One of the more important aspects of breast cancer research is identifying risk factors. By identifying risk factors, and controlling those which are modifiable, we are able to reduce the risk of breast cancer incidence. Treatments are also being developed to be able to control, if not eliminate, the "uncontrollable" risk factors. Development of new technology for better breast imaging is also being done. With better equipment, tumors can easily be detected, even for those women who have high breast density.
Among the developments in breast cancer research is the discovery of a new gene that can increase breast cancer risk. As we already know, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the two genes that can be linked to breast cancer. These are genes that we inherit from our parents. That is why if one parent has had cancer, the risk of acquiring this defective gene is high, making the risk of breast cancer also high. However, even if one inherits a bad gene, one gene is sufficient to do its task, which is to control cell growth.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Breast cancer research.
The decline in mortality rates among breast cancer patients can be credited to breast cancer research. While advocates would argue that it is early detection and breast cancer awareness that have saved more lives, it cannot be denied also that research also made a contribution in this undertaking. With the millions of dollars spent on research, it is only logical for research to generate more discoveries and developments.
Breast cancer research is usually done by agencies such as the National Cancer Institute and by breast cancer associations. National Cancer Institute has organized a Progress Review Group. This is composed of members from different fields such as scientific, medical, industry and advocacy communities that convene to discuss research issues. They release recommendations for a research agenda, which contain research goals in different fields such as biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, and others.
Breast cancer associations also fund their own research and submit whatever recommendations that they may come up with. What they usually conduct are clinical trials, where effects of new treatments are studied among those diagnosed with breast cancer. Organizations also lobby the passage of laws both in the state and national level for the allocation of more funds for research
Breast cancer research is usually done by agencies such as the National Cancer Institute and by breast cancer associations. National Cancer Institute has organized a Progress Review Group. This is composed of members from different fields such as scientific, medical, industry and advocacy communities that convene to discuss research issues. They release recommendations for a research agenda, which contain research goals in different fields such as biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, and others.
Breast cancer associations also fund their own research and submit whatever recommendations that they may come up with. What they usually conduct are clinical trials, where effects of new treatments are studied among those diagnosed with breast cancer. Organizations also lobby the passage of laws both in the state and national level for the allocation of more funds for research
Common Types.
Breast cancer is one fatal sickness that affects more women every year. That is why there is the need to disseminate information about it. But while most people focus on awareness and advocacy, only a few people know the different types of breast cancers. Knowing the type is important because the treatment plan depends on it.
Before listing the breast cancer types, it is essential to define and be familiar with some terms and breast parts. The breast is composed of the following parts:
- lobules, or the glands that produce milk
- ducts, or the tubes where milk passes from the lobules to the nipple
- fatty connective tissues, and
- blood and lymph vessels.
Carcinoma is a general term to describe a cancer which starts in an organ's lining layer. In this case, the organ is the breast. Most, if not all, forms of breast cancers are carcinomas. Sarcoma, on the other hand, is cancer which starts from structural or connective tissues such as blood vessels, bones, or fat tissues.
The types of breast cancers are grouped as common types and rare types.
Common Types
The common types of breast cancer are further subdivided into two groups: in situ and invasive. "In situ" means that the cancer is contained or has remained within its point of origin and has not spread to the breast tissue around it. "Invasive" or infiltrating breast cancer means that the cancer has spread from the place of origin into the tissues around it, or to other parts of the body like the lymph nodes. There are four most common types:
Ductal carcinoma in situ is an early-stage type of breast cancer where cancer cells remain in the duct lining and have not spread to the surrounding breast tissue. Some experts consider this a "pre-cancerous" condition. As such, it can be treated successfully.
Before listing the breast cancer types, it is essential to define and be familiar with some terms and breast parts. The breast is composed of the following parts:
- lobules, or the glands that produce milk
- ducts, or the tubes where milk passes from the lobules to the nipple
- fatty connective tissues, and
- blood and lymph vessels.
Carcinoma is a general term to describe a cancer which starts in an organ's lining layer. In this case, the organ is the breast. Most, if not all, forms of breast cancers are carcinomas. Sarcoma, on the other hand, is cancer which starts from structural or connective tissues such as blood vessels, bones, or fat tissues.
The types of breast cancers are grouped as common types and rare types.
Common Types
The common types of breast cancer are further subdivided into two groups: in situ and invasive. "In situ" means that the cancer is contained or has remained within its point of origin and has not spread to the breast tissue around it. "Invasive" or infiltrating breast cancer means that the cancer has spread from the place of origin into the tissues around it, or to other parts of the body like the lymph nodes. There are four most common types:
Ductal carcinoma in situ is an early-stage type of breast cancer where cancer cells remain in the duct lining and have not spread to the surrounding breast tissue. Some experts consider this a "pre-cancerous" condition. As such, it can be treated successfully.
Breast cancer statistics.
There are some things we know about breast cancer. One is that it is the most prevalent cause of death for women at present. Another is that there are more breast cancer survivors now than there were several years ago. But exactly how many incidences of diagnosis are there every year? How many of them die and how many of them survive? These and many others make up breast cancer statistics.
The National Cancer Institute is the primary agency to release breast cancer statistics in the United States. The Cancer Statistics Branch publishes the SEER Cancer Statistics Review annually. This report includes incidence, mortality, prevalence, survival and other risk statistics. Incidence, mortality rates and other risk factors are tabulated with respect to age, state, race, tumor size, stage and others. The report showed that in 2004, the number of women diagnosed were 186,772 while the number of men were only 1,815.
While there may be millions who are diagnosed with this illness, it is not the leading cause of death. More women have died because of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and Alzheimer's disease. This shows that there are more breast cancer survivors now than there were years ago.
The National Cancer Institute is the primary agency to release breast cancer statistics in the United States. The Cancer Statistics Branch publishes the SEER Cancer Statistics Review annually. This report includes incidence, mortality, prevalence, survival and other risk statistics. Incidence, mortality rates and other risk factors are tabulated with respect to age, state, race, tumor size, stage and others. The report showed that in 2004, the number of women diagnosed were 186,772 while the number of men were only 1,815.
While there may be millions who are diagnosed with this illness, it is not the leading cause of death. More women have died because of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and Alzheimer's disease. This shows that there are more breast cancer survivors now than there were years ago.
Breast cancer survival rate.
When one talks of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, the secondary question is its survival rate. Survival rates give patients an idea of the extent of their cancer as well as the treatments that are available for them. We often hear of five-year survival rates for each stage of breast cancer. But what exactly is breast cancer survival rate?
Breast cancer survival can be described in the following ways:
- Period of time (5 or 10 years) that a woman lives after diagnosis
- Risk of recurrence
- Risk of death when compared to others with the same illness
The first example is the more popular method. Since the survival rate is commonly categorized according to stages, let us discuss some points on the stages of breast cancer first.
Stages
Stage 0 cancer is the non-invasive type. Cancer cells remain within the walls of the place where they are discovered. For Stage I, tumor is invasive and is about 2 centimeters long. Stage IIA cancer means that tumor is 2-5 centimeters. With Stage IIB cancer, tumor may be less than 2 centimeters but a few axillary lymph nodes are affected. For Stage IIIA cancer, tumor is longer than 5 centimeters or it has reached more lymph nodes. Stage IIIB cancer is characterized by tumor invading the breast skin, regardless of its size. Stage IV cancer is the most advanced form, where cancer cells have moved far from the breast and has infected other organs of the body as well.
Stages are also described as early, later and advanced. Stages 0-IIA are considered early, Stage IIB and III are later stages, and Stage IV is advanced stage.
When diagnosed with breast cancer, take note of the stages, as these will determine the treatment plan.
Breast cancer survival can be described in the following ways:
- Period of time (5 or 10 years) that a woman lives after diagnosis
- Risk of recurrence
- Risk of death when compared to others with the same illness
The first example is the more popular method. Since the survival rate is commonly categorized according to stages, let us discuss some points on the stages of breast cancer first.
Stages
Stage 0 cancer is the non-invasive type. Cancer cells remain within the walls of the place where they are discovered. For Stage I, tumor is invasive and is about 2 centimeters long. Stage IIA cancer means that tumor is 2-5 centimeters. With Stage IIB cancer, tumor may be less than 2 centimeters but a few axillary lymph nodes are affected. For Stage IIIA cancer, tumor is longer than 5 centimeters or it has reached more lymph nodes. Stage IIIB cancer is characterized by tumor invading the breast skin, regardless of its size. Stage IV cancer is the most advanced form, where cancer cells have moved far from the breast and has infected other organs of the body as well.
Stages are also described as early, later and advanced. Stages 0-IIA are considered early, Stage IIB and III are later stages, and Stage IV is advanced stage.
When diagnosed with breast cancer, take note of the stages, as these will determine the treatment plan.
There are many symptoms of breast cancer.
Every year, an estimate of 1 million women worldwide is diagnosed with breast cancer, not to mention the hundreds and thousand of women who died because of it. This makes breast cancer the most common kind of cancer to affect women. But exactly what is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a tumor caused by the uncontrollable growth of cells of the breast. Genes control cell growth. Once genes become abnormal, they can no longer control cell division, thus, cancer cells develop. Gene abnormality may be inherited from a parent, or normal genes can develop an abnormality due to external factors such as toxins and free radicals. These are sometimes called carcinogens.
Tumor can start from the lobules, or the milk-making gland. Or it can begin from the ducts, or the tubes connecting the lobules and nipple, where milk passes through. The most common kinds of breast cancer start from these parts. The less common ones are those formed in the tissues around these parts. Tumor may be confined in the specific part, or it may move or spread to other organs through blood or lymph vessels. If cancer cells have moved to and infected other parts and organs, this is called metastatic breast cancer.
There are many symptoms of breast cancer. Among them are lumps, swelling or dimpling of the skin of the breast, or if the nipple is inverted or facing inwards, or if there are discharges in the nipple. Symptoms can be detected through self-examination, clinical breast exams, and through tests like mammogram and MRI scan. It is advised that women at age 20 should learn how to conduct a monthly personal check. Your doctor can advise you if you need to take these tests.
Breast cancer is a tumor caused by the uncontrollable growth of cells of the breast. Genes control cell growth. Once genes become abnormal, they can no longer control cell division, thus, cancer cells develop. Gene abnormality may be inherited from a parent, or normal genes can develop an abnormality due to external factors such as toxins and free radicals. These are sometimes called carcinogens.
Tumor can start from the lobules, or the milk-making gland. Or it can begin from the ducts, or the tubes connecting the lobules and nipple, where milk passes through. The most common kinds of breast cancer start from these parts. The less common ones are those formed in the tissues around these parts. Tumor may be confined in the specific part, or it may move or spread to other organs through blood or lymph vessels. If cancer cells have moved to and infected other parts and organs, this is called metastatic breast cancer.
There are many symptoms of breast cancer. Among them are lumps, swelling or dimpling of the skin of the breast, or if the nipple is inverted or facing inwards, or if there are discharges in the nipple. Symptoms can be detected through self-examination, clinical breast exams, and through tests like mammogram and MRI scan. It is advised that women at age 20 should learn how to conduct a monthly personal check. Your doctor can advise you if you need to take these tests.
2 Alternative Breast Cancer Treatments That Reduce the Side-Effects of Chemotherapy Drugs!
Chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs to slow or to kill cancerous cells. It is a very dangerous treatment that has a lot of side-effects. The main problem with chemotherapy, is that the drugs not only kill the cancerous cells, but also healthy cells. This causes a lot of damage and very often a person dies not because of the cancer itself, but because of the damage the treatments have caused. The good thing is that there are several alternative breast cancer treatments, that can increase the kill effect of these drugs and cause less damage.
Alternative treatments and natural remedies are not considered to be of any real help, in the fight against cancer by most doctors and "experts." But it is not realistic to think, that there are no natural remedies, that have no positive effects what so ever. The problem is that big pharmaceutical companies simple are not interested in these treatments and remedies, because they can`t make money of them. But any way lets get to the point.
Alternative breast cancer treatments - Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT)IPT is very effective because it increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. In insulin potentiation therapy a tiny amount of insulin is given to the person, this in turn induces a state of low blood sugar. When the person starts to have symptoms, that are common with low blood sugar, like lightheadedness and weakness, then low doses of traditional chemotherapy are given to the person. The cancer cells believe they are going to get food, when the insulin is given, but instead they get destroyed by chemotherapy. This means less amount of drugs are needed and the less damage these drugs can make.
There are many other potentiations that increase the kill effect of chemotherapy drugs. A potentiation, by the way, is an agent that increases the effectiveness of another agent. Besides insulin hyperthermia, oxygen therapies and dimethyl sulfoxide can also increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. Vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10, beta carotene, genistein, diadzein, green tea, vitamin A and many others can also increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. So IPT is a very real alternative breast cancer treatment.
Alternative breast cancer treatments - MGN-3A strong immune system is a very important factor and cancer patients do not have a very strong immune system. Especially their Natural Kill (NK) cells are not very active. The NK cells are the main cells that fight against cancer and other diseases. Dr. Ghoneum, who is an expert in cancer immune therapy, uses biological response modifiers (BRM) to activate the NK cells, that destroy cancer cells. MGN-3 is the most effective and non-toxic BRM.
How do these natural kill cells destroy cancer cells? Well, when a NK cell encounters a cancer cell, then it connects to the cancer cell`s membrane and injects cytoplasmic granules that quickly dissolve the cancer cell. A single Natural Kill cell can destroy up to 27 cancer cells. The best time to use MGN-3 is during or right after radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. Because then there are less cancer cells and therefore more effective the MGN-3. Yet again, this is a very effective alternative breast cancer treatment.
Alternative treatments and natural remedies are not considered to be of any real help, in the fight against cancer by most doctors and "experts." But it is not realistic to think, that there are no natural remedies, that have no positive effects what so ever. The problem is that big pharmaceutical companies simple are not interested in these treatments and remedies, because they can`t make money of them. But any way lets get to the point.
Alternative breast cancer treatments - Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT)IPT is very effective because it increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. In insulin potentiation therapy a tiny amount of insulin is given to the person, this in turn induces a state of low blood sugar. When the person starts to have symptoms, that are common with low blood sugar, like lightheadedness and weakness, then low doses of traditional chemotherapy are given to the person. The cancer cells believe they are going to get food, when the insulin is given, but instead they get destroyed by chemotherapy. This means less amount of drugs are needed and the less damage these drugs can make.
There are many other potentiations that increase the kill effect of chemotherapy drugs. A potentiation, by the way, is an agent that increases the effectiveness of another agent. Besides insulin hyperthermia, oxygen therapies and dimethyl sulfoxide can also increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. Vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10, beta carotene, genistein, diadzein, green tea, vitamin A and many others can also increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. So IPT is a very real alternative breast cancer treatment.
Alternative breast cancer treatments - MGN-3A strong immune system is a very important factor and cancer patients do not have a very strong immune system. Especially their Natural Kill (NK) cells are not very active. The NK cells are the main cells that fight against cancer and other diseases. Dr. Ghoneum, who is an expert in cancer immune therapy, uses biological response modifiers (BRM) to activate the NK cells, that destroy cancer cells. MGN-3 is the most effective and non-toxic BRM.
How do these natural kill cells destroy cancer cells? Well, when a NK cell encounters a cancer cell, then it connects to the cancer cell`s membrane and injects cytoplasmic granules that quickly dissolve the cancer cell. A single Natural Kill cell can destroy up to 27 cancer cells. The best time to use MGN-3 is during or right after radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. Because then there are less cancer cells and therefore more effective the MGN-3. Yet again, this is a very effective alternative breast cancer treatment.
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