Everything About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer remains to be the leading culprit among women. Second only to Lung cancer, Breast cancer is the next most notorious serial killer in the world. Ironically, breast cancer is more inclined to affect women who are part of the western world than anyone else in less developed nations. This is probably because of the “instant” life style Westerners have gotten used to. Men are not exempted from the claws of breast cancer. This is because they have breasts too. They are however, 90% less likely to catch the disease but when they do, their chances at survival are no less precarious than that of the women. The idea behind breast cancer is to have it detected early so that it can be cured just as early.

Ironically, breast cancer is more inclined to affect women in the first world than anyone else in less developed nations, probably because the “instant” life style is less popular among third world countries. Latest statistic shows the number of fatalities induced breast cancer: in Eastern Asia, 18; South Central Asia, 22; sub-Saharan Africa, 22; South-Eastern Asia, 26; North Africa and Western Asia, 28; South and Central America, 42; Eastern Europe, 49; Southern Europe, 56; Northern Europe, 73; Oceania, 74; Western Europe, 78; and in North America. The study was done per 100,000 set of the women population. As you can see, there is a tremendous difference in fatalities between poor and richer continents.

Next to Lung cancer, Breast cancer is the second most notorious serial killer in the country. It is by far, the number one most wanted killer among women. It has twice the incidence rate of cervical cancer and lung cancer combined but thankfully with a mortality rate of 25% greater than the said two. Last 2005, 502,000 breast cancer induced deaths have been reported world wide. This is a significant leap compared to the rather marginalized fatality rate it caused during the 70s. There are many factors why breast cancer has suddenly become one of the leading causes of death among women but the unhealthy modern life style is taking most of the blame for it.

No one knows exactly how breast cancer is developed, or acquired. Some say it’s hereditary, but the truth is, we all have a cancer gene in our bodies waiting to be awakened. Activation is the key for a tumor to run wild in our bodies, the key is to avoid its awakening. Unfortunately, no one knows how to do that so the least any of us can hope to do is to just be cautious and be aware of the symptoms so that we can detect it early and therefore survive it.
When it comes to breast cancer, it is much more vital to be paranoid if your family has a history of it. In this case, we recommend a mammogram annually. Also, women become more susceptible to breast cancer as they age, women who are 30 and above should go for occasional check-ups. Menstrual cycle is also a factor, if you started and therefore ended too early, you might want to be more attuned to risk factors.

Women who have had suspicions and gotten negative results from screening may not be all that lucky for researchers say there is a higher probability of an assured case the next time round. There are a lot of screening procedures done yearly yet sadly there are a lot of cases of positive results for breast cancer with some skipping the blade and getting away with a normal or non-malignant mass. But as best an irony can be defined, the next time round you do suspect another lump, it may be as good as confirmed for the trends and changes that may have arisen due to t hat first false result may have already been a sign of pending disease.

Most cancers will indeed benefit from a healthy shift to a better lifestyle, a factor which greatly influences many diseases. Millions of people who smoke will surely get lung cancer, people who love red meat are more likely to get colorectal cancer and so on and so forth. Changes can be so revealing that lives people never could have imagined with their vices can be a totally new world. There are a lot of challenges to overcome such as with dietary adjustments and the withdrawal symptoms of smoking and much more but hey, “No Pain, No Gain”. So you want to live longer, live healthier for a better you for the life you save, is yours after all!

Intake of a potent form of vitamin D, calcitrol has been found to induce a production of a tumor suppressing protein that can be used to prevent the spread of breast cancer. Vitamins have been getting a rash of critique as being mere placebos that have no benefits whatsoever in terms of cancer and prevention of such diseases. This counters that and shows that these vitamins may have a purpose to augment our daily vitamin intake that may have been going on for a long time without the patient knowing about it. Certain diseases are associated with lack of nutrition such as those suffered by people who live in high altitude who suffer from poor iodine intake which is due to a void of fish in their diet. Supplements have always been labeled as having “No Approved Therapeutic Claims”, maybe due to a lack of understanding they play in our daily life. (more…)

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. (more…)

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. (more…)

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.