Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Symptoms of Breast Cancer - Can You Recognise the 6 Most Common Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
Symptoms of breast cancer are by and large, pretty non-specific. The vagueness of these symptoms makes it very difficult to decide, if you do find a problem in your breast, whether or not you do actually have a serious problem.
The six most common symptoms of breast cancer, which are all explained below, are:
- A lump in the breast
- Bleeding from the nipple
- Dimpling or tethering of the skin of the breast
- Retraction of the nipple
- Alteration of the shape of the breast
- A rash on the nipple
The most common of these symptoms is a lump in the breast - and this is why this particular symptom is in the top position. But of course every lump in the breast is not malignant - far from it in reality - making a lump probably the most unhelpful and non-specific of all of the symptoms of breast cancer. Only about 10% of lumps in the breast actually turn out to be malignant.
There are only 3 commonly found lumps and so if you get a breast lump it is almost certainly going to be one of these: a Fibroadenoma, a cyst and of course a cancer in the breast.
The Triple Assessment is the routine your surgeon uses, in order to decide which one of these 3 lumps you actually have. The Triple Assessment has 3 parts as the name implies:
- An examination by the doctor
- Imaging - (mammography and breast ultrasound)
- A breast biopsy
The second of the symptoms of breast cancer is bleeding from the nipple. Bleeding from the nipple may be due to pre-invasive cancerous cells in the ducts or 'pipes' of the breast but actually this is one of the rarer symptoms and statistically only about 8% or less of women with bleeding from the nipple will actually have a breast cancer.
The next of the symptoms of breast cancer is dimpling or tethering of the skin. Of the 6 symptoms, this is actually one of the most accurate. If you are over 50 years of age and you notice that the skin is attached to a lump - you can pinch the skin over the lump and you will see that it does not move easily over it, or it dimples - then this is a worrying sign. Another way of showing that this IS one of the symptoms of a cancer in the breast, is to raise your arms above your head in front of a mirror and then slowly lower them. If you see that the skin gets caught, or tethered over or near the lump as you move your arms - remember to do this slowly - then this is one of the symptoms of a breast cancer.
The next symptom is retraction of the nipple. Simple nipple INVERSION is very common - this is where the nipple, instead of sticking outwards is folded inwards. You can tell that this is NOT one of the symptoms of breast cancer as benign (non-cancerous) nipple inversion is 'slit-like' in appearance. Nipple retraction, one of the more likely symptoms of breast cancer, is where the nipple and surrounding skin (the areola) is pulled backwards by the cancer. This is NOT slit-like in appearance.
The next of the symptoms is alteration of the shape of the breast. This again is fairly non-specific as many benign or non-cancerous lumps can also deform the shape of the breast. But if you see a COMBINATION of tethering, dimpling or nipple retraction with an alteration in the shape of the breast then you should be highly suspicious that you do indeed have a cancer in the breast.
The last of the six most common symptoms of a breast cancer is a rash on the nipple. This is a condition called Paget's Disease. Paget's Disease (named after Sir James Paget) is an ulcerating and destructive or erosive condition of the NIPPLE, although it may also extend onto the aureola - the darker skin around the nipple. Paget's Disease of the Nipple is due to the presence of an underlying cancer in the breast and the diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy of the ulcerated area. Paget's is one of the most clear-cut symptoms of breast cancer.
Paget's should not be confused with a scaly rash of the aureola where the nipple is normal - or 'spared'. A scaly rash on the areola ONLY, with a normal nipple is usually eczema (dermatitis), a condition mostly treated by simple steroid creams.
And if you ARE suspicious that you have breast cancer you should consult your doctor but you can firstly click on this link to get free access to a complete series of high quality videos about breast cancer, its treatment as well as further information on the symptoms of breast cancer at http://www.breastcancerworldnews.com
Dr. Richard Reyes is a breast cancer surgeon and writes for Breast Cancer World News
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_J_Reyes
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6511280
Now A Cancer Survivor
Experiencing God's Blessings
What is a Cancer Survivor? We are those who have had cancer, but are celebrating being cancer-free. At the same time, we realize that we are still at risk for cancer returning. During my cancer journey itself, I was able to recognize God's blessings among the fear, pain, and uncertainty. Now I am doing more than recognizing God's blessings - I am experiencing them! God has filled in the "gaps" of my life. When I first became a survivor, I spent a great deal of time wondering what I should be doing with my life. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up! I asked God to give me direction, but He seemed to be telling me to rest and wait upon Him. I was able to do that, but not always very patiently. Waiting can be so very difficult - whether waiting for test results, treatments to end, or for God's direction, in this case. Most everyone who has gone through a health crisis struggles in the aftermath. You may have to assess who you are separate from your health issue. You may have less energy than you did before and realize you need to change your way of life. I believe everyone in this category has a different perspective about life than they did before the illness. I wish to share the blessings God has allowed me to experience as a cancer survivor who is attempting to follow God's leading. My prayer and purpose for this is to encourage the reader to live more fully and experience a more abundant life in our Lord Jesus Christ following a health crisis.
"Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them..."
Hosea 14:9 (NLT)
people I was with, and how I felt during each step of my pilgrimage with breast cancer. I also jotted down scripture verses that encouraged me - those I read over and over. I felt compelled to put this journal all together to share with my family and close friends. Writing the journal also helped me see the whole ordeal from God's perspective and gave me a sense of closure and purpose as it was completed. My family and friends appreciated receiving copies of it. They ended up sharing it with others and before I knew it, quite a number of people were asking for copies. This was completely unplanned and I was overwhelmed. I had never intended to share it with others, but God was speaking to me. I ended up rewriting the introductory paragraph to reflect God's purpose. I realized that God could use it to encourage others. This was and is very exciting! I also feel very honored and humbled at the same time that our Lord would be able to use something I wrote. I can't imagine any greater joy than being able to encourage others in the Lord. This is experiencing God's blessings!
Let me explain more specifically the emotions and inner conflicts I experienced shortly after reaching survivorship status. Hopefully, the reader will be able to identify with this and be assured that the Lord will give a sense of purpose and hope when we trust Him. We cannot live a Christian life in our own strength, but only through God's power. During my treatment time, I had a specific schedule and it always included the company of friends. I became very tired and needed to rest quite a bit. My days had routine to them even though I experienced discomfort and couldn't do all of the "normal" things. I had regular doctor appointments to attend. I had attention all the time! Then when all this stopped, I didn't know what to do. My life had completely changed and I had no idea how to spend my time. I did not have the energy to go back to substitute teaching. I felt lonely and depressed. I thought people expected me to be jumping for joy about being cancer free. I was very thankful about the actual treatments being over and certainly did not miss them. I was certainly thrilled with receiving a cancer free diagnosis. However, I didn't know who I was apart from cancer. I spent my time calling out to the Lord and expressed my feelings to friends and family.
Please visit my website http://www.thejoyperspective.com to read more of my story and to be encouraged in all areas of life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claudia_J_Barron
Detecting Breast Cancer to Save a Life
When thinking about the people in life that we love the most; that we try hardest to protect and that we'd be lost without, we tend to think of the women in our lives. It is our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, daughters and other special women that we feel the most protective over. Unfortunately, they are also the people most likely to be diagnosed withe breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Luckily, breast cancer does not have to be a life sentence. Detecting it early equals a greater chance of survival. Cancer in the breast can be detected by self breast exams (SBE), clinical breast exams (CBE) and mammograms. Taking the time to learn about breast cancer and informing others can help save a life of the people we love.
Self breast exams should be done monthly after the woman's menstrual cycle. There are several steps to performing a SBE. First, without a shirt or bra on, a woman should examine her breasts in the mirror looking for warning signals such as lumps, dimpling, discharge or any other sudden changes in the appearance of the breast. Continue looking at the breasts with both arms above the head. Second, lying down with the right arm overhead, use the three middle fingers of the left hand to feel around the right breast. Starting at the nipple and moving outward, make circular motions around the breast using light pressure, then medium pressure and hard pressure. Next, using the same fingers, feel the breast in lines going up and down the breast from the nipple. Switch the arm and the hand and redo the steps on the left breast. Although doing SBE's is not the recommended method for finding breast cancer, it is highly important in helping women know what is normal for their breast and their body while helping to spot any changes.
To assist in early detection, women over 20 are also encouraged to get clinical breast exams (CBE) by their doctor every three years and every year after age 40. The process of a CBE is much like that of a SBE only it is done by a trained medical professional.
While self breast exams and clinical breast exams are important factors in detecting breast cancer, the most effective tool is a mammogram. Mammograms are recommended yearly for women over 40.
The best detection method is to use all three of this exams together as recommended.
While early detection is helpful to survive breast cancer, there are also steps that can be taken to prevent it. A person can help to prevent breast cancer by limiting alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day, exercising regularly, knowing their body and knowing their family history.
Together, we can educate all of the special women in our lives and encourage them to start a breast exam schedule.
For more information on family health and nutrition topics visit http://myfamilyplate.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_M_Cravens
Obesity: A Leading Cause Of Breast Cancer
Important news on a leading cause of breast cancer. New research has found that obesity is the largest cause of the hormone sensitive type of breast cancer in mature women.
Doctors know that carrying too much fat ups hormone levels, and past studies have found that women past the menopause with elevated levels of the oestrogen hormone along with testosterone have from 2 to 3 times the chance of developing breast cancer compared to those with the smallest levels of these hormones.
After menopause, the fat cells in a woman's body become the chief source of hormones.
Experts know that risks of developing breast cancer include family and reproductive history, use of hormones and exposure to radiation. The troubling thing is, about 70% of those who get breast cancer don't have any of these known risk factors. What's more, over the last 20 years the numbers of overweight and obese people have been going up, now reaching alarming numbers. As have the numbers with breast cancer.
The team of researchers looked at health records from almost 6,300 postmenopausal women from 13 different studies in an attempt to find out why some of them were diagnosed with the hormone sensitive form of cancer of the breast, while others were not.
They saw oestrogen levels in obese subjects were 50% higher than leaner women; testosterone levels were 16% higher leading them to conclude that weight had the biggest bearing on sex hormone levels, followed by smoking 15 cigarettes or drinking more than 2 and a half alcoholic drinks a day.
And while family history and being older are risk factors for breast cancer that you can't control, drinking too much alcohol, smoking cigarettes and most damaging of all, being overweight or obese are things that you can most certainly do something about. Start by knowing where you stand, and calculating your own BMI.
If the number is higher than it should be, over 25.0, it's time to start making some changes. There are lots of programs to help you lose weight, but no matter which you choose, the simple secret to losing weight it to take in fewer calories than you burn.
Look at what you're eating, and make changes that limit your processed and high calorie food intake and include more natural, healthy options like fruits, veggies and whole grains.
You'll also want to talk to your doctor (especially if you've been inactive for a while) about a fitness program. It's always smart to start slow, and work up to thirty minutes of moderately intense activity on most days of the week. By watching what you eat, and being more active, you'll start to see the weight drop off.
The good news is that even a small weight loss, such as 5-10% of your body weight, can bring benefits. And encourage you to keep going.
Obesity is not only a leading cause of breast cancer. By holding onto those extra pounds you increase your risk of life altering diseases like this as well as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, depression and even painful osteoarthritis. All good reasons for tackling any weight issues now, while you have the chance to influence your health now and in the future.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker