18 Jun,2013

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012

Throughout the year, a collaboration of national public service organizations, medical associations and government agencies work together to promote breast cancer awareness and provide greater access to related services.

Breast Cancer forms in tissues of the breast and is broken into two main types; Ductal carcinoma and Lobular carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple — this is the most common form. Lobular carcinoma starts in the parts of the breast called lobules which produce milk.

Both forms of breast cancers occur in men and women. Although male breast cancer is rare, it must be taken just as serious. In rare cases, breast cancer can also start in other areas of the breast.

Breast cancer may be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive means it has spread from the milk duct or lobule to other tissues in the breast. Noninvasive, also referred to as “in situ” means it has not yet invaded other breast tissue.

Many breast cancers are sensitive to the hormone estrogen meaning that estrogen causes the breast cancer tumor to grow. Such cancers have estrogen receptors on the surface of their cells called estrogen receptor-positive cancer or ER-positive cancer. Some women have what is called HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 refers to a gene that helps cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. When cells (including cancer cells) have too many copies of this gene they grow faster. Women with HER2-positive breast cancer historically have a more aggressive form of the disease and a higher risk that the disease will return more so than women who do not have HER-2.

It is estimated that 1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Risk factors include the following:

  • Alcohol use
  • Childbirth
  • DES (Diethylstilbestrol) Drug
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Radiation
  • Age and gender
  • Family history of breast cancer
  • Genes
  • Menstrual cycle

Breast implants, using antiperspirants, and wearing underwire bras do not raise your risk for breast cancer.

Regular breast exams are important. As the cancer grows, the following symptoms may occur including the advanced stages in bold:

  • Breast lump or lump in the armpit that is hard, has uneven edges, and usually does not hurt.
  • Change in the size, shape or feel of the breast or nipple, i.e., redness, dimpling or puckering that may resemble the skin of an orange.
  • Thick milky fluid coming from the nipple, i.e., bloody, clear to yellow, green
  • Bone pain
  • Breast pain or discomfort
  • Skin ulcers
  • Swelling of one arm (next to the breast with cancer)
  • Weight loss

Men should be aware of the following symptoms: breast lump, breast pain and tenderness.

If you have any of the above symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will perform a physical exam which should include both breasts, armpits and, the neck and chest area. If your diagnosis is positive, more tests will be conducted to see if the cancer has spread. Breast cancer stages range from 0 to IV. The higher the staging number, the more advanced the cancer. Treatment is based on many factors including:

  • Type and Stage of cancer
  • Whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones
  • Whether the cancer overproduces a gene called HER2

In general, cancer treatment may include the following:

  • Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells
  • Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue
  • Surgery to remove cancerous tissue

You may experience side effects or complications from cancer treatment. You may not notice symptoms until 18 to 24 months after treatment. In some cases it may take years to develop.

New and improved treatments are helping those with breast cancer live longer than ever before. However, even with treatment, breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, cancer can return after the entire tumor is removed and nearby lymph nodes are found to be cancer-free.

If living diagnosed with breast cancer, it is recommend to seek support groups and talk about your disease and treatment with others who share common experiences and problems.

Can lifestyle changes prevent breast cancer? Well, the best advice from experts is to eat a well-balanced diet and avoid focusing on one “cancer-fighting” food. The American Cancer Society’s dietary guidelines for cancer prevention recommend:

  • Choose foods and portion sizes that promote a healthy weight
  • Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products
  • Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day
  • Limit processed and red meat in the diet
  • Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day (NOTE: Women who are at a higher risk for breast cancer should not consume alcohol at all).

This year in the United States, there are estimated 226,870 (female) and 2,190 (male) new cases. Deaths account for 39,510 (female) and 410 (male). Ask yourself, have you had your Mammogram this year? Are you performing a monthly self breast exam? Are you supporting a loved one or friend diagnosed with breast cancer?

Let’s “Think Pink”. Pray for a cure. Inspire each other. Narrate to all. Keep the faith. Yes, we can do our part to help cure breast cancer and save lives.

For more information on breast cancer, please visit the The National Cancer Institute’s website at www.cancer.gov

God bless,

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Debra aka Lady D
Independent Rider

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