A person suffering from breast cancer is more often thrown into distress, self pity and depression. Nobody wants to wake up one day with the realization that she is suffering from breast cancer.

Here are some preventive measures we need to follow in order to limit our risk of developing breast cancer.

Diet is an import factor in reducing a person’s risk of breast cancer. We should be choosy about the food we eat especially fats. Studies show that there are certain types of fats that seem to raise the level of estrogen thus increasing the risk of breast cancer. Monounsaturated fats may seem to reduce the risk while polyunsaturated fats may increase the risk according to a Swedish study. Olive oil, canola oil and omega 3 fatty acids that are mostly found in sardines, salmon and herring are rich in monounsaturated fats. Try to use oils from these sources. As much as possible stay away from trans fats that are usually found in margarine, baked goods and some snack foods. Get into the habit of reading labels and know what goes into the pack of goodies that you eat. Corn oil, sunflower and safflower oils are rich in polyunsaturated fats, be sure to limit your usage of these types of oils.

Take in a lot of fibers. These bind with excess estrogen and carry estrogen through the intestinal tract for elimination. Beans, whole-grain breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables are some of the good sources of fiber. Have enough in your diet.

There are vegetables that are known to fight against cancer by boosting the cancer-fighting enzymes in our body. These include cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.

Estrogen is believed to contribute to breast cancer. Take in soy foods that contain isoflavones. Isoflavones are weak estrogen-like compounds. These compounds are believed to block the action of estrogen. Good sources of soy are tofu, soybeans and soy milk.

Try to avoid additives. When you buy your meat, poultry and dairy food, choose those which are hormone free and organic products. Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly to get rid of any pesticide residue. Remove peels if possible.

Exercise is also a good way to prevent breast cancer. Less active women are exposed to higher risk of cancer than active women. Studies show that women who exercise at least four hours a week have 37 percent lower risk of acquiring breast cancer. Estrogen production may also be lowered through exercise by reducing fat and burning calories. Breast cancer can be detected early through mammogram. It is said that breast cancer can be detected two to five years earlier by undergoing mammogram before any lump is felt. It is suggested that women ages 50 and above should undergo mammogram and clinical breast exam annually. For those who have a family history of breast cancer, it is suggested that you start regular mammograms at the age of 40. It is also a good practice to do monthly self-breast examination 7 to 10 days after the beginning of your menstruation. For post menopausal women, do your self-breast exam the same day every month. It is estimated that around 15,000 lives will be saved from breast cancer each year in the United States alone if only every woman will examine her breast periodically and will have mammograms during the recommended periods.

Take vitamin E supplements. One study shows that people with family history of breast cancer can actually lower their risk of developing the disease up to 80 percent if they have at least 10 or more IU per day of vitamin E in their diet.

Finally, a healthy lifestyle will considerably help prevent breast cancer. Avoid too much alcohol intake. Too much alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. You should have no more than two or three drinks a week.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to breast-cancer.treatment-and-guides.com/ Breast Cancer

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Tags: breast cancer, cancer prevention

Many men are diagnosed with prostate cancer when they are in their retirement years. Some of them are not employed and do not have to worry about work issues while going through prostate cancer treatment. These days, many men continue to work well into their 70’s just to cover the rising expenses of healthcare, medicines and insurance, since social security does not come close to covering normal monthly expenses.

If you are working and dealing with prostate cancer, you will want to talk with your employer about your condition. Be honest about various issues that might be effecting your work in the coming months. A little time spent now will help smooth the way if you must be off work for any prolonged periods of time. Be sure to think through a plan of action before approaching your employer about your prostate cancer. Your boss will want to know what your plans are concerning various work related issues.

Do you want a leave of absence? Will you be working through your prostate cancer treatments? Thinking through these things in advance will cause a lot less stress for both you and your employer. Be sure to discuss these issues with your family as they are directly involved too. Your employer and family will have a better understanding of what to expect during treatment. The fewer surprises, the better for everybody.

Maybe you are just going to reduce your working hours. Some jobs allow reduced or part-time hours in consideration of individual circumstances. You cannot be sure as to the effects prostate cancer treatment will have on your body. Some people can work through treatment with little problem; others become too ill and can’t work at all. You must evaluate your own situation as time goes by.

Your co-workers with whom you have a closer relationship, will want to know what is going on, so you might consider telling them about your condition and the up-coming events. You might be surprised at how supportive and helpful they can be!

Getting through your prostate cancer treatment might take less time than you think and you will be back to work quickly. You must also understand that good health is worth whatever you need to do to achieve it. Don’t rush back to work too soon, give yourself time to heal and regain your strength.

Interested in what the most common onlineprostatehealthguide.com/Prostate-Cancer-Symptoms.html prostate cancer symptoms are for men between the ages of 45 and 80?

Try visiting onlineprostatehealthguide.com onlineprostatehealthguide.com an informative website that provides prostate cancer advice, tips and resources to include information on understanding the onlineprostatehealthguide.com/article-30-prostate-cancer-stages.html prostate cancer stages that occur in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

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Tags: cancer treatment, prostate cancer

Clinical trials are the mechanism for improving survival and quality of life for individuals faced with a cancer diagnosis. Without trials, we would not know that mastectomy for breast cancer is equivalent to lumpectomy and axillary node dissection. We would not have the evidence that most patients with Hodgkin’s disease, aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and advanced testicular cancer can be cured with chemotherapy. In order to achieve these milestones in cancer treatment success, cancer clinical trials are designed in a step-wise fashion.

Phase I Trials: The first step in testing a new approach in humans. Data from previous animal and laboratory studies are used to evaluate drug dose, administration schedule, drug metabolism, and side effects. Patients are divided into small groups called “cohorts.” Each cohort is treated with increasing doses of the agent or combination until the maximal tolerated dose is reached. The highest (or most effective) dose associated with acceptable side effects is chosen for future studies. Generally, phase I trials are conducted on patients with a variety of malignancies who have advanced disease.

Phase II Trials: Determining the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment are the primary endpoints of phase II trials. A new drug, combination, or technique is studied on a small and relatively homogeneous group of patients (e.g., 40 - 100 patients with a specific cancer). The type of cancer chosen for a phase II treatment is based on results of laboratory studies and Phase I trials. The primary purpose of most phase II cancer trials is to determine the percentage of patients that show a measurable response to treatment. Additional information on side effects and safety are also collected.

Phase III Trials: These large-scale trials compare a new treatment or combination that has shown promise in Phase II trials to the current standard therapy. Patients are randomly assigned to the standard approach or the new treatment. Phase III trials are critical for advancing the quality of cancer treatment and may establish a new standard of care. Hundreds to thousands of participants may be needed for a well designed Phase III trial.

Experimental or Investigational (NCI definition): An investigational study or clinical trial refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects. A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition, but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions. Different insurers may have different definitions for these terms.

Medicare and Clinical Trials: Medicare reimburses for routine cancer care as well as care that is part of a clinical trial. Covered services include routine diagnostic tests, procedures, physician visits, administration costs of any investigational drugs, and treatment/hospitalization if needed for management of side effects. Items that are not reimbursed include any charge for an investigational drug, services or items provided free by a trial sponsor, or any coinsurance or deductible payments. Since most insurance companies follow Medicare guidelines, the same provisions for covering clinical trial costs should be adopted by private health insurers.

By providing coverage of treatment on a nationally sanctioned clinical trial, public and private insurers are allowing their subscribers access to the best quality, state of the art therapies. Clinical trials help to identify better and safer anti-cancer drugs. Advances in treatment occur as a direct result of clinical trials. These advances lead to new standards of care and improved quality of life for those battling cancer. New and more effective therapies will translate to a reduction in recurrence rates and to the suffering endured by victims of cancer and their families. Moreover, successful clinical trials will contribute to a decrease in health care dollars spent to fight the number two killer in the United States. Reducing the burden of cancer requires a dedicated health care system that supports research as the only path toward improving outcomes and saving lives.

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Tags: breast cancer, cancer treatment, chemotherapy, lymphoma, mastectomy

An article in a well known German magazine, Der Spiegel (4 October 2004) featured an article with this title: The Useless Poisonous Cures. It says: “Increasingly sophisticated and expensive cellular poisons are being given to seriously ill patients … patients do not actually live a day longer.” At first impression I thought the article was rather rash on the so called “noble” effort of the Vested Interest to find a cure for cancer. My perception has since changed after much reading – I begin to question if the effort is really noble or something else – a deception done in the name of science?

It is well known that breast cancer is a common, much feared disease among women worldwide. In the US alone, it is said that each year 180,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 44,000 will die of it. This works out to be almost 25% death due to breast cancer after diagnosis. Why must 25% of them die? What happen to all the research that are being done and the hype that a cure is around the corner?

In Malaysia and also elsewhere, women with breast cancer undergoes a standard recipe of treatments — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal oral drug. I was shocked to be told by a bank executive that the oncologist offered her a $50,000 state-of-the-art-package-deal to cure her breast cancer after finding a lump in her breast. This offer was made even before a surgery was done.

The chemotherapy regimes commonly used for breast cancer are anthracycline-based. Perhaps breast cancer patients are more familiar with these names: AC (Andriamycin cyclophosphamide), CAF (cyclophosphamide Adriamycin 5-FU), CEF (cyclophosphamide epirubicin 5-FU). Patients receiving such regimen are told that this is the state-of-the-art treatment. It is scientifically proven. The effectiveness of such a treatment has undergone peer review and is published in peer-reviewed journal. The treatment can prevent further spread of the cancer and patients can be cured.

Naïve patients accept their doctors’ words with good faith. In countries where medical treatments are not paid by the government, patients have to find their own money to pay for the medical expenses. Some patients have to sell their house, land or jewellery to finance their hunt for a cure.

It is most shocking to learn that at a closed session of a select group of people during the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting held in Chicago (2007), Dr. Dennis Slamon, chief of Oncology at the University of California at Los Angeles, revealed that his research had indicated that anthracycline chemo-drugs such as Andriamycin, provide no benefit whatever to about 92% of breast cancer patients. Dr. Slamon’s research has shown that the most widely used chemo-drug may not benefit most women. To find no benefit is one thing but pay for and receive a drug that causes severe toxicities is another thing. These anthracyclines are notoriously dangerous because they are known to cause damage to the heart or may even cause secondary cancer like leukemia.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) – a grass roots advocacy group in the US released this statement (May 2007) in its website: “NBCC urges the oncology community to reassess the use of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.”

The Coalition urged that it “may very well be the time to do away with anthracycline drugs”. Such drugs only benefit a very small percentage — only 8% — of breast patients whose breast cancer co-amplify the Her2 and TopoII genes. This point is worth repeating: only patients tested positive for Her2 and TopoII benefit from anthracycline-base chemotherapy.

Is the medical community willing to change its ways of treating breast cancer in the light of this research evidence? The NBCC said: “while the medical oncology community is quick to embrace additional treatments, it is extremely cautions toward change in the other direction even when the evidence warrants it. Meanwhile, women with breast cancer are subject to complex regimens of toxic and expensive treatments that they simply may not need.”

Comment

The jury is out. The choice is clear. Women have a choice. Make that choice wisely. Learn for yourself if the chemotherapy that is offered to you is going to benefit you or it is just an expensive, useless and dangerous poisonous cure that you do not need.

For more information about complementary cancer therapy visit: cacare.com cacare.com , NaturalHealingForYou.com NaturalHealingForYou.com , BookOnCancer.com BookOnCancer.com

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Tags: breast cancer, cancer patient, chemotherapy, healing, leukemia