diets that are low fat and fiber rich? Well, doctors say that such a diet would be good for overall health.
Dr. Colin Campbell of Cornell University states that some studies have indirectly connected the greater consumption of meat (high fat or high protein) with high cancer risk.
Leeds research Dr. Cade, says that it is part of the general healthy eating habits to make sure that you are getting lots of fiber in your diet through breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, fruit, and vegetables.
Fiber is not the only ingredient in your diet that can reduce the risk of breast cancer but as the experts say, a diet rich in fiber is better for your health as a whole.
So change your diet to reduce the fat in it and enhance the fiber portions.
Studies conducted show a small decrease risk of breast cancer when linked to an increase in dietary fiber as people eat a wide variety of foods and separating the effects of any one single group of foods is difficult.
Lifestyle factors and the location of research studies conducted also vary.
Latest Additions In Breast Cancer Studies
Genetic Breast Cancers May be Inherited From Father Too, Not Necessarily Mother: Half of genetic breast cancers are inherited from a woman’s father, not the mother.
Unless Dad has female relatives with breast cancer, the faulty gene may have been passed down silently, without causing cancer.
Men can get genetic breast cancer, too, but it’s not common. Doctors many a times overlook such genetic risk from the father’s side of the family.
Saliva Test Done By Your Dentist Can Also Help Diagnose Breast Cancer in Time. According to studies on breast cancer your saliva test by the dentist can help you detect breast cancer before time.
Such a test looks at four specific proteins found in saliva in high enough levels to be tested.
These proteins are just some of the pointers that can be identified with breast cancer tumors.
Studies have proved that Hair Relaxing or Abortions have no link with Breast Cancer.
But hormones for menopause may increase breast cancer risk. Hormones, estrogen and testosterone are taken by women to deal with hot flashes, decreased libido etc.
In the report published in Feb 2007, California researchers have found that long-term physical activity where women have to exert themselves to the point of feeling strained decreases her risk of invasive breast cancer.
Reducing fat intake does not significantly reduce the chances of being affected with breast cancer or heart disease.
According to the latest clinical trial results from the National Institutes of Health’s Women’s Health Initiative, fat does not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in healthy postmenopausal women.
Breast cancer studies have evaluated the relationship between breast implants and breast cancer risk thereof.
Most studies have reported that the risk of developing breast cancer is lower in women who have gone for implants as compared to women who have not.
Women who have opted for implants as per some studies have a reduced risk to the extent of 50 to 60 percent.
Further studies are going to confirm the above.
Is There A Link Between (i) Early Start of Menstruation and Cancer, and (ii) Abortions and Breast Cancer?
Both the above possibilities have been thoroughly researched and studied.
They have confirmed that there may be a link between early onset of menstruation but none between abortion and breast cancer.
Let’s look at both of them in details for better understanding on the subjects.
Yes. As per studies conducted at various research institutes the risk does exist for certain types of cancer in those women who started to menstruate before they were twelve years old.
Medical term of early menstruation is early menstruate.
It’s important to keep in mind that the consequence of an early menstruate to result in cancer is very small.
Should I be Worried about Breast Cancer?
Just because you yourself, or your child or someone you know has had an early menarche doesn’t mean you need to start worrying about being diagnosed with cancer sometime in future as a certainty.
What you need to do is discuss your cancer risks with doctor so that the required screening tests can be done.
However the types of cancer that may hit those who have had an early menstruate include:
- Breast cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian cancer
About ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer is directly related to menstrual cycle. Meaning the more ovulation cycles a woman has in her lifetime, the more likely she is to develop ovarian cancer.
Therefore early menstruate is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Similarly early onset of menopause, multiple pregnancies, and the women who have extensively used birth control pills, which is supposed to stop ovulation but not menstruation, decrease the risk of ovarian cancer.
Coming to the next topic, if cancer and abortion have a link
There is no solid evidence that has confirmed that abortion is linked to increased risk of breast cancer as some people worried about after reading a report a decade ago abut a possible risk.
Big groups of people were studied and watched closely and this was done in many countries.
I mean this study was undertaken in many part of the world and it was concluded and observed my most that there was no visible link between breast cancer and abortion.
What Could Raise Your Risk of Getting Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is cancer arising in breast tissue.
It is about abnormal cells in and around breast having abnormal growth patterns.
In general breast cancer usually infects women but 1% of men also get it.
Death rates due to breast cancer have reasonably declined due to increased awareness as well as screening and improved treatment methods.
There are Many Types of Breast Cancer:
- Ductal cancer
- Lobular cancer
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Medullary cancer
- Phyllodes tumor
- Angiosarcoma
- Mucinous (colloid) carcinoma
- Mixed tumors
When cancers spread into the surrounding tissues, they are termed infiltrating cancers.
Breast Cancer can also be Metastatic
Metastatic cancers mean they can spread to other places from the place of their origin.
Common sites for breast cancer to metastasize are under the arms into the lymph nodes or above the collarbone.
In exceptional cases it can also spread in brain, the liver, and the bones.
Coming to the risk factors that can raise one’s chances of getting breast cancer are:
1- Gender undoubtedly is the biggest risk. If you are a woman you are much more likely to get breast cancer than men.
2- Age is another such factor. One can be diagnosed with breast cancer anytime in their life.
3- Chances of white women to develop breast cancer are more than that of African American women in the U.S.
4- Woman with a personal history of cancer in one breast are at three to four times greater risk of cancer in the other breast or in other part of the same breast, which was earlier, treated for breast cancer.
A new tumor may develop and not necessarily the old one may return.
There could be many reason for breast cancer:
- Genetic causes
- Hormonal causes like menopause
- Having child before thirty
- Use of oral contraceptives
- Not having children at all
- Dietary and lifestyle causes like high dietary intake of fat
- Being overweight or obese is a known risk factor for breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women can also lead to breast cancer.
- Radiation treatment can also increase one’s chances of getting breast cancer.
Avocados Help Fight Breast Cancer, Relieve Wounds and Menstruation
1- Avocados is not just a fruit with high nutritional value it also has medicinal properties.
We will see how avocados help in reducing weight, fighting cancer cell growth and helps when applied in dysentery.
2- Avocados are a rich source of vitamin K, fiber that helps in digestion, vitamin C, B6, folate and copper and potassium.
Their potassium content is higher than what a medium size banana can provide.
3- Avocados have a high fat content. That is, between 71% to 88% of their total calories – about 20 times the average for other fruits.
4- An avocado in general contains 30 grams of fat – 20 of these fat grams are full of health-promoting monounsaturated fats, special mention of oleic acid is a must here.
5- Avocados contain oleic acid, that accrding to researches done may help to lower cholesterol level.
6- Avocados are also a good source of potassium, a mineral found in banana that helps regulate blood pressure.
Appropriate intake of potassium can help to one protect and fight against high blood pressure, heart disease and also stroke.
Advantages
One cup of avocado has 23% of the folate that our body needs through the day. It is an important nutrient for heart health.
Women whose intake of dietary folate is higher have 55% lower risk of having heart attacks or dangerous heart disease.
People who consume folate-rich diets also have a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
They are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which in current research shown to have properties to protect against breast cancer also.
An extract of avocado containing these carotenoids and tocopherols restrict the growth of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostrate – both type of cancer cells.
How do you include avocados in your daily diet?
Some slices of avocado can be added and salad, or chopped avocado can be mixed into salsa.
It does not only add a rich, creamy flavor to your meal, but greatly increases your body’s ability to absorb the health-promoting carotenoids that vegetables provide.
Disadvantages or negative effects in humans are primarily due to allergies individuals have against particular compounds or chemicals.
Might cause allergy in some people. For the first few times you include avocados in your diet you should be more observant.
Fruit’s skin is antibiotic; is used as remedy for dysentery. The leaves of avocado are chewed to protect or inhibit pyorrhea.
Poultices made of avocado leaves are applied on wounds. Heated leaves are also applied on the forehead to get rid of neuralgia.
The leaf decoction is taken as a remedy for diarrhea, sore throat and hemorrhage. It is also believed that it stimulates and regulates menstruation.
These are some of the properties of avocados. Whether is is fighting cancer or dysentery or relieving wounds, Avocados are the way to go!
Choosing Your Breast Cancer Treatment
The primary treatment for breast cancer is surgery which removes the cancer. There are three major types of surgery.
First one being Breast Conserving Surgery wherein either a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy is done to remove part of the breast that is affected.
Second treatment is Mastectomy where the entire breast is removed.
And the third treatment is where the lymph nodes affected with cancer are removed and it is called Axillary Nodes Dissection.
Patients whose breast cancer is detected while still in primary stage can opt for Breast Conserving Surgery.
If the cancer is at an advanced stage doctors may suggest the patient to opt for Mastectomy.
At the time of surgery, most patients also have opt for Axillary Nodes Dissection to check if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Such a procedure removes lymph nodes from the armpit to test them for cancer cells.
People also opt for two types of treatments to fight breast cancer.Combining treatment is also known as adjuvant therapy.
When alternate treatment is performed after the surgery the basic treatment, it helps to destroy the remaining cancer cells.
Sometimes such treatments are also performed before surgery.
Treatment for breast cancer also depends on the individual.
The factors women consider may be one or more from the following:
- Personal preferences,
- Overall health and fitness factor,
- Which stage is your cancer in,
- Whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes,
- The type of cancer is also a factor.
Whether the cancer patient has is an aggressive type or not.
Also, whether the woman has gone through menopause, and many such factors help a women decide which type of treatment will she go for.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer How Is It Different?
The Inflammatory breast cancer is a very rare type of cancer and is so called because of its manifestation on breast skin and the inflamed or swollen look.
Younger women are diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer as compared to other forms of breast cancer.
But it’s a persistent type of locally developing cancer that affects a smaller number of women.
Metastasis is more likely in women with inflammatory breast cancer and this type is likely to prove more fatal than other forms of noninflammatory breast cancer.
In the rarest of rare cases, even men can be diagnosed with this disease.
Researchers are working on solutions and there is likely to be new hope for sufferers of this disease.
So how do we Distinguish Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
The first sign is that it takes a shorter time to become apparent it can grow very rapidly, taking weeks or even days to manifest itself.
There will not be the usual lump that heralds the possibility of other types of breast cancer but the skin will thicken and there will be a feeling of heaviness in the breast.
It develops more as a sheet than a tumor.
Look out for feelings of tenderness and enlargement.
Does the Breast feel Warm or Itchy with the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The color could also change, appearing red or bruised.
You will feel pain and also a change in the texture of the skin.
Check if the lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone are enlarged.
Skin around the nipple could have a swelling or encrustation or it could appear flattened or retracted and could also experience a change in color.
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer can cause confusion as they are similar to a breast infection known as mastitis.
Those occurs mainly in younger women and especially those who are breast feeding.
Difference is that mastitis causes a fever and can be cured by antibiotics.
So if there is no fever or antibiotics are not helping to cure the infection then inflammatory breast cancer might be the cause.
In some cases the symptoms of breast cancer could also be a result of a previous surgical procedure or radiation therapy.
These can lead to the lymphatic drainage system being blocked, causing the swelling and the red color, which again should not be confused with inflammatory breast cancer.
However, do have a follow up session of examination even if the symptoms disappear because in rare cases they can recur and be an indication of the cancer.
This cancer manifests itself when the lymphatic cells of the skin on the breast are clogged by cancer cells.
Diagnose of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
It can be diagnosed by a physician after a clinical examination.
You will be advised to undergo a breast ultrasound, a mammogram, and a biopsy to help with the diagnosis.
Once inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed, treatment can take the form of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy.
When this initial treatment is over, patients with this disease may undergo additional therapy to prevent or reduce the risk of recurrence of the cancer.
Research studies are taking place that you can participate in that are structured to find newer treatments and optimize the use of currently used treatments.
So if you take part in such a clinical trial it can be a treatment option for you.
Patients diagnosed with this disease must be aware that the prognosis for inflammatory breast cancer is different from that of other forms of breast cancer.
Survival Rate on Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Since the cancer is more likely to have metastasized when it is diagnosed, the survival rate is much lower than otherwise.
However, each patient is in a unique situation and these statistics are based on a large number of patients.
So your doctor will give you a prognosis based on your own unique situation.
Keep in mind that you must have follow up examination, and treatment if necessary, so that the cancer does not recur.
Why You May Get Breast Cancer and What Aspects You Can Control
The number of deaths due to breast cancer is decreasing, and more and more women are surviving it.
This could be because of screening procedures, which help the disease to be diagnosed earlier, or due to an improvement in treatment.
However, there are some risk factors that determine why you may get breast cancer.
Most Important one is your Sex and Family History
That you are a woman puts you half way there to developing cancer because you have breast tissue.
If a close woman relative such as your mother or aunt has had breast cancer then you are at higher, perhaps double, the risk of developing breast cancer.
So, family medical history plays an important part in determining if you are at risk.
You may also be genetically disposed to this cancer if you have the BRCA 1 or 2 gene changes, as these are the most common mutated genes.
Some gene mutations increase your chances of getting breast cancer. Also, as you age your risk of this cancer increases, as 80% of women who are diagnosed with this disease are above the age of 50.
In addition, if you have already had cancer in one breast the chances of the second breast developing it are higher.
This will be considered a new diagnosis of breast cancer and not a recurrence of the previous one.
Similarly, if your chest area has been exposed to radiation sometime in your life then you are at higher risk.
The age at which you had your first period and the age at which menopause started for you also determine if you are at risk for breast cancer.
Race and the Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Studies show that Asian and Hispanic women are at a lower risk of developing breast cancer; and while African-American are less likely to get the cancer than white women, they are at more risk of death from it.
And while you cannot control your risk from the factors mentioned above there are certain things that it is within your power to do.
If you have had a child before the age of 30 then you are at less risk of getting breast cancer.
So either having no children or having the first pregnancy after the age of 30 considerably increases your chances of getting breast cancer.
Also, women who have a number of children and who breastfeed them are at much less risk in fact, they cut their risk by half.
Is Birth Control Pills Increases Breast Cancer?
Certain studies have shown that taking birth control pills might increase your chances of developing breast cancer.
The link hasn’t been totally established as yet but if you are thinking of starting on such pills then be advised by your physician first.
A tenuous link has been established between obesity and breast cancer. So it is likely that you might develop it if you are overweight.
There is again more of a risk if you are past your menopause, and gained the extra weight as an adult, which is lodged around the waist area.
Your intake of alcohol increases your risk two to five glasses a day puts you in the high risk category as compared to women who drink one glass or none a day.
Usage of Hormone Replacement and Breast Cancer
Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of you developing breast cancer so if you haven’t started on it yet you must consult your doctor.
There are indications that using HRT reduces the efficacy of mammograms so breast cancer will be detected only at a later stage.
Exercise or the lack of it determines if you are at risk of developing breast cancer.
You must try to include some kind of exercise routine in your daily habits. Walking and exercising for at least ten hours in a week reduces your chances of developing this disease.
So as you can see, some factors are in your power to control. So, go ahead and take your life in your hands and reduce the risk of breast cancer, no matter what the odds.
Breast Cancer Related Information
Q1. Who can be affected with breast cancer?
A. Any woman is at risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer normally affects women but there have been 1% cases where even men have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Chances of breast cancer do increase with age though even young women can get it.
Q2. Does breast cancer result in death of the patient?
A. Breast cancer does not result in death.
It should not be treated like the death sentence anymore as medical advancements and early detection s possible now.
Breast cancer is a treatable cancer. If discovered early survival rate is almost 100%.
Q3. What can be the risk factors that can be attributed to breast cancer?
A. There are several risk factors.
1- The first one being that you are a female.
Other factors include…
2- Family history
3- The age at the onset and completion of woman’s menstruation
4- The total number of full term pregnancies
5- Previous history of benign breast biopsies
These are believed to increase your risk. It has been seen that the majority of breast cancers occur in women with NO risk factors.
Age and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
A woman’s chances of getting breast cancer increase with age.
Also, the number of children you have, the age of your first pregnancy, again, the age of menstruation, family history, are all possible risk factors.
Factors such as diet, exercise, and stress, may also contribute.
Q4. What can I do to prevent breast cancer?
A. Early detection is the key and probably the best weapon to fight breast cancer.
Although there is no known prevention, we can increase our chances of beating breast cancer by leading a healthy lifestyle, going through routine self-breast exams, getting a clinical breast exam, if recommended by our health care provider, and following guidelines for regular screening mammograms.
Early detection of breast cancer makes breast cancer 100% curable.
We should ask the doctor about treatment options is available to fight breast cancer.
What could be the best option for us personally?
Doctor who is performing regular check ups on us should be in the best position to advise us.
Get to know about various surgical options.
Also about reconstruction, if required.
Ask for information on the follow-up treatment or each of the different surgical options.
Gather information about the number and types of breast surgeries the doctor has successfully performed etc.
Women, Red or Processed Meat And Breast Cancer
Many research organizations are studying the link between women who eat a lot of red meat or processed meat and breast cancer.
As per a comprehensive study by British women it was found that women who eat a lot of meat, particularly red or processed meats, were more likely to develop breast cancer.
A group of approximately 35 thousand women between the age group of 35 and 65 were being observed for almost 8 years.
Therefor, it was observed that women who ate the meat in larger quantity (say, 2 or more ounces per day) were more likely to develop breast cancer before or after menopause than women who did not eat meat.
It was particularly true in the case of postmenopausal women. Red and processed meat seems to particularly raise the risk of breast cancer.
Many studies and researches have been performed to establish a link between diet and breast cancer.
Some have found that meat and saturated fat may raise women’s risk of the disease.
But some have not confirmed the same.
However there are a number of reasons to theoretically believe that meat intake among women could lead to breast cancer.
Researches feel that saturated fat may be responsible for promoting the growth of tumor cells.
Another scientific reason is that heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – these are chemical compounds, which are produced when meat is grilled, may be responsible for developing tumors in humans too just like they do in animals.
According to the America Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), it is best practice for women to have their burgers in moderation.
They also recommend limiting intake of red meat to less than 3 ounces per day.
If after all the research organization after completing their research confirm that red or processed meat is harmful for women especially post-menopausal women.
Best Ways to Fight Breast Cancer Fiber Rich Diets and Exercise
Through this piece of writing I am going to share with you of some fundamental, basic and yet simple ways to Fight Breast Cancer.
I am including both situations – how to avoid getting breast cancer and second if you’ve been diagnosed with it, what will help to fight it better.
One of the Best Ways to Fight Breast Cancer as confirmed by Leeds University after doing research is by eating more of cereal fiber.
Among pre-menopausal women fiber as part of daily diet will help them reduce the risk factor associated with breast cancer.
Fiber: Women can cut their risk straight to half by including cereal fibre in their diet.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer at the pre-menopausal stage were compared with cancer free women at the same stage…
It was found that women diagnosed with breast cancer were deriving most of their energy from protein and low intake of Vitamin C and fiber in their diet as compared with women who were healthy and disease free.
High fibre foods have protective and antioxidant properties.
The high fiber diet is full of zinc, Vitamin C and other micro-nutrients.
Such a diet can keep insulin levels if the body in control.
Having a high level of insulin is one of the causes of cancer.
Besides antioxidant property fiber also helps in balancing estrogen levels in the body.
Breast Cancer and Estrogen Levels
The breast cancer and estrogen levels are directly related. Diet rich in fiber regulates estrogen levels in the body.
Coming to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can significantly improve their quality of life by exercising regularly.
Group exercises have been found to have a better effect. As socializing with people with similar problems helps them cope with I better.
A recent study published in American Cancer Society journal found that breast cancer patients who were taking tamoxifen, if they switch to an aromatase inhibitor in three years could certainly improve survival rates.
Tomoxifen which is one of the most widely used medicines among breast cancer patients is found to have other side effects like it can cause death due to strokes and eudiometrical cancer.
Aromatase inhibitors like aminoglutethimide and anastrozole work in a distinct way to lower estrogen levels.
Though there are debates going about survival rates its still a better option.
Keep your meals, breakfast, lunches, brunches which-ever combination goes well with your schedule, full of fibre in your diet through pasta, cereals, bread, vegetables fruit etc.
Can You Prevent Breast Cancer? Try These Steps
It’s that hoary old chestnut again Prevention being better than cure you can concentrate on some aspects of avoiding getting breast cancer.
How you can do this is by fixing and following some tips that will help you on your road to a healthier life.
Avoid or minimize your intake of alcohol as this has been established as the most risky factor for breast cancer.
Several studies have shown that the risk of breast cancer increases by 20% to 25% with the consumption of more than one alcohol beverage a day.
Try and maintain a body mass index or BMI of less than 25 for all of your life.
If you gain a lot of weight in your middle age, irrespective of the BMI, then it increases your chance of getting breast cancer.
Also, studies have established that post menopausal breast cancer risk increases with an increase in BMI.
Diets to Prevent the Symptoms of Breast Cancer
This cannot be said enough increase your intake of fruits and vegetables as much as possible, eating seven or more servings in a day.
Cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli (eat these raw or cook them lightly as otherwise the phytochemicals in them get destroyed by heat and lower the protection they offer);
Usual greens such as kale and spinach; carrots and tomatoes all these help in protecting you from cancer.
Berries, cherries and citrus fruits are also good for health and in the fight against breast cancer.
Make exercise part of your health routine throughout your life. If you do at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise such as brisk walking or moderate aerobic activity at least 5 times a week you can ward off breast cancer.
Be consistent in your exercise and the time you take rather than working out intensely but sporadically.
Watch the fats you eat. Sunflower, safflower, and corn oils are omega-6 fats, which should be avoided as well as trans fats and saturated fats. Increase omega-3 fats in your diet.
These can be from oily fish such as salmon and tuna.
Monounsaturated oils such as olive oil and avocados are healthy and you should increase your consumption of them as they have anticancer properties.
Carbs!
Don’t eliminate them from your diet but do reduce your consumption of such carbs as white potatoes, white rice, white flour, and sugar.
These products can set off hormonal changes that increase cellular growth in breast tissue.
Instead, include beans or legumes (containing high fiber) and whole grains in your diet.
Supplement your diet with multivitamins such as vitamins C and E.
Take selenium as prescribed by the doctor or as a substitute you can take a couple of Brazil nuts.
Do consult your doctor before taking any supplements especially if you have a chronic medical condition or take prescription drugs.
Increase the intake of soy in your diet, including tofu, soy milk, miso, or roasted soy nuts.
Make sure you are consuming organic, non-genetically modified soy.
Studies have shown that increasing the soy consumption leads to a reduction in breast cancer.
Did you know that a constant lifetime contact with estrogen does play its part in the development of breast cancer?
So avoid prescription estrogen unless advised by your doctor.
Industrial chemicals and some pesticides are environmental pollutants that sometimes contain estrogen-like compounds so be careful in your exposure to them.
Organic produce is best for use though they are expensive, in which case ensure that all non-organic produce that you consume is first washed well.
Finally, but very important, make sure that your mental outlook is always positive
Get enough sleep, have a good social network, be brimful with positive self-nurturing thoughts.
Your mental attitude is directly linked to the risk of cancer so you can make a good start here by avoiding negative elements in your life.
All in all these tips will help you to lead a healthier and less stressful life. These are also simple rules that will enrich your daily well-being.
Learn the Breast Cancer Self Examination
Self examination for breast cancer is something that all women should practice.
Although breast cancer is more likely in an older woman it is a wise move to start young.
Not for the expectation of finding any symptoms of breast cancer but for learning all about your breasts.
By starting early you will learn where all the little bumps and nodules are in your breasts, so any unusual change or the arrival of a small lump that was not there before will give you an early alert that something may not be right.
The early detection and first signs of cancer can mean eradication of the disease before it can begin to spread.
Never ignore any change or any sign of lump no matter how small, if you know it was not there earlier.
Many breast lumps found may be benign and hold no threat but tests will have to be done to ascertain this.
A mammogram although painful is a necessary evil to help detect the signs of breast cancer; you should always follow up on these appointments.
An even better way of screening for breast cancer is a new CT imaging device; it is painless and more accurate as it can detect lesions that do not show up on a mammogram.
That produces three dimensional pictures which can show if a spot on the x-ray is malignant or benign.
Also provides a much wider view of other areas surrounding the breast.
CT imaging is at present under going further tests and even when available may prove too expensive for insurance companies to agree to its use.
