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Breast
Cancer
Signs,
Facts, Treatment & Resources
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I write
this article in honor of those with breast cancer, those whom
have survived it and those whom have not. I write it in honor
of my Mother and Aunt who have survived it and whom have shown
courage in the face of this horrible disease that ails so
many women as well as men.
- Lisa Lawless, Founder of Holistic Wisdom |
| Birth
- Age 39 |
1
Woman in 231 Will Get Breast Cancer |
| Age
40 - Age
59 |
1
Woman in 25 Will Get Breast Cancer |
| Age
60 - Age
79 |
1
Woman in 15 Will Get Breast Cancer |
What
are the Signs of Breast Cancer?
One of the
best things that you can do to prevent the seriousness of breast
cancer is to be aware of the signs. However, there are often no
outward signs of breast cancer that you can see or feel.
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If there
are outward signs, the more common ones include a lump,
an area of thickening, or a dimple in the breast. Less common
signs include breast swelling and redness or an enlarged
underarm lymph node. But even if you have one or more of
these signs, it still doesn't mean you have breast cancer.
Remember
that most breast lumps turn out to be benign (not cancerous).
Eight out of 10 lumps that women may feel in their breasts
are benign (not cancerous).
A benign
lump can be a collection of normal or hyperactive breast
gland cells, or it may be a water-filled sac (cyst).
Still,
it's extremely important that you SEE YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT
AWAY if you're worried that you might have breast cancer.
Having
your doctor take a look will ease your worry, and if anything
is found, you'll be able to take care of it quickly.
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Breast
Cancer Awareness Raised Via Shows Such As Sex In The City
(When Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones Struggled
Through Chemotherapy To Treat It) Is Always Good To Remind
Us How Common It Is And The Importance Of Breast Exams.
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Physical
examination of the breast is one way to find breast cancer.
Physicians can also do mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, and PET
scans to determine if cancer is present. |
Is
Breast Cancer Hereditary?
Just because
your mother or another relative had breast cancer DOES NOT mean
you will get breast cancer. Most women who get breast cancer don't
have breast cancer in the family. There are many risk factors
for breast cancer, and having it in the family is only one of
them. If you're worried about getting breast cancer, talk to your
doctor about your own risk factors.
Can
Men Get "Breast" Cancer?
This year
1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die.
While the percentage of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer
is small, men should also give themselves monthly exams and note
changes to their physicians.
Will
Taking Hormones Increase Risks?
This is a
controversial issue. If you've had breast cancer, most doctors
will automatically say you cannot take HRT (also called MHT, or
menopausal hormone therapy, and sometimes ERT, or estrogen replacement
therapy). Many doctors consider HRT risky because estrogen can
stimulate the growth of breast cells—both normal cells and cancerous
ones. So doctors feel HRT may increase a woman's risk of breast
cancer recurring or of her developing a new breast cancer.
If you have
severe menopausal symptoms that are not relieved by other means,
try to find a doctor who will look closely at your individual
case. There are choices in type of estrogen, dose, and how it's
given.
What
If I Am Diagnosed With Breast Cancer?
This diagnosis
is one of the most upsetting things that can happen in a woman's
life and whether it is you or someone you know feelings of fear,
being overwhelmed, angry, or depressed are all normal reactions.
Yet you can get through this armed with clear information that
respects who you are and puts you back in control through treatment,
support groups, and education.
Breast
Cancer Resources
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The
Holistic Wisdom Corporation