Breast Cancer InformationBreast cancer information... most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the US. 1 in 8 women in the U.S. who reach the age of 80 can expect to develop breast cancer. It can occur in men too but male breast cancer is rare. Breast cancer refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from breast cells. Cancer may begin in the milk-producing glands or the passages that drain milk to the nipple. Benign tumor is not dangerous to health, malignant tumor has the potential to be dangerous, is cancerous and can spread beyond that tumor to other parts of the body. One thing to keep in mind is breast cancer is not anyone's fault and there is no point feeling guilty over what may have happened, although you may choose to help the body stay as healthy as possible. 
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer:It has no symptoms in early stages but later on, you may start seeing the following signs and symptoms: Swelling in the armpit. Scaly or pitted skin on nipple. Flattening or indentation on the breast. Any change in the size, texture or temperature of the breast. A lump in the breast or underarm that persists after your menstrual cycle. An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast. Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody, or another colour. An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast. A marble-like area under the skin. Risk factors you cant control:Gender, age, family history, personal history, race, radiation therapy to chest, pregnancy and breast feeding(decreases risk).Risk factors you can control: Being overweight Alcohol consumption Regular exercise Smoking Eating red and processed meats and foods that are high in fat. Side effects from breast cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy:Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can destroy breast cancer cells, but they can also affect healthy cells. Medications and other self-help methods can ease many of these side effects: Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Changes to menstrual cycle Feeling sick, nausea and vomiting Weakness and fatigue Sore mouth Hair loss or thinning Weight gain Premature menopause Lowered resistance to infections Sore eyes. 
Nutrition and Breast Cancer:Various nutrition researchers are studying the link between nutrition and breast cancer and they come up with different results. Diet is believed to be partly responsible for about 30% to 40% of all cancers. But diet alone is unlikely to be the "cause" or "cure" of cancer. A healthy diet and a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. A balanced diet will give you the energy your body needs to heal after cancer and help you be strong and feel your best: A diet low in fat- fat intake limited to less than 20% of your total calories per day- is recommended. Start by eliminating some foods with the highest fat content - like fried foods and margarine and gradually lower the amount of fat you eat. Refer to 'Low Fat Diet' for more information. Aim for having 5 or more cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Choose a diet rich in fiber with foods from plant sources, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, beans and seeds. Eat foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Avoid red meats and have less of animal products. Glycemic Load Diet and Breast Cancer:Dr. Larsson of Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and colleagues analyzed data on 61,000 women who completed food questionnaires in the late 1980s. Over the course of about 17 years, 2950 women developed breast cancer and, according to the investigators, glycemic load "was significantly positively associated with risk of overall breast cancer." Women with higher glycemic load diets were more prone to breast cancer. Glycemic index and glycemic load were also correlated with risk of a certain type of breast tumor. It was assumed that high glycemic load may increase breast cancer risk by increasing concentrations of insulin and sex hormones in the body, which may contribute to the development and spread of breast cancer cells.Return from Breast Cancer Information to Glycemic Index home page Or take me back to High Glycemic Index page References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Breast cancer information . Peter Devilee; Fattaneh A. Tavassoli (2003). World Health Organization: Tumours of the Breast and Female Genital Organs. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. International Journal of Cancer, July 2009. http://www.reuters.com/ article/ healthNews/ idUSTRE5695UW20090711 : Breast Cancer Information . Marisa Weiss M.D., president and founder, breast radiation oncologist, Philadelphia, PA. http://www.breastcancer.org/ symptoms/ understand_bc/ what_is_bc.jsp. Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 19752000. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute, 2003.
|
