Breast Surgery for People with Breast Cancer
In this article we will look at the different types of breast surgery that you may be offered if you have breast cancer.
However before any operation takes place the surgeon will talk to you and discuss with you the most appropriate type of surgery for your particular case of breast cancer.
It should also be remembered that no surgery will take place prior to you consenting to it.
Where breast surgery is concerned the type of surgery that will be performed depends on the size of the cancer in your breast, whether it has spread to any other parts of your body and also personal preference.
However, if your cancer has already been diagnosed then your surgeon will talk to you about the type of surgery that you will need. Although there may be times when the surgeon can not make a decision on what type of surgery he carries out as they do not have a definite diagnosis on the type of cancer that you have. Therefore they may need to carry out a small operation to remove some of the lump in order to examine under a microscope before taking the rest out.
The types of breast surgery that you may have are as follows:
1. Mastectomy - Removal of the whole breast.
2. Lumpectomy or Wide Local Excision - Where only the lump is removed from the breast.*
3. Segmentectomy - This where just part of the breast is removed.*
*These second two options are also known as conservative surgery.
In some cases a patient who has had breast surgery for cancer may need to under go radiotherapy afterwards and this is particular true for those who have either a lumpectomy or Segmentectomy surgery. This lowers the risk of that patient having their cancer returning as it will hopefully kill off the rest of cancer cells if any left after the surgery has taken place. Whilst in other cases patients who have had a mastectomy may find that they are having radiotherapy to the lymph nodes above the collar bone to make sure that all cancerous cells have been removed. Normally the surgeon will discuss what kind of treatment you will have with the radiotherapist once the results from the surgery are back. Unfortunately not radiotherapy treatment can be planned until after the operation has been carried out.
There are many reasons as to why a surgeon will recommend a particular kind of breast surgery, but they will try their utmost to follow a patient's wishes. In some cases some women would like to keep their breast at all costs, whilst others may prefer to have a mastectomy (because they feel that once the breast is gone the cancer will be gone also) or it is because the do not wish to have radiotherapy. In fact a great deal of research has been carried out and has proved that there is no difference in the outcome whether a patient has a mastectomy or conservative surgery with radiotherapy instead. In fact it has been found that both forms of treatment work equally well in treating breast cancer.
Posted in Uncategorized | No comments
Does Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives?
As Sidney Poiter said on the Oprah Winfrey show in March 2007, "I was left with the responsibility to effectuate my own survival." As adults, we're all accountable for our own survival. Yet as decent human beings, we need to ensure each other's survival by learning what is not always easily discovered, but necessary to know. This is especially true when one is newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
By raising our awareness, we can literally keep death at bay by spreading knowledge, wisdom and courage. It takes either personal experience, or a special dedication to a vision of a better future for girls and women, in order to make a deep, ongoing commitment to breast cancer awareness.
It is so important to get an early diagnosis. In 2006, the American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 212,920 new cases, and of these, 40,970 women would die. Each year, around 1,600 men will be diagnosed and 400 die.
About 30% of patients are women under 40. Women with a family history or other concerns might need to begin screening tests earlier than the recommended annual exam at age 40. Clinical breast exams need to be done at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year after 40.
Breast cancer is unique in that it is a disease where
there is no known prevention, like there often is with other cancers. We must rely on measures that improve the chances of early detection.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women in the United States, behind lung cancer. The five-year survival rate is 90%. For breast cancer detected early, having not spread to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 98%. Awareness could help save tens of thousands of lives each year by helping women get diagnosed earlier through regular screening.
The death rate dropped significantly from 1989 to 2003, a decline mostly due to the increasing role of mammography in detecting early-stage tumors, as well as improvements in therapy.
New diagnostic methods are coming soon. According to Science Daily, in the future, dentists may be able to administer a simple, non-invasive saliva test for at regular dental checkups. Though not yet approved by the FDA, if this method of diagnosis does receive approval, dentists and physicians could collaborate to diagnose breast cancer earlier.
You raise your own awareness when you:
* Talk with doctors, nurses, advocates, and survivors.
* Read books and articles and visit websites.
* Participate in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month events in October, as well as year-round awareness events such as those sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
* Do monthly self-exams. Though not all lumps are detectable by touch, 70% is found through monthly breast self-exams.
* Have regular mammograms starting at age 40.
You or someone you know may be the one woman in eight who will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Develop your awareness and give yourself and someone else the gift of life!
Posted in Uncategorized | No comments
From A Nurse - Help For Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Men younger than 40 are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer but should be vigilant, never-the-less. The most common cancer in American men, excluding skin cancer, is prostate cancer. You may have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and don't know what to do; the first thing to do is don't panic, generally it's slow-growing - next change your diet to living foods.
If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you're looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help. Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself; most of the patients with this type of cancer can live for years without any problems. The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs can be symptoms of cancer. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Some men will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is another symptom. One prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine.
The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has metastasized (spread). A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine, which may or may not be related.
There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface.
Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Be aware that some men chose natural treatment options and forgo any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Impotence is a potential complication after a prostatectomy or after radiation therapy.
Urinary incontinence can be one of the possible complications of surgery. Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often. The approaches to treatment include: just ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms.
The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate gland is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what's important is choosing the best treatment for you.
Thoroughly discuss all your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary - don't be afraid to ask. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Radiation therapy to the prostate gland is either external or internal, both of which use high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Eat a lot of fruits and veggies every day, not just a token banana or apple. Buy lacinato kale and juice it in your juicer with sweet carrots. If possible eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet.
Concentrating on a diet of predominately fruits and vegetables (preferably uncooked) and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement in your health within 30 days. For natural treatment for the prostate make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals. Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 3-4 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and mix for a minute; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost.
Eat at least one, preferably two organic apples with the skin on every day. Add a small handful of kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie and blend– know one will ever know. Get familiar with juicing and juice every day for an extra phytonutrient boost.
If you haven't been diagnosed but are concerned about symptoms you should call for an appointment to see your doctor; and if you're a man older than 50 who has never been screened for prostate cancer (by rectal exam and/or PSA level determination) or not had a regular annual exam, or have had a family history of prostate cancer, make an appointment soon. Make sure to read everything you can about natural and conventional treatment online and offline. The one thing that you should not do however is rely on information obtained from the Internet to make your final decision; double-check everything.
Do You Know What Your Risks Are of Developing Breast Cancer?
Many women all over the world fear breast cancer. It is a killer! It is one of the leading causes of death for women and even men are not immune.
Not that long ago a diagnosis of breast cancer would have been like receiving a death sentence! That's because it was often fatal. However, things are different today because of the amazing advances in medical science in the area of breast cancer research.
For example, a lot more treatments are available to you today than were available 20 years ago. And many women are survivors of this dreaded disease.
Do you know your personal risk factor for developing breast cancer?
It's obvious that just because you're a woman you are more at risk than a man would be. As you age, your risks increase. But you can't really change that. Your genetic makeup is another risk factor. If breast cancer claimed your mother, that increases your risks as well. If you had another close family member who developed breast cancer that also increases your risk of developing it yourself. The age that you had your first menstrual period also affects your risk factor. If you started menstruating before the age of 12, your risk increases. If you passed through menopause after the age of 50, that also increases your risk.
There is a test available now that you can take to see if you carry a mutated gene related to breast cancer.
If you have menopausal symptoms and you are taking estrogen with progesterone, that will increase your risk of developing breast cancer by a small percent. Taking birth control pills is another factor in slightly increasing your risk of having this disease. Your risks will increase if you drink alcoholic beverages and smoke. Obesity may lead to breast cancer as well. You will increase your risks if you seldom exercise. Those who have never breast fed their babies have an increased risk too.
Surprisingly, even men can suffer from breast cancer. And no one really knows who will be its next victim.
As you have seen in this article, there are some risks that you have control over, while there are other risks over which you have no control.
Here are some risks that you can control. Choose healthy habits like regular exercise and watching your weight. Avoid alcoholic beverages as much as possible and don't smoke.
If your genetic background is a risk factor for you, be sure to have regular mammograms and breast examinations by your doctor. You ought to examine your own breasts every month too.
Now that you know a little more about what your own personal risk factors for breast cancer are, you can choose healthy habits to protect yourself. And don't forget to schedule regular examinations by your doctor and examine your breasts yourself once a month. Be sure to include a yearly mammogram for your protection from breast cancer.
Posted in Uncategorized | No comments
Prostate Cancer Worries That Men Don’t Want To Admit To
If you have prostate cancer, or are concerned about getting it, or if you're looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help. In most men, it grows very slowly: most men will never know they have the condition. The most common cancer in American men, except for skin cancer, is prostate cancer.
Detected in its early stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured. The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. The main job of the prostate gland is to make seminal fluid, the milky substance that transports sperm.
One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate at all. There are several symptoms to be aware of. Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause.
There are other symptoms not mentioned here. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer.
A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. A prostate biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. Your doctor may use either one or two of the most common tests for prostate cancer detection.
There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there's a spread of cancer.
Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often. Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you're going to begin.
Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options.
Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C.
Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation. Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.
In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes.
The outcome of prostate cancer varies greatly; mostly because the disease is found in older men who may have a variety of other complicating diseases or conditions, such as cardiac or respiratory disease, or disabilities that immobilize or greatly decrease their activities. Once diagnosed you may want to join a support group where members share their experiences and problems. Because its a very slow-growing disease, many men with this disease will die from other causes before they die from prostate cancer.
Posted in Uncategorized | No comments