Loosing The Breast Cancer War - Part 1

By Chris Teo, Ph.D.
Breast cancer strikes women in every country. Over a decade, many thousands of cancer patients had come to seek my help and breast cancer case constituted the number one problem I had encountered. Most of these women had undergone medical treatments but they failed to find their elusive “cure.” Let me give you two examples.
Case 1
May (not real name) is a 55-year-old lady. Her husband died of heart attack three years ago at the age of 62 years old. Sometime in 2000, May was diagnosed with right breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy followed by six cycles of chemotherapy. After that she was put on tamoxifen.
Three years later, the cancer spread to the right side of her breast in spite of the fact that she was on tamoxifen all this while (three years!). She had to undergo another six cycles of chemotherapy. Then she had 20 sessions of radiotherapy at the neck and the breast area.
Unfortunately, the cancer spread to her neck. She underwent another four cycles of chemotherapy. From July 2005 to March 2006, she was put on oral drug, Femara. And from April 2006 to July 2006, she was on Xeloda.
Her daughter told us that she suffered unbearable pains. When she could not stand the pains she just took off her clothes and ran around the house. At one time she tried to jump out of the window to commit suicide. Her arms and areas of her breasts and shoulders were turgid and hard. She felt hot inside. She decided to give up further medical treatment and sought my help at the end of July 2006.
Case 2
Betty (not real name) had left breast cancer in 1999. The lump in her left breast was removed by surgery. The surgeon termed it as: T2 No Mo, Er / Pg R and C-erbB2 positive. The size of the lump was T2, meaning it was categorized between 2 to 5 cm in diameter. No and Mo mean there were no spread to both the nodes (N0) or other organs elsewhere (M0). The tumour was tested positive for Estrogen, Progesterone and C-erbB2 receptors.
Based on the above, Betty received the “full standard recipe” for breast cancer treatment, that is: adjuvant radiotherapy (40 Gy in 15 fractions and boost 10 Gy in 5 factions), chemotherapy (5-Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide, six cycles) and tamoxifen 20 mg daily. Taking of tamoxifen after radiotherapy and chemotherapy was supposed to prevent recurrence.
But in 2005 -- i.e. barely five years later, Betty suffered unresectable extensive local recurrence. The standard treatment for breast cancer did not cure her, and tamoxifen did not prevent recurrence either.
Betty again received four cycles of chemotherapy with Vinorelbine and Capecitabine. The reason for this chemotherapy was to shrink the recurrent tumour before a surgery was done. This is a standard procedure in our country.
In July 2005, Betty had a mastectomy of her left breast, followed by two additional cycles of chemotherapy (Vinorelbine and Capecitabine).This was followed by radiotherapy to the left chest wall (40 Gy in 15 fractions over three weeks) in September 2005.
After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Betty was put on Megace (megesterol acetate), a synthetic progesterone (a female hormone). Megace stimulates appetite and causes weight gain. It is unclear how the drug can stop cancer from growing. However, this switch of drugs was done because tamoxifen was found to be ineffective. Betty took Megace, 160 mg daily, from September 2005 to May 2006 and the drug was discontinued after she developed excessive weight gain. The oncologist restarted Betty on tamoxifen – that is, she was asked to take a drug that was found to be ineffective for her earlier!
One month later, in July 2006, Betty developed nodules on the left chest wall which had been irradiated ten months earlier (September 2005). This again showed that radiation did not stop cancer from coming back!
The war went to another level. Betty had her ovaries ablated using Zoladex (goserelin acetate). Ablation is a process of destroying the ovaries so as to shut down the production of estrogen by this organ. Though ablation can be accomplished by surgery, radiation or drug, the oncologist decided on Zoladex, a hormone which is also used to treat prostate cancer. The drug is injected under the skin.
On 4 September 2006, Betty had fluid (pleural effusion) in both her lungs. There were also erythematous lesions on the chest wall where it was radiated earlier. The pleural effusion was drained followed by pleurodesis using Bleomycin.
The oncologist explained to Betty and her husband the bleak prognosis and advised palliative chemotherapy. This means Betty would still continue to do chemotherapy to help her cope with her symptoms -- perhaps to improve her quality of life. This statement also implies that as far as a medical science is concerned, there is no more hope of a "cure". Everything that needed to be done had been done and had failed.
Betty was not keen to continue with her medical treatment. Her sister came to CA Care and asked for my help. The oncologist had told her that she had only two months to live.

Helpful Hints for Breast Cancer Survivors - An Occupational Therapist's Perspective

By Naomi Aaronson
Occupational Therapists are trained to help people with illness or disability learn how to maintain their daily lifestyle. These daily routines help us feel in control of our lives, and illness forces us to change and become more dependent on others. There are ways to modify and adapt so that we can regain a greater sense of mastery over our lives even while undergoing treatment. Remember to first check with your physician to make sure that you receive medical clearance to engage in the following activities. Here are some suggestions:
1) Take care of yourself by balancing work,rest, play and treatment. You may need to shift priorities and delegate responsibilities to others if able. It's OK if the house is a little dirty.2) Fatigue is the greatest side effects suffered after cancer treatment. However, research has found that exercise during treatment can actually counter the fatigue. Exercise improves quality of life, enhances function, and gives one a sense of control. Even starting with 5 minutes of exercise a day can be beneficial. The less you do, the more fatigue you will feel.3) If you have received a TRAM FLAP reconstruction, putting on shoes and socks may be difficult. Assistive devices such as long shoe horns or stocking aides may make the process easier4) Peripheral neuropathy is another side effect of chemotherapy regimens. Loss of balance and loss of sensation in the hands and feet is a concern. Take measures to reduce risk of falls by removing area rugs, clear and place non-skid mats in the bathtub, and use nightlights. Larger pens with a wider circumference or with grippers can help to hold a pen when hands are weak.5) Calm your nerves by using techniques such as deep breathing,meditation, and yoga which assists with lymphatic flow, pain, and are great stress relievers.6) Conserve your energy by using carts to carry items instead of making several trips to the refrigerator when cooking. Use frozen vegetables instead of fresh to avoid the work of chopping. Sit while you perform tasks. Store items that you need regularly nearby.7) Try to use both hands as a team rather than relying just on the unaffected arm for daily tasks such as bed making, dishwashing or lifting. If you recently received surgery, it is better to slide objects if possible rather than lifting them.8) Finger fitness is important if chemotherapy has caused weakness. Special exercises can help you to maintain or improve the dexterity and strength in your hands.9) Short rest breaks of 5-10 minutes during every 30-40 minutes of task can help to conserve energy for more enjoyable activities.10) Velcro is one of the greatest inventions. Find shoes that use Velcro is unable to tie shoelaces.
Naomi Aaronson is an occupational therapist and fitness instructor who specializes in breast cancer recovery and rehabilitation. Naomi believes that exercise is essential in recovery. Her mission statement includes the following, "take back your body and improve your physical and emotional health." Visit Naomi's web site at http://www.recovercisesforwellness.com to learn more!

Loosing The Breast Cancer War - Part 2

By Chris Teo, Ph.D.
Case 1
Jean (not real name) is a 56-year-old female. Sometime in 2004, she felt a hard, flat lump in her right breast. A mastectomy was done in October 2004. The pathology report indicated infiltrating ductal carcinoma, Grade 3.
Jean underwent six cycles of chemotherapy with FEC (5-FU + Epirubicin + cyclophosphamide). In addition, she had twenty sessions of radiation treatment. All treatments were completed in June 2006.
Barely three months later Jean was told that the cancer had spread to her liver. On 4 September 2006, she underwent another cycle of chemotherapy. This time the treatment caused severe side effects. Jean decided to forgo the remaining five cycles of chemotherapy.
Case 2
Li is a forty-one-year-old lady. She was my student some years ago. After graduation from the university she became a science teacher. Sometime in 2004, Li felt three lumps in her left breast after being taught how to self-breast examination (SBE) by a nurse. She went to consult a doctor who then proceeded to do a lumpectomy to remove the lumps. The subsequent histopathological report confirmed malignant tumors. A few days later, Li had her entire left breast removed at a government hospital. After this mastectomy Li received eight cycles of chemotherapy and twenty sessions of radiation treatment. After the completion of these treatments, Li took tamoxifen for two years, until January 2007. At the same time as she was started on tamoxifen, Li was also asked to take Zoladex (goserelin acetate) -- a chemical way of destroying her ovaries to stop the production of females hormones. She was given Zoladex once a month, every month for a period of two years.
In mid-January 2007, Li started to have stomach discomforts and her abdomen became bloated and was hard. A CT scan showed a 4 mm nodule in the peripheral upper lobe of her right lung. There were multiple nodules in both lobes of her liver. There was also a local lytic lesion in her L2 vertebra. There was slight central disc protrusion at C5/6. These findings indicated that the caner had spread to her liver and bone. According to the radiologist, the lesion in her lung was probably a granuloma.
Li underwent another six cycles of chemotherapy. After the fourth chemo-cycle, a CT scan indicated that there was reduction of the size and number of liver lesions. However, at completion of the sixth chemo, this initial “success” proved shor-lived. The liver tumours had grown in size.
A CT san in May 2007 showed lytic lesion in the body of T12 and L2 in keeping with bony metastasis. The oncologist wrote: “In view of the increasing size of the liver metastases and the increasing bone metastasis, features are suggestive of progression of the disease.” The oncologist told Li that he had to change to new drugs. Li dared not go for more chemotherapy and was in a limbo. She came to seek my help. She presented with distended abdomen, swelling of her left arm and both legs.
Comments
The above episodes are real tragic -- again calling in question the effectiveness of the so-called “proven” therapies for breast cancer. Li received all the treatments available but within three years she ended up worse off that she started with. I would like to pose on question: If Li were to do nothing, would she suffer these metastases to the liver and bones? Over a decade of helping cancer patients, I have this to say: “No, Li might not have suffered such unfortunate fate. I know of many patients from Indonesia who relied on their “jamu” or traditional herbal medication, and they do generally do not suffer such severe metastasis within three years.”
Professor Hardin Jones, University of California, Berkeley was quoted to have said this: “My studies have proved conclusively that untreated cancer victims live up to four times longer than treated individuals. If one has cancer and opts to do nothing at all, he will live longer and feel better than if he undergoes radiation, chemotherapy or surgery.”

Loosing the Breast Cancer War Part 3

By Chris Teo, Ph.D.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 1.2 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide in 2005. In the United States, it is said that every two minutes one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2005, it was estimated that there were 212,0000 new cases of breast cancer and out of which 40,000 or about 19%, died from the disease. In the city-state of Singapore, it is said that every day three women are being diagnosed with breast cancer. In Malaysia 3,738 breast cancer cases were reported in 2003. This means that one in twenty women in Malaysia will get breast cancer.
Despite extensive research, the exact cause of breast cancer is not known. Medicine has all along been about treating breast cancer, not about preventing it. Most often, women with breast cancer are subjected to a “package” of standard treatments – surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. The most important question that patients ask after undergoing all these treatments is: “Am I cured? Or, is there truly a cure for breast cancer?”
According to Silvia Dellapasqua et al. (in: J. Clinical Oncol. 23:1736-1749) the “prognosis of breast cancer in young women is generally considered to be unfavourable. Young pre-menopausal breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant CMF chemotherapy had higher risk of relapse and death than older pre-menopausal patients.” Martin Piccart-Gebhart (in J. Clinical Oncol. 23:1611-1613) wrote: “Chemotherapy has long been considered our most efficient weapon in the fight against breast cancer … where this dream, unfortunately, did not materialize.”
One sad example of such crashed dream was a case of Mei (not real name), a 34-year old female nurse. Mei was diagnosed with carcinoma of the right breast. She underwent a right mastectomy and axillary clearance in August 2003. This was followed by six cycles of chemotherapy using FAC (5-FU, andriamycin and cyclophosphamide). From 1 March to 19 March 2004, Mei received radiotherapy on her right chest wall. When the treatments were completed,she was started on tamoxifen.
Barely eight months after the completion of her treatments, in November 2004, Mei had a 3 x 3 cm soft tissue mass associated with bony destruction in her sternum. In addition, there were multiple nodules scattered in both her lungs. Sadly, the cancer recurred and spread within this short period of time.
Mei underwent chemotherapy again, using Taxol. After five cycles, the use of Taxol was terminated because it was not effective resulting in disease progression. The lymph nodes in her right collarbone seemed to have been infected. Mei was given another round of chemotherapy using Navelbine. But unfortunately after the first treatment, this chemotherapy was abandoned due to severe side effects.
In April 2005, Mei was given an oral drug Arimidex (anastrozole). From 25 May to 31 May 2005, she was on radiotherapy again, as the sternal mass was increasing in size. In spite of this treatment, the swelling of the right collarbone grew bigger. The use of Arimidex was discontinued and was replaced with Xeloda.
Mei decided to stop further chemotherapy. On 23 June 2005, she developed right pleural effusion (fluid in the lung). The doctor tapped out 5.5 liters of fluid from her lung and she felt better. On 23 July 2005, I received a fax asking for help. Unfortunately, Mei died a month later -- much too late to help her in any way.
According to Mei’s sister, upon diagnosis of breast cancer, Mei’s boss, who is a doctor, handed her my book (Cancer Yet They Live) and said: “Read this, and if you believe in what the author said, go and see him. But don’t tell people that I give you this book.” Mei was a nurse. Her training had placed her in a “box” with a fixed mindset that only modern medicine has all the answers to cancer. To her the only right way is surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow-up drugs. Other ways are hocus pocus.
Dr. Alan Levin, professor of immunology at the University of California Medical School, was quoted to have said: “Most cancer patients … die of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy does not eliminate breast, colon or lung cancers. Women with breast cancer are likely to die faster with chemotherapy than without it.”
Dr. Hardin Jones, professor of medical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, analysed cancer survival statistics for twenty-five years. In 1969 at the American Cancer Society meeting, he was quoted to have said: “Untreated patients … in many cases live longer (they) do not die sooner than patients receiving orthodox treatment.”
Dr. Lai Gi-ming, Taiwan Cooperative Oncology Group, National Research Institute wrote: “The thing that most frustrates modern doctors is that, after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, all they can do is keep chasing and chasing the cancer!”

Breast Cancer - When Medical Treatment Failed, She Turned to Herbs

Breast Cancer - When Medical Treatment Failed, She Turned to Herbs
By Chris Teo, Ph.D.
Siew (not real name), 44-year-old-female, is a radiographer in a hospital in Hong Kong. In July 2002, Siew faxed me this message:
“I suffer from cancer of the breast – infiltrating ductal carcinoma in August 1993. Total right mastectomy was performed. Secondary to the bones was detected at the same time. A course of chemotherapy was given consisting of twelve injections over a period of six months. At the same time, radiotherapy was given to the spine and ribs. Two doses of strontium were given after the course of chemotherapy. Tamoxifen and orimetene were taken orally daily all these years.
Everything was in stable condition until August 2001. Secondary to both lobes of liver was discovered. Chemotherapy – FAC (5-FU, andriamycin and cyclophosphamde, six injections) was given, followed by eight doses of Taxotere. Now both my lower limbs are swollen. I suffer from pleural effusion (i.e. fluid in the lungs) at the same time. I started on oral chemotherapy – Xeloda on 10 July 2002. My limbs feel numb. I feel tired easily and my heart sometimes beat irregularly. I feel short of breath at times. I hope Dr. Teo will help me.”
Accompanying this letter were two medical reports. Her blood test report showed that her white blood count, red blood count and haemoglobin were below normal. A CT scan dated 6 July 2002, stated that:• Liver metastases with no significant change in size and number as compared with previous CT scan
done on 12 April 2002.• Right pleural effusion. • Probable bilateral renal cysts. • The lytic lesion in L2 vertebral body. Old fracture of a right lower anterior rib.
Siew was prescribed Capsule A & B, LL-tea, Liver P, Bone, Ascites and Breast M teas.
On 16 August 2002, I received a letter from Siew: “ I have taken your medication for two days and felt hot. Today, I feel warm only. Other than that, everything remains unchanged. I just stopped the diuretic which the doctor gave me, so my limbs are still swollen.”
Her fax in late August 2002 reads: “I have been taking your herbs for 3 weeks. My lower limbs and right upper arm are still swollen. The numbness in my extremities still exists … but my breathlessness has improved.”
Fax of September 2002: “The doctor gave me Xeloda again …I dare not refuse because he will close my file and I have no one to turn to when problems arise. Dr. Teo is too far away for me to consult if emergency arises. My lower limbs are back to normal – only swelling slightly in the evening but will be alright after a night’s rest.”
Indeed her condition had improved. She had more energy, the swelling lessened and the flatulence in her stomach had disappeared. She did not suffer any more coughs or pains.
Fax of 16 October 2003: “I have stopped taking Xeloda since September. Now I only take your herbal tea. I am doing alright at the moment – just feeling pins and needles in my fingers and feet. I told my doctor here that I am taking your herbs. I would like to thank you again for helping and treating me and keeping me in good general condition. My sincere thanks to you again.”
Fax of 14 January May 2004 (i.e., 2 years on the herbs): “ I am doing alright all along. I feel well and my appetite is good. Occasionally I have backache.”
Fax of 3 June 2005: “X-ray of the pelvis showed secondary deposits in the right acetabulum but I didn’t suffer any pains at all. I went for a detoxification course in Taiwan in March 2005. I suffered from left sciatica during the course. Physiotherapy did not help at all. I feel that my heart beats very fast intermittently but ECG was normal. Besides all those mentioned, I am doing fine.”
On 30 November 2005, Siew wrote: “I had an ultrasound done on 28 Nov. 05. The result is similar to that done in May 05. I am doing very well. Thank you for helping me all these years. I really appreciate your kindness and helpfulness.”
On 26 March 06 her e-mail reads: “I had my blood test done on 15 March 06. Most of the results are within normal range.”
I was told that when she first wrote to me, Siew was in real “bad shape”. Her doctor gave her only a few months to live. But as of this writing, June 2007, it has been five years after modern medicine had failed her, Siew remained well and is still taking our herbs.

Breast Cancer - When Medical Treatment Failed, She Turned to Herbs

By Chris Teo, Ph.D.
Siew (not real name), 44-year-old-female, is a radiographer in a hospital in Hong Kong. In July 2002, Siew faxed me this message:
“I suffer from cancer of the breast – infiltrating ductal carcinoma in August 1993. Total right mastectomy was performed. Secondary to the bones was detected at the same time. A course of chemotherapy was given consisting of twelve injections over a period of six months. At the same time, radiotherapy was given to the spine and ribs. Two doses of strontium were given after the course of chemotherapy. Tamoxifen and orimetene were taken orally daily all these years.
Everything was in stable condition until August 2001. Secondary to both lobes of liver was discovered. Chemotherapy – FAC (5-FU, andriamycin and cyclophosphamde, six injections) was given, followed by eight doses of Taxotere. Now both my lower limbs are swollen. I suffer from pleural effusion (i.e. fluid in the lungs) at the same time. I started on oral chemotherapy – Xeloda on 10 July 2002. My limbs feel numb. I feel tired easily and my heart sometimes beat irregularly. I feel short of breath at times. I hope Dr. Teo will help me.”
Accompanying this letter were two medical reports. Her blood test report showed that her white blood count, red blood count and haemoglobin were below normal. A CT scan dated 6 July 2002, stated that:• Liver metastases with no significant change in size and number as compared with previous CT scan
done on 12 April 2002.• Right pleural effusion. • Probable bilateral renal cysts. • The lytic lesion in L2 vertebral body. Old fracture of a right lower anterior rib.
Siew was prescribed Capsule A & B, LL-tea, Liver P, Bone, Ascites and Breast M teas.
On 16 August 2002, I received a letter from Siew: “ I have taken your medication for two days and felt hot. Today, I feel warm only. Other than that, everything remains unchanged. I just stopped the diuretic which the doctor gave me, so my limbs are still swollen.”
Her fax in late August 2002 reads: “I have been taking your herbs for 3 weeks. My lower limbs and right upper arm are still swollen. The numbness in my extremities still exists … but my breathlessness has improved.”
Fax of September 2002: “The doctor gave me Xeloda again …I dare not refuse because he will close my file and I have no one to turn to when problems arise. Dr. Teo is too far away for me to consult if emergency arises. My lower limbs are back to normal – only swelling slightly in the evening but will be alright after a night’s rest.”
Indeed her condition had improved. She had more energy, the swelling lessened and the flatulence in her stomach had disappeared. She did not suffer any more coughs or pains.
Fax of 16 October 2003: “I have stopped taking Xeloda since September. Now I only take your herbal tea. I am doing alright at the moment – just feeling pins and needles in my fingers and feet. I told my doctor here that I am taking your herbs. I would like to thank you again for helping and treating me and keeping me in good general condition. My sincere thanks to you again.”
Fax of 14 January May 2004 (i.e., 2 years on the herbs): “ I am doing alright all along. I feel well and my appetite is good. Occasionally I have backache.”
Fax of 3 June 2005: “X-ray of the pelvis showed secondary deposits in the right acetabulum but I didn’t suffer any pains at all. I went for a detoxification course in Taiwan in March 2005. I suffered from left sciatica during the course. Physiotherapy did not help at all. I feel that my heart beats very fast intermittently but ECG was normal. Besides all those mentioned, I am doing fine.”
On 30 November 2005, Siew wrote: “I had an ultrasound done on 28 Nov. 05. The result is similar to that done in May 05. I am doing very well. Thank you for helping me all these years. I really appreciate your kindness and helpfulness.”
On 26 March 06 her e-mail reads: “I had my blood test done on 15 March 06. Most of the results are within normal range.”
I was told that when she first wrote to me, Siew was in real “bad shape”. Her doctor gave her only a few months to live. But as of this writing, June 2007, it has been five years after modern medicine had failed her, Siew remained well and is still taking our herbs.

Should You Wear A Breast Cancer Bracelet

By Candice Sabrina
Chances are that you know someone that has been touched by breast cancer and that you want to find a way to get involved. In today's busy world, it is hard to find the time to volunteer to help others so many of us just write a check and hope that the money will help to find a cure for this disease. While giving money is noble, there are just times when you should a stand and show that you care.
One way to demonstrate your devotion for the cause is to wear a breast cancer bracelet. It shows everyone that you care and that you are a participant in the war to find a cure. Now you are thinking about whether or not the bracelet will be an odd shade of pink, match your clothes, look appropriate for the office and be a pleasure to wear. Vanity can creep in, but your choices for a breast cancer bracelet are almost unlimited.
Well, you are correct in your thinking that most of the breast cancer bracelets are pink, but they are not just an odd shade of pink. Their color varies and can be intertwine with other beads to create a beautiful piece of jewelry that will compliment your wardrobe.
You can purchase a pink tourmaline set with sterling silver, a solid sterling silver bangle, a Swarovski crystal and hematite, a stretchy bracelet with a crystal angel, or a mother of pearl bracelet. Just go into Google and type in breast cancer bracelet and you will be offered over 900,000 different places where you can go and look at the jewelry. Almost anything you can imagine is available. And, if you can not find exactly what you want, you can work with a company to have a special bracelet designed to your specifications.
If you are actively involved in the movement and are part of a group of ladies that get together often, you may want to have a special bracelet that all of you wear. This shows your unity and spirit when it comes to fight against breast cancer. People notice special jewelry and may even ask about it. This will give you an opportunity to tell them about the special significant of it and why you support such an important cause.
Another way to spread the news and to gain more support from the community might be to give away Pink Camo Rubber Bracelet. These can be purchased on the internet and are a great way to enlist younger supporters-those young women still in high school and college. What better way to educate them about the potential dangers of this disease and get them activity involved in working with other women and in support the cause.
No matter what type of breast cancer bracelet you choose, it should be significant for you. Maybe you wear it because you are a survivor of breast cancer or because you lost someone close to you from this disease. Why you wear it should be important to you!
For more information on breast cancer try visiting http://www.breastcanceranalysis.com - a website that specializes in providing breast cancer related information and resources including information on the breast cancer bracelet.

A Brief History of Breast Cancer

By Michael Russell
Ancient Egyptians first noted and recorded the disease as tumors, or ulcers, of the breasts, concluded that there was no real cure and that the only form of treatment was cauterization with a tool called the “fire drill”. Since then, there have been many similar cases described by doctors throughout history that concluded that there was no cure; or really effective treatment.
When doctors started to understand the human circulatory system in the seventieth century, they also managed to establish a link between breast cancer and the lymph nodes in the armpits. Between the seventeen and eighteen hundreds, the French surgeon Jean Petit and Scotsman Benjamin Bell were the first ones to remove the lymph nodes, breast tissue and chest muscle in an effort to save woman from breast cancer.
By the 1880s, William Halsted started performing mastectomies. His procedure became known as the Halsted Radical Mastectomy and it remained a popular procedure in the fight against breast cancer right up to the 1970s.
Breast cancer is a cancer of the glandular breast tissue and is found in both male and female patients. Worldwide breast cancer accounts for almost 1% of all deaths, is the fifth most common form of cancer and the most common form found in women.
Although breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women in the United States, it is only the second most common cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). U.S. women have a one in eight lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer and an almost 3% chance of breast cancer causing their death. Due to our modern lifestyle the ‘experts’ claim and have also noted, a significant increase in the number of cases since the 1970s.
The breast is composed of identical tissues in males and females. Therefore breast cancer also occurs in males, though it is less common. Although men have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, this risk appears to be rising. There seems to be an increased incidence of breast cancer in men with prostate cancer.
The notable point about male breast cancer is that the prognosis is worse in men than in women and treatment of men with breast cancer is similar to that of the treatment given to older women. Because the male breast tissue is confined to the area directly behind the nipple, treatment for males has usually been a mastectomy.
On a more positive note, most breast cancer symptoms do not turn out to represent underlying breast cancer. These normally turn out to be benign diseases of the breast and only represent the more common symptoms similar to breast cancer itself. However, any appearance of new breast symptom should be taken very seriously by patients and doctors; because of the possibility of an underlying breast cancer that can develop at any age.
As with all types of cancer, the detection and treatment of breast cancer has a far greater chance of a positive outcome by detecting it earlier rather than later.

What Are The Available Breast Cancer Treatments

By Candice Sabrina
The terrible long wait is over and the bad news has been delivered-you have breast cancer. Now what, are you going to die? What happens next? There are literally dozens of questions and fears bouncing around in your head and you might be frozen with fear. Remember that you are not alone and that literally thousands of other women have already dealt with this terrible disease and survived to live many long and productive years.
The road to getting better is a long one that you must endure, but it is not one that you will travel alone. Your family, friends, and doctors will be there to help you and do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. You are not weak or helpless, you are sick and people want to help but they just do not know how-so be ready to ask!
Work with your doctor to come up with the medical treatment that best fits your needs and that will help cure your type of breast cancer. Most breast cancers will be treated with surgery to remove the tumor and all, or part, of the breast tissue may be removed. Excluding the surgery, there are three primary treatments being used today as a breast cancer treatment and they include chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiotherapy.
* Chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or in tablet form. Chemotherapy given intravenously usually requires the patient to be at the doctor's office for several hours as the medication is slowly administered. The treatment is on a schedule determined by the doctor and a rest period of a few weeks between sessions is usual. This allows your body to recover from any side effects of the treatment.
* Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to the healthy cells. Radiotherapy is often used after surgery but may occasionally be used before, or instead of surgery.
If part of the breast has been removed, radiotherapy is usually given to the remaining breast tissue, to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in that area. After a mastectomy, radiotherapy to the chest wall may be given if your doctor thinks there is a risk that any cancer cells have been left behind.
* There are many different types of hormonal therapy and they work in different ways. They are often given after surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer, to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. Hormonal therapy is usually given after chemotherapy.
While your options may appear to be limited, they are not. There are dozens of variation of medications being used today to work with your body to help destroy the cencer cells. If one treatment is not working, another treatment may be used. Remember to be honest with your doctor about how you are feeling. Your doctor is the second most important person in helping you get better but they can not do their job if you do not talk to them.
Now, who is the most important person when it comes to getting better? You are! Take care of yourself, realize that you are sick, need help and support. If you hate asking for help, just remember that when you are better, the opportunity may come up that you can help someone else—and that is what it is all about!

Breast Cancer - Prevent With Healthy Living

By Michael Russell
Generally speaking, breast cancer can be explained as an abnormal growth or a mass of cells, also known as a tumor, anywhere within the breast or immediate surrounding area. Usually the breast tumor is felt to be a lumpy mass during the early stages of breast cancer. If a woman feels a lump or abnormality of the breast of any kind, she should see a doctor immediately. In many cases, there is no cause for alarm, but because breast cancer can be a killer, medical attention is highly recommended.
When breast cancer is detected early, it can be treated quickly and effectively - usually with excellent results. Quick treatment is essential because all breast tumors start off benign initially. If the tumor has not begun to grow abnormally and is removed during the benign stage, the cancer may not spread. If the cancer does not spread, the woman is able to lead a normal, cancer-free life from that point on.
As with most cancers, the exact cause of breast cancer has not been pinpointed. However, there are many risk factors applied to many women. There are many arguments that breast cancer is hereditary, so if there is a history of the cancer in a woman’s family, she should see a doctor regularly for preventative measures. While heredity may play a role, life choices do as well. For instance, women who smoke cigarettes and consume alcohol regularly are at a higher risk for breast cancer than those who do not. Additionally, obese women that do not engage in regular physical activity are at an elevated risk for breast cancer.
It has been found, however, that altering the levels of hormones in the body can lead to different forms of cancer, breast cancer included. Many women take drugs and supplements that have estrogen as a main ingredient. These medications are used to increase sexual drive, assist in lactation, or deal with menopause. There are studies currently underway to help determine the influence of increased levels of estrogen on the development of breast cancer.
Despite the exact causes of breast cancer being unknown, there are many resources explaining and suggesting how a woman might prevent it. While much of this literature is purely speculation, there are precautions all women can take including maintaining a healthy body weight. Because overweight women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer, it is a good idea to lose the fat. Also, regular visits to the doctor are recommended. However, one of the best ways a woman can monitor her breast health is by conducting the at-home exam once a month.
In addition to regular doctor visits and maintaining a healthy body weight, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise can also influence the onset, or not, of many types of cancers. Foods that contain nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants essential to preventing breast cancer include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and legumes. Other good foods are any type of citrus, tomatoes and soy products. A diet low in carbohydrates may also be helpful.
Combining the healthy diet with regular exercise, a positive attitude and an overall healthy lifestyle may dramatically reduce a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer. By no means are these suggestions the only answer, but should be followed as part of an overall attempt at living as healthy as possible.

Three Simple Steps Toward Breast Cancer Prevention

By Connie Limon
Three main lifestyle habits lay the foundation for breast cancer prevention. They include:
• Staying physically active• Limiting alcohol• Eating right
The evidence so far tells us healthy eating and regular exercise really does contribute to breast cancer prevention. Plus, if you limit your exposure to substances that promote breast cancer, you will benefit even more.
There are some risks toward a higher incident of breast cancer that you cannot control. These include:
• Your age• Genetic make-up
Although these two factors may loom against you there are still steps you can take on your own to prevent breast cancer. They provide no guarantee that you still will not develop the disease. They will give you a start toward breast cancer prevention.
Some of the easiest things you can control is what you eat and drink and how much exercise you get.
There remains a strong link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. Seems that it does not matter the type of alcohol one consumes, whether it be wine, beer or mixed drinks, there does not seem to be a difference according to researchers. A step toward breast cancer prevention would be to limit your alcohol to less than one drink per day or to avoid alcohol completely.
Researchers tells us there is also a clear link between obesity or weighing more than is appropriate for your age and height and breast cancer. This is especially true if you gain the extra weight late in life or after menopause. The reason for this is that excess fatty tissue is a source of circulating estrogen in the body. Breast cancer risk is linked to how much estrogen you are exposed to during a lifetime.
If you stay active with a regular exercise regime you are better able to maintain a healthy weight. This one accomplishment alone lowers your risk of breast cancer regardless of age or genetic make-up. We are consistently told to aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week. Always try to include weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging or aerobics, which have the added benefit of keeping your bones and joints strong and healthy.
To date studies suggest a slight decrease in risk of invasive breast cancer for women who eat a low-fat diet. The effect is modest. It is probably a good idea to eat a low-fat diet anyway because it reduces your risk of other diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. A low-fat diet also can help you maintain healthy weight, which in turns, will help you in taking steps toward breast cancer prevention.
For the greatest benefit limit fat intake to less than 35 percent of your daily calories and restrict foods high in saturated fat.
Researchers have discovered two promising agents to help us prevent breast cancer. They are:
1. Retinoids2. Flaxseed
Retinoids are natural or synthetic forms of vitamin A. Retionids may have the ability to destroy or disturb the growth of cancer cells. Retinoids may also be effective in premenopausal women and in those whose tumors are not estrogen-positive.
Flaxseed is quite high in one phytoestrogen, which is “lignan.” Phytoestrogens are compounds that occur naturally and lower circulating estrogens in the body. Lignan appears to decrease estrogen production and may help to inhibit the growth of some breast cancers.
Research continues, however, any woman at any age or genetic make-up can start today toward breast cancer prevention simply by staying active, watching what you eat and limiting intake of alcohol.

What You Should Know About Breast Cancer

By Syble James
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death, exceeded only by lung cancer in 1985. One woman in eight who lives to age 85 will develop breast cancer at some time during her life.
At present there are over 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated for breast cancer. About 41,000 women will die from the disease. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 33. However, the rate of death from breast cancer is going down. This decline is probably the result of early detection and improved treatment.
Breast cancer is not just a woman’s disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1600 men develop the disease yearly and about 400 may die from the disease.
Breast cancer risk is higher among those who have a mother, aunt, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer before age 50. If only a mother or sister had breast cancer, your risk doubles. Having two first-degree relatives who were diagnosed increases your risk up to five times the average.
Although it is not known exactly what causes breast cancer; sometimes the culprit is a hereditary mutation in one of two genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes normally protect against the disease by producing proteins that guard against abnormal cell growth, but for women with the mutation, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer can increase up to 80 percent, compared with 13 percent among the general population. In effect, more than 25 percent of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
For women without a family history of breast cancer, the risks are harder to identify. It is known that the hormone estrogen feeds many breast cancers, and several factors – diet, excess weight, and alcohol consumption – can raise the body’s estrogen levels.
Early Signs
Early signs of breast cancer include the following:
- A lump which is usually single, firm and most often painless is detected.
- An area of the skin on the breast or underarm is swollen and has an unusual appearance.
- Veins on the skin surface become more prominent on one breast.
- The affected breast nipple becomes inverted, develops a rash, changes in skin texture, or has a discharge other than breast milk.
- A depression is found in an area of the breast surface.
Types and Stages of Breast Cancer
There are many different varieties of breast cancer. Some are fast-growing and unpredictable, while others develop more slowly and steady. Some are stimulated by estrogen levels in the body; some result from mutation in one of the two previously mentioned genes - BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS): Generally divided into comedo (blackhead), in which the cut surface of the tumor shows extrusion of dead and necrotic tumor cells similar to a blackhead, and non-comedo types. DCIS is early breast cancer that is confined to the inside of the ductal system. The distinction between comedo and non-comedo types is important, as comedocarcinoma in-situ generally behaves more aggressively and may show areas of micro-invasion through the ductal wall into surrounding tissue.
Infiltrating Ductal: This is the most common type of breast cancer, representing 78 percent of all malignancies. On mammography, these lesions can appear in two different shapes -- stellate (star- like) or well circumscribed (rounded). The stellate lesions generally have a poorer prognosis.
Medullary Carcinoma: This malignancy comprises 15 percent of breast cancers. These lesions are generally well circumscribed and may be difficult to distinguish from fibroadenoma by mammography or sonography. With this type of breast cancer, prognostic indicators estrogen and progesterone receptor are negative 90 percent of the time. Medullary carcinoma usually has a better prognosis than other types of breast cancer.
Infiltrating Lobular: Representing 15 percent of breast cancers, these lesions generally appear in the upper outer quadrant of the breast as a subtle thickening and are difficult to diagnose by mammography. Infiltrating lobular can involve both breasts (bilateral). Microscopically, these tumors exhibit a linear array of cells and grow around the ducts and lobules.
Tubular Carcinoma: This is described as orderly or well-differentiated carcinoma of the breast. These lesions make up about 2 percent of breast cancers. They have a favorable prognosis with nearly a 95 percent 10-year survival rate.
Mucinous Carcinoma: Represents 1-2 percent of carcinoma of the breast and has a favorable prognosis. These lesions are usually well circumscribed (rounded).
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: This is a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer that is usually evidenced by changes in the skin of the breast including redness (erythema), thickening of the skin and prominence of the hair follicles resembling an orange peel. The diagnosis is made by a skin biopsy, which reveals tumors in the lymphatic and vascular channels about 50 percent of the time.
Stages of Breast Cancer
The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma. It begins in the lining of the ducts. Another type, called lobular carcinoma, arises in the lobules. When cancer is found, the pathologist can tell what kind of cancer it is - whether it began in a duct (ductal) or a lobule (lobular) and whether it has invaded nearby tissues in the breast (invasive).
When cancer is found, special lab tests of the tissue are usually done to learn more about the cancer. For example, hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptor tests can help determine whether hormones help the cancer to grow. If test results show that hormones do affect the growth of the cancer (a positive test result), the cancer is likely to respond to hormonal therapy. This therapy deprives the cancer cells of estrogen.
Other tests are sometimes done to help predict whether the cancer is likely to progress. For example, x-rays and other lab tests are done. Sometimes a sample of breast tissue is checked for a gene, known as the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2 gene) that is associated with a higher risk that the breast cancer will recur. Special exams of the bones, liver, or lungs are done because breast cancer may spread to these areas.
A woman's treatment options depend on a number of factors. These factors include her age and menopausal status; her general health; the size and location of the tumor and the stage of the cancer; the results of lab tests; and the size of her breast. Certain features of the tumor cells, such as whether they depend on hormones to grow are also considered.
In most cases, the most important factor is the stage of the disease. The stage is based on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread. The following are brief descriptions of the stages of breast cancer and the treatments most often used for each stage. Other treatments may sometimes be appropriate.
Stage 0
Stage 0 is sometimes called non-invasive carcinoma or carcinoma in situ. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) refers to abnormal cells in the lining of a lobule. These abnormal cells seldom become invasive cancer. However, they are an indicator of an increased risk of developing breast cancer in both breasts. The treatment for LCIS is a drug called tamoxifen, which can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. A person who is affected may choose not to have treatment, but to monitor the situation by having regular checkups. And occasionally, the decision is made to have surgery to remove both breasts to try to prevent cancer from developing. In most cases, removal of underarm lymph nodes is not necessary.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells in the lining of a duct. DCIS is also called intraductal carcinoma. The abnormal cells have not spread beyond the duct to invade the surrounding breast tissue. However, women with DCIS are at an increased risk of getting invasive breast cancer. Some women with DCIS have breast-sparing surgery followed by radiation therapy. Alternatively, they may choose to have a mastectomy, with or without breast reconstruction (plastic surgery) to rebuild the breast. Underarm lymph nodes are not usually removed. Also, women with DCIS may want to talk with their doctor about tamoxifen to reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer.
Stage I and II
Stage I and stage II are early stages of breast cancer in which the cancer has spread beyond the lobe or duct and invaded nearby tissue.
Stage I means that the tumor is about one inch across and cancer cells have not spread beyond the breast.
Stage II means one of the following:
The tumor in the breast is less than 1 inch across and the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. The tumor is between 1 and 2 inches (with or without spread to the lymph nodes under the arm). The tumor is larger than 2 inches but has not spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. The treatment options for early stage breast cancer are breast-sparing surgery followed by radiation therapy to the breast, and mastectomy, with or without breast reconstruction to rebuild the breast. These approaches are equally effective in treating early stage breast cancer. (Sometimes radiation therapy is also given after mastectomy.)
The choice of breast-sparing surgery or mastectomy depends mostly on the size and location of the tumor, the size of the breast, certain features of the cancer, and how the person feels about preserving the breast. With either approach, lymph nodes under the arm usually are removed.
Chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy after primary treatment with surgery or surgery and radiation therapy are recommended for stage I and most frequently with stage II breast cancer. This added treatment is called adjuvant therapy. Systemic therapy sometimes given to shrink the tumor before surgeries called neoadjuvant therapy. This is given to try to destroy any remaining cancer cells and prevent the cancer from recurring, or coming back, in the breast or elsewhere.
Stage III
Stage III is also called locally advanced cancer. In this stage, the tumor in the breast may exhibit the following:
More than 2 inches across and the cancer has spread to the underarm lymph nodes. The cancer is extensive in the underarm lymph nodes. The cancer is spreading to lymph nodes near the breastbone or to other tissues near the breast.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of locally advanced breast cancer. In this type of cancer, the breast looks red and swollen (or inflamed) because cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast.
Patients with stage III breast cancer usually have both local treatment to remove or destroy the cancer in the breast and systemic treatment to stop the disease from spreading. The local treatment may be surgery and/or radiation therapy to the breast and underarm. The systemic treatment may be chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or both. Systemic therapy may be given before local therapy to shrink the tumor or afterward to prevent the disease from recurring in the breast or elsewhere.
Stage IV
Stage IV is metastatic cancer. The cancer has spread beyond the breast and underarm lymph nodes to other parts of the body.
The treatments for stage IV breast cancer are chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy to destroy cancer cells and control the disease. Patients may have surgery or radiation therapy to control the cancer in the breast. Radiation may also be useful to control tumors in other parts of the body.
Recurrent Cancer
Recurrent cancer means the disease has returned in spite of the initial treatment. Even when a tumor in the breast seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after treatment.
Most recurrences appear within the first 2 or 3 years after treatment, but breast cancer can recur many years later.
Cancer that returns only in the area of the surgery is called a local recurrence. If the disease returns in another part of the body, the recurrence is called metastatic breast cancer. The patient may have one type of treatment or a combination of treatments for recurrent cancer.

Alternative Treatments for Breast Cancer

By Eric Cho
It is shocking to live with breast cancer statistics rising to 1 in 8 women developing some form of breast cancer in their lifetime. Women 50 and older are at the greatest risk. Breast cancer is usually detected with mammograms or self breast exams. About 200,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. While the survival rate is increasing, it is important to note the increase in occurrence over the last 50 years. Let’s examine what causes breast cancer so we can prevent and deal with breast cancer naturally.
Causes of Breast CancerEveryone’s cancer is caused by something different, and so pinpointing the cause of breast cancer usually isn’t high on the list of priorities once a woman is diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease. But, in general cancer is caused by free radicals, or deformed cells, that attach themselves to your good cells.
Breast cancer specifically has been linked to too much estrogen found in the body. There are several reasons why women have too much estrogen. The birth control pill increases the amount of estrogen in the female body. Hormone replacement therapy also has been shown to cause breast cancer because of its tampering with hormone levels.
High levels of preservatives, herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals used to treat food contribute to breast cancer. And estrogens found in dairy and meat can be overwhelming to the body.
Holistic Treatment of Breast CancerPlant estrogens like soy are a great way to combat breast cancer. These plant estrogens give the female body everything it needs without the harmful effects. Women with breast cancer should increase their intake of soy foods. When possible they should try to reduce the amount of dairy in their diet and replace it with soy.
Eating whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and fruit also give the immune system a boost and enable the body to wage its own war against cancer. Vitamin and mineral supplements help to fill in the gaps of nutrition you may miss from your diet. Antioxidants counteract the free radicals floating around your body, bind with them, and the body flushes them right out so they can do no harm.
Mental and spiritual well being is also important in a holistic approach to fighting breast cancer. Meditation, stress reduction, improved outlook, and positivity all help improve your mental well being. And as many of us realize, you are what you think about. So change your focus, look for the beauty in life, and take care of yourself, inside and out.
Exercise is a fantastic way to improve your immune system, build a physically healthy body, and improve your mental well being at the same time. Yoga, Tai-Chi, and walking are all beneficial ways to exercise the body and mind without overdoing it and causing damage.
Progesterone cream delivers the hormone, progesterone, to the body in the fastest way possible - transdermally, or through the skin. Progesterone helps to regulate the other hormones in the body, especially estrogen levels. As a woman ages, her natural progesterone levels decrease leaving her exposed to excess estrogen. In research conducted in 1995, progesterone was shown to have protective effects on breast tissue because it inhibits the growth of more breast cancer cells. Estrogen does the opposite and encourages breast tissue growth. Pro-Gest is a good progesterone cream for women with breast cancer.
Breast cancer information

Nine Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

By Syble James
Mutation in either the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene, excess estrogen levels in the body, diet, excess weight, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking are all risk factors for breast cancer. While there's almost nothing we can do to change hereditary gene mutation, it is within our power to control the other factors and protect our breasts.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
A recent American Cancer Society study of more than 62,000 women found that the more weight women gain after age 18, the greater their risk of developing breast cancer during menopause. Extra pounds increase estrogen production, which can fuel cancer growth. On the other hand, even if you are heavier regular exercise will reduce your risk significantly.
“Physical activity is thought to lower the amount of estrogen in the body, thereby lowering your breast cancer,” explains Dr. Debbie Saslow, PhD, Director of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer at the American Cancer Society. So get moving. A brisk 30-minute walk five days a week can reduce breast cancer risk by 18 percent, according to a study of more than 74,000 women ages 50 to 79.
Eat Good Fats
High levels of polyunsaturated fat and saturated fat have been linked to breast cancer, so limit these fats in your diet. Opt for more monounsaturated fat, such as olive and canola oils. A study in Sweden of more than 61,000 women between the ages of 40 and 76 showed that consuming an additional 10 grams of monounsaturated fat reduces breast cancer risk by an estimated 45 percent. On the other hand, the study also showed that every extra 5 grams of polyunsaturated fat consumed, increased breast cancer risk by 69 percent. Breast cancer rates are low among women in Spain, Greece, and Italy, and the fact that people in these countries use olive oil as their primary source of fat undoubtedly is a factor in this beneficial result.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect against cancer, and these are found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Researchers at New York University compared blood samples from 270 women who subsequently developed breast cancer to samples taken from 270 women who did not. They found that women with the lowest levels of carotenoids had twice the risk of breast cancer as found in those with the highest levels. Try to eat five to nine servings (one-half- to one cup) daily of fruit and vegetables, especially carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, and spinach.
Add Flaxseed to Your Diet
These seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support cardiovascular health as well as lowering the risk of all types of cancer. Flaxseed also contains high levels of a compound called lignans that may reduce estrogen activity in the body. Studies on rats show that lignans actually shrink breast tumors. To eat flaxseed, sprinkle two to three tablespoons of ground flaxseed on your cereal, add to smoothies, or use flaxseed oil in salad dressing.
Learn to Like Soy
Women in Asia have one-fifth the breast cancer rate of Western women. Scientists believe that the reason is their soy-rich diet. A Japanese study showed that women who ate three or more bowls of miso soup (made with fermented soybeans), reduced their risk by 50 percent over those who had less. Soy foods contain phytoestrogens, compounds that are weak forms of estrogen and may protect against breast cancer. Add one to two servings of soy foods daily to your diet - a cup of soy milk, a half cup of tofu, tempeh, or soy nuts.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Alcohol intake is linked to increased levels of estrogen which fuels cancer. It is recommended that if you drink alcohol occasionally, take 400 micrograms of daily folic acid (the amount found in most multivitamins). A Mayo Clinic study showed that women with the lowest folate (folic acid occurring in fruits and vegetables) intake who drank even a small amount of alcohol daily -- even half a drink -- had a 59 percent increased risk of breast cancer, but a high intake of folate cancelled out the increased risk among moderate drinkers. How folate reduces the risk is not clear, but experts agree that most Americans are not getting enough.
Quit Smoking
Studies show that the younger women are when they first start smoking, the greater their risk of developing breast cancer before menopause. Other studies suggest that women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer may increase their risk if they smoke. Also current and past smokers who develop breast cancer are twice as likely to get an aggressive form of the disease that is not estrogen-dependent. Similar risk applies with second-hand smoke.
Limit Use of Antibiotics
New evidence suggests that the more often you take antibiotics, the higher your breast cancer risk. A study of more than 10,000 women revealed that the risk of breast cancer is doubled among those who took antibiotics for more than 500 cumulative days (the equivalent of about 25 prescriptions) over an average of 17 years compared with women who never took antibiotics. Researchers caution, however, that other factors, such as underlying illness, weakened immune system, or hormonal imbalance, could account for the increased risk.
Opt to Breast-Feed
Not only is it good for your infant, but lactation also suppresses ovulation and the production of estrogen. Researchers compared the birth rates and breast-feeding practices among women in developed countries with women in developing nations in Asia and Africa and found that the breast cancer risk in developed countries could be cut in half if women had as many babies and breast-fed each child for an average of 30 months per child as women in developing countries. Breast-feeding alone would reduce the risk by two-thirds. They also found that for each year a woman breast-feeds, her breast cancer risk dropped 4 percent.
Source: American Breast Cancer Association The Mayo Clinic
Syble James is President of Alpha Health Source, on the Internet at http://www.AlphaHealthSource.net, where visitors can find diets, supplements, food & beverages, body care and request health & fitness consultations. Ms. James also researches, writes and consults within the investment and fitness community, focusing on VMS, nutraceutical, weight loss, health club, and MLM (VMS & body care). She can be reached at Syble.James@AlphaHealthSource.net or 1-800-899-0799.

Knee Deep in Asbestos

By Phil Jones
When I was 17 old I started working at an asbestos mine in the Yukon. I had the excitement of youth and looked on the thing as a big adventure.
The mine was located about 7 miles from the Alaska border on the banks of the Forty Mile River, which emptied into the Yukon River some 5 miles or so north.
I first arrived in August and started working on the Surface Crew. This was the group responsible for outside maintenance of all things on the surface. This was fine when we had those few relatively warm days in summer, but later it was a bit more difficult to be working outside in minus 55F.
One of my first duties was to keep clear the conveyor that took the unused asbestos out to the tailings piles. Tailings piles are basically the dregs of what's left over after milling the asbestos and is run out of the mill on conveyor belts to large piles behind the mill. At that time they were about 100 feet high.
I was given a shovel, and a small mask (kind of like the little paper ones that painters use) and told to go shovel off the conveyor belt on the tailings piles. Dutifully I climbed up with my little shovel to clear any blockages of asbestos from the conveyor. I remember clearly at one point standing literally knee deep in asbestos on top of this 100 foot high pile and looking inside my very poor quality mask and seeing the inside (where it's not supposed to be) all grey from the asbestos dust. I then took out my hankerchief (yes, I carried one) and blew my nose. Sorry for the rude, graphic description, but it was all grey. And that was my introduction to work at an asbestos mine.
Even back in the early 1970's it was becoming known that asbestos caused problems. Working in the mine we'd get brochures handed around periodically with propoganda about how it was never proven that asbestos was actually harmful. They were beautiful glossy brochures. I wish I'd kept one.
Though I had occasion to go into the mill for various reasons I was glad I didn't work there. There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked.
The Yukon itself was absolutely beautiful. Stunning in fact. I had many great experiences there and saw some natural wonders I couldn't have seen anywhere else. I had hitchiked up the Alaska Highway with a friend. In those days the highway was unpaved. Most of the trip was provided by a nice family who were travelling in an old converted school bus. Rattle and dust. Rattle and dust. But we made it finally to Whitehorse, and then on to Dawson City. I loved Dawson. It was like stepping into the past. Not just the architecture and homes but the people had that old fashion friendliness and charm, though tempered by a resolve that one must have to live in such a fierce environment.
The Yukon has a peacefullness to it. Almost a serenity that one can feel. I've found that only those who have been there and experienced it fully understand what I mean by this.
In all of this beauty I suppose the asbestos mine was a blight, or cancer on the environment. Fortunately closed down now for many years nature is recovering it's territory, but unfortunately asbestos mining has left a legacy of asbestosis and Mesothelioma with some of it's previous employees. There are many resources available with information, legal, and personal (www.mesothelioma-listings.com) but one shouldn't let something that consumes the body, also consume the soul. Being human is to be somewhat fragile to the vagarities of life as it is. There's plenty of 'drama' going on without us spending all of our energies on blame. Be calm. Remember your duty in life is to help others. Be happy and try to improve life around you.
As I type this I am looking out the window, watching my grandchildren learn to fish off the seawall out back. It just doesn't get any better than this.
Phil Jones is a freelance writer, who now lives in sunny Florida, about as far as you can get from the Yukon and still be in North America. He set up the website www.mesothelioma-listings.com to provide personal legal firm law mesothelioma asbestos info for those who may need it.

Asbestos Killed My Husband

By Lorraine Kember
He was only a child when it begun -and he played as children do- in his yard with his toy cars and tip trucks But his sand was asbestos blue…
In December 1999, my husband and I were walking home from a game of lawn bowls when I became aware of his shortness of breath. I was surprised and concerned when he told me that he had experienced this on several occasions. Believing this to be due to chest a infection, I made a doctor’s appointment for him the next day.
Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, over two litres of which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for the pathology results.Through the Internet I had become aware of several conditions which may have been responsible for fluid on the lung; these included asbestos- related diseases. Brian had lived in Wittenoom as a child and I was afraid of his diagnosis. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, I did not mention my fears to him. I prayed that he had pleurisy or pneumonia but the pathology results revealed that there were cancer cells present.
When Brian finally received his diagnosis, my worst nightmare became reality. He had pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. We found it inconceivable that the disease was the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child and that it had lain dormant for forty-five years before become lethal.
We were still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave his prognosis. His exact words were, “Three to nine months, I reckon”. That he could say this so unfeelingly amazed me. His total lack of compassion did not encourage even the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment on we were waiting to drop.
Undoubtedly, were mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness and utter despair; in fact all the symptoms of grief one feels when a loved one has actually died. Once again we found ourselves with no control over our lives. This time however, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Our journey through terminal illness had begun.
Throughout the course of our married life my deep love for Brian and my determination to resolve difficulties had seen us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing could be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information regarding mesothelioma, all the time praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or cured someone of it.
It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there were no miracles; however, I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to ease his burden. I continued to seek information regarding mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of his disease. In this way, I came to understand the importance of pain management and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying – I could help him to live.
My acquired knowledge regarding pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain he was experiencing and the intensity of that pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with his doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in his improved quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength.
Together, we achieved for Brian, a quality of life few thought possible, considering the nature of his disease. Testament to this, Brian survived for 2 years despite his prognosis of 3 to 9 months. Remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death.
Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001, he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.
Article written by: Lorraine Kember – Author of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. “Lean on Me” is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor’s recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorraine_Kember

Mesothelioma Cancer

By P. Mehta
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial tissues of body organs usually lungs or abdominal. It is often caused by exposure to asbestos. However, there are 30-50% of patients without any history of asbestos exposure. People who have received asbestos exposure of as little as one or two months to very low doses are at risk of mesothelioma cancer. Even people who wash clothes of asbestos exposed people are at risk. A person exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma after 50 years of exposure.
People in the occupations such as construction jobs in shipyards, insulators, boilermakers, etc. are at the risk of contracting asbestos disease.
The 2 common types of mesothelioma are:
Pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen organs).
The survival time for a patient with diffuse malignant mesothelioma is from 4 to 24 months from the observance of the symptoms. Mesothelioma is also difficult to diagnose.
The chance of recovery for a patient with mesothelioma depends on size and location of the cancer, age of the patient and his response to the treatment.
Presently, the treatment options for mesotheliomas are:
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery and Photodynamic therapy
There is some evidence that provitamin A or beta-carotene may decrease the risk of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Cancer
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Who is at Increased Risk For Developing Mesothelioma?

By Linda Woodhouse
Since the late 1800's Asbestos has been mined and used commercially. The use of Asbestos dramatically increased during World War II and since the early 1940's millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos dust working within industries where initally the risks were not known. There has been widespread exposure to Asbestos by workers within shipyards, mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople and an increase risk of deveolping mesothelioma has been the result. .
Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. By contrast, the British Government's Health and Safety executive (HSE) states formally that any threshold for mesothelioma must be at a very low level and it is widely agreed that if any such threshold does exists at all, then it cannot currently be quantified. For practical purposes, therefore, HSE does not assume that any such threshold exists. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. Family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers.
To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung. The Kent brand of cigarettes used asbestos in its filters for the first few years of production in the 1950s and some cases of mesothelioma have resulted. Smoking current cigarettes does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.
There is no curative treatment. Close monitoring (routine X-rays or even pleural biopsy) for mesothelioma is mandated. Oxygen therapy at home is often necessary to relieve the shortness of breath. Supportive treatment of symptoms includes respiratory treatments to remove secretions from the lungs by postural drainage, chest percussion, and vibration. Aerosol medications to thin secretions may be prescribed
Looking for information about Mesothelioma? Go to: http://www.mesotheliomalegalreview.com 'Mesothelioma Legal Review' is published by Linda Woodhouse - The complete resource directory for Mesothelioma related information, legal services, and products Check out more Mesothelioma articles at: http://www.mesotheliomalegalreview.com/archive
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Article » Lung Mesothelioma Asbestos

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?
By Linda Woodhouse
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. However, they may have been been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways. This could include working with asbestos or by home renovation using asbestos cement products or even by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. The resulting disease is rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs.
Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer.
There are various procedures used for the treatment of mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health.
A common treatment of the disease is by means of surgery by the removal of part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura, a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Another method is Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy. This involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found .
Anticancer drugs can be used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. This is known as chemotherapy and involves the administration of the drugs by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Currently, doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen.
Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments.
Looking for information about Mesothelioma? Go to: http://www.mesotheliomalegalreview.com 'Mesothelioma Legal Review' is published by Linda Woodhouse - The complete resource directory for Mesothelioma related information, legal services, and products Check out more Mesothelioma articles at: http://www.mesotheliomalegalreview.com/archive
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Mesothelioma - The Largest Man Made Epidemic

By Lorraine Kember
It is documented that Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world from the 1950’s until the 1970’s. As a tragic consequence, Australia now has the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma in the world. With more than 500 Australians contracting mesothelioma per year, it is estimated that up to 18,000 Australians will die from this asbestos related cancer by the year 2020.
Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos, there are many people who have not heard of Mesothelioma. This asbestos related cancer is defined as: a malignant spreading tumor of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising form the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
One of the most baffling and frightening known facts concerning Mesothelioma is that many years may pass, between inhalation of asbestos dust and its deadly legacy of disease; it is not uncommon for four decades or more to pass before symptoms due to asbestos dust inhalation become apparent.
In November 2004, I was an invited speaker at the Global Asbestos Congress 2004, held in Tokyo Japan. Over 800 participants from 40 countries around the world were in attendance. To be a part of such a large gathering of fellow humans, united in a quest to rid the poison of asbestos from our environments was an intensely moving experience. Having lost my husband to mesothelioma I know first hand the suffering this cruel disease places on its innocent victims.
There were many speakers and each told a tale, of pain, death and heartache. We listened, we understood and we ached for the past, present and future victims of the killer asbestos and its legacy of mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. We listened and we were shocked and angered to learn that despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos and the increasing incidence of asbestos related disease, there remains some countries who are mining asbestos with little or no regard for their workers or people who will come into contact with asbestos products.
Asbestos disease Association member’s world wide are working tirelessly and fighting almost insurmountable odds to ban asbestos from all countries of the world. It is a sobering and frightening fact, that even if we were successful today in this quest, the legacy of asbestos related diseases will continue for five decades.
Add your voice to the many who want this killer product erased from the worlds environments – Add your voice to the call that pleads for adequate compensation for victims and their families. Sign the online petition at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization:
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) continues to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the incurable and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is quickly expanding and uniting veterans, fire-fighters, shipbuilders, teachers and thousands of other innocent people around the world. Asbestos Awareness leads to education, prevention, new treatments and ultimately a cure. http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
Article written by: Lorraine Kember – Author of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband-an asbestos victim - in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. “Lean on Me” is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor’s recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com
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