Cancer Resources

Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia have discovered that the HPV vaccine may be effective in preventing breast cancer, which affects over a million women a year worldwide.

In a new article published in the British Journal of Cancer, the experts reveal that they conducted studies of breast cells and found that there were several strains of HPV present which are known to have a high risk of initiating cancer of the cervix.

A team from UNSW School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, led by visiting professor James Lawson, declared that there was a presence of high-risk HPV in the nuclei of breast cancer epithelial cells in 21 per cent of 14 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast cancer specimens. Continue reading ‘Cervical Cancer Vaccine May Stop Breast Cancer’ »

For the past 25 years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has continued to grow in recognition, respect and reputation. From the beginning, its purpose has been to educate and encourage women to be aware of the importance of early detection and yearly mammograms, offer information and support for those affected by breast cancer and raise funds for research towards prevention, cause and a cure.

Over the next few weeks, people around the world will join together in honor of those who have survived and those who have not. Survivors, partners, friends and families will walk, run, ride, swim, bowl, fast and feed for fundraising events and procure revenues in the millions. We will decorate our universe, as well as ourselves, in various shades of pink and give thanks to daily breaths. Due to the success of these campaigns we have the ability to diagnose and treat breast cancer with less pain and more hope.

The cause of breast cancer can be genetic or environmental. Genetics contribute to approximately ten percent of breast cancer patients. This means a person who is born with a particular gene line, BRCA1 mutation, is high risk for breast, ovarian, skin, prostate and pancreas cancer. Although the exact risk of breast and ovarian cancer granted by a specific gene mutation has not been determined, studies in high-risk families indicate that deleterious mutations in this gene may confer as much as an eighty seven percent risk of breast cancer and a forty four percent risk of ovarian cancer by the age of seventy, in women. This mutation has also been reported to have a twenty percent chance of a second breast cancer within five years, as well as a ten-fold increase in the risk of subsequent ovarian cancer. The mutation may also present an increased risk of male breast cancer, along with several other cancers; skin, prostate and pancreas. Each first degree relative of this individual has a fifty percent chance of carrying the mutation. Family members can be tested with a simple blood test. Those who test positive can take measures into their own hands and beat the cancer before it beats them by undergoing surgery. Most insurance companies will cover preventive measures, as it can significantly reduce the risk of future treatment. In a sense, the individual, who is diagnosed with genetic breast cancer, has the power to save their family from ever being diagnosed with cancer, at all. Continue reading ‘The Pink Platform’ »

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, it may have been suggested you have a single mastectomy in the other breast or a double mastectomy, but is this the best approach? I was diagnosed more than a decade ago with infiltrating intraductal breast cancer and I turned down all conventional treatment including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery and chose an alternative route. No single or double mastectomy either. And I’m still in excellent health today.

The trend is alarming as more and more women are removing healthy breasts because they are panicked, are in fear of breast cancer returning or migrating to the other breast.

I’ll discuss a recent study showing why mastectomy is not saving lives in a moment. However, what is alarming to me is that there is still breast tissue left in the chest wall and by removing healthy breasts there is still tissue that could already contain cancer cells or be available to them.

There is very little evidence that proves that women live longer or survival rates increase by removing their breasts after a diagnosis of breast cancer. A recent study of statistics published in a national medical journal read by doctors found that 5000 women in one state, between 1995 and 2005, who had cancer in one of their breasts, chose to have the other breast removed. These women already had breast cancer. They were not women who tested positive for the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene mutation type of breast cancer, where prophylactic removal is more common. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer – Do You Really Need a Mastectomy? – From a Nurse Survivor’ »

Breast Cancer – Aside from October being one of the cooler months of the year, and a special month for kids to go trick or treating dressed up as an eerie ghoul to scare people witless, it is however on a more serious note Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For some women being greeted at the door by a vampire, devil or witch, the fright at that moment is nothing in comparison to the fear they feel inside after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time when women and young girls are alerted to the importance of early detection. This does not mean that women are not made aware of what is involved with breast cancer treatments, self breast examination and recovery issues all year round; it is just strongly more focused upon in October through Breast Awareness Campaigns. These types of campaigns have great pulling power where we see more and more women coming forward to get themselves checked out, and their questions answered.

As it is with most organizations and support groups they need financial help to keep up the good work. Breast cancer groups will include people who care, and are compassionate towards your feelings. It is also most likely that them who run the groups are, or, have been patients themselves. Cancer care workers will help you the best they can to come to terms with having breast cancer, be there for you when undergoing treatment for breast cancer…right through the recovery period and after care.

If you would like to help these people who work tirelessly tending to the sick, then you can. Some people will run a marathon to raise funds for breast cancer while others may put on a show and sell tickets to make money for their breast cancer charity. Why not take advantage of Halloween night and get a few friends together and dress up, and instead of holding a lighted pumpkin, hold up a placard with a message saying all monetary donations will be donated to the breast cancer campaign. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Best Way to Beat Breast Cancer is to Prevent It’ »

Recent studies have now shown that maintaining a quality diet can help in preventing breast cancer among many women. It seems that diet is becoming more and more at the centre of prevention these days and with good reason, you are what you eat.

Perhaps the problem is that most of us maintain only short periods of good diet and it does not become effective until it’s a full time life habit. The speed and pressure of modern lifestyle can make it difficult to avoid the convenience of processed food but if we are worried about long term health the issue is clear – diet is crucial.

We all need to get a little more serious about it.

This diet is being referred to as the prudent diet. It’s made up of whole grains, vegetables of course and fish. The usual suspects are kept to a minimum such as red meats and white bread or any other form of starchy carbohydrates. Continue reading ‘Your Diet Can Help Prevent Breast Cancer’ »

Most types of cancer, including breast cancer, are grouped into one of four stages:Stage I The breast cancer is in one primary site and has not spread. Stage II The cancer has spread to nearby areas, but just around the primary site. Stage III The cancer has spread throughout the nearby area. Stage IV The cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body, such as the liver, bones, or brain.

* Further distinctions Within these stages, doctors make even finer distinctions of “A” and “B” — so a tumor that is stage IIA is less advanced than one that is stage IIB. The distinction between cancer stages is often a very fine one, but it can be critical to making treatment decisions and knowing what to expect. Continue reading ‘Understanding the Prognosis For Breast Cancer’ »

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant women and tends to have an effect on women in their mid-30s. Though roughly one in every 3,000 pregnant women get it, the disease could be devastating to both the mother and her child — thus it is necessary that pregnant women and their doctors maintain to perform regular breast exams and carefully examine any suspicious lumps and symptoms.

When a pregnant woman grows breast cancer, it is frequently detected at a later stage than it is in women who are not pregnant. This is since as long as pregnancy, hormone alterations lead to a woman’s breasts to broaden and become more tender and lumpy. This could make it harder for you or your doctor to discover a lump in your breasts. Mammograms are harder as well for doctors to read as long as pregnancy since the breasts becomes denser. The early alterations caused by cancer can be mistaken for or hidden by the normal alterations that occur with pregnancy as well.

Even as long as pregnancy, early detection is a significant element of breast health. Converse with your doctor or nurse concerning breast exams and the best time for your next mammogram — particularly if you are age 40 or older, or if you or your doctor observes an alteration in how your breasts appear or feel. As always, if you discover any lump or alteration in your breasts, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. Continue reading ‘Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Risk’ »

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a traumatic experience for any woman. It was no different for Rosamond Stallings, a 45 year old African American woman, as the physician broke the bad news to her. An immediate mastectomy was advised as six malignant tumors were found. Rosamond feared she may not be able to see her children grow up or her grandchild celebrate his birthdays.

Recent studies reveal a chilling fact that more than 30 percent of breast cancer patients do not receive comprehensive treatment. African American women were also found to be 10 percent less likely than white women to receive the right treatment. A team of doctors at the Columbia University Medical Center are looking into why the discrepancy occurs. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer in African Americans’ »

Using known risk factors for breast cancer, mathematical models can be developed to help answer important questions. These mathematical models are useful tools for researchers and for patients as follows:

• 1. Research on risk factors – The Claus risk assessment model was used to discover the subpopulation of people who had an autosomal dominant genetic allele that increased their risk from 10% to 92%. This led to the discovery of the BRCA genes associated with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
• 2. Clinical trial eligibility – The Gail risk assessment model was developed to help researchers determine who to enroll in the NSAPB Breast Cancer Prevention Trials

where chemoprevention was shown to reduce breast cancer risk. Continue reading ‘How To Calculate Your Risk For Breast Cancer’ »

Cancer is second to heart disease as a cause of death in the USA. For women breast and colorectal cancer are the second most common causes of death among cancer sufferers. Studies suggest that using Omega 3 fish oil supplements can reduce the risk of cancer.

Research into dietary factors affecting cancer has shown that a higher consumption of fish over meat can reduce the possibility of developing these cancers. This result was attributed to the Omega 3 fatty acids present in fish.

Fish and fish oil supplements contain rich quantities of the Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These fatty acids appear to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

The Omega 3 fats EPA and DHA are called essential fatty acids. This means that they are necessary for the good health of the human body. However the human body cannot manufacture these fatty acids, they must be provided in the diet. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer – Reduce Your Risk With Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements’ »