Breast cancer is one of the most common life-threatening diseases among women. The risk of acquiring breast cancer increases with age. It is hard to detect the early symptoms of breast cancer, which is why it is important for women to have regular mammogram screenings as well as learn how to properly perform breast self-exams. Here are some other facts you need to know about breast cancer.

. Breast Cancer In Men - although more common among women, men can get breast cancer too. Cases among males tend to be even more fatal because the symptoms are usually ignored. Breast cancer in men makes up only 1% of all breast cancer cases right now, but this risk is a growing one. If you know of a male family member or friend who suspects that he has breast cancer, advise them to check with their doctor as soon as possible.

. Do injuries to the breast cause cancer? Injuries may cause blood to build up under the affected skin area, which might end up feeling like a lump. But these usually heal over time and are not known to cause breast cancer.

. Can I still have mammograms after having breast implants? - Yes. There is nothing wrong with having mammograms even if you have breast implants. In fact, it is recommended that you still continue with your regular check - ups. You should however, notify your doctor or your medical technician first that you have breast implants. This will allow them to use special techniques suited to your condition.

. Is pain in the breast always a sure sign that I might have breast cancer? - No. Several other things may cause pain in the breast. The pain might be related to your monthly period, or birth control pills if you've been taking any. Hormone replacement therapy and even weight gain could cause your breasts to feel an aching sensation. Or perhaps it could be something as simple as wearing the wrong bra size. Take note on how long or how frequently you experience the pain. Try to find out what causes the pain or what makes it go away. If you still feel that something is not right, check with your doctor.

. What about lumps? - Not all lumps are cancerous. Most of these growths are benign and can be taken out with surgery. But it is very important for you to immediately see your physician if you discover any odd growths on your breasts.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women and some of the most important risk factors of breast cancer (such as having a family history of the disease) are out of your control. There is something you can do about it though -- and that is to keep yourself educated and to be sensitive to the changes in your body as you get older. Breast cancer is something that you can fight. Keep yourself informed on breast cancer prevention and follow the guidelines. These are very simple measures that just might save your life.

We believed that things in life were predestined and we would accept the fate of our life when some tragic incidents happened upon us. But once we were able to reconcile with our love and pain, therefore we would able to create wisdom to face any predicament with less anxiety and depression. The solution is simple - 5-Steps to Breast cancer free!

Achieving the goals are simply are simply if you put your faith on this 5-Steps to Breast cancer free.

1. Start a healthy diet - start your meals by including cancer-fighting vegetables such as broccoli, salads, coleslaws & flax seeds. This doesn't imply that you should be a Vegan and you could still able to eat poultry or red meats moderately. With all due respect, avoid eating fast foods - especially fried & barbecued foods. Drink water frequently as it is able to cleanse toxins away from our body. Green tea is also a suitable and pleasant drink as well.

2. Start a healthy lifestyle - Workout in gym or in our house is a must in keeping your body fit and healthy. If you do not like strenuous exercises, you could practice Qigong or Taichi. Statistics have proven that these two type of Chinese meditations increase the probability of curing breast cancer. Having adequate sleep is necessary for health and survival. A fresh and sharp mind are needed to shape positive attitude towards good health.

3. Socialize more - having leisure with family and friends is essential of improving interpersonal relationship. You will feel better when you console problems with your closest family or friends. Control yourself from bad influences such as smoking and excessive alcohols.

4. Learn to communicate with your personal Dr. or psychiatrist - Educate yourself with medical terms and information in order to understand your ailment. Don't be shy to ask questions during consultation with your doctor. If you have severe depression and anxiety, seek treatment from psychiatrist. For your information, being healthy comprises healthy body, mind and soul.

5. Write & Blog - Start a habit of writing journals today. Writing is a best way to express your thoughts and emotions. By writing journals, you will review past incidents easier in order to set further achievable goals. There are a lot of blog hostings available via internet. Blogging is a good way to write journals as it is the best communication tool of sharing your updates to the whole world. It is also reflects the importance of life that we should live our life to the fullest.

Keep track with this basic steps that will lead you a better tomorrow! Bear you mind about this basic steps that will change your destiny - Knowing that you can change your perception will allow you a sense of empowerment, which increases your sense of responsibility for your perception.

This is my second "go round" with cancer and chemoptherapy, this time I'm much more educated in helping myself deal with side effects and would like to pass my remedies on to others.

Chemotherapy affects the stomach in a very devastating manner from the top to the bottom and though the prescribed Katrill was a life saver, it doesn't do it "all". Here are a few home remedies your oncologist will not tell you about...he's busy with the chemical aspect of treating the disease and not much into home remedies....I am!

1. Ginger
Ginger has long been known as an anti-nausea agent....I used fresh ginger, sliced it up thinly and put it in the freezer. I would put a few slices from the freezer into a cup of hot water and sip it as tea. I was surprised to read that they have a clinical trial going on using ginger in capsule form to treat nausea in chemo patients...worked for me!

2. Aloe
Aloe is another soothing agent to the stomach and intestinal tract and aloe water is tasteless and can be found in any supermarket in the produce department. It's inexpensive and helpful...I personally know a man that cured himself of bleeding ulcers with aloe juice, his doctor was amazed.

3. White food
Now for eating....I read many years ago that eating "white food" was a good idea as most white food doesn't have a strong smell or strong taste....I can't say that it worked for me but it could work for you. I'm a believer in organic food and foods made from scratch....we have enough chemicals racing around our body, we don't need more. You might want to check out the "Budwig Diet" on the internet.

4. Baldness
Your oncologist will tell you if you will lose your hair....for me it was somewhat of a blessing, not having to shave my legs, no blow drying etc. Cut your hair very short and once it starts falling out, shave it! The American Cancer Society will give you wigs free of cost....I prefer my baldness as I live in Florida and I also have a nicely shaped head. My eyebrow are very sparse and rather than pencil them in, I use eye shadow that I apply with a brush....it's more natural looking.

5. Attitude
Should you experience depression...fight it, talk to yourself, convince yourself that depression will not help you and imagine yourself healthy again....and smile as you talk to yourself...I don't know why, but it works.

6. Acupuncture
I went to an acupuncturist during my first experience with cancer....it helped so much with the horrendous headaches and the nausea. I don't know why I didn't do it through this battle.

7. Water
Drinking water is of the utmost importance and I'm sure your doctor will tell you that, but he doesn't tell you to drink mineralized water which will put your body in an alkaline state...for more info on this subject you can e-mail me at donnaparra595@bellsouth.net

8. Exercise
DO NOT let yourself become a couch potato....even if you must force yourself to walk around the block, it will be helpful. Somedays you must force yourself to put one foot in front of the other....but do it. Exercise helps your body, but it also helps your mind. You will feel good about yourself and proud.

9. Grooming
Keeping yourself well-groomed can be an effort on some days, but it's a must! I found on the days I HAD to go out and groom myself with make-up etc....something magical happened and I'd feel better....the effort was great but well worth it......I try and do that everyday now. I mean beyond taking a shower and brushing my teeth.

10. Power of Prayer
I think one of the most important remedies is prayer....it has such power and has gotten me through some really rough times. I don't know how it works, IT WORKS.

Oops! Forgot something.....dealing with constipation. I hate the thickness of prune juice and read on the internet to combat that... put dried prunes in a cup, pour boiling water over them... drink the liquid while warm and then eat the prunes. One woman told me her nurse told her to add a bit of butter to it... I chose to pass on that one but the woman found it quite effective. Flaxseed is also quite effective and you can add them to your cereal or mix them in a salad or just eat a teaspoonful... of course, taking laxatives work but they are not a good idea unless it's an emergency as your body will come dependent of them.

Good luck to all you "warriors" and I hope that I've helped you in your battle... it's a tough battle but it can be won... keep positive... it's the attitude that will get you through this... fight on and beat it!

Yarrow's high azulen content (which gives it its powerful anti-inflammatory action) is even higher than German Chamomile! Azulen also gives Yarrow anti-infectious properties for treating infections.

Yarrow's astringent and regulating properties make it helpful for balancing oily skin, hair and scalp condtions.

Yarrow is useful for hair and skin care and stimulates "new" hair growth. Add to your favorite shampoo for promoting a healthy scalp and to strengthen the hair shaft. Effective treatment for split ends!

Properties in Yarrow make it useful for calming inflamed skin.

Blend Blue Yarrow with Basil to treat acne, or alone to relieve skin rashes and an assortment of skin irritations, including eczema, psoriasis and seborrhea.

REMEMBER TO DILUTE: Always dilute pure essential oils for skin application. The general guideline for an adult is 15 drops of pure essential oil in an ounce of the carrier of your choice like pure jojoba oil, or pure fresh water if using as an aromatic mist!

All the blue oils (Yarrow, Blue Tansy and Chamomile) help to relieve burns associated with radiation treatment for cancer.

RADIATION BURN TREATMENT Aromatic Mist: Fill a 2 oz atomizer colored glass bottle with pure, fresh water. Add 2-8 drops each of pure essential oil of Yarrow, Blue Tansy and German (True) Chamomile. Allow this mixture to synergize for a minimum of 2-3 hours. Shake and spray a very light mist across the radiation burn area. Allow the skin to dry thoroughly before covering. Repeat misting burn areas 3-4 times each day, or as needed for pain relief and to speed healing of skin cell tissue!

Experiment with using a minimal amount of pure essential oil to begin with, slowly adding more oil until you reach the exact dilution amount that's right for you!

OPTIONAL: Add 2-7 drops of pure Helichrysum oil to your atomizer misting bottle to enhance the basic radiation burn treatment formula.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

Is anyone in your family suffering from breast cancer? Are you worried that you might suffer the disease yourself? Do you know the factors that put you at greater risk of developing breast cancer?

Early detection and treatment are the best ways to combat breast cancer. Here are several factors that put a person at greater risk. These factors are divided into two groups; those which you cannot control and those which you can control. You should be diligent about self-examination and mammography if you have several of the factors found in the first group and your doctor can help you take some preventive medications. On the other hand, if you have several factors that are found in the second group, you can take specific steps to eliminate the risk.

The breast cancer risk factors that you cannot control include:

1. Advancing age. The risk of developing cancer increases with age. According to studies, your breast cancer risk is 1 in 19,608 if you are at the age of 25. However, by age 40 it becomes 1 in 217. Once you reach the age of 65, your risk of developing cancer increases dramatically and it can be 1 in 17.
2. Family history. You have a higher risk of suffering breast cancer if you have one or more family members who have developed breast or ovarian cancer themselves. The more members of your immediate family suffering from breast cancer, the greater your risk of developing the disease. If this is the situation, be keen on doing monthly self examination.

3. Women who had their first menstruation before the age of 13 are at higher risk. Equally exposed to higher risk of breast cancer are women who reached menopause after the age of 51.

4. Reproductive history. A Woman who gave birth to her first child after the age of 30 has a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have few or no children at all are also at greater risk of contracting the disease.

The breast cancer risk factors that you can control include:

1. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Your risk of developing breast cancer is slightly raised with HRT although cessation of the treatment will restore your level of risk prior to treatment.

2. Person's weight. Overweight individuals have higher risks of breast cancer than normal weight individuals. The risk usually increases especially for women after menopause. Restoring back to a normal weight by eating healthy foods and engaging in worthwhile healthy activities and exercise routine will usually lower the risk.

3. Alcohol consumption. Higher alcohol consumption increases a person's risk of developing breast cancer. Studies show that a person who drinks alcoholic beverages three or more times a day doubles her risk of breast cancer. By limiting alcohol consumption, a person will also lower her risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a spiteful disease. It is therefore beneficial to know your level of risk so that you will be able to make the necessary steps to lower it. In cases where the risk cannot be controlled, proper preventive measures should be done with the help of your doctor to live a healthier and breast cancer free life.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. In the US, about 180,000 women develop it each year. The disease can also occur in men, although cancer of the male breast accounts for less than 1 in 100 cases. The risk of it increases with age, doubling every 10 years.

The disease is most commonly diagnosed in women over age 50. Very few women under age 30 develop it. Despite the rise in incidence, there has been a small drop in the number of deaths in the recent years and only about one-fifth of cases prove fatal. This reduction is due to improvements in treatment and the increased use of mammography for screening, which means that tumors can be detected early, when they often respond well to treatment.

Screening may reduce the number of deaths in women over age 50 by up to 4 in 10. In the US, many doctors recommend that women over age 40 have a mammogram every 1-2 years and every year over age 50. A cancerous tumor may first develop in the breast lobules (the structures in the breast that produce milk). A tumor that originates in the milk ducts may lead to Paget's disease of the breast. Tumors may spread to other organs, such as the lungs or the liver, before being detected.

It is a cancer that originates in the breast tissue of women and men. It can spread to the lymph nodes under the arm before diagnosis. With advanced disease, metastasis can be seen in many body organs, including bone, brain, lung, liver and skin.

Causes:

The underlying cause of most is unclear. However, some risk factors have been identified, many of which suggest that the female hormone estrogen is an important factor in the development and progress of the disease. It is known that women who have their first menstrual period before age 11, or who have a late menopause, seem to be at increased risk of developing this cancer, probably because they are exposed to high levels of estrogen for longer. The number of menstrual cycles before a first pregnancy is also significant. And a woman who has her first child before age 20 has chances. Breast feeding is thought to have an additional protective effect.

Risk factors for developing it include

. Early onset of menses or late menopause
. First pregnancy after age 30
. Family history of the disease
. Radiation exposure

Possible risk factors include

. High fat diet
. Excessive alcohol intake
. Estrogen replacement therapy
. Oral contraceptive use

Symptoms:

It is usually manifest as a painless lump anywhere in the breast or under the arm. Occasionally, its symptoms can be more subtle, such as:

. An inverted nipple
. Bloody discharge from the nipple
. Changes in the skin overlying the breast making it resemble the skin of an orange.

Diagnosis:

Any Breast pain or lumps felt on physical examination by a woman or her physician and any lumps found on mammography (Radiography) should be considered for biopsy. Lumps seen on mammography, but not palpable on examination can be located by ultrasound or mammogram for biopsy. If a diagnosis of it is established, staging tests include:

. Liver function tests
. Alkaline phosphates test to check for bone disease
. Chest X-ray (Radiography)
. Bone Scan (Nuclear Medicine)

Complications:

Complications of it are related to areas of metastasis:

. Metastasis to bone can cause pain, bone fractures or elevated calcium levels in the blood.
. Metastasis to the brain or spinal cord can cause seizures, headaches, weakness, numbness or confusion.
. Metastasis to the lungs can cause breathing difficulty, chest pain or swelling of the face and neck.

Treatment: Self Treatment:

. A well balanced diet should be maintained. Once a diagnosis of it is made all estrogen medication should be stopped, including birth control pills.

Medical Treatment:

Many women will require additional drug therapy after surgery to prevent it from returning. Either tamoxifen (a hormonal pill) or chemotherapy (intravenous medication) may be recommended, depending on the type of tumor. More advanced case is also treated with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.

Surgical Treatment:

Two alternative initial treatments for it are:

. Lumpectomy with lymph node dissection followed by radiation therapy to the breast.
. Mastectomy (mastectomy, partial or mastectomy, modified radical)

Prevention:

Early detection of it by regular beast self-examination and regular mammography (Radiography) screening is important. A low - fat diet and moderate alcohol intake may be important. Some researchers theorize that exercise for preadolescent girls may be helpful as it delays the age of onset of menstruation.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is caused by the abnormal or uncontrollable growth of breast cells. It has the potential to also spread to other parts of the body. While cancer is almost always caused by an abnormal gene the chances of inheriting it from your mother or father is only 5 to 10 percent. The genetic abnormalities that occur as a result of the ageing process and other factors however cause 90 percent of the breast cancers.

. Who is affected by breast cancer?

Women are the most affected by the commonest cancer that is breast cancer. 216,000 new cases of invasive cancer and 59,000 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in the USA in 2004.

Every woman at some point in her life is at risk from breast cancer. Each woman will have different risk factors.

. The period in your life when you gain weight also affects the risk of breast cancer.

After menopause, a woman who is overweight is at greater risk from breast cancer when compared to a woman of average weight. Being overweight also increases the risk of the disease coming back in women who have had it earlier.

Studies also show that the risk factor is greater for women who gain a significant amount of weight as an adult when compared with women who maintained more or less the same weight. Studies also show that gaining weight after menopause also increases the risk of breast cancer. Therefore maintaining a healthy weight as you advance in age will help minimize your risk of breast cancer.

. Having ovarian cysts means your chances of getting breast cancer are low.

Benign ovarian cysts, generally a result of hormonal imbalance, cause several problems such as irregular menstrual cycles and infertility and were originally thought to be linked with a higher risk of breast cancer. Research has shown however that the opposite is true, that is, women with ovarian cysts are less likely to get breast cancer. The reason for this association is still not clear.

. Taking the contraceptive pill may increase your risk of getting breast cancer.

According to research, it is shown that taking the contraceptive pill slightly increases your risk of getting breast cancer. For women who are most at risk from developing breast cancer, that is, women who have given birth and who have used the pill for a period of 4 years before they became pregnant for the first time, the absolute risk is minimal.

There are certain benefits too from taking contraceptive pills. They are that it improves bone mineral density, it decreases the chances of an individual getting endometrial and ovarian cancer and it relieves menstrual disorders, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease.

. A history of family breast cancer means your chances of getting ovarian cancer are high.

Research has shown that not only is an individual at high risk if she has a family history of breast cancer, but it also increases the risk of ovarian cancer. The risk is relatively low though.

Every woman runs the risk of getting breast cancer and as she gets older, the chances are greater. The chances of a woman getting breast cancer is 14 percent or one in every eight women, when you consider a lifetime of a woman, assuming she lives up to the age of about 90 years. If you consider that in your lifetime of 90 years, the chances are 14 percent that you will get the disease. The good news is that 86 percent you will not get the disease.

How does genetics affect your chances of getting breast cancer?

Most of the inherited cases of breast cancer have been linked with the two genes Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and Breast Cancer gene 2 (BRCA2). These two genes play a role in keeping the breast cells growing normally and preventing any cancerous cell growth. However, abnormal BRCA 1 and BRCA2 gene increase an individual's risk from breast cancer. These genes usually account for almost up to 10 percent of all breast cancers.

Whilst a majority of women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease, the women who are diagnosed with the disease and also have an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene often are women with a family history of the disease.

These abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can either be acquired or inherited. Acquired is non hereditary and the gene becomes abnormal as a result of an error in how the gene reproduces, wear and tear, exposure to toxic material, hormonal influence, diet, environmental factors or sometimes even unknown factors. Inherited from parent, that is one normal gene from one parent and one abnormal gene from the other parent. They are born with this abnormal gene. 85 percent to 90 percent of breast cancers are as a result of acquired genetic abnormalities.

The chances that an individual will have an abnormal breast cancer gene are:

. If a single individual in the family suffers from both ovarian and breast cancer.

. If on either the individual's mother's or father's side sisters, aunts, mother or grandmothers have had breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 50.

. A male in the individual's family has had breast cancer.

. The women in the individual's family have had cancer in both their breasts.

. If the individual is from Eastern Europe.

If an individual's mother or father has an abnormal breast cancer gene, the chances of the gene passing onto that individual is 50 percent. The chances of the individual passing it onto their children is 25 percent, provided the father does not have an abnormal gene. It does not necessarily mean that all family members will have an abnormal gene if one family member has it.

Men and breast cancer

Men are at an increased risk from breast cancer if they inherit the abnormal breast cancer genes. Over a man's lifetime, the risk is about 6 percent, which is about 80 times more than for a man with no abnormal breast cancer genes.

Research has also shown that men who have an abnormal breast cancer gene are more likely to get prostate cancer than men who do not have it. This abnormal gene also has the same increased effect on cancer of the digestive tract or on cancer of the skin.