Medical News

Sterols and Their Activities

Several sterols, including ergosterol, H1-A, Δ3ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, ergosteryl-3-O-β- D-glucopyranoside, cereisterol, β-sitosterol, daucosterol, cholesterol, 22, 23-dihydroergosteryl-3- O-β-D-glucopyranoside, cholesteryl palmitate, campesterol, and dihydrobrassicasterol, have been identified in cordyceps. Ergosterol exists in both free and combined forms in cordyceps, and the content of the free form is fairly high in both natural and cultured cordyceps. Ergosterol is a biological precursor of vitamin D2, needed for bone development in humans. The sterol β-sitosterol is found mainly in natural cordyceps and commercial cultured C. sinensis, whereas it is lacking in commercial cultured C. militaris and cultured C. sinensis in Yang’s laboratory. In Europe, β-sitosterol plays a major role in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Phytosterols, especially β-sitosterol, play a protective role against colon, prostate, and breast cancer. Moreover, phytosterols, mainly β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, decrease cholesterol absorption while being poorly absorbed themselves. The bioactivities of sterols are helpful in elucidating some therapeutic indications of cordyceps such as in hyperlipidemia and cancer.

Free Fatty Acids and Their Activities

Ten free fatty acids (FFAs), that is, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, docosanoic acid, and lignoceric acid, have been found in natural C. sinensis, C. liangshanensis, and C. gunnii, as well as in cultured C. sinensis and C. militaris. Among these FFAs, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid are the major components in natural and cultured cordyceps. Natural cordyceps contains more palmitic acid and oleic acid than cultured (Yang et al. 2009). The FFAs are not only essential nutritional compounds but also modulators of many cellular functions through their receptors. The FFA receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors, including G-protein receptor (GPR) 40, GPR41, GPR43, GPR120, and GPR84. The activation of FFA receptors exhibits several physiological effects; they, therefore, are purported to be novel therapeutic targets for diabetes, dyslipidemia, and immunomodulation, especially type 2 diabetes.

Pentadecanoic acid (C15) and palmitic acid (C16) are the most potent FFAs on GPR40, and can activate the GPR40 receptor and stimulate calcium release (Briscoe et al. 2003). This, in turn, triggers insulin release from the β-cells of the pancreas, thus producing a hypoglycemic effect. Both these FFAs exist in both wild and cultured cordyceps, palmitic acid being a main ingredient, and palmitic acid may be one of the active hypoglycemic components in cordyceps. On the other hand, FFAs in cordyceps may also indirectly promote glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and then inhibit plasma glucose level by activation of GPR120 in the intestinal tract (Hirasawa et al. 2008). The receptors GPR41, GPR43, and GPR84 are expressed on immune cells. Activation of these receptors by FFAs induces an immunomodulatory effect (Swaminath 2008) and cordyceps contains FFAs and possesses significant relevant activity, indicating that the FFAs in the cordyceps contribute to its immunomodulatory mechanisms.

Every time I’ve changed Gynecologists, I filled out the dreaded medical history forms knowing the reaction my new doctor will have once she/he sees that both my grandmothers had breast cancer.”Do you examine your breasts often?” “You need to be very careful”, “Here put your arms up and let me see” poke poke poke… Tadalafil online canada

Though I am glad for their concern I must admit that it is scary to think that you are considered high risk for breast cancer. In June of this year, I turned 30 and I can’t begin to tell you all the weird changes that have been happening to my body. Some are way too weird and personal to mention, but about a month ago I did find a strange mass in my left breast. Now this is not really unusual for me since I normally have quite lumpy breasts, especially as that time of the month gets closer. So I figured it was just my natural lumps just feeling a little extra lumpy and I didn’t pay it much mind. Three weeks later however it was still there and even more pronounced. So, to ward off any possibilities that it was my imagination playing tricks on me I asked my mother if she felt anything and she did. I quickly made the appointment to see my gynecologist.

I decided not to become rippled with fear about what the possibilities of an unknown mass in my breast could mean, but my panicky personality got the best of me and at times and I would picture myself losing all my hair which I had been spending so much time and money taking care of, the possibility of not being able to have kids, and worst of all losing my breast which I quickly passified by picturing myself with fake boobs. Vein and shallow!…yes I know. I reprimanded myself for thinking such thoughts and focused on God and life and thinking positive. It may be nothing.

The day of my much anticipated appointment came. As I waited in the examination room for my doctor, I lay on the bed in my robe opened to the front and busied myself with texting and bbm’ing to keep my mind of the negative. Thirty minutes later my doctor walked in with chart in-hand and stated, “What borough do you live in?” I said Queens. She said, “For How long?” Took me a while to think. I was unprepared for those questions. I was expecting something more around “How long have you had the lump?”, “Who else in your family has had breast cancer?”, “Seen any strange oozing?”

Seeing the confused look on my face, my gynecologist explained that the reason why she asked was because women who have lived in Queens and Long Island all or most of their lives are twice as likely to get breast cancer than women in any other borough in New York City. I was shocked! “I wasn’t aware of that at all” I said and told her that I had only been living in Queens for the past 2 years and spent most of my life in the Caribbean. She then began her examination of both my breasts, starting with the right and then the left. She quickly felt the mass as well as another somewhere in the center of my left breast. She had me feel it also and yes! certainly there was something there. Not quite a lump or ball per se but definitely something. She asked me if I drink caffeine. I replied in the affirmative and told her that I had at least one cup a day give and take a few days here and there when I preferred tea. She told me that caffeine has been known to make the breasts lumpy. Again, I was shocked at that.

She also told me that taking 600 mg’s of Vitamin E daily will also help prevent breast cancer. Another shocker! She also asked me if I wore wired bras. I told her “All the time” she then went on to say that I needed to get non-wired bras since the wired ones are known to put extra pressure on the glands of the breast and can lead to breast cancer also. Yet another shocker!

She never once mentioned or even brought up my grandparents, so I volunteered the information just in case she missed it. She then asked me at what age they were diagnosed. I wondered whether it mattered, point is they had it and that makes me high risk! I said one was diagnosed at 84 and another at around 60. She nonchalantly shrugged it off saying “OK they were both past menopausal age”. I was like “ok”, wondering if that now meant that I am no longer high risk. Talk about confused.

By the end of the examination she explained that though I am too young to have a mammogram because of the density of my breast, that she was scheduling one anyway along with a sonogram just to be on the safe side. My heart was beating as she wrote the referral, still nervous and overwhelmed from the confusing information I had just received as well as this pending mammogram which I had heard such horror stories about. Two days later I showed up for my “mamo” and “sono” and though the doctor said that the tests are never 100% percent accurate, I thank God that the results were negative and showed no abnormality.

Though I was relieved, I was still a bit confused and very concerned. Even if the less than perfect results are negative then why do I have a lump? could the test be wrong? and am I really at less of a risk for breast cancer because both my grandparents were diagnosed post menopausal? and do I really have to go buy an entire new collection of wireless bras and take 600 Mg’s of Vitamin E? Clearly there were some mixed messages being sent here and we all know prevention is better than cure so it was time to get to the bottom of things. I therefore decided to do some research and here are some of my findings.

I don’t know about you, but I always thought a lump in the breast was a sure and definitive sign of cancer. The September issue of Cosmopolitan however, featured a section on finding a lump in your breast and that breast cancer doesn’t have to be the diagnosis. According to their source, Marisa Weiss, Breast oncologist and Founder of Breastcancer.org “boobs get lumpy all the time” and although breast cancer is uncommon in young women it is always good to be on the safe side and always check with your gynecologist. She pinpoints a few different types of lumps that can be found in the breast and what it could possibly mean. For instance, if it feels like a painless moveable sphere, it’s probably a fribroadenoma which are firm growths common in women in their 20′s and are perfectly harmless. If the lump(s) feel small and pebbly or knotty, it’s most likely fibrocystic changes related to hormone changes in the body particularly around PMS. If the lump is spongy round or oval it could be a fluid-filled cyst formed when fluid is retained in the breast tissue and has to be drained by a procedure called needle aspiration. So for starters, we know that all lumps don’t necessarily mean breast cancer especially if you’re still in your child bearing years. Youth however, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not at risk for getting breast cancer either. The only way to be sure is to see your gynecologist.

The October issue of Shape Magazine really goes into dispelling some of the breast cancer myths out there with a great article called “What You Don’t Know About Breast Cancer Can Hurt You” by Karyn Repinski. The first myth is: You can’t get beast cancer if it doesn’t run in your family. Like Sr. Weiss said, anyone can get breast cancer. The true determinants are age, hormones, biopsy history and breast density as well as other factors. According to Repinski, the real danger is in having a false sense of security so always check with your doctor to be on the safe side. The second myth is: Breast cancer always appears as a lump. The truth is signs of breast cancer can come in many ways. For example, a change in the size of your breast like a dimpled area or puckered appearance to the skin, an itchy scaly area, nipple discharge, swelling or redness of the breast or an inverted nipple. The third myth is: antiperspirants and under wire bras cause breast cancer. According to Repinski, the National Cancer Institute has done several studies that shows no correlation between breast cancer and deodorants or under wire bras. Phew! isn’t that that’s a relief?!

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Though Respinski has cleared up a few of the smokey areas I am still confused about the family history theory as well as whether daily intake of vitamins such as Vitamin E lowers one’s risk. So we know anyone can get breast cancer, but do persons with a family history of women being diagnosed in the pre or post menopausal stage make a difference in your chances of being diagnosed as well? To answer this question I took to the internet. According to Cancer.org “breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have the disease.” If your mother, sister or daughter has been diagnosed, you are twice as likely to be at risk. If two of your close relatives have been diagnosed your risk is essentially tripled! Now interestingly enough, less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member(s) who was diagnosed which means that 85% of women who do get breast cancer actually have no family history of the disease.

According to Breasthealthlink.com, a person with a familial history of breast cancer is one who has:

A relative who has had breast cancer in both breasts
A relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40
A relative who has had both breast cancer and ovarian cancer
A male relative who has or has had breast cancer

Familial factors that affect your risk are:

The number of relatives with breast cancer
The age at which their breast cancer is diagnosed.
The number of first degree relatives with breast cancer

The next step in this myth debunking research is determining whether an intake of 600 Mg’s of Vitamin E will really help prevent breast cancer. In regards to diet and vitamin intake, The American Cancer Society suggests eating a healthy diet focused on plant sources such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain and limiting consumption of processed foods and red meats. According to Cancer.org however, studies on the effects of vitamin intake such as Vitamin E on breast cancer are conflicting and inconclusive. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Vitamin E’s antioxidant abilities help to destroy free radicals which can damage bodily cells and DNA. The UMMC Study shows that women diagnosed with breast cancer show low levels of vitamin E in the body. Based on this observation, researchers have felt that vitamin E intake would help prevent breast cancer. However, studies have not been able to prove that intake of vitamins does in fact reduce one’s risk.

Though I am more at ease about the myths and truths about breast cancer, I realize that risk factors vary greatly and can range from gender, to age as well as family history, race and ethnicity. Though I didn’t touch on this, your lifestyle is also a factor in your risk for breast cancer and includes: oral contraceptive use, hormone therapy, having children, breast feeding, alcohol use and even physical activity. In reality one can never really know definitively what are the causes of breast cancer or what our individual risks are. The important thing is to educate yourself about the disease so that you can look out for any possible warning signs. Know your body. If something feels strange or looks strange be sure to check with your doctor and always get a second, third or fourth opinion.

Based on the information I’ve learned I understand that I am at risk. Having two second degree relatives affected by the disease increases my awareness as well as my risk. My paternal grandmother was diagnosed in her early post menopausal 60′s and succumbed to the disease because of her own lack of knowledge. My maternal grandmother on the other hand was a survivor and was diagnosed in her early 80′s with both breast and ovarian cancer. My cousin was also diagnosed in her early 20′s. I may not be able to prevent myself from getting breast cancer but I can surely help decrease my risk. Debunking the myths and finding the truths was the first step and puts a more realistic and controlled picture in my mind. Although my “sono” and “mamo” are normal I intend to go get a second opinion being that the lump in my breast is still very much there. I also intend to lower my risk by getting into a more strict exercise routine, as well as eating a more well balanced diet made up of at least 5 grams of servings or more of vegetables and fruits per day. I will not go out and buy a wardrobe of new bras, but I do intend to continue to take my vitamins daily, yes even the Vitamin E. I also plan to continue my routine at-home breast exams. If I were not doing that exam regularly I probably would never have discovered the lump and we all know prevention is better than cure.

Women (and men) need to be aware of this disease. The only way to increase your awareness is through knowledge. There are lots of information on the internet and in your local library and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor all the relevant questions. Express your concerns and talk about your personal risk. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in American women, except for skin cancer. Almost a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 alone and almost 40,000 will succumb to the disease. At this time, there are over 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone including my grandmother. Thanks to the stellar care she received at the Queens Hospital Breast Service and early detection, she was able to survive both breast and ovarian cancer. Strong family support was also a factor. Sometimes the families of breast cancer victims are forgotten and overlooked, but they also play a very important role in the care and support that they provide to family members. Caring for a family member diagnosed with breast cancer can be extremely stressful. This breast cancer month take the time to learn more about the disease and participate in the fight for the cure.

From relative obscurity, breast cancer has become the most terrible cause of deaths among women in the world. In 2001, about 200,000 cases of breast cancer have been reported in the United States, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. It is, in fact, the most basic malignancy problem that is affecting women in North world today. But what is breast cancer and how do people get it?
Breast cancer develops when malignant tumors in the breast grow and start to affect other tissues in the body. There are still no clear indications how tumors are progressed but what is always observed is that cancerous cells usually comes from ducts or glands.

Although women’ health organizations advise women to massage the breast daily and to feel for any lumps, it may a long time before a cancerous cell get big enough for us to feel it. By that time, it may already be too late. Doctors make use of mammograms for their diagnosis.
All women are actually at risk, with the risk increasing with the presence of some risk factors that are already part of the natural cycle, for instance, aging. Family history of breast cancer can also significantly affect the prognosis as heredity has been found to play a role. Women who got their periods before they were 12 years old and those who never had or had children after 30 years old are also more likely to develop breast cancer.
There are also risk factors that medical science can help alter such as hormonal problems through replacement therapies. Women are also recommended to decrease their consumption of alcoholic drinks, exercise every day and decrease the use of birth control pills. Breastfeeding has been found to lessen the risk of breast cancer development.
Though there are some factors that women can prevent breast cancer from developing, cause and effect relationships between these factors and breast cancer is still debatable. For women who are already at high risk, doctors often recommend a drug called Tamoxifen, which is known to lessen the risk by as much 50% when taken in five years. Still, like all medications, Tamoxifen has side effects such as hot flushes, vaginal discharges and sometimes even blood clots. Taking the drug can also lead to pulmonary emobolus, stroke and uterine cancer, although these are all isolated cases.
Another avenue that women can go to is Vitamin A, which some studies show to be effective in decreasing the risk. Still, research is still in the initial stages and nothing has been proven yet. Other things that are being linked to the breast cancer fight are phytoestrogens, which can be found in soya, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.
But until something concrete is found in research, the only thing that women can do to ensure that they are safe from breast cancer is early detection. This can be done through daily self-examinations as well as annual checkup and mammogram tests. It is also important that women know the beginnings of breast cancer.

Here are some of the symptoms that they should watch out for.
I. Lumps in the breast and in the underarms

II. Scaling of the skin of the breast and of the nipple

III. Redness in the skin of the breast and of the nipple

IV. Changes in the size of their breasts

V. Discharges from the nipple
Summing up, if those symptoms are observed, it is recommended for us to consult a specialist in order to make sure that we are healthy.

The estimate for your lifetime breast cancer risk varies, depending on where you are getting the information. Some literature claims that it is a one in nine risk, while others say the risk is much larger or much smaller. There are a number of risk factors and there are those who are considered to be higher risk than others. The category that you are placed in will determine how soon you start getting certain types of screening tests and how soon your insurance (if you have any) will pay for these tests. Each insurance company has their own guidelines for when testing may be done, so it is always best to check with your insurance provider for any questions that you might have.

Only your doctor can help you define the risk category that you fall into, however, the general risk factors that you should be aware of include:

• A personal history of breast cancer
• A family history of breast cancer especially in your mother, grandmother, sister or aunt.
• Atypical hyperplasia (an unusual growth of cells)
• Early onset of menstruation, also known as precocious or premature sexual maturation. The average is 12-14 years of age for the first menstrual period.
• Late menopause (After age 50)
• Late first pregnancy (after age 35) or never having a child
• Exogenous estrogens
• Alcohol
• Diet
• Local radiation
• Smoking or exposure to smoke

The more of these risk factors that you have, the sooner you should have breast exams including mammograms and the breast ultrasound. (Breast ultrasound is the better test for young women and for those who have exceptionally dense breast tissue.)

Early detection is the key to breast cancer survival and over 80% of all breast cancers are found by women themselves during their routine breast self exams. If the cancer can be found before it gets a chance to spread, there is not only good survival rates but also a chance that the breast itself can be saved.

Signs that should be immediately noted:

• Unusual nipple discharge (or any discharge at all in non-lactating women)
• Nipple changes of any kind, including drawing inward or pointing in a new direction.
• Scaling, crusting or oozing of the nipple or the areola
• Any change in the contour of the breast or in the symmetry of the breasts.
• Any lump, mass or thickening that is felt that may persist after the menstrual cycle has ended.
• Any dimpling of the skin
• Anything out of the ordinary for your own breasts.

Many women have lumpy breasts by nature, a condition known as polycystic breasts. Some women have lumps that come and go with their menstrual cycle. However, if you have a lump that is unusual for you or does not go as it normally would, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Most breast cancer begins with a painless lump (80%) with most of these found in the upper, outer area of the breast (Source: MacLean, ed. 1993).

Other locations for breast cancer:

• The inner, upper area of the breast – 14% of the time.
• The nipple, areola area – 22%,
• The outer, lower area of the breast – 7%
• The inner, lower area – 2%.

Once the lump starts growing, it may start to cause pain and will spread typically to the lymph nodes in the armpit and will also start causing some of the breast and nipple pain as well as skin changes that are difficult if not impossible to ignore.

Testing for the breast cancer will start with mammography or the breast ultrasound and may provide a clear view of the lump or mass. In other cases it may not be as clear as the doctor would like or may not be something that is easily diagnosed. It may not always be clear whether the mass is fibroid, fluid or solid in nature, depending on its location and its positioning.

The secondary step in diagnosis is the needle aspiration where a small needle is guided into the mass or lump and some of its cells or fluid is drawn out. A breast cyst will collapse immediately while a more solid mass will remain intact. The doctor may examine the fluid or cells that are retrieved and be able to make a diagnosis from it. In other cases however, the need for a biopsy may be necessary- either by a slightly larger needle or by making an incision and removing a piece of the mass that way.

Exact treatment for breast cancer is different for each person and will depend on the stage of the cancer, how much tissue is involved and the prognosis. In cases where the cancer has not spread at all or has only spread a small bit, the tumor and its surrounding tissue will be all that is removed by surgery, sparing the remaining breast tissue. However, if the cancer has spread, the entire breast is typically removed. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are usually specified after the surgery, either singly or in combination. Following the end of chemo or radiation, breast reconstruction surgery can be performed to care for the scar tissues and may include using a breast implant.

Nutritional Needs and Supplements

No matter what kind of treatment is being used for the breast cancer, the need for good nutrition remains the same. First, the body is going to need all of its strength to fight back after the surgery. Second, the body is going to go through a whole new battle when the chemo or radiation starts. During both treatments, nausea, vomiting and extreme fatigue can be major problems. There is also a huge possibility that the woman will be fighting signs of depression as well, further hampering her ability or desire to eat a healthy diet. The less food that she is taking in the more likely it is that she will face dehydration and malnutrition which can cause electrolyte imbalances and heart irregularities.

Using supplements can help because they are not as difficult as actually eating solid foods and can be quickly and easily absorbed by the body. Most doctors will suggest a particular type of supplement, however whey protein is one of the most commonly recommended.

Whey protein is quickly and easily absorbed by the body, tends to be higher in much needed calories and can help boost the immune system in several ways. Increasing the amount of overall protein in the diet, especially using non-animal and low fat supplements is key to staying strong enough to fight the battle against breast cancer. Whey protein has been shown to slow the growth of some types of tumors in several studies, as well.

Another protein supplement option, the liquid protein shot might be even simpler to use, because it is much smaller and can be consumed in less than three seconds.
Profect, from Protica, is one example of the liquid protein shot and is less than three fluid ounces but has a full 25 grams of protein as well as the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C. (Profect supplies the entire day’s worth of this vitamin as well as 10% of the day’s recommended amount of B complex). There are no fats or added sugars in Profect. Both fats and added sugars should be greatly reduced not only for women facing breast cancer, but for the general public as well.

There is not much awareness about cancer and that is why there are many myths that surround this medical condition. One thing which every one should know about the cancer is the early warning sign, so that the same can be treated and cured. The common myths about cancer are -

1. Use of cell phones can cause cancer. Again this is a very common belief that cell phones can cause cancer. There is no credible study available that consistently proves that using a cell phone has the ability to cause cancer.

2. Hair dye can cause brain cancer. Hair dye never causes cancer however this is a very common myth believed world over. The common belief was that hair dye can cause brain tumor, but there is no evidence of it causing brain tumors. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that hair dye does not increase the risk of developing cancer.

3. Cancer can cause hair loss or hair loss indicates cancer. Cancer does not cause hair loss. However, hair loss can be a side effect of cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. That too not with everyone, there are people who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation and did not lose their hair.

4. One can inherit cancer from parents. This is not true with all types of cancer. This means that one will not inherit cancer from parents for sure. However there are few types of cancer which can be passed down genetically, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. If a parent has any of these cancers, the cancer gene may be passed to their child. But this does not mean that the child will suffer from cancer surely. It can only increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

5. Breast cancer is found in women only. This is the biggest cancer myth and believed by most. Men too can have breast cancer. As per an estimate 1500 men will be diagnosed and about 500 will die from the disease this year. However male breast cancer is very uncommon, yet it happens.

6. Cancer can be contagious. In fact there is No type of cancer is contagious. However, there are two viruses which are contagious, Hepatitis C and HPV, they can cause cancer. Hep C causes liver cancer whereas HPV is a known risk factor for cervical cancer. Both of these viruses can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. However, Hep C is more often transmitted through blood to blood contact such as sharing needles and transfusions.

7. Pharmaceutical companies have the cure for cancer but are hiding it. If this was true, thousands of loved ones of pharmaceutical businessmen have not died due to this deadly disease. pharmaceutical researchers are actually fighting very hard to find some solution instead. This is the result of their hard word alone that today we can cure many types of cancer successfully.

8. Cancer means death. Yes, this could be but not always that cancer means death. New breakthroughs have made it possible to treat the cancer in early detection of of the disease. An estimate is that more than 35% of cancer patients reach or exceed the five year survivor life!

9. Use of antiperspirants and deodorant can cause cancer. According to the National Cancer Society, there is no conclusive evidence from recent studies that wearing them can cause cancer. This cancer myth is by far one of the most popular among women for that it can cause breast cancer.

10. Positive thinking cures cancer. Positive thinking does not cure cancer but surely plays very significant role during cancer treatment. Optimistic attitude helps increasing the quality of life during treatment. Although there is no scientific evidence that positive attitude cures cancer.

All the above mentioned are wrong notions. As one sees symptoms that are warning signs of cancer, one should rush to a doctor.

All kinds of alternative treatments and natural remedies are getting more and more popular. This is mostly very positive but it can have some negative sides. The more people learn about different treatments options the better. People who have breast cancer need all the help they can get and every little detail, can become very helpful. Should you be using breast cancer alternative treatments?

Everyone knows how dangerous, expensive and ineffective conventional treatments are, so it is natural that people look for ways to heal themselves more effectively. That really is the goal for people – heal themselves. If there is something more effective and safer that traditional chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, then people will use them.

I guess that the main danger with various alternative treatments and remedies, is that you never really know what works and what does not. Certainly there are people, who take advantage of people, and sell them worthless junk, that is suppose to be an effective remedy for breast cancer. But then again there are people, who are honest and have done extensive research into various breast cancer alternative treatments. There is no magic pill that will eliminate cancer, but there are certainly many things you can do, to reduce the symptoms of traditional cancer treatments and make them more effective.

Diet and exercise are very important and they can make a very big difference. Women who have a proper diet, which includes essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and who exercise regularly, have a much bigger chance to beat cancer. Exercise can increase energy level, reduce stress and depression. It is recommended by doctors to have a diet, that is high on fruits and vegetables, such as cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. and low on animal fats.

This is not much but all of these little details can become very important later on. Is your diet what it should be? Are you exercising enough? Cancer cells thrive in some condition and suffer in other conditions. So the goal is through proper diet, supplements, natural remedies and treatments to make conditions, where the cancer cells can no thrive. There are so many things you can do yourself, to stop the spreading of cancer cells.

The goal is not to replace conventional treatments all together and replace them with breast cancer alternative treatments, but to combine them and make the fight against breast cancer more effective. People should work together and not get stuck in their beliefs, how things should work in their mind.

Knowing the stage of your breast cancer helps your medical team determine how big the cancer is and if it has spread. This helps them guide your therapy and provide reliable prognostic information.

In general, staging is done following your surgery, either after lumpectomy or mastectomy. It usually includes evaluation of the lymph nodes in your armpit (axillary lymph nodes), and possibly other radiology tests and blood work.

All breast cancers are staged using a system defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. The system was most recently modified in 2002, and its classifications are based on what’s called a “TNM system.” TNM refers to tumor size (T), number of lymph nodes involved (N), and whether your cancer has metastasized (or spread) to other parts of your body (M).

The following is an overview of the TNM system*.

T: The size of the cancer.

T0: No cancer is present.

Tis: non-invasive cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ, is present.

T1: invasive cancer measuring 2 centimeters or smaller is present. This is further sub-divided into four groups:

Tmic: microinvasive cancer, meaning the invasive cancer is 1 millimeter or smaller.

T1a: the invasive cancer measures greater than 1 millimeter but not greater than 5 millimeters.

T1b: the invasive cancer measures greater than 5 millimeters but not greater than 1 centimeter.

T1c: the invasive cancer measures greater than 1 centimeter but not greater than 2 centimeters.

T2: invasive cancer is present, measuring greater than 2 centimeters but not greater than 5 centimeters.

T3: invasive cancer is present, measuring greater than 5 centimeters.

T4: invasive cancer is invading the chest wall or skin; also includes inflammatory cancer.

N: the number of lymph nodes involved by cancer.

N0: no cancer found in nodes. In 2002, an addition was made for the diagnosis of isolated tumor cells (ITCs):

N0i+: cells found in the node measuring 0.2 millimeters or less, found either on routine pathology or using immunohistochemistry.

N1: cancer is present in 1-3 nodes in the armpit area (also known as axillary lymph nodes).

N1mic: the cancer present in the node measures greater than 0.2 millimeters but not greater than 2 millimeters. This is also known as a micrometastasis.

N2: cancer is present in 4-9 axillary nodes.

N3: cancer is present in 10 or more axillary nodes.

M: the presence or absence of distant metastases.

M0: no distant metastases are present.

M1: Distant metastases are present.

Once you know your T, N, and M status, you can determine your breast cancer stage as follows:

Stage 0: Tis, N0, M0

Stage I: T1, N0, M0.

Stage IIA: T0/T1 with N1, M0 or T2, N0, M0

Stage IIB: T2, N1, M0 or T3, N0, M0

Stage IIIA: T0/T1/T2 with N2, M0 or T3 with N1 or N2 and M0

Stage IIIB: T4 with N0/N1/N2, M0

Stage IIIC: Any T with N3, M0

Stage IV: Any T, any N with M1

Breast cancer is a serious disorder that attacks women. It is a disease that women dread about. In medical terms, this disease can be defined as a formation of malignant or cancer cells in the breast tissues.

The disease has been termed as heterogeneous. This means that it is a different disease that appears and forms differently in different women of different age groups. Younger women are said to be more vulnerable to this disease.

A lump in the breast or the swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm can mean the onset of breast cancer. But please note at this stage that 9 out of 10 lumps in the breast are usually benign which means they are harmless, and in most cases they turn out to be cysts. (But if you have a lump please get it checked out quickly)

Early breast cancer has practically no symptoms – it can only be conformed by the palpation of breast lump by self examination of the breast. A lump can be present slightly above the collar bone or it can be also in the armpit if. If you are suspecting a breast lump do consult your physician:

• discharge from the breast;
• changes in the nipple;
• changes in the breast skin;

The risk of carcinoma also increases with age. This is also one of the factors which a person can not control. If some gene changes are running in a family, that means if the breast cancer is hereditary, the chance of getting affected automatically increases without any control of it. If a woman is having cancer in one breast the chance of getting it in another breast or in another part of the same breast increases. White women are at a higher risk of breast cancer than Asian women. If a women started menstruating in an early age or went through menopause in later age both of these conditions increase the risk of breast cancer.

It is a difficult task to have sex after the regular side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, such as vaginal dryness. This is due to premature menopause which causes pain during sex. Usually it takes a longer time to get aroused and the touch of your partner is not as pleasurable as before.

The steps of treatment of breast cancer like radiotherapy and chemotherapy makes the breast more sensitive to touch and if a women has gotten a mastectomy it is great shock for the patient as well as for her partner.

Sometimes lumps in the breast can be nothing by a type of cyst, which is just a type of sac that is filled with fluid. That is simple to take care of and can be done quickly and painlessly by just inserting a needle into it and removing the fluid that is accumulating in it. If there is no fluid to be found then they can still use that needle to take a small tissue sample to be tested for cancer, which is called a biopsy.

Breast cancer tests for diagnosis and staging

• Once a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI locates a potential tumor, the doctor may order additional tests to see if the cancer has spread:
• Blood tests can assess kidney and liver function and may also reveal tumor markers, although these are not very reliable for breast cancer.
• A biopsy of the tumor will be used to assess certain characteristics that can tell the doctor how aggressive the cancer is. Typically, lymph nodes are biopsied as well.
• Chest X-rays can show if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
• Bone scans can reveal whether there’s cancer in the bones.
• CT scans are used to look at the chest and abdomen to see if the cancer has spread to other organs.
• Sometimes PET scans are used to check for cancer in the lymph nodes or to scan the whole body for cancer.
• The doctor may ask for an MRI if she’s concerned about whether cancer has spread to the brain.
• The doctor will ask about the patient’s family history and may recommend a new test called Oncotype DX, which is used to predict the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence. It can be a useful tool for women with early-stage cancer who are trying to decide whether chemotherapy is necessary.

How breast cancer is diagnosed and staged

Oncologists use a complex system of letters and numerals to determine the status or stage of breast cancer. Knowing these numbers is very important, because it will help the patient understand the prognosis. If your friend or relative wants you to accompany her to doctor visits, you can help her understand what you both hear there. You’ll also want to know as much as possible in order to research and understand treatment options and explore clinical trials.

The letter T is used to designate the tumor size and spread, the word N indicates whether there’s cancer present in the lymph nodes, and the letter M stands for metastasis. So T2, N0 (zero), M0 means a 2-centimeter tumor that has not spread to the lymph nodes or any other areas.

The medical team then combines this information into a stage. There are four stages of invasive breast cancer, and some stages are broken down still further:

Stage 1

The tumor is smaller than 2 centimeters and no lymph nodes are involved.

Stage IIA

• There are three possibilities at this stage:
• The tumor measures less than 2 centimeters but has spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
• No tumor is found in the breast itself, but cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes under the arm.
• The tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters across but there’s no lymph node involvement.

Stage IIB

• There are two possibilities at this stage:
• The tumor is 2 to 5 centimeters across and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
• The tumor is bigger than 5 centimeters but hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIA

• There are two possibilities at this stage:
• The tumor has spread to the axillary lymph nodes and the nodes are clumped together or sticking to other structures.
• No tumor is found in the breast, but cancer is in the lymph nodes, which are clumping together or sticking to other structures, or it is present in lymph nodes near the breastbone.

Stage IIIB

• There are two possibilities at this stage:
• A tumor of any size has spread to the chest wall or skin of the breast; it also may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or those near the breastbone.
• All inflammatory breast cancer, which is considered Stage IIIB or higher when diagnosed.

Stage IV

The cancer has spread to other organs of the body, usually the lungs, brain, or liver; or the bones. Sometimes the doctor will say the cancer is metastatic at presentation, which means it had already spread to other parts of the body before the original tumor was discovered.

Oncologists and other cancer specialists look at whether breast cancer cells have certain characteristics that can predict aggressive growth. Pathology results from the biopsy will determine:

Whether the cancer has receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone. You’ll hear the doctor use the terms ER-positive or ER-negative, which means the tumor tested positive or negative for an abundance of estrogen receptors.

The amount of a protein called HER-2 produced by cancer cells. A HER-2 positive tumor is considered to be more aggressive, but it also means your family member can take Herceptin, a new drug that treats HER-2 positive tumors with excellent success.

Information about hormonal receptor status and HER-2 status can help the doctor recommend an individualized treatment plan that will offer the best chance of curing or controlling the cancer.

Once the medical team has assembled all the information possible to determine staging, it will offer a prognosis. This can be a tricky business, as there are many variables that affect a woman’s health and response to breast cancer treatment.

Sometimes doctors will discuss prognosis in terms of statistical “cure rates,” “recurrence rates,” or “survival rates.” This can sound very impersonal, but it’s the medical profession’s way of offering its best guess in terms of what you can expect.

One measure commonly used is the 5-year survival rate, which means the percentage of those who live at least five years after being diagnosed. Keep in mind that many of these patients live considerably longer than five more years, but they may be tracked for only five years.

Another term is 5-year relative survival rate, which takes into account the fact that some patients with cancer will die from other causes. Many organizations are adopting this number, as it’s considered more accurate.

Assuming you’re invited to your family member’s doctor visits, pay close attention when her doctor gives her this information, and ask as many questions as you need to in order to understand the information. A person who’s still reeling from a cancer diagnosis may have trouble taking in what she hears.

For example, the doctor may tell her that among all people with breast cancer, five-year relative survival is 100 percent for stage I, 86 percent for stage II, 57 percent for stage III, and 20 percent for stage IV. But these are very general numbers — her doctor can use information about tumor characteristics and general health to offer her a better sense of her own breast cancer and put these statistics in perspective.

American Cancer Society

If you’re caring for someone who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s helpful for you to get grounded in the basics of the disease. Breast cancer usually starts with a cancerous, or malignant, tumor located in the breast tissue. Most breast cancers are located in the area around the nipple. For women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, following only lung cancer. Although men can get breast cancer, it’s rare (only one half of 1 percent of all breast cancers are in men).

Most breast cancers are found when a woman feels a lump or hard area within her breast or when a suspicious area turns up on a mammogram. Not all tumors are malignant; doctors determine whether one is by taking a biopsy of the tumor tissue. Then they can examine whether cells are growing in the out-of-control fashion that indicates cancer.

The majority of  breast tumors are described as being either lobular or ductal. These terms refer to the location of the tumor: whether it’s located in a lobule, or milk-producing gland, or in a duct, one of the tubes connecting the lobules with the nipple.

In situ and invasive breast cancer

One of the first things doctors try to establish is whether a breast tumor is contained within its original location or has spread to surrounding tissue. To determine this, doctors use two terms:

In situ. This means the malignant cells are contained within the original area — that is, within the duct or lobule. Women with very early-stage breast cancer will be told they have ductal carcinoma in situ or lobular carcinoma in situ. These are also sometimes called stage 0 because they aren’t invasive.

Invasive (or infiltrating). This means the cancerous cells have broken through the wall of the duct or lobule and are expanding into other areas. The most common type of breast cancer is invasive (or infiltrating) ductal carcinoma (IDC), which means cancer that started within a milk duct has now spread into the fatty tissue of the breast. Eight in ten of all breast cancers are IDC. Invasive lobular carcinoma, or ILC, is much less common, accounting for only one in ten invasive breast tumors.

The rarest type: Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer, a form of invasive breast cancer, accounts for only 1 to 3 percent of all breast cancers. This type of cancer doesn’t start with a lump or tumor. Instead, it begins by blocking lymph vessels in the skin. Women with inflammatory breast cancer may notice their breasts are red, swollen, and painful, and the skin may have a thick, pitted appearance that’s often described as resembling orange peel. Unfortunately, inflammatory breast cancer is often mistaken for mastitis, or infection of the milk ducts around the nipple.

The lymphatic system carries fluid that fights infection, and the lymph nodes and vessels near the breast and under the arm are one of the first places breast cancer typically spreads. Once in the lymph nodes and vessels, cancerous cells can be carried to other areas of the body.

Doctors biopsy lymph nodes to assess if breast cancer has spread. You’ll hear the term lymph node involvement as a marker for whether a cancer is contained within the breast or is metastatic, which means it’s spreading to other areas. The term sentinel node refers to the lymph node that doctors determine is the first node into which a tumor might drain; this node is usually biopsied.