Definition of Stage IV Breast Cancer

By Ray Lam

Stage 4 breast cancer, or advanced breast cancer, has metastasized to other tissue including bone tissue, lung tissue, or the liver. When breast cancer has overwhelmed the body's natural defenses and spread this far by the time the cancer is first diagnosed, the 5-year survival rate drops to 16%-20% in the United States (American Cancer Society).

Up to 5% of white women in the U.S., and up to 9% of black women have advanced breast cancer spread to distant tissue at the time of first diagnosis (SEER). This difference is usually attributed to poverty and lack of health insurance.

In one clinical trial published in 1997, women in complete remission after induction chemotherapy were treated with high-dose chemotherapy or no further treatment. At 5 years from diagnosis, 24% of the women treated with immediate high-dose chemotherapy survived without disease recurrence, compared to only 8% of the women who did not receive further treatment.

The 3-year survival rates were 38% for those receiving the standard chemotherapy, and 32% for those receiving the high-dose chemotherapy. Twelve percent of those in the standard-dose group had no progression of disease, compared with only 6% in the high-dose group. Furthermore, there were more side effects in the high-dose therapy group, including one treatment-related death.

Early detection is clearly the most important factor in breast cancer survival rates. Breast cancer detected at Stage 1 while it is still localized to the breast has a survival rate of 98%-100%, while metastasized breast cancer first detected at Stage 4 drops down to 16%-20%.

One strategy to improve outcomes is to increase the effectiveness of induction therapy so that patients have significant reduction in the number of malignant cells in the body before high-dose chemotherapy.

North American white women have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, but the 5-year survival rate for all stages (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4) combined is 88% for the U.S. A recent study found European countries have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates, with England at 77.8% and Ireland at 76.2% (Lancet Oncology).

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Early Breast Cancer Symptoms

By Darryl Blauser

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is the key to saving a breast and most importantly, saving a life. Women should have regular mammograms after the age of 40. All women should do breast self-examination at home every month.

If you feel anything out of the ordinary during a self examination, note the area and tell your doctor right away. If you experience a change in the appearance of a nipple, there is discharge, or you find a lump or an area of hard tissue, it is imperative that you be examined by a doctor. Also notice if you have any kind of soreness or pain.

It cannot be stressed enough: Early detection is a vital part of surviving breast cancer. If your doctor finds a lump, he or she will order more testing to be done. A biopsy may be done to see if the tumor is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer).

Once breast cancer has been diagnosed, the next step is to find out how far the cancer has spread and in what stage it is. Often, if it is caught early on, a lumpectomy is done. Some women choose to have radiation and chemotherapy before surgery to try to shrink the cancer so they do not have to have a breast removed. When a woman has a mastectomy (breast removal), the lymphatic nodes under the arm are often taken to ensure the cancer does not reoccur. Many women have a lumpectomy - where the lump is all that is removed - followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Hormone therapy may be prescribed as well.

A decade or so ago, the common belief was that breast cancer "runs in families". It can be genetic, but research shows that 90 percent of breast cancer diagnoses have nothing to do with a family gene. Breast cancer does not discriminate according to DNA.

Due to education, self-examination, mammography and earlier diagnosis, more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. This is why a woman must know her own body and be able to detect the slightest change in her health. If you are not already doing monthly exams, find out how they are done and start doing them. If you are 40 years of age or older, you should be having regular mammograms.

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What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer

By Ray Lam

What is it? Abnormal cell growth in an uncontrolled way is called as cancer. Your breasts are made up of glands which consist of cells. These glands produce breast milk after pregnancy. The cells that make the glands sometimes may become uncontrolled and grow in an inorderly manner and cause a lump.

Most breast cancer starts in the cells that line up the ducts. There are occasions where the cancer cells originate from the lobules, and then spread to other tissues.

In the olden days before technology starts in earnest, there is a believe that there is no treatment for cancer. For years, many physicians in their practices, described similar cases with the same sad conclusion that there is no treatment for cancer.

The story remained the same until some doctors achieved greater understanding of the circulatory system that a link between breast cancer and the lymph nodes in the armpit can be established and be removed at the same time.

Most breast pain or painful breast lump can be a case of early breast cancer. Since breast mammography started, breast cancer is most frequently discovered as an nodule that causes no symptom on a mammogram, before any symptoms are present. The probability of breast cancer rises with age, but breast cancer tends to be more aggressive when it occurs in younger people

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Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer.

By Meng Y

Doctors and experts alike feel that for the majority of breast cancer cases, chemotherapy isn't always the best treatment choice. For the women it is right for, chemotherapy is capable of providing results that are both long term and effective.

Chemotherapy consists of using drugs to combat cancer. With the increasing sophistication of pharmacology, those drugs are safer, more effective and more targeted, with fewer side effects than ones of the past. Today, it's common to use a drug 'cocktail' in order to offset side effects and provide a more effective treatment.

The drugs used typically interfere with the cells' ability to divide, since that is one of the chief characteristics of cancers, an uncontrolled growth from abnormal cell division in breast cancer tissue.

Typically chemotherapy is used when a person's cancer is so advanced that it requires an intense and rigorous treatment to eliminate the cancer cells effectively. Cancer cell clumps are capable of growing and spreading to other areas. When this happens it is often a given that chemotherapy is the best solution.

Cancers can reappear. The causes of recurrence are not completely understood. In some cases it is possible that the original cancer wasn't completely gotten rid of. It is also possible that the true problem that originally caused the cancerous tumor is active and still present within the body, thus causing the cancer to rear its ugly head. Whatever the reason may, physicians typically use chemotherapy.

But one of the more serious complications with chemotherapy treatments is related to its side effects. Though the drugs are improving in this regard, chemotherapy treatments sometimes affect healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. That results in healthy systems being harmed and lessened in function.

Since some of that function is to fight disease such as the cancer itself, a double harm occurs. Radiation therapy has a similar drawback in that it compromises the immune system, which is part of what helps to fight the cancer and its effects.

Often an individual's digestive system is negatively affected. They might experience nausea, hair loss, and even have poor bone marrow composition. Bone marrow is used for different bodily functions. Most importantly it assists in the production of both white and red blood cells.

An individual might experience kidney, heart and other organ damage, but it is uncommon because the cells contained in these organs do not divide as frequently under normal circumstances. In a few studies concentration and memory loss were noted for some patients who underwent chemotherapy treatments. Females who are older sometimes find that their reproductive system might change, forcing them into premature menopause.

The drugs that are used today are tolerated better and more cancer specific than the drugs used in the past. They might help to cut off vessels that are responsible for supplying blood to the tumors thus encouraging the growth of the vessel. There are many different chemotherapy regimens, with each one being designed patient specific based on his or her circumstances.

Though it is not a pleasant experience, chemotherapy offers individuals the opportunity to fight against a formerly always fatal disease. Today, it is possible to survive long term, with fewer long term side effects. This is thanks to chemotherapy.

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Information On Breast Cancer Awareness Products

By Mel Maseko

You may wonder why during October you see pink ribbons everywhere. Unlike other specific days and sometimes weeks, breast awareness has been given a month. Some companies use this month to pledge financial support to the cause and sell object colored in pink. This all sounds very positive but just how much of this money is put towards giving information on breast cancer to the public and on research?

To my mind it is far more important to have a good knowledge level about breast cancer and to be aware when you should have a mammogram. If it is caught very early, recovery rates are good. During October, more resources are put into supplying information on breast cancer and letting women know that if caught early on, it doesn't mean there is no hope. Even cancer caught later on can be treated successfully on occasion.

Just remember to check the source of any information on breast cancer you discover and read. When it comes to health issues of any kind, you have to rely on doctors and the latest research to give you a clear picture of what you need to know. Always try to research the most recent information as it will probably have more bearing but you should always contact your doctor in any case and see what he has in mind. Any information on breast cancer you discover should also be given to all the members of your family even the younger ones who may not consider that they are at risk.

This information and talking to your doctor can help to decide if you need to be screened sooner as opposed to later. Information is a valuable resource and so are your family especially if there is a history of breast cancer and this may mean that you need to be screened earlier and more regularly. You should also find information on breast cancer pertaining to doing a self-exam.

If you know how to properly check your breasts for lumps, you have a much greater chance of finding a lump early. Other women you know whether family or friends can also benefit from knowing how to examine themselves for lumps so make sure you get them to do it as well.

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Cancer Treatment - Options: Radiation

By Meng Y

Radiation therapy remains one of the most common tools for breast cancer treatment, but it has been refined considerably over the years.

Radiation is designed in two different types: external or internal.

External radiation treatments utilize a highly energized and highly focused light beam to rid the body of cancer cells and their surrounding tissues. The light beam cannot be seen with the human eye however it is semi-transparent allowing it to pass through your skin. Cancer cells are uniquely composed, so therefore they all have a different reaction to the treatment.

Healthy cells are in the path of the radiation and are affected by it. But, as cancer cells are actively dividing and growing in abnormal ways, their function is more readily interrupted. They may absorb a much higher percentage of the radiative energy than healthy cells. That energy kills the cancer cells. The beam may also destroy the blood vessels around the tumor that the cancer generates in order to feed itself.

Radiation performed internally is often called brachyytherapy. It is similar to chemotherapy. Instead of utilizing drugs to affect a chemical change a small amount of radioactive material is placed within the body. The material then emits radiation targeting cancer cells, destroying them from within the body.

Internal radiation therapy isn't as common as external. But just like with any other treatment method when and how it is utilized is something that is determined after you meet with a specialist.

Radiation therapy is usually used before or with another treatment. After an individual undergoes a modified mastectomy, their oncologist could recommend that they also receive a course of radiation treatment that lasts six to eight weeks.

The goal is to ensure that any cancerous cells the surgeon couldn't remove are destroyed by the radiation. But it's a less intensive treatment since using radiation to kill the entire cancer would involve higher and longer doses.

Similarly, radiation treatments may accompany chemotherapy. Since each case is unique, the patient and oncologist will determine what's best for each person. In other cases, it may be used solely to relieve symptoms without any expectation of cure.

Despite the high energy in the beam, radiation treatments themselves are painless. There are often uncomfortable side effects, however.

Radiation treatments can produce fatigue, particularly in the later stages of treatment. Treatments are often given five days a week for several weeks, sometimes twice per day. In these cases, the fatigue can last for a few weeks or longer after treatment ends.

Having skin issues is a rather common side effect. Because radiation is absorbed by the surrounding breast tissue. In these areas the individual might experience symptoms like redness, soreness, and itching. These individual's might notice less sensation on and around the breast. It might also be notices under the arm and in surrounding areas. Radiation does not cause an individual to lose hair unless it is directly applied to the head, which usually isn't the case during breast cancer treatment.

In cases that are more severe the immune system might be compromised, especially if radiation is being applied to an individual's lymph nodes. Lymph nodes and the vessels that connect to them and run through the body are a vital part of the immune system and radiation can potentially work to decrease their level of effectiveness.

Luckily, the side effects of radiation are typically short. Aside from the most extreme instances usually organs, lymph nodes and other bodily functions and components aren't completely destroyed or harmed beyond repair during radiation treatment. However, their function could be temporarily hindered, but the body will quickly bounce back.

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Male Breast Cancer Symptoms

By Roselyn Capen

Men have underdeveloped breast tissues which puts them at a risk of developing breast cancer. Even though male breast cancer is not very common, and females are hundred times more vulnerable to breast cancer, one in hundred breast cancer cases occur in men.

Growth of malignant cells in the breast tissues of men is known as male breast cancer. Male breast cancer can occur in men of any age, although most of the cases diagnosed are in men aged between 60 and 70 years. The risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiations beyond the safety limit, heredity, that is to say, a family history of breast cancer, and high levels of estrogen, which diseases like cirrhosis, a liver disease, brings. Klinefelter's syndrome - the abnormal presence of two X chromosomes with one Y chromosome - is a big risk factor, too. Mutation of genes also increases the risk of developing male breast cancer. Obesity and alcoholism are other common causes.

About 30% cases of male breast cancer are due to heredity, compared to just 5% to 10% in females. Breast cancer genes - BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase the risk of men developing breast cancer, if the genes show defects or mutation. Genetic mutation is usually not inherited, and is acquired during the course of your life. Radiation therapies or operations may be one cause for these mutations.

A prominent symptom is lump formation, similar to that in females, breast cancer in men. The lump can come with thickness of the breasts and usually without any pains. Men with breast cancer also show the peau d'orange syndrome, a condition in which breasts develop pits or bumps. Other symptoms are fluid discharge from the nipples, redness, and changes in the nipples or skin around the nipples, much like in females.

Getting regular breast examinations is as important is men as it is for females. For diagnosis, biopsy is recommended, even though mammography and ultrasounds work great because men don't have as dense tissues as females do, which makes detection of lumps easier. If the diagnosis is positive, getting the breast tissue tested for traces of estrogen and progesterone hormones is a good idea, since these hormones are known to promote cancer growth, and can be medically exterminated.

In situ or non-invasive breast cancer means your cancer is confined to the breasts and has not spread out. A mastectomy in this case almost cures you. You can also have invasive breast cancer, where the cancer cells have spread outside the original site. There are stages of invasive breast cancer, where Stage I is very treatable, and means that your tissues still somewhat have their natural structure and perform natural functions, where as Stage IV means the cancer has metastasized to other organs. Treatment heavily depends on the stage of advancement of your cancer, then.

Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy are adopted to control cancer growth in the last stage, when total cure becomes difficult. For all other stages, treating male breast cancer is hardly different from treating female breast cancer.

Leading a healthy life during treatment is quintessential. Abstinence from alcohol and curing weight problems go a long way in both prevention and cure of breast cancer. You will always have family and friends for all the help and support you need, and you should never stop yourself from availing that help. Rest assured, you will lead a perfectly happy life thereafter.

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The Different Causes Of Breast Cancer

By Roselyn Capen

No one really knows what causes breast cancer but it is certain that there are definitely things that are linked to the disease. While having some of these things which are usually known as risks, can increase ones chanced of getting breast cancer, it can also mean that even if you have some or all of these, that you might not necessarily get it. It is not a sure fire way of determining if you will ever get breast cancer, and should not be the only thing used in determining it. It is the same way for people who get into car accidents; there are just too many different factors that play a part so it is very difficult to pinpoint it, if one can do that at all.

One sure factor is age. The older you get, the higher your chances are of developing a malignant lump. This fact is pivotal to prevention of breast cancer. Heredity also plays a major role, and researches suggest that your risk of getting breast cancer goes up if a family member has had breast cancer. Therefore genetics plays a role, even though the exact nature of the role is yet to be determined. Your race might or might not have to do with the risks, there's no conclusive study to suggest exactly how. Also, scientists say, women who conceive in later years have a higher risk, though that can be safely attributed to an older age. Men get breast cancer too, though in lesser numbers.

There is still a lot of research going on when it comes to whether or not birth control plays a big part in developing this cancer. There is always debate on this subject, but more research needs to go into it before they can solidly say for sure whether it does or not.

Using alcohol is linked but then alcohol can play a big part in furthering the development of any type of cancer. One way to combat this is bring down the amount of drinks you have each day, or if you have a higher chance sometimes cutting alcohol out entirely can help.

Weight problems and obesity deteriorate heath, giving rise to various health problems, one of which is an increased risk of developing malignant breast tissues. Fighting this is easy; you just need to exercise a lot more and better, enhancing your general health and keeping breast cancer away. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

As stated above, there are so many different causes for getting breast cancer; it is hard to pinpoint the exact one that will cause it in every case. As more research goes on however, we may be able to find that one key, and if we are able to do that, then we can help even more people prevent themselves from developing it, and beating it quicker.

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer

By Ray Lam

Inflammatory breast cancer has no lump or mass that can be felt. It is a very rare and dangerous type of breast cancer. It cannot be detected by self breast examination and mammogram. In inflammatory breast cancer there is infiltration of the skin and lymph vessels of the breast by cancer cells. The symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer are a swollen, red and warm breast which is brought on by the lymph vessels becoming blocked by the breast cancer cells. The breast has a typical appearance of an individual with cellulite. Other symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include, on the affected side, enlarged lymph nodes present under the arm or it may be above the collar bone.

Since it cannot be diagnosed by self breast examination, mammogram, core biopsy, ultrasound scan or even an MRI it is diagnosed by a biopsy, that is, a surgical biopsy or a skin biopsy. Since inflammatory breast cancer is a rapid growing cancer it requires equally aggressive treatment, which includes local treatment and systemic or total body treatment.

It is very easy to mix up the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer with those of a breast infection. If you become aware of any of the signs of inflammatory breast cancer, see your doctor immediately.

The incidence of inflammatory breast cancer is quite variable. Women with this cancer tend to be significantly younger than those with other breast cancers and African Americans with this type of cancer tend to be younger than Caucasians.

As with all advanced cancers, chemotherapy is started with three or four cycles of Adriamycin and Cytoxan with or without Taxol or Taxotere. After which local treatment can be done - usually in the form of mastectomy. After mastectomy, most women will receive four more cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy to the chest wall. Serious though it can be, inflammatory breast cancer is still an extremely variable disease.

There is no particular age at which an individual could get the disease. However, studies have shown that the average age ranges from about 45 and 55 years of age, but patients could be younger or older than this age range. The amount of new cases of inflammatory breast cancer diagnosed every year in the United States varies.

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Breast Cancer Support Services

By Roselyn Capen

Going through the misery of breast cancer and the tiredness associated with its treatment can easily make you give up hope. You will feel lonesome even in presence of your family since they'll treat you as a fragile object sometimes, at other times, insensitively. What you really need is some understanding, which only people who have suffered what you have can give you.

For such times, many breast cancer support groups offer all the information you need for your disease. These groups are mostly run by women who have experienced what you now experience, and will understand all your needs. Through such organizations, you can meet and interact with other survivors, who will give you the strength to defeat your cancer, and other patients, who suffer from the same fears you do, and will help you coming out of your loneliness.

Groups like bcsupport.org have chat rooms for women to interact with other cancer patients, receive latest news on researches going on in the field, update women about breast cancer issues and treatments, and make them feel at home. Other organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure themselves have research laboratories for improving technology, providing extensive information on everything a breast cancer victim may need. This group is the largest group of breast cancer survivors and activists; they will surely understand what you need.

Two women diagnosed with breast cancer realized the needs and hardships faced by breast cancer victims, and in 1988 started breastcancersupport.com for helping women like them with breast cancer issues. There are so many people in the world who want to help you with your problems because they know how it feels; all that you have to do is look around and as for that help!

These organizations will not give you a magical power to fight breast cancer. They just let you know that you are not the only one going through these miseries, and that, in no manner, do you have to be the only one to face them. They stand by you, cheer you up, and see you through it through the sheer power of understanding. You, too, will find yourself developing affection for them, and might even want to volunteer to help other scared women, just by being friends with them. This will give you a mental strength for surviving your treatment, more than you can now imagine.

If your treatment costs more than you can afford, you do not have to be disheartened. There are countless organizations that receive donations for people who can not meet all the financial funds treatments require. All you need to do is decide if you want to avail help in any matter, and be assured, you will get a lot of love and support, along with all the help you want.

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Prostate Cancer Research

By Laura Burns

It is well known now that throughout the world, men and women have different medical issues. When you think of cancer in women, for example, you automatically think of breast cancer. It may not be as common as in women but breast cancer is found in men as well.

When we consider cancer in men it invariably brings up prostrate cancer. Unfortunately it has also become a central topic when groups of men get together as more and more men are contracting it.

To tell the truth, what we all really want to know and understand is how to prevent it from occurring and this means oodles of prostate cancer research.

If the truth be known, cancer does worry me. I don't doubt that like me, most men haven't got it on their minds all day long. However, it does enter my mind every time I see something addressing the illness. When you watch the television, you can't escape from it with a number of adverts relating to prostate and breast cancer every hour.

Both will require far more investigation and examination before a cure can be found. As health problems go, cancer is probably the most pervasive in the world and a cure to this dreadful disease cannot come too soon.

It's fair to say that even if you live healthily you cannot say for certain that at some point you won't get it. HIV although an awful disease, is, if precautions are taken, preventable unlike cancer and it is worrying when people compare the two.

You can take precautions against many other conditions and that includes HIV, but this doesn't happen with cancer. Other than some poor individuals that have contracted HIV through no fault of their own, you are not generally at risk from it.

Reading articles and reports carried out on prostrate cancer research is informative and let's you exactly how far we are away from finding a cure. New treatments and breakthroughs are in the public domain so you do not have to be ignorant on any subject.

One day, articles like this will be redundant because all that breast and prostate cancer research will have found a cure.

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Causes Of Ovarian Cysts

By Scott Green

Causes of ovarian cysts are many. During a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries develop follicles each month. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones which support pregnancy, are produced by these follicles. If a normal follicle continues growing for an extended period of time ovarian cysts can result.

Among ovarian cysts, follicular cysts are the most prevalent. They hardly ever produce any symptoms and usually resolve by themselves. They are usually harmless. Follicular ovarian cysts are usually caused when the pituitary gland hormones that stimulate egg release by the ovaries cause the follicle to swell instead. The enlarged follicle develops into a cyst.

Some normal causes of ovarian cyst can be attributed to when the luteinizing hormone surges and an egg is released. Upon the release of the egg, the ruptured follicle produces estrogen and progesterone in order to prepare for possible conception. At this point, the follicle is now called the corpus luteum. What happens next is that the egg seals off and fluid accumulates inside the follicle causing the corpus luteum to expand and become a cyst.

Corpus luteum cysts usually disappear on their own without treatment within a few weeks. In the meantime, however, it can grow to nearly 4 inches in diameter. It can also bleed into itself or twist the ovary. This can cause severe pelvic and abdominal pain. Moreover, if the corpus luteum cyst fills with blood, the cyst may rupture. This can cause internal bleeding and sudden, sharp pain.

Clomiphene citrate, a commonly prescribed fertility drug to induce ovulation, might be a cause of ovarian cysts. Usage of this drug may result in an increased risk that a corpus luteum cyst might develop. Corpus luteum cysts by themselves do not pose a risk to pregnancy.

Hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts are cysts that contain blood and develop like the other ovarian cysts. The blood composition of the cyst comes from an injury or from blood vessel leakage into the egg sac. Some causes of ovarian cysts can be attributed to the bleeding and shedding endometrial tissue that imbeds itself in the ovaries. This build up will eventually rupture and cause pelvic pain.

There are several ways to decrease the causes of ovarian cysts. The most important things you could do include, but are not limited to, get more exercise, decrease stress, eat healthy, and improve your overall health.

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Breast Cancer - A very Scary Disease!

By Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Breast Cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. It is the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55 years of age, the second overall cause of death among women (exceeded only by lung cancer) and is on the rise worldwide. Breast cancer is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early.

LUMPS: The majority of breast tumors (abnormal masses of tissue) are benign (not cancerous). By using the fingertips, a lump may be detected within the breast. If a lump in the breast is detected, the doctor may need to cut out a small piece of the lump (known as biopsy).

There are four kinds of biopsies: Excisional Biopsy (The removal of all of a lump or suspect tissue); Incisional Biopsy (The removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue); Needle Biopsy (The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle); Core Biopsy (The removal of part of a lump or suspect tissue using a wide needle).

A group of rapidly dividing cells may form a lump of extra tissue. For example, fibrocystic change is a non-cancerous condition in which a female develops cysts (accumulated packets of fluid), fibrosis (formation of scar-like connective tissue), lumpiness, areas of thickening, tenderness, or breast pain.

RISKS: Women who have an altered gene related to breast cancer and who have had cancer in one breast are at great risk of developing cancer in the other breast. These women also have a high risk of developing ovarian cancer, and may have an increased risk of developing various other cancers.

Age and health history can have an affect on the risk of developing breast cancer. A woman's risk may be higher or lower, depending upon several factors, including family history, genetics, age of menstruation, and other factors yet not identified. Breast feeding for several months also seems to reduce the cancer risk.

TREATMENT: Treatment for breast cancer usually depends on the type of cancer and whether it has spread outside of the breast to the rest of the body. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and endocrine/anti-hormone therapy. Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast.

CONCLUSION: Previously a disease that afflicted mostly white, affluent women in the industrial hubs of North America and Western Europe, breast cancer can now be found everywhere. But in China, as in most other growing economies, it is a relatively new concern, something that both patients and doctors are only beginning to learn how to treat.

The latest age-specific data in Denmark show that the incidence of breast cancer is maximal for women born between 1945 and 1950, and is on the decline for women born more recently. More than 90 out of 100 women whose cancer is found early will be cured. The leading cause of breast cancer is said to be the use of anti-perspirant. The good news is that it is a disease that can be treated and cured.

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About the author: Richard H. Ealom is an expert ezinearticles.com writer with more than 50 articles on diseases,causes,cures. To learn more about Breast Cancer visit "Breast Cancer Breakthrough USA!" You have the right to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

Prostate Cancer - Who's at Risk?

By Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the fluid that feeds and transports sperm. It is also the second most common type of cancer among men in the United States and is the 3rd most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages.

Prostate cancer occurs more often in older males and is rarely found in men younger than 40. It occurs in 1 out of every 6 men and when confined to the gland is often treated successfully.

RISK: Every man is at risk for developing prostate cancer. Along with being male, there are other risk factors, such as age, race, and family history that may contribute to the overall risk. Men at greater risk include African-America men over 60,farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The risk for developing it rises significantly with age, and 60 percent of recently diagnosed cases occur in men over the age of 70.

The greatest risk factor is age. This risk increases significantly after the age of 50 in white males who have no known family history of the disease and after the age of 40 in african american men as well as those who have a close relative with the disease. Having a brother with prostate cancer seems to increase your risk more than an affected father does. That risk becomes higher when there are multiple family members affected.

SYMPTOMS: May include Painful urinatian, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling, Low back pain, Pain while ejaculating. A large number of men experience no symptoms; the first indicator that they may have prostate cancer is often an abnormal finding on a routine screening exam. Symptoms are more likely to appear as the cancer grows.

TREATMENT: May include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer. Treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. The appropriate treatment is often controversial.

Surgery is usually only recommended after a thorough evaluation and discussion of all possible treatment options. Chemotherapy is often used to treat the ones that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Gland Removal is often recommended for treatment of stages A and B.

CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in males of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over the age of 75. Often there are no signs of the disease in its early stages. If it has spread, it may be treated with drugs to decrease testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, or drugs.

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About the author: Richard H. Ealom is an expert ezinearticles.com writer with more than 50 articles on diseases,causes,cures. To find out more about Cancer visit "Cancer Breakthrough USA!" You have the right to reprint this article provided this box is left unchanged

Lung Cancer - Smoke That Cigarette!

By Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cellular growth in tissues of the lungs. It is one of the most commonly occuring cancers in the United States, accounting for approximately 15 percent of all cases, or 170,000 new cases every year. It is also the leading cancer killer in America, taking more lives each year than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined, according to the American Cancer Society. In the US it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women and is responsible for as many deaths as breast and all gynecological cancers combined.

SMOKING: Smoking, radon, and second hand smoke are the leading causes. Smoking causes an estimated 160,000* deaths in the US. Smoking leads to 85 percent to 90 percent of all lung cancers.

Smoking affects non-smokers by exposing them to second hand smoke. If a smoker stops smoking, the chance of lung cancer decreases steadily as damage to the lungs is repaired and contaminant particles are slowly removed.

RADON GAS: A colorless and odorless gas generated by the breakdown of radioactive radium, which in turn is the decay product of uranium, found in the earth's crust.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. It accounts for 15,000 to 22,000 deaths each year in the United States -- 12 percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon.

RISK FACTORS: Include smoking cigarettes or cigars, today or in the past. Not all cases are cause by smoking, but the role of passive smoking is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor, leading to policy interventions to reduce undesired exposure of non-smokers to others' tobacco smoke.

A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer. The more cigarettes you smoke a day and the earlier you started, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase your risk.

SYMPTOMS: May include Persistant cough, Hoarseness, Coughing up blood, Loss of Weight and Appetite, Shortness of breath, Fever without a known reason, Wheezing, Repeating bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia and Chest pain.

About 10 percent of people have no symptoms at diagnosis; these cancers are incidentally found on routine chest x-rays. In fact, lung cancer can spread outside the lungs without producing any symptoms.

TREATMENT: Treatment depends on the cancer's specific cell type, how far it has metastasize (spread), and the patient's performance status. It also depends on the stage, or how far along it is.

Treatment choices should be discussed with Your doctor. It may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. In recent years, various molecular targeted therapies have been developed as treatments.

CONCLUSION: Lung cancer is the second most commonly occurring form of cancer in most western countries, and it is the leading cancer-related cause of death. It is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, accounting for nearly a third of cancer deaths annually in the United States.

It has become the subject of a great amount of research. Although the rate of men dying from it is declining in western countries, it is actually increasing for women due to the increased takeup of smoking by this group. We already know that the best way to prevent it is to quit (or never start) smoking. Three to five years after quitting, the risk of getting the disease is reduced by half.

About the Author:

Richard H. Ealom is an expert ezinearticles.com writer with more than 50 articles on diseases,causes,cures and author of this article. To find out more about Cancer please visit his website "Cancer Breakthrough USA!"

Leukemia Is The White Blood Cell Disease

By Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Leukemia means white blood. It is found in the bone marrow or blood and is characterized by an abnormal growth of blood cells, typically white blood cells (leukocytes)and is separated into its acute and chronic forms.

It can affect the digestive tract,kidneys, lungs, or other parts of the body and can also collect in the testicles causing swelling. Leukemia is one of the most common cancers of children, But isn't just a children's disease, as many think.

It is newly diagnosed in about 29,000 adults and 2000 children each year in the United States and has four main types and many sub-types of which only some of them are common among children.

Leukemia that has metastasize (spread) to the brain may produce central nervous system effects, including headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred or distorted vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting and the chemotherapy used to treat it, can cause anemia.

ACUTE LEUKEMIA: Leukemia in it's acute form is characterized by the rapid increase of immature blood cells, and is potentially curable; However only a small number of patients are cured with todays therapy. It begins with one or a few white blood cells that have a lost or damaged DNA sequence and becomes worse quickly and may make you feel sick right away.

Leukemia tends to develop suddenly and quickly, however some chronic types may exist for many years before they are even diagnosed. Immediate treatment is required due to the rapid growth and accumulation of these malignant cells, which then can spill over into the blood stream and spread to other organs.

Although acute leukemia must be treated immediately, chronic forms of the disease are sometimes monitored for some time before any treatment is begun to ensure maximum effectiveness of therapy.

CHRONIC LEUKEMIA: Chronic leukemia is recognized by an excessive build up of relatively mature, but abnormal blood cells and can go undetected for many years until identified in a routine blood test. It is more common between the ages of 40 to 70 and rarely occurs among younger people.

It tends to gets worse slowly and may not produce symptoms for years. Like many cancers, it is a disease that usually occurs in old age. Doctors often find chronic leukemia during a regular checkup, before there are any noticeable symptoms. In grownups, the acute forms occur in those of all ages, whereas the chronic forms tend to occur in people over 40 years. Although slow-growing chronic leukemia can also be seen in children, although it is very rare, accounting for less than 50 cases in children each year in the US.

TREATMENT: Treatment for leukemia is complex and it depends largely on your age and health, the type and how far it has metastasize or spread. Treatment is generally considered necessary when the patient shows signs and symptoms such as low blood cell numbers. Generally speaking, all treatment is divided into several different phases. In children, an intensive 6-month treatment program is needed after induction, followed by 2 years of chemotherapy.

In low risk children, standard treatment usually consists of three drugs (prednisone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) for the first month of treatment. Higher risk patients receive larger drug doses and extra treatment with chemotherapy drugs. All patients receive follow up treatment which usually includes supportive care, such as intravenous nutrition and oral antibiotic treatment.

In general, the indications for treatment are: declining hemoglobin or platelet count, progression to advance stages of the disease, painful and disease related over-growth of lymph nodes or spleen, lymphocyte doubling time (an indicator of lymphocyte reproduction) occuring in less than twelve months. The over all strategy is to control bone marrow and total body disease while using specific treatment for the central nervous system (CNS), when necessary. Maintenance treatments may be used to prevent re-ocurrence of the disease once remission has been accomplished. Regardless the plan or strategy, it is very important for the patient to understand the treatment that he or she is receiving and the reasons behind it.

CONCLUSION: Leukemia is a cancer of blood forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells crowd out other types of cells produced by the bone marrow, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body, and platelets, which are used to form blood clots.

Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes and various other organs causing swelling and or pain and can also accumulate in the kidney, liver and spleen, causing enlargement of these organs. These cells also can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. Acute forms can occur in both children and young adults. Chronic forms usually occurs in older people, but can theoretically occur in any age group.

To date there is no single known cause that covers all of the different types of leukemia. Some studies have linked exposure to various chemicals agents, such as benzene, and hair dyes for the cause of some forms of the disease. Viruses have also been linked to other forms. Until such cause or causes are found, there is no known way to prevent the occurrence of the disease. The estimation as of 1998, is that each year, approximately 30,800 people will be diagnosed with Leukemia in the USA and about 21,700 will die of the disease.

About the Author:

Richard H. Ealom is an expert ezinearticles.com author and has written many articles on The causes and potential cures for diseases and author of this article. To find out more about Cancer please visit "Cancer Breakthrough USA!"

Prostate Cancer - Possible Warning Signs

By Alice Sy

We all know that prostate cancer can happen to any male and it is a very common type of cancer. The commonest form of cancer in the United States today is skin cancer but, to many people's surprise, prostate cancer is the second most frequently seen type of cancer and results in some 30,000 deaths each year. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, this type of cancer is the most prevalent non-skin cancer in the United States.

A prostate seed implant may be the only type of radiation therapy needed by a man with low-risk prostate cancer or it may be prescribed in addition to external beam radiation therapy in men with intermediate- and high- risk prostate cancer. If caught in its early stages prostate cancer can be successfully treated either by surgery or radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and, while such treatment can often leave its mark in terms of ongoing problems with urination or a degradation or loss of sexual function, the cancer will often not return. Curing prostate cancer is possible, and the treatment is more effective if cancer is detected in the early stages.

Curing prostate cancer is possible, but the condition has to be detected in the early stages. Because prostate cancer is a relatively slow-growing disease and easy to control if it is detected early enough, the regular screenings are recommended for obese people experiencing the above symptoms. Although the aforementioned prostate statistics don't seem to be good, the truth of the matter is that if prostate cancer is detected early, treatments are often very successful and chances of surviving are very high.

Although the same researchers were quick to point out that each year fewer and fewer men are dying of prostate cancer, due to awareness, better treatments and early detection through new and more available screening techniques. In order to catch prostate cancer in its early stages, it is recommended that men with no risk factors get an annual screening every year beginning at age 50. In addition, beginning at age 50, an annual PSA test is necessary because it is substantially more sensitive for men health than DRE when it comes to detecting early, tiny, or even microscopic cancers that are confined to the prostate gland.

In addition, another confusing aspect is that most of the possible warning signs, if they appear, are also the same signs for other prostate health problems that are non-cancerous in nature, such as BPH, which is called an enlarged prostate gland. I'm sure that we've all heard at some point or another the notion that more sex is the solution to prostate problems, citing as evidence the high incidence of prostate cancer in celibate priests. This could be the first time an evidence is produced that a virus is related to prostate cancer development.

Probably, the conclusion that drugs lowering cholesterol may help prevent prostate cancer or at least decrease its development is premature. Sun exposure prevent prostate cancer and the new research suggest vitamin D in supplement may be a safer option today for men. Researchers shown that vitamin D has many micronutrients promote and prevent the prostate cancer in men.

Chemotherapy is typically not effective against prostate cancer although newer drugs developed in recent years have shown the ability to relieve symptoms in men with advanced prostate cancer. According to Prostate Cancer Foundation, symptoms of the ailment include a necessity to urinate very often, weak urine flow, difficulty in starting urination, painful or burning urination, painful ejaculation, blood cells in the semen or urine, as well as frequent pain and cramps in the lower back, hips and upper thighs. One of the most common symptoms listed above is the difficulty starting to pass urine, but keep your eye out for the others.

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer Treatment

By Roselyn Capen

A rare but very aggressive type of cancer is Inflammatory breast cancer. The mortality rate for Inflammatory breast cancer is higher than that for most other cancers. Contrary to its name, it doesn't occur because of some inflammation; rather, inflammation is just a symptom in IBC. It is not confined to older women and can develop in very young women, too. Men are not totally protected from IBC, even though their risk is too low.

There are lymph vessels in the breasts. When a person develops IBC, the malignant cancerous cells block these vessels. IBC develops in women at a younger age, compared to other forms of breast cancer. Some studies also suggest that White people are less likely to develop this cancer than the African Americans, who are also said to be vulnerable at a younger age.

Inflammatory breast cancer can start showing symptoms early on, and become very advanced within a matter or few days. This can be very sad, especially when women delay seeking medical advice regarding the symptoms, as the cancer can advance very rapidly, and it can be very late already, when they seek medical help. However, the symptoms for IBC are so alarming that women almost immediately seek advice, and this is one reason for relatively earlier diagnosis of Inflammatory breast cancer, in most cases.

Mammography and ultrasounds are not the best diagnosis techniques for Inflammatory breast cancer, since it is not usually accompanied with the formation of a lump. This characteristic makes the cancer undetectable. However, if other symptoms prevail, a biopsy can certainly determine if cancer growth is present.

Typical symptoms for Inflammatory breast cancer are extreme reddish to purple-ish, bruised appearance of the breasts, tenderness and immense swelling, which accounts for its inflamed appearance. The skin around the breasts may be rough and uneven, the nipples may get inverted, there might be persistent itching and heaviness accompanied with burning aching sensations. Usual symptoms like change in color and texture of areola and breasts are present, too. You might also have swellings under your arm and above and below your collarbone, which you should never ignore.

The most common misdiagnosis of Inflammatory breast cancer is mastitis. Mastitis is just a breast infection that shows the same symptoms like redness and swelling, as IBC. After a week or two of treatment for mastitis, your symptoms should start disappearing; otherwise, it's not mastitis. Lymph vessels can get blocked because of other reasons than cancer, too, such as operations on the chest. This is not any type of cancer. The best way of making sure is getting a biopsy done.

Due to tremendous number of researches going into the field, Inflammatory breast cancer can be cured in almost fifty five out of every hundred IBC cases. What used to be a certain death two decades back is curable today! Today, the treatment for IBC is very extensive, although it gives a lot to hope for. Systemic therapies like chemotherapy and hormone treatments are backed up by surgeries like mastectomy and then by radiation therapy, to eliminate chances of a recurrence, and the treatment is done!

Through all the misery of Inflammatory breast cancer, you should remember the figures of mortality rate decreasing immensely. These indicate that you have a great chance of fighting if off and being happy like all other people that you know.

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The Different Types Of Breast Cancer Tumors

By Roselyn Capen

Breast cancers have various types, and knowledge on all of them is necessary for defining what treatment you need. Naturally, different types of breast cancers will have different causes, show different symptoms and will need different treatments than other types of breast cancer.

Breast cancer can either be invasive or non-invasive. Non-invasive breast cancers, also called in situ breast cancers, have a very high survival rate. Cancer cells in non-invasive breast cancers are confined to the site where the cancer originated, and have not spread to other organs. The most common non-invasive breast cancer is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ or DCIS, which develops in the breasts' milk ducts and does not metastasize. The best and easiest treatment for DCIS is mastectomy, and patients are cured fully, most of the times.

Metastasis occurs when the cancer cells do not remain in the site where they initially develop, but spread to other parts of the body and start malignant cell formation there. When this happens, the cancer is called Invasive breast cancer. The two commonest types of invasive breast cancer are Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

Seventy to eighty percent of all breast cancer cases are those of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Formation of cancer cells in the milk ducts of the breasts, which break through the ducts and spread to surrounding breast tissues and other parts of the body, is called Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. When such cells start forming in the milk lobules, and not ducts, and spread out, it is called Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. A distinguishing feature is that a lump is not necessarily formed in ILC, and usually the breast thickens as a whole.

All forms of breast cancer do not originate in ducts or lobes. Breast tissues, fibrous connective tissues, blood vessels and lymph vessels can also be the originating site for breast cancer. It is also possible that the cancer does not start in the breast, but spreads to the breast from cancer cells of another cancer. However uncommon these types are, it's always good to be informed. Inflammatory breast cancer, Paget's disease of the breast, metaplastic breast cancer, angiosarcoma, osteosarcoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma are some uncommon types of breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer is very aggressive, and can originate and start developing cancer cells so rapidly, that within a week, the cancer becomes very advanced and dangerous. This is the reason it is important to know everything about these rare types; you just do not know for sure if they can attack you.

Doctors usually grade invasive breast cancers. They compare the affected breast tissue with a normal tissue, and grade depending on how much the affected tissue resembles a normal one. This process makes it easier to decide the course and procedures for treatment. Grades start from I to III, Grade I implying the cancer is not very advanced, and Grade III suggesting that the breast tissue has lost its normal functioning ability and that the cancer has progressed highly.

As you can see, knowing about all types of cancers can help you recognizing symptoms early on and advise you on how to make your treatment more effective, along with giving you proper knowledge and information on your treatment.

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What you must know about the different breast cancer types. The second step is knowing everything about the right types of treatments for breast cancer

Prognosis For Metastatic Breast Cancer

By Roselyn Capen

The stage of breast cancer when cancer cells do not remain in the original cancer site and spread out to other parts of the body is called metastatic breast cancer. This is the stage when the cancer is fully advanced. Even if you have been successfully treated for breast cancer, there is a chance that some cancer cells do not die, and later spread out through blood and lymphatic vessels to other body organs. This process is known as metastasis of breast cancer.

Metastasis can occur due to three reasons. The first reason has already been stated, that is, when some cancer cells escape from treatments and make cancer recur. The second is when, during a treatment, the cancer goes on advancing, and starts developing tumors in other organs, and sometimes, when cancer is diagnosed so late due to carelessness of the patient or inefficiency of medical professionals, that it has already metastasized to other parts of the body.

Metastasis usually occurs in bones, and organs like lungs and brains. Unfortunately, breast cancer has the highest chance of metastasizing. If you have had breast cancer, and later develop another form of cancer, in all probability, it is breast cancer recurring. The fortunate side of this is that breast cancer is very much treatable. However, if you develop breast cancer again in the breast that was not diseased earlier, it might just be a new cancer.

It is very important to know about metastatic breast cancer because around 30% of women with breast cancer are later diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is best treatable when no organ, specifically the lungs and brain, develop cancer, or when the cancer cells show traces of estrogen or progesterone hormone receptors, or, when tumors still respond to therapies, or when there have not been many treatments the patient has already availed.

Metastatic breast cancer, owing to its nature, requires extensive treatment. Therapies like chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, immune therapy alone with regular mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, bone scans etc. are necessary. The treatments can be purpose-specific. For treating the whole body, systemic therapies have to be implemented; for treatment of specific organs, local treatments like mastectomy and lumpectomy are done, and for alleviating pain, therapies along with oral aspirin intake are adopted.

Because metastatic breast cancer means cancer spreading to various parts of the body, complete sure is very difficult. There will come a point when you will have to stop undergoing treatment, even when your cancer is not fully cured. You have the choice of being treated indefinitely, but you have to know, the more number of therapies you take, the more the side-effects are. Also know that many women have lived fruitful lives while taking the treatment for the metastatic disease. It is hard to take decisions when your life is at stake, but it is also necessary that you do it. There is research going on for prolonging lives of people who have this disease, and that research will surely help you.

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Get all the details about the treatments for metastatic breast cancer. Finding an early breast cancer symptom increases your chances for a successful treatment.

Breast Cancer Treatment

By Ray Lam

At present rate it is estimated that more than 40% of the population in America and industrialized world will develop some form of cancer in their life time. This epidemic could swamp the health care system and cause colossal loss. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. Every year more than 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Though in many cases state will fund the cost of diagnosis and detection treatment costs can quickly run up to $200,000.

It can spread to the back and hip bones, lungs, liver and brain. What are the treatments for breast cancer? Breast cancer is treated by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Generally two or more treatments are combined together for better effect. Doctors combine surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation. The treatment varies depending on many factors like the patient, the stage of breast cancer and instance of reoccurrence.

Surgery: Lumpectomy or the removal of the lump is a technique in surgery. Doctor may need to remove lymph nodes from your armpit or breast depending on the stage.

Chemotherapy: Drugs and medicines are used which restrict or stop cancer cell growth. These medicines may also reduce the size of the lumps and tumors. Some medicines even kill the tumours.

Hormonal therapy: Doctors use some anti-estrogen, aromatase inhibitors or LHRH analogues to stop the hormone estrogen production and effects. Estrogen is a sex hormone found in women body which helps in growth of the breast cancer. When Estrogen is stopped then the growth of the tumours also ceased.

Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer wants complete recovery and the ability to return to a normal life. The path to total recovery may be filled with time consuming treatments and recovery processes.

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Learn about breakthrough breast cancer and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free breast cancer care advice.

Breast Cancer Ribbons

By Ray Lam

One of the most famous symbols of disease awareness is the red ribbon that is used to raise AIDS awareness. This symbol has been worn by various celebrities with the aim of encouraging understanding about the disease and raising funds for prevention and its eventual cure. Given the popularity of this symbol, the ribbon has also been used to increase awareness for other diseases, such as cancer. For breast cancer, the symbol that is used is the pink ribbon.

For breast cancer awareness advocates, the symbol of a pink ribbon represents hope and awareness for those affected by this terrible disease. These groups encourage people to wear this symbol and help in the efforts of raising awareness as well as much-needed funds for research.

The pink ribbon symbol has taken on many forms. It is now seen printed on various materials such as T-shirts, mugs, wristbands, and bumper stickers. In some cases, the symbol is even engraved on jewelry, the most famous of which are pink ribbon bracelets. It is also worth noting that most of the companies who sell these items contribute part of the proceeds to breast cancer research.

This is especially difficult, because we know that early detection might very well have saved our loved ones. This is what the pink ribbon is really all about. Yes, maybe we've lost someone. Maybe we just had a close call. Maybe we're concerned for someone or ourselves right now. But the point is, wearing the ribbon might just remind another woman to get that mammogram she's been putting off. If just one woman did a self examination because she saw a pink ribbon pin on a co-worker that day, it was the most successful clothing choice ever made!

The pink ribbon is an international symbol for breast cancer awareness. You can wear your pink ribbon in any country; it has universal meaning. No one or no company owns the rights to the pink ribbon. In fact, companies who use this symbol each add their own flair. Avon's pink ribbon doesn't look exactly like Estee Lauder's. But they're both recognizable as symbols of support for breast cancer issues, treatment and especially for finding a cure. And portions of the sale of each go to breast cancer research.

So, whether you have your own personalized pink ribbon that you share with friends and relatives or you are using a corporate one, you are showing your support for this very important cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each ribbon goes into breast cancer research-to help those looking for a cure for all of us.

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Learn about breast cancer organizations and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free breast cancer care advice.

Radiation Therapy For Prostate Cancer Treatment

By: Khim Lim

Radiation therapy, also commonly known as radiotherapy, is the most frequently prescribed prostate cancer treatment. It is designed to kill off your cancerous cells with high energy radiation beams however even with the accurateness of the process today some normal body cells are inevitably also killed during radiotherapy sessions. This accounts for any side effects you may suffer from.

Radiotherapy as a prostate cancer treatment can be used for all stages of the disease. If you are diagnosed as having early stage prostate cancer then radiotherapy can often cure the disease without the need for surgery. Later stage cancers may require surgery followed by a course of radiotherapy and in terminal cases radiotherapy can still be used to relieve the pain associated with the disease.

There are two main ways in which radiation can be used as a prostate cancer treatment; internally and externally. The type of radiotherapy you receive will depend on your circumstances and the extent of your cancer. For more information about the treatments and how they work you should speak to your oncologist as they will be able to give you much more detailed information than is given here.

The prostate cancer treatment known as brachytherapy, or internal radiation, works by implanting microbeads of radioactive material directly into your cancerous tissue. These microbeads act to kill the cancerous cells in the immediate vicinity and only a very small number of normal body cells also become damaged. This will lead to you suffering from minor side effects such as urinary leakage and occasionally penile dysfunction however in some cases these are almost non-existent.

Having internal radiotherapy as a prostate cancer treatment will mean you have to undergo keyhole surgery however this is a one-time procedure and will only entail a short stay in hospital. Because of the relative expense of this procedure, it is only used in cases where cure is still a viable outcome i.e. where the cancer is still confined to the prostate and has not yet spread to other sites in the body.

External radiation is the more commonly used prostate cancer treatment. It will involve you travelling to the hospital on average five times per week and spending time underneath the radiation machine. In this case the radiation beam penetrates through the skin, muscle and fat before it reaches the cancerous tissue of the prostate and so many more normal body cells are damaged. Thus with this form of treatment you will often suffer with more severe and varied side effects than with the previous option.

With regards to the skin you may lose some of the pubic hair permanently and the area may become a little sore and dry however this is a small price to pay considering the potential outcome. Internally, you might suffer with incontinence, urinary and bowel discomfort and some degree of impotence as the tissues around the prostate gland are affected. Thankfully, advancements are continually being made that mean fewer normal body cells are damaged and so the side effects described may be minimal in your case.

Radiation therapy is a very effective prostate cancer treatment and although it can be gruelling and cause you to feel fatigued a lot of the time, it is well worth pursuing as a treatment.

Author Resource: Your prostate health is important for cancer prevention. For more information, resources and support, please click http://www.prostate-cancer-treatment-hub.com.

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What Are The Treatments For Breast Cancer

By Roselyn Capen

There are several options for treatments, when the disease is breast cancer. People, today, can choose from the many options available, to defeat breast cancer, unlike several years ago. There are at least three types of treatments for any stage of breast cancer.

Certain forms of surgeries, like biopsies, are used to diagnose breast cancer. These focus on specific areas of the body, like the breasts and lymph nodes, and not the whole body. When cancer is positively diagnosed, the patient has two options. Either she can opt for complete removal of breasts, as is the case with mastectomy, or removal of just a part of the breast, like in partial mastectomy. These two surgeries are most effective when the patient has small malignant tumors. Also, they are effective when the patient has had large tumors previously which are now small and have been successfully shrunken by chemotherapy.

Systemic therapy is good in order to get rid of any cells that may have spread to other parts of the body. If the cancer has spread and has formed tumors elsewhere this treatment can help shrink the cancer and hopefully lead to a remission, which would be ideal for everyone.

This treatment is mainly decided by the characteristics of the cancer. The more aggressive the caner is then it will have a higher risk of spreading outside that area and into other areas where treatment can be harder to do. Treatments are dependent on the status and harmful effects of cancer. The more advanced the stage, the harder it is to treat it, since it's more likely that the cancerous cells are not confined to just the breasts, then. This means the treatment has to extend outside the breasts, and can make the procedure complicated and tiresome.

Therapies are taken by either a pill or even sometimes by injection. Chemotherapy can be administered by either way and is used to destroy cancer cells that it finds. Immune therapy is widely unknown and not used as much as the other therapies just because it is new. It works the same way that getting a flu shot works, it makes the body think that something is attacking it, so that it was use its defense systems which are the while blood cells to fight the infection, or whatever the problem may be.

Many people are turning to what is known as Complementary therapy. The principle behind Complementary therapy is that it restores the body's natural health so that the body becomes capable of fighting infections on its own. Complementary therapies include yoga, massages, chiropractic, herbal remedies' intake and acupunction. People who have tried this therapy are more than just satisfied by the results, and they can reaffirm that it makes them feel a lot better while they're surviving the disease. There is absolutely nothing to lose by trying this therapy, only a chance to feel better and healthier.

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Get an overview about the best treatment for breast cancer. How to win the fight against your tumor. Get all the details about your individual breast cancer treatment option.

Improve Your Breast Cancer Survival Rate

By Roselyn Capen

Breast cancer is something that can happen when you are so busy with many different things that you don't realize it until it's sometimes too late. Some people will feel no pain at all, which is sad because most breast cancer will have no pain and nothing showing until it is already too late.

Never think that you can't get breast cancer, for anyone can get it, no matter your age or genetics, although that may play a part in it. For your own peace of mind it is better to get checked, then not to and then find out that you have breast cancer and that it has spread.

To discover and talk with someone who has successfully fought breast cancer all their lives, and are still surviving it is very heartening - whether it is someone you, yourself, or someone you know - the fight gives tremendous strength in times when making through it seems impossible. This strength will hold you up when people ridicule you, or mock at you for taking the cancer so seriously.

Some people honestly do not know how to handle something like this and that is ok. Not everyone is meant to understand and empathize, if they were the world would be in a constant state of grief and sadness. You will need to be strong in order to talk to the doctors and get the information as to what treatments are available and how the treatments are going. This is your only body, you want to make sure you are doing all you can to help it.

Your will is all it takes to overcome any force, even breast cancer, the survivors live to reaffirm that. You will feel scared sometimes, and that's not a sign of weakness. Weakness will be if you feel piling up the fear and give up. Giving more stress to your already diseased body in the form of grief, fear, anger or dismay will worsen things for you. It is not a sin to be sad sometimes or to relieve yourself of worrying through angst - this is all a part of the healing process - just don't let it get touch your core.

Do not think of your disease. Forget that you are ill. It is matters of your life, yes, therefore live every second of it, even if you're physically ill. Revert all your energies to things you love, to things that make you happy, cultivate your gardening or reading or fashion designing hobby, be with friends you love to be, and those who make you laugh. You will discover your disease not governing you anymore, and your well-wishers will always be there to ensure your cancer gets treated, and you get healed.

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Read more about the breast cancer survival rate and news about new breast cancer treatments

What Does Surgery For Localized Prostate Cancer Involve?

By: Donald Saunders

The normal approach for surgery in the case of localized prostate cancer is to remove the entire prostate gland and surrounding tissue in an operation known as a radical prostatectomy. The operation is usually performed as a retropubic prostatectomy, in which access is achieved through the lower abdomen, or a perineal prostatectomy, in which access is gained through the perineum which lies between the scrotum and the anus.

During a radical prostatectomy the prostate gland is removed, together with the seminal vesicles, the ampullae (the lower sections of the tubes which carry sperm from the testicles to the prostate gland) and some other adjoining tissue. In addition, that part of the urethra which passes through the prostate gland, as well as the neck of the bladder and a part of the sphincter muscle that controls urine flow is also removed.

From this you will see that a radical prostatectomy is not minor surgery, but is a demanding procedure which generally lasts anywhere from about 2 to 4 hours. It is also an operation which generally requires a stay in hospital of about 3 days followed by 10 days to 2 weeks at home during which time you will need to use a catheter to drain urine.

In the past a radical prostatectomy almost always resulted in impotence, but today improvements in surgical techniques and the introduction of what is known as 'nerve sparing' surgery means that an increasing number of men are now spared from impotence. When nerve sparing surgery is performed the two sets nerves and other vessels that run along the side of the prostate gland are carefully preserved in order to retain the erectile function. This technique is unfortunately not suitable in all cases of prostate cancer.

One of the commonest results of prostate surgery is a degree of incontinence. Almost all patients will experience some loss of control following their operation and this can vary from occasionally dribbling to a complete loss of urinary control. Fortunately, some men are suitable for further surgery to ease this problem and it is sometimes possible to surgically implant an artificial urinary sphincter or to use collagen injections to narrow the opening of the bladder.

Some men will also suffer muscle damage during surgery leading to fecal incontinence, which is essentially a problem caused by a reduction in the elasticity of the rectum. This too can be corrected surgically in some cases. Radiation therapy can also sometimes be used to stiffen the rectal muscles.

Of course surgery is just one of the treatments available for localized prostate cancer today and, while many men favor it because it involves the immediate and complete removal of cancer cells from the body, you should not automatically assume that this is the best treatment for you. Take some time to look at all of your options and discuss each with your physician before coming to any decision.

Author Resource: ProstateProblemCentre.com provides information on a range of prostate problems and solutions including the therapeutic practice of milking the prostate


Article From Mister Article

What Breast Cancer Type Do You Have?

By Roselyn Capen

Breast cancers have various types, and knowledge on all of them is necessary for defining what treatment you need. Naturally, different types of breast cancers will have different causes, show different symptoms and will need different treatments than other types of breast cancer.

Breast cancer can either spread to other parts of the body than its original site, or remain confined there. Depending on this, there are two major types of breast cancer. In situ or non-invasive breast cancer is when the cancer does not spread out. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is the most common In Situ breast cancer. The milk ducts of the breast start developing cancer cells that do not metastasize or spread out, and this type of cancer is called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. Mastectomy largely cures DCIS, and sometimes is all the treatment that is needed.

Invasive breast cancers are characterized by cancer spreading out to body parts other than the site in which the cancer originates. These cells usually enter the lymph vessels and blood vessels and travel to other body parts, where they develop malignant tumors. The two most common invasive breast cancer types are Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, which is also the commonest breast cancer type, and, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma accounts for 70% to 80% of all breast cancer cases. Originating in the ducts of the breast, the cancer spreads outside the ductal lining and attacks the breast tissue. There is no certainty if the cancer cells remain confined to the breast or metastasize to other organs. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, on the other hand, is characterized by cancer cells originating in milk-producing lobules of the breast and then spreading out the same way as in IDC. One typical attribute of ILC is that no distinct lump formation is necessary. The breast usually thickens as a whole.

It is not necessary that all breast cancers originate in ducts or lobes. Sometimes, breast cancer can also originate in the breast tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels in the breast and fibrous connective tissues. Breast cancer can also occur due to metastasis of cancer from other organs. These are uncommon types, and they include Inflammatory breast cancer, Paget's disease of the breast, angiosarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, metaplastic breast cancer and osteosarcoma.

Inflammatory breast cancer is very aggressive, and can originate and start developing cancer cells so rapidly, that within a week, the cancer becomes very advanced and dangerous. This is the reason it is important to know everything about these rare types; you just do not know for sure if they can attack you.

Invasive breast cancers are usually graded according to the semblance of the breast tissue compared to a normal breast tissue. Grades have three levels, from acceptable to worst, progressively. Grading helps determining treatments required and the urgency with which they're required. Grade I means the cells still have some normalcy; Grade III means cells are functioning abnormally and are physiologically degraded.

As you can see, knowing about all types of cancers can help you recognizing symptoms early on and advise you on how to make your treatment more effective, along with giving you proper knowledge and information on your treatment.

About the Author:

There are different breast cancer types. The second step is knowing everything about the right types of treatments for breast cancer

What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

By Ray Lam

For every disease there are some risk factors it is same with breast cancer. There are some risk factors which are not under the control of a person and some risk factors are those which depend on the life style of a person.

First I want to write about the factors which cannot be changed, if you are a woman your risk of getting breast cancer is automatically increased. Women are at a greater risk of getting breast cancer as the breast cells are persistently exposed to hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Men can also suffer from breast cancer but breast cancer in men is a very rare case.

Risk of breast cancer also increases with age. This is also one of the factor 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 on it. If a woman is having cancer in one breast the chance of getting cancer in another breast or in another part of same breast increases. White women are at high risk of breast cancer than Asian women.

A history of breast cancer also leaves women at a greater risk of developing the same cancer. This happens when the cancer cells spread to the lymph glands. There is a great risk that the cancer will develop in the opposite breast. When breast conservation therapy is used as treatment for the cancer, there is a risk of cancer redeveloping in the same breast.

Examine your breast every month beginning at age of 20. Consult your doctor to get instruction for self-breast examination. Check for a new lump is it painful or not? Unusual thickening of tissue, discharge from nipple, and change in the skin of nipple or breast or different breast size or shape than before.

Do a mammogram after age of 40. Women whose mammograms show many dense areas of tissue have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to women whose mammograms reveal mainly fat tissue. A woman who is told that her mammogram has areas of increased density should ask her health care provider to explain what this means.

About the Author:

Learn about breast cancer information and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free breast cancer care advice.

Uncommon Breast Cancer Types

By Roselyn Capen

Breast cancers have various types, and knowledge on all of them is necessary for defining what treatment you need. Naturally, different types of breast cancers will have different causes, show different symptoms and will need different treatments than other types of breast cancer.

Breast cancer can either be invasive or non-invasive. Non-invasive breast cancers, also called in situ breast cancers, have a very high survival rate. Cancer cells in non-invasive breast cancers are confined to the site where the cancer originated, and have not spread to other organs. The most common non-invasive breast cancer is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ or DCIS, which develops in the breasts' milk ducts and does not metastasize. The best and easiest treatment for DCIS is mastectomy, and patients are cured fully, most of the times.

Invasive breast cancers are characterized by cancer spreading out to body parts other than the site in which the cancer originates. These cells usually enter the lymph vessels and blood vessels and travel to other body parts, where they develop malignant tumors. The two most common invasive breast cancer types are Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, which is also the commonest breast cancer type, and, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma accounts for 70% to 80% of all breast cancer cases. Originating in the ducts of the breast, the cancer spreads outside the ductal lining and attacks the breast tissue. There is no certainty if the cancer cells remain confined to the breast or metastasize to other organs. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, on the other hand, is characterized by cancer cells originating in milk-producing lobules of the breast and then spreading out the same way as in IDC. One typical attribute of ILC is that no distinct lump formation is necessary. The breast usually thickens as a whole.

Breast cancer cells can also originate in blood and lymph vessels of the breast, the breast tissue and the fibrous connective tissue, rather than just the ducts and lobules. These are uncommon types of cancer; however, due to the possible aggressive nature, knowing about them becomes imperative. They include Inflammatory breast cancer, angiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, metaplastic breast cancer, Paget's disease of the breast, and many others. It is also good to remember that sometimes, cancer can spread to the breast when the originating site is some other organ. This is not a type of breast cancer; another form of cancer has just metastasized to the breast.

Even though these types are uncommon, they can be very aggressive, like Inflammatory breast cancer, which develops so rapidly that it can cause a lot of harm within a week. It is important to be well-versed with the symptoms and causes of each of these types.

Doctors usually grade invasive breast cancers. They compare the affected breast tissue with a normal tissue, and grade depending on how much the affected tissue resembles a normal one. This process makes it easier to decide the course and procedures for treatment. Grades start from I to III, Grade I implying the cancer is not very advanced, and Grade III suggesting that the breast tissue has lost its normal functioning ability and that the cancer has progressed highly.

As you can see, knowing about all types of cancers can help you recognizing symptoms early on and advise you on how to make your treatment more effective, along with giving you proper knowledge and information on your treatment.

About the Author:

The first step is knowing all about the different breast cancer types. The second step is knowing everything about the right types of treatments for breast cancer