Everything About Breast Cancer

The same gene which may hold the key to life, causing cells to divide and multiply is responsible for the progression of cancer. This is the result of research from the Northwestern University who have found the said protein going mad, inducing abnormally fast cell division. Scientists who found the existence of high levels of the said protein in cancer cells have successfully reduced the ability of these afflicted cells to divide by removing it form the cells, effectively controlling the disease. Genes and proteins interact to dictate the way cells divide and can even turn into cancer cells. Continue reading…

Elastography is an imaging technology that examines the mechanical properties of materials, in this case breast tissue which tends to have an altered state when afflicted by breast cancer. The lumps you feel out of place when you do a home exam may be proof oh having the disease but without a professional to verify it, it’s still a hunch. Ultrasound has been the norm of the screening process for years and it relies on the different ways tissue reacts to ultrasound waves that is interpreted and displayed as images on the screen. The technology uses sound to diagnose and verify the elasticity of tissue, an abnormality would reflect as an area of unusual density. The tests conducted to far by researchers on the said new screening tool has been at an impressive 100% with only less than 90% success rate for ultrasound scans. Continue reading…

Learning that you have a breast cancer can be very devastating. It is a life-changing moment which affects not only your life, but your loved ones as well.
It is important that cancer patients have people whom they can share their feelings and emotions. Communicate openly with your family and loved ones. Attend a support group where you can identify with what other women are going through.
Educate yourself through searching the internet or reading different materials about breast cancer. Asking your doctor and the medical team and getting a second opinion will help you in understanding your diagnosis.

It also helps to strengthen your faith through praying and spiritual retreat. Talk to a priest or pastor. Faith helps you in dealing with and accepting your condition.
Live a “normal life” as possible.

Recent studies show that women who have breast cancer increases the likelihood of a sister to get the disease even after 20 years of that sibling being diagnosed. This heightens the need for regular check-ups which would allow proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications. Breast cancer is a treatable disease with early detection as key. Advents with newer digital scanning technology have increased the speed of detection and has greatly increased the ability of treatment in many women. For women who have had relatives with breast cancer, no worry for your likelihood of contracting the deadly disease is highly unlikely yet not impossible. Vaccines and other preventive measures have been in effect for many years now and has been impacting the lives of many afflicted women. Just hope a better treatment would be found to increase the chances of preventing recurrence of the cancer which in many cases does indeed return.

Breast cancer is benefiting from some of the latest research into the mechanisms of the disease and one such breakthroughs that is set to make a difference is the isolation of a signal gene. Researchers have found that it is the presence or absence of this specific gene that can tell weather the breast cancer spreads or maintains its inert state as a mere lump. It has also been found that all humans have a cell or two of cancerous categorization and the many factors that makes it blow off into a full blown disease is also being studied.
On the other hand, imaging scientists are trying to develop faster screening technology that assesses the density of tissue obtained from a biopsy getting the results faster making treatment possible as soon as possible.

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Once a breast lump or breast abnormality has been detected, Doctor may want to conduct a breast biopsy. It is a procedure that involves taking sample tissue from the doubtful area to determine whether the breast lump is cancerous. There are several kinds of breast biopsy techniques, and each one has advantages and disadvantages. One of the techniques is Fine-needle aspiration. It is a thin needle inserted through the skin and into the lump. Cells will be drawn into the needle, and given to a pathologist to look at under a microscope. This might also be done to determine if the lump is solid or liquid (a cyst). If the lump is a cyst, after the fluid has been removed, the cyst will collapse and disappear. If there is no fluid, and the tissue in the lump is too hard to draw into the needle, then you may need a different type of biopsy, in order to get the best results.

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Male breast cancer risk is increased by having a family history of the disease similar to the situation found in women. However, hormonal mechanism may have commonalities and differences between the risks factors.
Since male breast cancer is so uncommon there is uncertainty regarding the risk factor especially the environmental ones. Bone fracture markedly increases the risk for men but to women it decreases. Analysis revealed that breast cancer among men had significant increased risk when a first degree relative is also infected with it. Obesity is another risk for breast cancer in men. The influence of shared genetic and environmental risk factors reflects particularly due to the alterations in the bioavailable ratio of estrogen to testosterone. Further studies are being develop to fully understand the risk of men having breast cancer.

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One of the factors that distinguish women’s attributes is their breast. Aside from the hair which is their crown and glory, women’s breast signifies their feminism and figure. What if one day the doctor say it needs to be removed due to breast cancer?
It is a crumbling feeling that all women would dread to hear.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. It is best to know the common symptoms of breast cancer to prevent them from getting worst and be able to cure them at once. These includes: A change in how the breast or nipple feels; a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area; Nipple tenderness; a change in how the breast or nipple looks; change in the size or shape of the breast; A nipple turned inward into the breast; The skin of the breast, areola, or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen. It may have ridges or pitting so that it looks like the skin of an orange; Nipple discharge (fluid).

If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss this concern with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan a schedule for checkups.

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Here are some crucial information about the disease that usually triggers a woman. A woman’s risk for developing breast cancer increases as she ages but breast cancer rarely strikes a woman in her 20’s. According to studies, less than five percent of all breast cancer cases occur in women under 40. It usually hits after menopause; nearly 80 percent of cases are in woman over 50. Sometimes, gynecologist don’t always take symptoms seriously because breast cancer is so common on younger women, the doctor may blow-off a lamp or other worrisome sign like bloody nipple discharge. Insist that she perform a clinical breast exam and a needle biopsy or ultrasound. It is also important to trace our family history since it puts younger women at risk. When a 20 to 30 something women develop the disease, they may have gene mutation. Ask your gynecologist about your risks of getting breast cancer so that it can help you to prevent it.