Wednesday, October 28, 2009

where can i find a Breast Cancer Charities that will help us

where can i find a Breast Cancer Charities that will help us?
my mother is diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer and already undergone operation last december 2009 the doctor said she will have a 2 or 3 months to live but thank God shes still alive until now but shes now bed ridden and fighting the cancer within her. her only medicine is pain killers because we cant afford the oral chemo the doctor prescribed us thats why im hoping theres charities who will help us. if you know a charity please help us.
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I would definatly start with the american cancer society. If they can't help you then they may be able to refer you to someone who can. Sometimes, if people qualify, the drug company will supply the medication at little or no cost, but that would be something that would be initiated within your mom's doctor's office. So, 1 call ACS, then call her doctor's office :) Hope this helps. Good luck!
2 :
I would do as Jess says and if that fails try contacting the pharmaceutical company direct. I knew a woman who did that and had luck with it. Good luck, I hope you get what she needs.
3 :
This is what really makes me angry. Why do they make us pay so damn much money for medication desperately needed. It's so wrong. Like the first person said, try the American Cancer Society. I belong to the Susan G. Koman foundation or organization for breast cancer awareness. Now, I'm not sure if they can help you, but go on to their site and see if they can. Ask your mom's Dr who can help you. Doesn't she have insurance? They should help pay for this medication. My insurance paid and I only had a co-pay. I didn't take any chemo pill like Tamoxifen, I refused. I still have that old prescription on my fridge but if your mom needs it, it should be available to her. Can you ask family members to help you buy this drug? I feel awful that she can't or you can't pay for this. Ask your town. Ask anywhere, start with the town hall, There is help out there. A lot of people don't realize how much help is out there, you have to do some leg work. I wish your mom the best. Blessings ADD I just received a letter in the mail from the Breast Cancer Society. I thought of you as soon as I read it. this woman named Rhonda was a member. Here is a quote from her that was on her picture. TBCS has been there with me, offering their assistance every step of the way from the Christmas check to literally holding my hand in the hospital before and after surgery.. Taking my mother and children to and from the airport, getting me groceries and so much more..." I think this could be an answer for you. As I read on, I could see how people really like them. I never heard of this society before. I guess there's always a reason unexpected things happen. It also says in the pamphlet that the breast Cancer Society is providing direct help to individuals and families. This help gives hope and hope is essential in winning the battle and becoming a survivor." I might add that the woman Rhonda lost her battle but they continued helping her family until they got back on their feet. They are located in Ohio. Here is the address; Breast Cancer Society PMB 283-Gift Processing. MA 3971 Hoover RD. Grove City, OH 43123-2839 The National Headquarters are in Meza, AZ. I can't find the web site for them but I'm sure if you just use the information I gave you, you will find it. Hope this helps you a lot



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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Would a small "Pink Ribbon" breast cancer tattoo on my wrist affect getting a job in an elementary school

Would a small "Pink Ribbon" breast cancer tattoo on my wrist affect getting a job in an elementary school?
I'm young and in college to be an elementary school teacher. I lost two family members and almost a third to breast cancer in the past few years so in their memory, I wanted to get a small 1/4 of an inch pink ribbon on my right wrist. Because it would be so small and it is a well known symbol, would it affect my future career possibilities?
Tattoos - 10 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
any tatoo could have reprecusions i guess. but being on ur wrist u could cover it up for school with a watch so not to draw attention to it. alternitivly why not get it in a place where it wont be on show the whole time ?
2 :
Well I don't know where you come from but where I come from (Scotland) you would be hard pressed to find a tattoo artist that would give you a tattoo on your hands mainly because they do not want to be responsible for people getting discriminated against. For example my brother in law has loads of tattoos but none on his hands because he said it seriously decreases your chances of getting employed. However, since your tattoo is for a good cause it would be wrong of your employers to discriminate against you.
3 :
Every tattoo will in some way, depending on the matter of personal opinions around you. A small tattoo should be fine. I know many teachers who have them. Also, on your wrist is an only partly revealed area, some people wont even notice. This tattoo seems important to you, so go ahead and get it. People will understand, and as the symbol is well known and important, some people will even find it beautifully touching. Good luck!
4 :
Probably not, cause I know a teacher who got a Steeler Logo Tatoo on the back on her neck, Get it after you get the job
5 :
I would say that if I were you and took teaching serious I would'nt do it. I'm a truck driver and I have them on my hand, arm, chest, ect. and nobody gives a crap. But people have different expectations of a teach. If ,however, u just have 2, I would put it on an upper shoulder where it would only be seen if i wore a strapless dress, bikini top or something. I kind of agree with the first ans. you recieved but the ultimate decision to do it will be up to u! I don't care what anyone tells u it (tattoo) cheapens you. For instance, if you were a pro model, i'm sure there would be go sees that would'nt be able to use you because of it -You ever see any tattoos on Tyra Banks girls on Am next top model?
6 :
sorry to hear about your lost. it could affect your future career but you can easily cover it up with a bracelet or a watch dont worry ull be fine :)
7 :
That depends on the school. With pink being such a light color, consider someplace that gets less sun exposure.
8 :
Many teachers these days have tattoos. Obviously you have to be cautious as to what you get, but a small, significant tattoo of something important that most people know its meaning isn't going to be looked down upon. For example, my friend fully intends to be a teacher and has "love is all you need" on her wrist. It's bigger, but she volunteers at childrens organizations, and has met many professionals and they look at her value as a person over her tattoo because she is so friendly. However, I would suggest you get it on your left hand because you shake hands with your right hand, and there's less of a chance for an employer to notice. If it were me, as others suggest, I would wear a bracelet for interview day. Good luck!
9 :
Something that small would more than likely not even be seen by anyone. I say go for it!
10 :
Any visibal tattoo could. I would call diffrent schools and ask them. Big bracelets and wrist bands can be used to cover them while your at work, so can band aids and sleves. If you do it make sure you can cover it easly just in case and with a little luck hopfully you will be able to find a school that will alow you to show it



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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Im 18 and am scared that i have breast cancer after finding 2 lumps!! Can i have kids if it is cancer

Im 18 and am scared that i have breast cancer after finding 2 lumps!! Can i have kids if it is cancer?
My mum got breast cancer at 35, her sister then got it at 39. I have found 2 lumps which are in exact same place as my aunties and am scared this could be cancer. Have been to GP who has referred me to Breast clinic. I'm scared im never going to be able to be a mother! Can anyone help or let me know what they think? Thanks
Cancer - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Yes cancer atk and age doesn't matter
2 :
yes... but if you have cancer try to resolve that issue first. You cant get chemotherapy if you are pregnant.
3 :
having breast cancer, and surviving it, does not mean that you cannot become a mother. i know many people that have had babies after surviving cancer. perhaps you might not be able to breastfeed- you would have to check with your doctor on that one- but you will still be able to get pregnant. lets hope and pray that they only find cysts, and you will be ok-ok? God bless.
4 :
Don't get yourself too worked up...wait to see what the Dr.s and tests have to say. Even if the lumps are cancerous, you could still very well have children someday! Again - please calm down and take it one step at a time. Write a list of all your questions and worries, take it to your Dr. when you see her/him next and pose those questions to them. They are the experts for a reason. I wish you the best of luck!!
5 :
the thing with hving kids while you have cancer is the damage that the chemo can do to a fetus while inside your body. I think it was christina applegate who was diagnosed with breast cancer and is delaying chemo treatment (even though it may kill her) so she can protect her fetus from the chemo. Also, many many women have natural hard spots inside their breasts, its simply a mass of the tissue tht a bit harder than the fatty outer breast. Ease your fears and get a mammogram, the sooner its detected the better chance you have of coming out of it healthy. also keep in mind that mothers do not have to be biologically related to the children that they raise. if you really want to be a mother there are plenty of kids who need families out there.
6 :
I found a lump at age 17 and was scared, too. It was not cancer and I lived with the lump for several years before I decided to have it removed for my own piece of mind. The MOST important thing is to get to the doc and get an early diagnosis. It is easier to treat something small, than to wait to long and allow it grow. I have known people that have gone through the entire treatment process and had children after that. It is definitely possible! It is very natural to be scared and concerned and to have a zillion questions. Take it one step and one decision at a time. Only God knows our future. All we can do is take the best possible care of ourselves as we can. I pray for your health and a good result to your upcoming testing. Hugs and best wishes!!!
7 :
Do not panic , there are so many break throughs in the research of cancer and treatments less that 15% of woman who have breast cancer need chemotherapy. You should also research fibroid tumors. that is what I had when I was diagnosed incorrectly best wishes and GOD BLESS



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Friday, October 16, 2009

Can a woman of 20yrs old get breast cancer

Can a woman of 20yrs old get breast cancer?
i have been having a pain in my breast for about 2 weeks, and when i took my shower last night i was doing an exam and found a small hard area, my mother is going to look at it tonight and im calling the doctor tomorrow, am i too young to get cancer, or could it just be a cyst? my grandmother had breast cancer and eventually died from it, and two other great aunts also had breast cancer but survived it. please help im freaked out!
Women's Health - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It can be just a cyst because you are so young. Probably it will be it. But it is possible to get cancer. This sickness has a huge evolution we are eating really bad.
2 :
cancer does not discriminate by age anyone can get cancer,go to the Dr. and have it checked out.Good Luck hope all turns out well for you
3 :
More likely getting breast cancer. Your doctor will tell you if you have a cancer or not. You are pretty young getting cancer. Most women do get cancer around 40 and up. Never know what will happen. Hope, everything is okay with you. I'll pray for you. Wishing you good luck..
4 :
It could be cancer, but it's very unlikely as it usually affects women over 50. www.breastcancer.org has a lot of good info. But I'm sure you'll be fine coz you're young so try not to worry too much! I have a history of cancer in my family too but I try not to think about it and live healthily.
5 :
do get it checked out. it could unfortunately be cancer (i had a friend who got breast cancer at 26), or it could easily be a cyst or a benign lump. the only way to find out (and set your mind at ease!) is to get checked out by a doctor. please book a mammogram today! these days most women who have breast cancer and detect it early on have a really good chance of surviving and living long, cancer-free lives.
6 :
Cancer is not biased about age. You would be helping yourself if you would go to a doctor.
7 :
yes hun you can get it. If i where you i would go to the doctors. good luck and hang in there. there has been other 20yrs that have had cancer. I think they where on the news or a talk show. But it dose not matter by age. Just try to hang in there, try not to freak to much, just go to the doctors and talk to them about it. best of luck hun. please let me know what the out come of it is please. i will be thinking about you, your in my prays.
8 :
I only read your headline, but yeah young women can get breast cancer. See a doctor.
9 :
Hi: Age really has little bearing on breast cancer. It appears there is a family history,This would indicate a younger than normal mammogram. Make an appointment with your primary care giver, which should result in a re-feral, they may want a biopsy,and the sample will go to pathology. I know this won't help, but try not to worry too much at this point, as it could be as simple as a plugged duct, or cyst.With the history be examined often, and increase the self exams. The best of luck John



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Monday, October 12, 2009

Where in the breast can lumps be found for breast cancer

Where in the breast can lumps be found for breast cancer?
my lower nipple is very sensitive, and there seems to be a small lump, and im really really nervous, also, what is the youngest age breast cancer is found?
Women's Health - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I think it could happen any where in the breast.
2 :
'Lumps' can form anywhere in the breast. Anywhere else in the body actually. Breast cancer can appear at any age, but it's not common in the below 30 crowd. Go see a doctor as soon as you can, but don't let yourself stress out over it. Good luck hun.
3 :
Lumps can be found anywhere. Do you mean the bottom of your nipple? All nipples and dark area surrounding them have bumps. If you get cold the bumps become more pronounced. Cancer lumps are usually found in the tissue of the breast. Mine wasn't close enough to the surface to see, I do breast exams once a month to feel for lumps. I found mine in time. I am cancer free for 20 years this coming November. Cancer has no age limit or beginning. Talk to your mom, tell her your concerns and see your family Doctor. Early detection is the key for life.
4 :
Anywhere in the breast. How do I check for lumps? Start by standing in front of a mirror. Look at your breasts with your arms at your side, with your arms raised behind your head, and with your arms on your hips and your chest muscles flexed. Next, lie down with a pillow under your left shoulder. Put your left hand behind your head and feel your left breast with the pads of the 3 middle fingers on your right hand. Start at the outer edge and work around your breast in small circles, getting closer to your nipple with each circle. After you've finished checking your breast, squeeze your nipple gently and look for discharge (fluid coming out of the nipple). Do the same thing to your right breast with a pillow under your right shoulder. Be sure to include the area up to your collarbone and out to your armpit. You have lymph nodes in this area. Cancer can spread to lymph node tissue. Here's a link about finding a lump in your breast: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/features/advances-in-diagnosing-breast-cancer



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Thursday, October 8, 2009

What are some good breast cancer quotes

What are some good breast cancer quotes?
I am making shirts, and really need some good quotes on breast cancer. It's be really helpful
Quotations - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
''Think before feed'' ''Outside > inside'' ''*picture of a cancer on both breasts*'' - i mean a picture
2 :
Save Second Base!
3 :
“Stress is a large problem, especially in the westernized world, and this study may help us understand some of the mechanisms behind breast cancer and how stress actually affects breast-cancer risk, ... Further, some women may partly blame their own stressful lifestyle when diagnosed with breast cancer. Hopefully, this and other studies may counteract such reactions.” - Rod Nielsen “Approximately one in seven American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and more than 2 million Americans are living with breast cancer today. I am joining the more than 200,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.” - Sheryl Crow “Breast cancer prevention is a cause that is near and dear to my heart and I am thrilled that our company has been at the forefront of the pink movement, ... In addition to raising money, I am hopeful that this line of products will continue to bring comfort to those who are currently battling breast cancer or those who have fought the battle and won. The longer these products are available in the market, the greater is our ability to make a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients and their families.” - Karen Neuburger “Think about breast cancer. It can take seven years for breast cells to go from pre-cancerous to cancer, to a cancer that's palpable. So these results may simply be too early.” - Dr. Carolyn Runowicz “I think colorectal cancer is underestimated in women because of the heightened awareness of lung and breast cancers. Women are more educated on breast cancer awareness and the need for regular gynecological exams. This is most likely secondary to the lack of education women receive on colorectal cancer.” - Dr. Chad Potteiger “Since estrogen is known to be involved in the development and progression of human breast cancer, any components of the environment that have estrogenic activity and which can enter the human breast could theoretically influence a woman's risk of breast cancer.” - Dr Philippa Darbre “Breast cancer is the disease that, for a long time, women feared the most. In this country, we're so focused on physical looks. We tie the issue of femininity to physical appearance, and people think primarily of breast cancer that threatens your breasts -- though those who have it realize, more significantly, that it threatens your life.” - Fran Visco “Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death, in terms of cancer, among women. The money from Making Strides goes completely to research and programs designated for breast cancer.” - Scott Thompson “Smoking appears to confer a modest elevation in breast cancer risk, ... Certainly this relationship is not as strong as the relationship between smoking and lung cancer or smoking and heart disease, but breast cancer may be another disease to add to the long list of diseases associated with smoking.” - Fred Hutchinson



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Sunday, October 4, 2009

How can I prevent breast cancer

How can I prevent breast cancer?
Seems that many people are getiting breast cancer. What can I do to prevent it?
Women's Health - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Don't smoke, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. That's about the best you can do. Some studies show that if you have been on the pill for several years, or have kids later in life, it decreases the chance of getting breast cancer.
2 :
Proper diet is ruputed to help prevent but I'm dubious. The best is regular mammograms to catch any cancer early. Early detection makes for a happy outcome.
3 :
The breast is a collection of glands and fatty tissue that lies between the skin and the chest wall. The glands inside the breast produce milk after a woman has a baby. Each gland is also called a lobule, and many lobules make up a lobe. There are 15 to 20 lobes in each breast. The milk gets to the nipple from the glands by way of tubes called ducts. The glands and ducts get bigger when a breast is filled with milk, but the tissue that is most responsible for the size and shape the breast is the fatty tissue. There are also blood vessels and lymph vessels in the breast. Lymph is a clear liquid waste product that gets drained out of the breast into lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, pea-sized pieces of tissue that filter and clean the lymph. Most lymph nodes that drain the breast are under the arm in what is called the axilla. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they cannot spread or threaten someone's life. These are called benign tumors. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Theoretically, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or the glands. Because it may take months to years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it. Am I at risk for breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in North America and Europe. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. Close to 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any particular woman getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8 although the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower at 1 in 28. Risk factors for breast cancer can be divided into those that you cannot change and those that you can change. Some factors that increase your risk of breast cancer that you cannot alter include being a woman, getting older, having a family history (having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer doubles your risk), having a previous history of breast cancer, having had radiation therapy to the chest region, being Caucasian, getting your periods young (before 12 years old), having your menopause late (after 50 years old), never having children or having them when you are older than 30, and having a genetic mutation that increases your risk. Genetic mutations for breast cancer have become a hot topic of research lately. Between 3% to 10% of breast cancers may be related to changes in either the gene BRCA1 or the gene BRCA2. Women can inherit these mutations from their parents and it may be worth testing for either mutation if a woman has a particularly strong family history of breast cancer (meaning multiple relatives affected, especially if they are under 50 years old when they get the disease). If a woman is found to carry either mutation, she has a 50% chance of getting breast cancer before she is 70. Family members may elect to get tested to see if they carry the mutation as well. If a woman does have the mutation, she can get more rigorous screening or even undergo preventive (prophylactic) mastectomies to decrease her chances of contracting cancer. The decision to get tested is a highly personal one that should be discussed with a doctor who is trained in counseling patients about genetic testing. For more information on genetic testing, see Let the Patient Beware: Implications of Genetic Breast-Cancer Testing, Psychological Issues in Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer, and To Test or Not to Test? Genetic Counseling Is the Key. Certain factors which increase a woman's risk of breast cancer can be altered including taking hormone replacement therapy (long term use of estrogens with progesterone for menopause symptoms slightly increases your risk), taking birth control pills (a very slight increased risk that disappears in women who have stopped them for over 10 years), not breastfeeding, drinking 2 to 5 alcoholic drinks a day, being overweight (especially after menopause), and not exercising. All of these modifiable risk factors are not nearly as important as gender, age, and family history, but they are things that a woman can control that may reduce her chances of developing a breast malignancy. Remember that all risk factors are based on probabilities, and even someone without any risk factors can still get breast cancer. Proper screening and early detection are our best weapons in reducing the mortality associated with this disease. For further information about breast cancer risk factors, see Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool,and Risk Factors and Breast Cancer. How can I prevent breast cancer? The most important risk factors for the development of breast cancer cannot be controlled by the individual. There are some risk factors that are associated with an increased risk, but there is not a clear cause and effect relationship. In no way can strong recommendations be made like the cause and effect relationship seen with tobacco and lung cancer. There are a few risk factors that may be modified by a woman that potentially could influence the development of breast cancer. If possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, have children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain through exercise and proper diet, and limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day or less. For women already at a high risk, their risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by about 50% by taking a drug called Tamoxifen for five years. Tamoxifen has some common side effects (like hot flashes and vaginal discharge), which are not serious and some uncommon side effects (like blood clots, pulmonary embolus, stroke, and uterine cancer) which are life threatening. Tamoxifen isn't widely used for prevention, but may be useful in some cases. There are limited data suggesting that vitamin A may protect against breast cancer but further research is needed before it can be recommended for prevention. Other things being investigated include phytoestrogens (naturally occurring estrogens that are in high numbers in soy), vitamin E, vitamin C, and other drugs. Further testing of these substances is also needed before they can be recommended for breast cancer prevention. Right now, the most important thing any woman can do to decrease her risk of dying from breast cancer is to have regular mammogram screening, learn how to perform breast self exams, and have a regular physical examination by their physician. For more information on breast cancer prevention, see NCI/PDQ Physician Statement: Prevention of breast cancer. What screening tests are available? The earlier that a breast cancer is found, the more likely it is that treatment can be curable. For this reason, we screen for breast cancer using mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams. Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast. The breast is placed between two plates for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. If something appears abnormal, or better views are needed, magnified views or specially angled films are taken during the mammogram. Mammograms often detect tumors before they can be felt and they can also identify tiny specks of calcium that could be an early sign of cancer. Regular screening mammograms can decrease the mortality of breast cancer by 30%. The majority of breast cancers are associated with abnormal mammographic findings. Woman should get a yearly mammogram starting at age 40 (although some groups recommend starting at 50), and women with a genetic mutation that increases their risk or a strong family history may want to begin even earlier. Between the ages of 20 and 39, every woman should have a clinical breast exam every 3 years; and after age 40 every woman should have a clinical breast exam done each year. A clinical breast exam is an exam done by a health professional to feel for lumps and look for changes in the size or shape of your breasts. During the clinical breast exam, you can learn how to do a breast self-exam. Every woman should do a self breast exam once a month, about a week after her period ends. If you find any changes in your breasts, you need to contact your doctor. About 15% of tumors are felt but cannot be seen by regular mammographic screening. There are some experimental screening modalities that are currently being studied. These include MRI, ductal lavage, ultrasound, optical tomography, PET scan, and digital mammograms. For more information on these experimental techniques, see Advanced Breast Imaging, Penn Leads International Study on Breast Cancer Detection, and Komen Foundation Focuses Attention on the Need for Improved Breast Imaging and Early Detection Technologies: OncoLink Talks with President and CEO Susan Braun and Director of Grants Anice Thigpen, PhD What are the signs of breast cancer? Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. As a tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of symptoms including: lump or thickening in the breast or underarm change in size or shape of the breast nipple discharge or nipple turning inward redness or scaling of the skin or nipple ridges or pitting of the breast skin If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor. How is breast cancer diagnosed and staged? Once a patient has symptoms suggestive of a breast cancer or an abnormal screening mammogram, they will usually be referred for a diagnostic mammogram. A diagnostic mammogram is another set of x-rays; however, it is more complete with close ups on the suspicious areas. Sometimes, particularly if your doctors think that you may have a cyst or you are young and have dense breasts, you may be referred for an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to outline the suspicious areas of the breast. It is painless and can often distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. Depending on the results of the mammograms and/or ultrasounds, your doctors may recommend that you get a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if you have cancer, because it allows your doctors to get cells that can be examined under a microscope. There are different types of biopsies; they differ on how much tissue is removed. Some biopsies use a very fine needle, while others use thicker needles or even require a small surgical procedure to remove more tissue. Your team of doctors will decide which type of biopsy you need depending on your particular breast mass. Once the tissue is removed, a doctor known as a pathologist will review the specimen. The pathologist can tell if it is cancer or not; and if it is cancerous, then the pathologist will characterize it by what type of tissue it arose from, how abnormal it looks (known as the grade), whether or not it is invading surrounding tissues, and if the entire lump was excised, the pathologist can tell if there are any cancer cells left at the borders (also known as the margins). The pathologist will also test the cancer cells for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors as well as a receptor known as HER-2/neu. The presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors is important because cancers that have those receptors can be treated with hormonal therapies. HER-2/neu expression may also help predict outcome. There are also some therapies directed specifically at tumors dependent on the presence of HER-2/nue. In order to guide treatment and offer some insight into prognosis, breast cancer is staged into five different groups. This staging is done in a limited fashion before surgery taking into account the size of the tumor on mammogram and any evidence of spread to other organs that is picked up with other imaging modalities; and it is done definitively after a surgical procedure that removes lymph nodes and allows a pathologist to examine them for signs of cancer. The staging system is somewhat complex, but here is a simplified version of it: Stage 0 (called carcinoma in situ) Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) refers to abnormal cells lining a gland in the breast. This is a risk factor for the future development of cancer, but this is not felt to represent a cancer itself. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells lining a duct. Women with DCIS have an increased risk of getting invasive breast cancer in that breast. Treatment options are similar to patients with Stage I breast cancers. Stage I: early stage breast cancer where the tumor is less that 2 cm across and hasn't spread beyond the breast Stage II : early stage breast cancer where the tumor is either less than 2 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm (with or without spread to the lymph nodes under the arm); or the tumor is greater than 5 cm and hasn't spread outside the breast Stage III: locally advanced breast cancer where the tumor is greater than 5 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the cancer is extensive in the underarm lymph nodes; or the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone or to other tissues near the breast Stage IV: metastatic breast cancer where the cancer has spread outside the breast to other organs in the body Depending on the stage of your cancer, your doctor may want additional tests to see if you have metastatic disease. If you have a stage III cancer, you will probably get a chest x-ray, CT scan and bone scan to look for metastases. Each patient is an individual and your doctors will decide what is necessary to adequately stage your cancer. What are the treatments for breast cancer? Surgery Almost all women with breast cancer will have some type of surgery in the course of their treatment. The purpose of surgery is to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and there are many different ways that the surgery can be carried out. Some women will be candidates for what is called breast conservation therapy (BCT). In BCT, surgeons perform a lumpectomy which means they remove the tumor with a little bit of breast tissue around it but do not remove the entire breast. BCT always needs to be combined with radiation therapy to make it an option for treating breast cancer. At the time of the surgery, the surgeon may also dissect the lymph nodes under the arm so the pathologist can review them for signs of cancer. Some patients will have a sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure first to determine if a formal lymph node dissection is required. Sometimes, the surgeon will remove a larger part (but not the whole breast), and this is called a segmental or partial mastectomy. This needs to be combined with radiation therapy as well. In early stage cancers (like stage I and II), BCT is as effective as removal of the entire breast via mastectomy. Most patients with DCIS that have a lumpectomy are treated with radiation therapy to prevent the local recurrence of DCIS (although some of these DCIS patients may be candidates for close observation after surgery). The advantage of BCT is that the patient will not need a reconstruction or prosthesis to appear like she did before the procedure. More advanced breast cancers are usually treated with a modified radical mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy means removing the entire breast and dissecting the lymph nodes under the arm. Patients with DCIS that have a mastectomy do not need to have the lymph nodes removed from under the arm. Some patients are candidates for BCT but choose modified radical mastectomy for personal reasons. Your surgeon can discuss your options and the pros and cons of either procedure. Most women who have modified radical mastectomies choose to undergo a reconstruction. There are many different procedures for creating a new breast mound, and you should talk to your plastic surgeon before your surgery to discuss your options and decide on how you would like to proceed. For more information on breast reconstruction, see Breast Reconstructive Surgery Options. Chemotherapy Despite the fact that the tumors are removed by surgery, there is always a risk of recurrence because there may be microscopic cancer cells that have spread to distant sites in the body. In order to decrease a patient's risk of recurrence, many breast cancer patients are offered chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs that go throughout the entire body. The higher the stage of cancer you have, the more important it is that you receive chemotherapy; however, even stage I patients may benefit from chemotherapy in certain cases. In early stage patients, the risk of recurrence may be small, and thus the benefits of the chemotherapy are even smaller. However, the option to receive chemotherapy should be offered to most patients with breast cancer and they can decide if the potential benefits of chemotherapy outweigh its side effects in their own particular case. There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are usually given in combinations for 3 to 6 months after you receive your surgery. Depending on the type of chemotherapy regimen you receive, you may get medication every 3 or 4 weeks; and you may have to go to a clinic to get the chemotherapy because many of the drugs have to be given through a vein. Two of the most common regimens are AC (doxorubicin and cycolphosphamide) for 3 months or CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil) for 6 months. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the different regimens that your medical oncologist will discuss with you. Based on your own health, your personal values and wishes, and side effects you may wish to avoid, you can work with your doctors to come up with the best regimen for your lifestyle. Sometimes patients have a recurrence of their cancer, or present in stage IV with disease outside of their breast. These patients will all need chemotherapy, and a variety of different agents may be tried until a response is achieved. Sometimes we give chemotherapy before surgery, and this is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This is usually reserved for very advanced cancers that need to be shrunken before they can be operated on. Radiotherapy Breast cancer commonly receives radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays (similar to x-rays) to kill cancer cells. It comes from an external source, and it requires patients to come in 5 days a week for up to 6 weeks to a radiation therapy treatment center. The treatment takes just a few minutes, and it is painless. Radiation therapy is used in all patients who receive breast conservation therapy (BCT). It is also recommended for patients after a mastectomy who had large tumors, lymph node involvement, or close/positive margins after the surgery. Radiation is important in reducing the risk of local recurrence and is often offered in more advanced cases to kill tumor cells that may be living in lymph nodes. Your radiation oncologist can answer questions about the utility, process, and side effects of radiation therapy in your particular case. Hormonal Therapy When the pathologist examines your tumor specimen, he or she finds out if the tumor is expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors. Patients whose tumors express estrogen receptors are candidates for therapy with an estrogen blocking drug called Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is taken by pill form for 5 years after your surgery. This drug has been shown to drastically reduce your risk of recurrence if your tumor expresses estrogen receptors. However, there are side effects commonly associated with Tamoxifen including weight gain, hot flashes and vaginal discharge that patients may be bothered by. There are also very uncommon side effects like blood clots, strokes, or uterine cancer that may scare patients from choosing to take it. You need to remember that your chances of having a recurrence of your cancer are usually higher than your chances of having a serious problem with Tamoxifen, but the decision to undergo hormonal therapy is a personal one that you should make with your doctor. There are also newer drugs, called aromatase inhibitors that act by decreasing your body's supply of estrogen; these drugs are reserved for patients who have already gone through menopause. Talk to your doctors about these new therapies. Biologic Therapy The pathologist also examines your tumor for the presence of HER-2/neu overexpression. HER-2/neu is a receptor that some breast cancers express. If your cancer expresses it, you usually have a higher chance of having your tumor recur after surgery. A compound called Herceptin (or Trastuzumab) is a substance that blocks this receptor and helps stop the breast cancer from growing. Some patients are candidates for this medicine. Talk to your medical oncologist to see if Herceptin is right for you. Follow-up testing Once a patient has been treated for breast cancer, they need to be closely followed for a recurrence. At first, you will have follow-up visits every 3-4 months. The longer you are free of disease, the less often you will have to go for checkups. After 5 years, you could see your doctor once a year. You should have a mammogram of the treated and untreated breasts every year. Because having had breast cancer is a risk factor for getting it again, having your mammograms done every year is extremely important. If you are taking Tamoxifen, it is important that you get a pelvic exam each year and report any abnormal vaginal bleeding to your doctor. Clinical trials are extremely important in furthering our knowledge of this disease. It is though clinical trials that we know what we do today, and many exciting new therapies are currently being tested. Talk to your doctor about participating in clinical trials in your area. This article is meant to give you a better understanding of breast cancer. Use this knowledge when meeting with your physician, making treatment decisions, and continuing your search for information. You can learn more about breast cancer on OncoLink through the related links mentioned in this article. References The American Cancer Society All About Breast Cancer Overview www.cancer.org. Armstrong, K., Eisen, A., & Weber, B. (2000) Primary Care: Assessing the Risk of Breast Cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine, 342(8), 564-571. Goldhirsch, A., Glick, J.H., Gelber, R.D., Coates, A.S., Senn, H-J. (2001) Meeting Highlights: International Consensus Panel on the Treatment of Primary Breast Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 19(18), 3817-3827. Hortobagyi, G.N., (1998) Drug Therapy: Treatment of Breast Cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine, 339(14), 974-984. National Cancer Institute. What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer. www.cancer.gov. Rhodes, D. (2002) Identifying and Counseling Women at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 77(4), 355-361. Rubin, P. and Williams, J.P., (Eds): Clinical Oncology: A Multidisciplinary Approach for Physicians and Students 8th ed. (2001). W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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According to Barry Sears, Ph.D., overactive insulin production can lead to overproduction of other chemicals and cells that can become cancer. He discusses this in his book "Entering the Zone". For basic information on hyperinsulinemia (high insulin production), check out www.mayoclinic.com and search for hyperinsulinemia. For basic information on hypoglycemia one of the effects of hyperinsulinemia, check out www.hufa.org. www.hufa.org is a website run by Hypoglycemics United to Foster Awareness, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational corporation. Pegasus 90 is a co-founder and the current president of the organization.
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If it runs in your family there is nothing you can do but you can prevent yourself from dieing by checking ur self everyday and if anything isnt normal go to your doctor immeditaly because early detection is the best cure



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Thursday, October 1, 2009

What is moderate stage breast cancer

What is moderate stage breast cancer?
My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer in the moderate stage. Can anyone tell me how severe the moderate stage is and what is going on? Is the moderate stage treatable?
Cancer - 3 Answers
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i lost my sister 1 year ago, she started out w/breast cancer & said they were able to stop it with the radiation & chemo therapy,& yet 1 year later , they found it in her lymph-nodes,& yet they never told her the first time being so-called cured , there was a pill that would help it from coming back ..... well, it came back & after several years of dealing w/more chemo & radiation it was to much ...... she went to germany as one last ditch effort for a cure that we don't have in the U.S. , SHE wasn't strong enough for the vaccine in GERMANY to work ! she passed before the vaccine could work !
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While I don't know what 'moderate' stage is, I found this for you: Stage I—Early stage invasive breast cancer In stage 1 breast cancer, the cancer is no larger than two centimeters (approximately an inch) and has not spread to surrounding lymph nodes or outside the breast. Stage II Stage 2 breast cancer is divided into two categories according to the size of the tumor and whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes: Stage II A Breast Cancer—the tumor is less than two centimeters(approximately an inch) and has spread up to three auxiliary underarm lymph nodes. Or, the tumor has grown bigger than two centimeters, but no larger than five centimeters (approximately two inches) and has not spread to surrounding lymph nodes. Stage II B Breast Cancer— the tumor has grown to between two and five centimeters (approximately one to two inches) and has spread to up to three auxiliary underarm lymph nodes. Or, the tumor is larger than five centimeters, but has not spread to the surrounding lymph nodes. Stage III Stage 3 breast cancer is also divided in to two categories: Stage III A Breast Cancer—the tumor is larger than two centimeters but smaller than five centimeters (approximately one to two inches) and has spread to up to nine auxiliary underarm lymph nodes. Stage III B Breast Cancer— the cancer has spread to tissues near the breast including the skin, chest wall, ribs, muscles, or lymph nodes in the chest wall or above the collarbone. Stage IV In stage 4 breast cancer, the cancer has spread to other organs or tissues, such as the liver, lungs, brain, skeletal system, or lymph nodes near the collarbone. If in the 'moderate' stage, meaning early, she has a terrific chance of beating this! My thoughts are with you - good luck!!!
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"Moderate stage breast cancer" is not a standard medical term, but it may refer to regionalized malignancy, also known as stage 2 and 3 breast cancer. This is a life threatening situation, as are all cancers. Stage 2 and 3 breast cancers have grown in size at their original site and/or broken out into the surrounding lymphatic systems. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and follow-on medications will be the likely treatment plan. Once initial treatment is completed, then long term medications may be required based upon your mother's HER2 and hormone receptor status. If her disease is HER2 positive, then she needs a course of at least 4 and up to 16 Herceptin treatments. If she is estrogen receptor positive, then she needs to take Tamoxifen for 5 years. A ground-breaking recent study indicates that low dose (100 mg) aspirin daily reduces cancer recurrence. The five year survival rate for stage 2 breast cancer is around 90%. The rate is lower for stage 3. Outcomes are based upon many factors including what treatments are employed, how well the patient responds to treatment, patient's age, and any complicating health factors (heart disease, diabetes, etc). There is a possibility that your mother has the BRCA gene mutation. If so, then her children are at risk of hereditary cancer. Consult with your mother's doctor regarding appropriate testing for this potential issue. Here is a link to the authoritative Merck Manual's chapter on breast cancer:



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