Cancer Resources

Once upon a time, the diagnosis of breast cancer would mean death penalty for women. Today, as modern medicine has advanced with new technological breakthroughs, it is possible to survive a breast cancer diagnosis if detection occurs at very early stages of the disease. Therefore it is important that detection and treatment begin as early as possible to get the highest chance of survival for the afflicted victim.

Breast cancer treatment occurs in various stages. Normally, it depends much on how advanced the growth of the cancer cell is. A TNM staging is used to determine the stage of the cancer growth. It depends much on how much the cancer has metastases or spread to the other parts of the body. Based on this reading, the doctor will decide the best form of treatment for a patient.

Surgery

The most common type of surgery used to remove cancer cells is referred to as the conservative surgery. This occurs when a surgeon removes the cancerous tissues form the body of a patient and leaving the healthy ones intact. A sample of the nearby healthy tissues is also removed. The sample is sent to a laboratory for a reading test, If those reading comes out as normal or healthy then it simply means that the surgeon has been successful in removing the cancer cells. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer Treatment’ »

Throughout the month of October you will see more pink than Paris Hilton has in her wardrobe, but it’s all for a cause well worth supporting. Breast cancer is the most widespread of the cancer groups of with billions of dollars being spent for various treatments and research to find a cure for this fast growing and deadly disease.

This month, NFL teams will be sporting “pink” on their jersey’s, helmets, wristbands and shoes. These pink ribbon/NFL shields will be worn not only by the players, but coaches and staff. It’s a group effort to show the NFL’s support in the fight. Continue reading ‘Everyone is Finding a Way to Invest in the Fight Against Breast Cancer’ »

Quite simply, breast cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells. The growths can be in the form of a tumor, lump, or lots of cancer cells.

Tests are needed to determine whether it is actually a lump or a cyst. Cysts are often non-cancerous (or benign) and can be filled with fluid which is often tested.

However, if the lump is found to be solid, then a sample will need to be taken from the lump and from the lymph nodes nearby. This is essential to make a diagnosis and determine whether the lump is cancerous.

If the lump has to be removed, then this is often followed up with chemotherapy treatment to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. Sometimes this treatment needs to be very aggressive, especially if the cancer has started to spread. This can occur when cells from the lump break away and start to spread. The cancer is said to be metastasized. Continue reading ‘A Laywoman's Guide to Breast Cancer’ »

Over 200,000 women this year will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those 200,000 more than 40,000 of them will die. Breast Cancer can be defined as a malignant tumor that is found in the breast(s). No one knows for sure what causes the cancer. For a small percentage of people it is hereditary. If one or more women in your family has gotten breast cancer then there is a greater risk for you to get it as well. For that reason many women are opting to take preventative measures.

Preventive mastectomy is when women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in a single breast decide to have both breast removed. The women who typically opt to do this are those in the high risk category such as those with a family history. Preventive mastectomies are becoming more common researchers show. What is also becoming more common is women who have not yet been diagnosed but have a strong family history of the disease are opting to get the procedure done. This has many researchers concerned. The reason for concern is because having the procedure does not guarantee that they will not get the disease. Also studies are inconclusive as to the effect removing both breast will be. Continue reading ‘Preventive Mastectomy – Women Opting to Have Both Breast Removed to Prevent Breast Cancer’ »

When you think of the month of October, the first thing that probably comes to mind is goblins, ghosts, and ghouls. Decorations and Haunted houses. People wearing scary masks and costumes. However for some people October is not about wearing scary masks and costumes. It is the month to wear a special pink ribbon. Did you know that October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Instead of thinking about what you are going to wear as your Halloween costume this month, commit to wearing that special pink ribbon or bracelet. Support and bring awareness to a cause for those are living with the disease, those who are in remission, and those were unfortunate enough to have lost their battle.

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year. Over 40,000 of these women will die from this disease this year. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women preceded by lung cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate. Men can also get the disease although this is less often. There are over 2 million survivors of the disease living in the U.S today. But far too many have lost the battle.

Breast cancer can strike anyone at anytime and now more than ever awareness is needed. This month you will most likely witness supporters all over the country marching to support the cause. Thousands of women, children, and men will be joining breast cancer walks and proudly wearing their pink ribbons. Join them and donate to support the cause. You may also notice that many major corporations have added the pink ribbon to their labels. So if you see an item whether it be food or clothing that has a pink ribbon on the box or the tag, chances are if you purchase the item a portion of the proceeds will go to support the cause. Continue reading ‘October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Support the Cause Today’ »

Finally I’ve got some good news for my mom and her friends–who have been fretting over breast cancer risks ever since one of their close pal died of this cancer a couple of years ago. To keep the dreaded disease at bay, these women on the wrong side of 50, need to stay fit and physically active. And my mom should not worry because she is quite active, even though she crossed 58 last month.

She’ll be too glad to know that moderate to vigorous exercise have been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, especially if the women are not overweight. Simply put, it’s not just aerobics, running or fast jogging, but heavy housework like scrubbing floors or washing windows too can keep malignant breast disease at bay in older women. This is the finding of a group of researchers based at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland published in the journal BMC Cancer. Continue reading ‘Rigorous Exercise Can Cut the Chances of Developing Breast Cancer in Older Women’ »

President Barack Obama proclaimed October as a Breast Cancer Month and announced resolute support of his administration to fight Breast cancer. For needed fundraising for a cause, he asked the Government agencies like, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to invest over $1 billion in research only this year to strengthen the awareness and knowledge of Breast Cancer development that can lead to improvements in its prevention and treatment.

No doubt such proclamations, encouraging citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, Pink Merchandise sellers, and other interested groups to join or support activities that will help Americans understand what they can do to prevent and control Breast Cancer. To support related activities of individuals and organizations, fundraising for a cause is in full swing. You must have observed hundred of activists and organizations are supporting different type of events in their area of work. They are distributing Pink Merchandise to Families, friends, and participants in their awareness drive, and letting them join hands in helping fundraising for a cause. Continue reading ‘Fundraising For a Cause of Breast Cancer in October’ »

For the past 25 years, October has been designated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You’ll find races to run that raise funds for research. Stores will be selling everything from mixmasters to iPods in pink. In fact, pink ribbons will be virtually everywhere. What does this focus on early detection and recovery mean to you?

If you are over 40, have regular screening mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams. And see your physician for an annual breast exam and consultation about risk factors and additional diagnostic steps to take, such as MRI. With early detection, most breast cancers now can be successfully treated. There are between 2 and 3 million American women living today who have survived breast cancer and are thriving. Yet, as many survivors have learned, the process of coping with any serious illness can take its toll – emotionally and physically. These 7 tips will help you manage your recovery so you can move forward with your life:

1. Accept your changing emotions as normal and give yourself permission to express them. After a brush with cancer, it’s normal to experience many different feelings, such as anger, fear, anxiety, depression or stress. Talk openly with those you trust and acknowledge these feelings to yourself. Only then can you begin to cope with them. Continue reading ‘National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Sandwiched Boomers’ »

There are many methods that are used to fight against cancer and one of the most commonly used method is radiation treatment. The idea is that by focusing energy in the form of x-rays, gamma rays or protons, the cancer is either destroyed or slowed down. This obviously very dangerous and not very effective. But is radiation treatment for breast cancer really the best way?

Nobody in their right mind would like to get radiated, cut or poisoned with drugs, but in the fight against cancer these are the main methods. The treatments that are used to treat cancer, do more harm then good for the body and a lot of people, do not die because of the cancer itself, but because of the treatment. Continue reading ‘Radiation Treatment For Breast Cancer – Is it Your Best Choice?’ »

In recent studies conducted by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, researchers found many household cleaners emit toxic pollutants that, over time, will lead to health risks, and may be one cause of breast cancer in women.

Scientists searching for the cause of breast cancer in relation to poor indoor air quality, identified a link between toxic household cleaners and an on set of escalating diseases associated with toxic chemical poisoning.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported the largest occurrences of household poisoning are directly related to cleaners such as, toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents and air fresheners. Continue reading ‘University Studies Show Household Cleaners May Be One Cause of Breast Cancer’ »