Women Cancer Health Treatment

A woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer should get a healthy diet. Unfortunately, the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments for breast cancer can trigger an erratic appetite for breast cancer patient. To ensure that a breast cancer patient gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for her fast recovery, their dietary plan should consist of nutritious foods for changing appetite.
There are some practical nutrition tips for breast cancer patients during the treatment process.

Planning
To changing appetite as well as foods that are best eaten when suffering from the various side effects of breast cancer treatment, you have to prepare a menu of healthy meals that are suitable. For instance, if the treatment causes nausea and vomiting on the breast cancer patient, it will not be wise to serve her the usual food. Instead, regular doses of water, fruit juices and sports drink can keep the patient re-hydrated. Read more!

Fact #1 – The number of people dying from cancer is not increasing as the population rises. There are more people being diagnosed with cancer but the number of cancer related deaths gets on the decline. More people are now living longer lives with improved quality of life due to the better handling options and early diagnosis.

Fact #2 – Cancer is not always painful. Some cancers never cause any pain. Some cancers do cause pain but usually in the early stages of cancer there is no pain.

Fact#3 – You will not always die if you get cancer, life is unpredictable. With the treatments available today and new ways of detecting cancer early many people are living longer, fuller lives
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Fact#4 – Cell phones usage is not the brain cancer trigger. There is no scientific evidence to verify this claim. Read more!

Researchers say that an extract made from broccoli sprouts may prevent skin cancer when applied directly to the skin, broccoli contains a chemical that stimulates the body’s natural anti-cancer ability. It could prevent the damage from ultraviolet light that often leads to skin cancer. And, as many children would surely appreciate, you do not even have to eat it.

The findings were published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Lead study author Dr. Paul Talalay, in the department of pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, emphasizes that the chemical component from broccoli sprout extract is not a sunscreen. Unlike sunscreen, the extract does not absorb UV light and “does not prevent the radiation from penetrating into the skin,” he says. Read more!

If you have ever known anyone that has been diagnosed with cancer, you know that it is a horrific disease. To watch someone that you love literally lose every essence of their life as they go through chemotherapy and other, powerful, medicines is something that nobody should experience.

Alternative cancer healing treatments began in the year 1840 with a horse farmer by the name of John Hoxsey. Finding a tumor on his prized stallion, Hoxsey was devastated, but he could not bear to shoot the animal. Instead, he decided to let the animal graze out its days in the pasture until it peacefully passed away. Interestingly, rather than dying the horse grew stronger through munching on plants and herbs that it seemed to be drawn to. Read more!

University of Arkansas surgeon has developed a new procedure to prevent swelling of the arm associated with breast cancer. This is a new procedure to prevent one of the most common side effects associated with breast cancer treatment – lymphedema or swelling of the arms due to faulty drainage of the lymph nodes.
V. Suzanne Klimberg, MD, director of the UAMS breast cancer program, led a study funded by the Tenenbaum Breast Cancer Research Foundation of breast cancer patients at risk for developing lymphedema. Her findings were published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, and she will present the study March 17 at the Society of Surgical Oncology 60th Annual Cancer Symposium in Washington, DC.

“The removal and analysis of the lymph nodes under the arm remains the most important factor in determining the severity of disease in breast cancer patients,” Klimberg said. Read more!

Breast cancer is caused by a mixture of genetic factors, environmental influences and ageing, says the National Breast Cancer Centre. The risk of developing it can be further increased with these factors:

1. FAMILY HISTORY
Risk is higher for mothers, daughters and sisters of women who had it prior to menopause.

2. GENETIC DAMAGE
Mutations of the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes.

3. EARLY MENARCHE
Starting your periods before the age of 12.

4. EXPOSURE TO RADIATION
To breast tissue in particular, before age 20.
Read more!

A new technique has been developed at Singapore’s National University Hospital to detect cancer in its earliest stages by a new non-invasive method, the Channel NewsAsia reported on Friday. The hospital is conducting a trial involving 58 patients, 12 of whom are receiving treatment after the ‘optical biopsy’ diagnosed them with early-stage cervical cancer. The technique detects pre-cancers or collections of a few hundred malignant cells among millions of healthy cells. Using the near-infrared fluorescence imaging, doctors may soon spot cancer risks before any physical signs, causing cancer cells to emit fluorescence.

In announcing the new technique, a researcher told Channel News Asia, “Since we use the near-infrared red light, there’s much better penetration into the tissue. Near-infrared red is a biologically transparent light so it is quite safe for human cells and tissues. Read more!

Passionately Pink for the Cure™ is a new, year-round fundraising and education program kicking off October 1, 2006, in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program encourages companies, schools and organizations to take that promise, make it their own, and make a difference by supporting breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. Visit www.komenaustin.org for more details or email Lisa Feller at LFeller@komenaustin.org.
As part of the program, companies, organizations, and individuals nationwide are picking one day in October and urging their associates and friends to demonstrate their support by making a $5 donation and dressing up in pink.

Realizing the fact that 212,920 women and 1,720 men, according to the American Cancer Society, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Anyone can participate! Read more!

Skin Cancer is one of the most common cancers. Approximately one in six people will develop skin cancer. Medical experts unanimously agree that overexposure to sunlight is the main culprit. Other factors include sunburn with blistering especially during childhood, skin creams that contain tar if used over a prolonged period, repeated X-rays, exposure to coal and arsenic, radiation, chemotherapy and family history. Freckles with fair skin that doesn’t tan very easily can also put one at risk.

Most skin cancers grow slowly. It is imperative you inspect your body on a regular basis for anything unusual. Stand in front of a full length mirror and with a hand held mirror check out every inch of your skin. Have someone check the top of your head as well. Read more!

Women who take Herceptin, the advanced breast cancer “wonder drug”, could suffer heart problems as a result, research has indicated. The researchers say that 28% of women receiving the novel breast cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) suffered cardiac problems as a result. The affected women had to stop taking the cancer drug temporarily while their heart problems were treated.
The drug Herceptin is thought to reduce the chance of relapse in women with certain types of early stage breast cancer. But at a cost of up to $70,000 per year, it is out of reach for some patients. Previous evidence from clinical trials found that between 10% and 26% of patients experienced cardiac problems, depending on its combination with other drugs. One frequently cited US study found that 18.6% of women had to stop taking the drug because of cardiac problems. Read more!

SCIENTISTS have discovered a new breast cancer gene which doubles a woman’s chance of developing the disease, a finding that may lead to better treatment of the disease. Carrying a damaged version of the gene called ATM means the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 70 increases from one in 12 for the general population to one in six, the researchers said.

Researchers screened 433 patients who had a family history of cancer and a control group of 521 women. A certain damaged gene, carried by about 2 percent of all families, more than doubled the risk for breast cancer by age 70, the scientists said in today’s issue of Nature Genetics. Read more!

There is compelling research that shows daily use of sunscreen not only helps protect against sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer, it can help reduce future skin pre-cancers from appearing as well. Although people enjoy the sunshine, they need to be aware that too much exposure can cause skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, but if detected early, it can usually be treated.

The a new study released by the Skin Cancer Foundation also found that sunscreen may make existing pre-cancers disappear altogether. The level of sun protection used in the study was SPF 15, one of the lower grades of sun protection.
“Skin cancer can affect anyone,” a radiation oncologist, Dennis, said. “However, those at greatest risk are people who have fair or freckled skin that burns easily, light eyes and blond or red hair. Those with a history of skin cancer should definitely pay close attention to the changes in their skin.” Read more!

A U.S. advisory panel recommended that 11- and 12-year-old girls be routinely vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer. They also recommended that the vaccine, called Gardasil, which is made by Merck & Co., be administered to girls as young as 9, at the provider’s discretion, and for women up to age 26 who have not previously been vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV).

Clinical studies have shown that the Gardasil vaccine is 100-percent effective — when taken as prescribed in three doses — when given to girls before they become sexually active in preventing infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. About 7 percent of children have had sexual intercourse before age 13, and about a quarter of boys and girls have had sex by age 15, according to government surveys. Read more!

Osteosarcoma is a cancer of bone that strikes about 900 people in the US each year. he discovery of a gene called MET may explain the development of osteosarcoma, a bone cancer found mainly in adolescents, according to a team of Italian scientists. Most of these are adolescents. Although patients are potentially curable with surgery, they need additional treatment with chemotherapy to ensure the best outcome. The gene will also provide a target for researchers looking for treatments or a cure for this disease.

In the first part of the study the researchers grew normal bone cells, called osteoblasts, in test tube cultures. After around 40-60 days, they took away cells that looked cancerous and put them in mice to see whether they would form cancers. Then they tried to reverse these changes by blocking the MET-produced receptor. Read more!

About one third of all cancer deaths are related to diet. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) dietary choices, together with exercise and a healthy weight, could prevent 3 to 4 million cancer cases worldwide each year. The top 3 causes of cancer are genetics, diet and environment. If individuals work to minimize the factors linked with the risks, as high as 60-70 percent of cancers can be prevented.

Following a Plant Based Diet
The best type of diet to prevent cancer is one that is based mostly on a variety of plant foods. Scientific evidence shows that vegetables and fruits protect against many different types of cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends 5 to 10 fruits and vegetables a day, which can reduce incidences of cancer by as much as 40 percent. Read more!