Inflammatory Breast Cancer Causes

Last Updated on Monday, 24 October 2011 11:27 Written by Natural Health Team Monday, 24 October 2011 11:27

Health Information about Inflammatory Breast Cancer Causes

Recent large-scale prospective randomized clinical research trials have not only failed to identify a cancer prevention role (beyond a healthy balanced diet) for Vitamin E, Vitamin C, folate, and beta-carotene (a member of the Vitamin A family) supplements, but data from these trials have strongly suggested an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, at least in some sub-groups of patients, with supplements of several of these vitamins.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Causes

Alas, as is typically the case with public health studies, the clinical data regarding Vitamin D is not without inconsistency, and the data on Vitamin D and cancer incidence has not been uniformly positive, either. However, multiple recent epidemiological and prospective clinical research studies have at least suggested that low levels of Vitamin D in our bodies may, in fact, be associated with a higher risk of developing certain cancers (look for a more comprehensive review of the data on Vitamin D and cancer prevention in my forthcoming book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race”). Moreover, decreased blood levels of Vitamin D also appear to be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well.

Now, a newly published prospective clinical research trial suggests that decreased levels of Vitamin D in the blood appears to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence, and death due to breast cancer, in women previously diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. In this study, which has just been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, 512 women with early-stage breast cancer, diagnosed between 1989 and 1996, were prospectively followed for an average of nearly 12 years. Blood was routinely collected from all women following their diagnosis of breast cancer, as a part of this clinical research trial. The women were then closely followed for recurrence of their breast cancer, and for death due to breast cancer and other causes.

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As with other similar studies, a surprisingly large number of these otherwise healthy women were discovered to have decreased levels of Vitamin D in their blood. In 38 percent of these women, Vitamin D levels were significantly below normal levels, while another 39 percent of these women had mildly decreased levels of circulating Vitamin D. Among these 512 women, 116 experienced metastatic recurrence of their breast cancer during the course of this prospective clinical study, while 87 women died with evidence of recurrent breast cancer.

The results of this prospective clinical study were rather compelling. The 10-year survival rates for these women with early-stage breast cancer varied significantly according to the level of Vitamin D in their blood. Survival at 10 years following breast cancer diagnosis was 74 percent, 85 percent, and 85 percent for women with significantly deficient, mildly deficient, and normal Vitamin D levels, respectively. Based upon the analysis of all of the data from this study, breast cancer patients with a significant deficiency of Vitamin D were observed to be almost twice as likely (71 percent increased risk) to experience a recurrence of their breast cancer, and they were 60 percent more likely to die, when compared to the patients who had normal levels of Vitamin D in their blood.

Although this clinical study included relatively few patients, it does, nonetheless, raise the possibility that a significant deficiency of Vitamin D may be associated with a worse prognosis in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Another related finding in this study was that very low levels of Vitamin D also appeared to be associated with breast tumors with more aggressive features when examined under the microscope, which is consistent with other studies that have suggested a link between “high grade” breast tumors and decreased blood levels of Vitamin D. At the same time, as I have already mentioned, the available data regarding Vitamin D levels (and the use of Vitamin D supplements) has not been consistent, and other clinical studies have failed to identify a link between Vitamin D and breast cancer risk. There is also some experimental data available suggesting that very high levels of Vitamin D in the blood may also be associated with poorer outcomes in women with breast cancer (similar findings have also been reported for excessive Vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease outcomes). Taken together, the data from these various studies strongly suggest that there may be a fairly narrow “optimal range” of Vitamin D levels in the blood that are associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence (and death), and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease; and that excessively high or low levels of this vitamin may have adverse health effects in these areas.

The next obvious step is to conduct larger prospective clinical research trials that secretly randomize patient volunteers to receive various doses of Vitamin D, versus placebo (sugar) pills. There are several such studies already underway (or about to start), involving both cancer patients and patients without cancers. However, it will likely take another 10 years for mature data to emerge from these ongoing studies. Meanwhile, my advice is to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. If you are a breast or prostate or colorectal cancer survivor, or if you have one or more risk factors for these cancers (or for cardiovascular disease), then you may also want to ask your physician to measure the level of active Vitamin D in your blood. If you are significantly deficient in Vitamin D, then your physician might consider the possibility of Vitamin D supplementation in conjunction with careful serial monitoring of your Vitamin D levels.
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Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity.
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Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, a professor of surgery, a widely published author, and a Surgical Oncologist at the Kaiser Permanente healthcare system in Orange County, California.

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Cervical Cancer Treatment Cost

Last Updated on Monday, 24 October 2011 11:27 Written by Natural Health Team Monday, 24 October 2011 11:27

Health Information about Cervical Cancer Treatment Cost

Anatomically speaking, the cervix is part of the lower uterus which is often regarded as the “neck of the uterus”. Cervical Cancer Treatment CostWomen who are more than the age of thirty are of high risk to develop cancer of the cervix.

In general, there are two main types of cancer of the cervix. These are ectocervix squamous cell cervical cancer and endocervix adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

The ectocervix is the part of the cervix that projects in the vagina. It is also termed as portio vaginalis. On the outer portion of the ectocervix are flat cells that can become cancerous which could lead to squamous cell cancer of the cervix.

The endocervix is the inside portion of the cervix. The endocervix have glandular cells that produce mucus. When these glandular cells become cancerous, it can lead to adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

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The early stages of cervical cancer do not produce any signs and symptoms, thus, it remains undiagnosed in most cases. This is the reason why it is important to have regular check-ups in order to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions. In the later stages, cancer of the cervix can manifest symptoms such as bleeding between periods, pelvic pain, vaginal discharge tinged with blood, discomforts during intercourse, and smelly vaginal discharge.

There are different risk factors which can cause cancer of the cervix. Some of the risk factors include the human papilloma virus, smoking, multiple sex partners, weak immune system, genetic factors, multiple pregnancies, use of contraceptive pills, sexually transmitted diseases, and socio-economic status.

Through pap smear, cervical cancer can be diagnosed. Aside from that, there are also other laboratory tests which can be done to confirm the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Blood tests, biopsy, CT scan, MRI, and pelvic ultrasound are some of the tests that can help in diagnosing cancer of the cervix.

Cancer of the cervix has four stages with stage four being the late stage. There are also numerous treatment options for cervical cancer which includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

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Breast Cancer Treatment Statistics

Last Updated on Monday, 24 October 2011 03:28 Written by Natural Health Team Monday, 24 October 2011 03:28

Health Information about Breast Cancer Treatment Statistics

These collections of irrepressible growth of tissue are called tumors or malignant tumors. Breast Cancer Treatment StatisticsHowever, not all tumors are cancerous.

Breast cancer has been diagnosed in large numbers in North America and Europe. In 2001, about 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States alone. Every woman has a 1 in 8 risk of developing breast cancer, but the risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower, barely 1 in 28.

The risk of getting breast cancer is generally higher among older women, women with a family history or previous history of breast cancer, women who had radiation therapy in the chest region, women who started their periods before 12 years old, women who had menopause after 50 years old, women who never had children or had them age 30 or older, or women with genetic mutation. In recent times genetic mutations for breast cancer have become a hot topic of research.

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The breast cancer tumor has the following symptoms: lump or thickening that appears on the breast or underarm, changes in the breast’s shape, nipple turned inwards followed by colorless discharge, red or scaled skin or nipple, or ridges on the breast skin.

If a woman experiences any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean she has breast cancer. In such a case she should undergo a breast cancer personal check-up. It is estimated that 95% of breast cancer is detected through personal check-up. The breast cancer personal check-up includes checking for lumps in the breasts after each menstrual period, puckering the skin, and checking for nipple retraction or discharge. For consistent result, every woman should do a breast cancer personal check-up at the same time every month. Various other techniques such as mammography, thermography, ultrasonography, computerized tomography scan etc, can also help detect breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatments include surgery that removes cancerous tissues, with breast conservation therapy (BCT) being one such surgery. Other breast cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and biologic therapy. Radiotherapy is a common breast cancer treatment, and radiation treatment and chemotherapy may follow surgery to ensure the destruction of the stray cancer cells.

Even after undergoing many or all of these breast cancer treatment measures, unfortunately almost half the women suffer from a recurrence of the disease.

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The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

Last Updated on Sunday, 23 October 2011 09:27 Written by Natural Health Team Sunday, 23 October 2011 09:27

Health Information about The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

is another form of uterine cancer. It begins in the cells on the surface of the cervix, either on the lower part, or in the upper part of the cervix. It is a slow-growing and malignant cancer. (Malignant simply means that it spreads). The cervix is the connecter that connects the uterus to the birth canal, and is actually a part of the uterus.

Cervical cancer is usually the result of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact. The virus can survive in the body for many years before it causes cancer, and in some cases the cancer never develops.

A new vaccine is available to stop the virus, and medical professionals are encouraging young girls and women to get the vaccine. The claim is that by the year 2022 cervical cancers will be reduced due to the vaccine. But the vaccine is still to new to know about all the possible long-term side-effects it will cause. The best way to be on guard against this cancer is to build up the immune system and eliminate as many risk factors as possible.

Those at highest risk for developing this cancer are young girls who became sexually active before the age of 18, and those who have, or have had numerous partners. Those who smoke, use birth control pills, condoms and tampons are also at a higher risk.

The symptoms of cervical cancer may not appear until the later stages of the cancer, but pre-cancerous cells can be detected with a pap test.

The following symptoms may occur in the more advanced stages of cervical cancer.

Bleeding in between periods, or after menopause. This can be heavy or light bleeding.

Pelvic pains, which can be dull or sharp pains, and can last for hours.

A vaginal discharge may also occur, and may be foul smelling, thick, and may contain mucus or blood.

Leaking of urine or feces from vagina.

Bleeding after intercourse.

Pain during intercourse.

Pain or heavy bleeding while menstruating.

Pain during urinating can occur if cancer has spread to the bladder.

Loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, back pain, leg pain, a single swollen leg, and easy fracturing of the bones.

Treatments are available; one can choose either conventional treatments which consist of chemo, radiation and surgery, or, one can choose to be healed naturally using Chinese medicines, or herbs. However, prevention is always better than cure.

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What is Cervical Cancer

Last Updated on Sunday, 23 October 2011 07:27 Written by Natural Health Team Sunday, 23 October 2011 07:27

Health Information about What is Cervical Cancer

Even today, the experts as well as medical officers are yet to know the main cause of cervical cancer. It is a preventable disease although it has killed many women throughout the world. But, if at all the main cause of this disease is yet to be known, sexual habits are believed to be the major ones to be blamed. The virus that causes this disease is known as Human Papilloma. In the body, there are three main parts that are infected by this virus. They are the area that surrounds the anus, genital track and external genitals.

The Human Papilloma virus is very much different from Human Immunodeficiency that ends up causing deadly disease known as AIDS. Various types of HPV are usually transmitted through sexual intercourse. As a result, a woman develops cervical cancer.

In order to know whether you have HPV, you are supposed to visit a medical officer who will carry out a test. This test is known as Hybrid Capture Test. It was introduced in 1999. This test has the ability to get about 14 different types of HPV that cause the cervical cancer. After the test, the medical officer is able to know whether you have the HPV or not.

A woman can be in danger of developing the Human Papilloma virus in the cervix if she involves herself in the various sexual habits. They include having sexual intercourse below 18 years of age, having sex with a person who had already had it with an affected woman and having many sexual partners. In addition to sexual habits, there are other factors that do cause cervical cancer. They include:

Poverty

Poverty plays a major role when it comes to cervical cancer. This has been caused by the fact that, many women especially those who are living below poverty level have minimal or no access to qualified physicians. In addition, the diet that is not balanced usually causes the disease. As a result, the HPV spread in many parts making the disease become hard to treat.

Ignoring Pap tests

Testing is the only way that the cervical cancer can be detected. Incase, you ignore going for Pap tests periodically, you are in danger of having cervical cancer. Statistics show that a good percentage of women who are treated for cervical cancer were not going for the tests.

Bravehearts is a non-profit organization initially led by the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP) for the Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF), Bravehearts is dedicated to raising awareness on cervical cancer prevention. Bravehearts is currently supported by a growing number of women, including prominent personalities such as Abbygale Arenas-‐de Leon, who is the current president of the organization, Senator Loren Legarda, Pia Magalona, Ellen Tordesillas, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Jeena Lopez, Maimai Davao, Joyette Jopson and Suzi Entrata. The organization has held successful seminars and projects with the help of its partner organizations and companies. One of its more prominent events is the biking event, The Tour of Hope (TTOH). The tour was introduced in the Philippines in 2008 through the collaboration of GlaxoSmithKline Philippines and the UP Cancer Institute Foundation’s Cervical Cancer Prevention (CECAP) network program in strategic partnership with Team David’s Salon, the first all woman sports team in the country. Since then, the Tour of Hope has become the largest anti-cervical cancer biking tour in the Philippines and has attracted varied supporters thru the years — both from public and private sectors. TTOH has become Bravehearts’ annual fund raising event and an opportunity to conduct lectures for cervical cancer prevention programs in the different municipalities/cities the tour passes. Just last year, TTOH was able to raise Php750, 000, and the fund was …

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