Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer

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What is Breast Cancer?

• Breast cancer is where cancerous (malignant)
  cells are found in the breast tissue.

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Types Of Breast Cancer

• Types of Breast Cancer
• Ductal Cancer (effects the ducts and also is the
  most common type)
• Lobular Cancer (which begins in the lobes of the
  breast and often is found in both breasts)
• Inflammatory Cancer (its where the breast appears
  swollen and hot its also very uncommon.)

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Monthly Self Exams

• Its important to remember that monthly self exams
  are also a good tool for early detection.

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Mammograms

• Getting a mammogram is an effective way to detect
  breast cancer in its early stages.
• It is recommended by the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
  that all women over 40 get a yearly mammogram.
• Its also recommended that women over 20 should
  get a mammogram every 2-5 years depending on your
  risk.

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Thermograph

• Thermograph is one of the newest ways to detect
  breast cancer.
• Thermograph is a thermal image of the breast
  tissue.
• It can also detect cancer before the traditional
  mammogram can.

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Stages of Breast Cancer

• Stage 0
• The first stage is stage 0. This stage is
  sometimes referred to as a non-evasive circoma
• In this stage there are abnormal cells present
  that might suggest that one is at higher risk for
  cancer.
• Some women chose to have a double mastectomy to
  avoid the potential of cancer, while others take
  tomoxifen.
• Either way it is important to have regular check
  ups with your doctor.

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Stages of Breast Cancer

• Stage I
• This stage is where the tumor is less than 1 cm
  across, and has not spread into the surrounding
  areas.
• Stage II
• Stage II is when the cancer is anywhere from 1-2
  cm across, and has spread into the surrounding
  areas including the lymph nodes (which must also
  be removed to prevent the further spread of the
  cancer)
• Stage III
• This is the stage for cancer in the advanced
  stages. Its more than 2 cm across and has spread
  to the lymph nodes.
• A type of cancer most associated with this is
  called inflammatory breast cancer, because the
  breast is inflamed because the cancer is blocking
  the lymph nodes.

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Stages of Breast Cancer

• Stage IV
• The last stage of cancer is stage IV.
• In stage IV, the cancer has spread past the
  breast and the lymph nodes and needs immediate
  treatment of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to
  keep it under control.
• Then there is remission. If you are in remission
  you have an extremely high risk of reoccurrence
  with in the first 5 years after the last know
  cancer is killed.

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Treatments

• One of the most widely used treatments is
  radiation therapy.
• Radiation therapy is targeted directly to the
  specific area and the side effects are limited to
  the area being treated.
• Radiation works by killing all the cells in the
  effected area.
• There are two types of radiation, one is
  administered externally and one internally.
• External radiation is delivered over a 5-7 weeks
  and 5 times a week. It is delivered by an liner
  acceptor. And is the most common of the two.
• Internal radiation is where radioactive material
  is delivered directly into the site where the
  tumor was.
• This is usually done at the end of traditional
  radiation to give it an extra boost at the end
  of treatment.

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Radiation top 10

• Radiation kills the cancer cells left after
  surgery.
• Radiation therapy doesn't make you radio active.
• Radiation is painless when its delivered, but it
  will become more painful over time.
• Treatments will be given up to 5-7 weeks, 5 days
  a week.
• Treatments only take ½ hour so you can keep your
  routine.
• Your hair wont fall out unless you are also
  taking chemotherapy.
• Your skin in the area may become red and easily
  irritated.
• You may feel tired even after its over.
• Radiation after surgery reduces the chances of
  the cancer reoccurring.

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Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy effects the whole body even if the
  cancer has not spread.
• Chemotherapy is often administered prior to
  surgery to reduce the size of the tumor to leave
  clear margins.
• Chemotherapy also reduces your leukocytes (white
  blood cells that is also our immune system),
  making you more susceptible to every day bugs.
• The side effects include nausea and, losing all
  your hair.
• Its administered through and IV or its also
  available in pill, and liquid form.
• As always its your choice and should not be taken
  lightly.

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Herceptin

• Herceptin introduces the cancer to your immune
  system, taking a more proactive approach to the
  cancer by attacking the cancer like any other
  foreign invader in your body.
• Herceptin is only effective in certain types of
  cancer.
• Herceptin side effects include, fever, chills,
  muscle aches, and nausea.
• In rare cases (5) heart trauma occurs which can
  lead to strokes, and even congestive heart
  failure.

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Tamoxifen

• Tamoxifen has been used widely over the past 20
  years as an effective tool to help eliminate the
  cancer.
• Many cancers love the estrogen, which is already
  in our body.
• Tamoxifen, also known as an anti-estrogen, works
  by blocking the estrogen receptors in the cancer
  preventing it from getting the estrogen it feeds
  on shrinking or eliminating the cancer
  completely.
• It has also been given to high risk patients to
  reduce the likelihood that they will get cancer.
• Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting,
  blurred vision and even swelling in your lips.

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Alternative medicine

• There are also several alternative medicines that
  can help to reduce or eliminate breast cancer.
• Vitamin A, Betacarotine, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
  all increase the effect of chemotherapy.
• CO-Q10 reduces the toxicity of chemotherapy
• Vitamin D, and Cholecalciferol helps inhibits
  growth in cancer cells
• Melitonin (which is a natural chemical produced
  in our brain) blocks the estrogen receptors to
  the cancer

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Alternative medicine

• Also Astragalus acts as an anti-viral and
  enhances the natural killer cells
• Cur cumin turmeric (is an anti tumor) increases
  you leukocyte production
  
  
• And Caud Arco is a mild herb that acts as an
  anti tumor
• Therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and stress
  relieving techniques are also used.
• Treat the whole person not just
  the illness

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Alternative medicines

• Perhaps the most amazing of them all is the 5
  mushrooms also known as the
• 5 precious mushrooms
• Coroxlus versicolor also known as cloud fungus
• Ganoderma lucidum also known as reishi
• Grifolia frondosus also known as maitke
• Lentinus edodes also known as shiitake
• Poria cocos also known as poria
• These are classified as anti tumors, anti cancer,
  and anti growth naturalistic medicines.

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Alternative medicines

• There is also currently a Chinese herbal remedy
  on the market, called canelim capsules
• They contain radix curcume, herba agrimonia, and
  fructus aurantil
• It works by inhancing the immune system
• It reduces the tumor
• Quickly releases the side effects of radiotherapy
  and chemotherapy
• It can prolong a patients life and enhanse their
  quality of life
• Enhances blood circulation to reduce pain
• Helps to strengthen the body

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Bone marrow transplant

• Getting a bone marrow transplant is one of the
  newest options for cancer.
• It is used when you receive high doses of
  radiation and chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy
  kills all the cells both good, and bad it
  replaces what was destroyed by the treatments.
• Bone marrow is donated from another person and
  then frozen and placed in the cancer patients
  body by injection.
• A word of caution though this is still in the
  preliminary stages of trials testing for breast
  cancer.

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Nutrition

• Perhaps one of the best ways to help prevent
  cancer is an easy one but often overlooked.
• Diets high in meat, fast foods, refined
  carbohydrates, simple sugars, low in fruit and
  veggies are at high risk of developing cancer.
• Diets need to be well balanced in that you need
  to eat your 5 servings of fruits and veggies a
  day. Dont forget the whole grain foods as well.

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Nutrition

• Alcohol is associated with increasing the chances
  of many types of cancer, including breast cancer.
• An average alcohol intake of three drinks per
  day is associated with doubling the risk of
  breast cancer
• One should also avoid smoking because it
  increases the risk also.
• Fiber is also an interregnal part of our daily
  diets. Many foods that contain fiber also
  contain many other vitamins that are considered
  potential cancer fighting agents.
• Fruits and veggies also contain anti carcinogens,
  carotenoids, antioxidants, and free radicals that
  help protect our DNA.

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Exercise

• Another aspect is to maintain a healthy body
  weight.
• That means to get off the couch an do something,
  walk the dog, ride a bike or just exercise in you
  own home.
• If you stay away from fatty foods, (i.e. fast
  foods) and eat a well balanced diet. Then you
  will greatly reduce your chances of getting
  cancer.
• Dont forget to take care of your self!!