Just a quarter of a century ago, almost all patients had mastectomy, even if their breast cancer is small.  But over the past few decades, it has been demonstrated that for small cancers, lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment is just as good as mastectomy, at preventing breast cancer recurrence.  Traditional proven radiation is external beam radiation directed to the entire involved breast for 6-7 weeks, 5 days a week (M Tu W Th F).  Depending on the size and extent of the cancer, radiation may include the chest wall and axilla (armpit) on the same side as the involved breast.  In some cases, the area treated may also include on the same side supraclavicular lymph nodes (nodes above the collarbone) and internal mammary lymph nodes (nodes beneath the breast bone near the center of the chest).

Recently, some patients with very early small cancers may consider Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI).  Instead of treating the whole breast, APBI only delivers radiation to the focal location of the lumpectomy site.  This is because most recurrences occur at or near the site of previous cancer.  Currently, the most commonly used regimen involves only 5 days of radiation total.  A balloon is inserted into the lumpectomy site, in the office with local anesthesia.  On the fifth and final day of radiation, the balloon is pulled out.  The most established model Mammosite has been used in more than 35,000 women in the United States, and results with 4-year followup data have been good.  Despite its convenience, APBI is not for everybody.  Some general guidelines exist to determine who is “suitable” for APBI as of 2010.  As we gain more knowledge with longer use of this treatment modality, the guidelines may change in the future.  The “appropriate” criteria are: patient age 50 or more, unifocal (single) cancer, invasive cancer size no more than 2cm, pure DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) no more than 3cm, total tumor size (invasive and DCIS) no more than 3cm, margins clean of tumor, no lymphovascular invasion seen under microscope, and no cancer spread to lymph nodes.  Women with hereditary breast cancer, such as BRCA 1/2 carriers, should not consider APBI.

The above are only general guidelines.  Again, it should be emphasized that traditional whole breast radiation is an established treatment with much longer track record than APBI.  No two breast cancer patients are exactly alike, and therefore the decision making process is different and unique for each individual person.  Regardless of any one else’s advice, you should make the choice that you personally will be able to live with for the rest of your life.

Dr. Mai Brooks is a surgical oncologist/general surgeon, with expertise in early detection and prevention of cancer. More at http://www.drbrooksmd.com, http://thecancerexperience.wordpress.com and http://progressreportoncancer.wordpress.com.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/what-kind-of-radiation-should-you-choose-after-lumpectomy-for-breast-cancer-1773180.html
Technorati Tag: Breast Cancer

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You have undoubted run across many of the breast cancer awareness days and sessions that appear around the country sporadically. These are usually put on by a local group, a church, or sponsored by the American Cancer Society to promote breast cancer awareness in the community.

You might be wondering why your breast cancer awareness level should be raised and what benefit that represents for you, but all you need to do is look at the statistics about the reported cases of breast cancer. The reported cases of breast cancer has been rising steadily year after year, and for the coming year, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 200,000 diagnosed cases. Even scarier is that they also estimate that more than 40,000 of those cases of breast cancer will die from it.

Here is an even scarier fact for you — did you know that breast cancer is not limited to women? Yes it is true. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 1600 cases of breast cancer in MEN this year, and that about 400 of them will die. So are you starting to see where breast cancer awareness is starting to be important to you and your health? With statistics like this, it is no wonder that they want to promote breast cancer awareness as much as possible.

Many people do not take this disease seriously, even despite these statistics. Although it is difficult to believe, there are many people who have not had a checkup or medical exam in the past 4, 5, or 10 years or more. How can you possibly take your health seriously if you do not have regular checkups and exams from your doctor or medical professional? One way is of course to raise your breast cancer awareness level since that is a disease where there is currently not a known cure.

Your best option for fighting breast cancer is to get early detection and early diagnosis. When breast cancer is detected early, your chances of being able to cope with it, to fight it, and via treatments like chemo, there are many documented cases of people who have beat it. But if it had not been detected and diagnosed early, those would almost certainly be different stories with radically different outcomes. What about those people who have not had a medical examination in the past 4 or 5 years? If they have developed breast cancer in that timeframe, it will certainly not be considered an early diagnosis and could even mean another fatality from breast cancer.

You need to become knowledgeable about the typical symptoms of breast cancer, and if you detect any of those symptoms at home, you should schedule a checkup with your doctor as soon as possible. For women of ages 18 to about 40, you should plan to schedule a checkup with your doctor once about every 2-3 years. For women over 40, that checkup should be not less than annually. Although breast cancer has not conclusively been determined to be hereditary, you might want to consider having checkups even more often is there is a history of cancer in your family tree. Keeping these statistics in mind, your level of breast cancer awareness should be raised where these regular checkups should be at the forefront of your mind.

Raise your breast cancer awareness levels and get those checkups. Be aware of the symptoms and if you see any of them, be sure to get an exam soon. Remember, the best chances for beating breast cancer are early detection and early diagnosis.

Jon is a prolific writer with expertise in a number of areas. Find out more information about Breast Cancer Awareness [http://breast-cancer-explained.com/breast_cancer_awareness.php] at his web site, [http://breast-cancer-explained.com/breast_cancer_awareness.php]Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Arnold

Technorati Tag: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Symptoms

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One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to follow a breast cancer prevention diet. It doesn’t matter if you are a woman or a man. Yes, men can get breast cancer too. Most risk factors are beyond your control, such as age, family history, or age at first menstrual period. However you do control what you eat, and it is quite simple to follow an anti inflammatory diet.

Some foods that fight breast cancer and inflammation are:
• Omega 3 fatty acids which are found mostly in fatty fish such as salmon, trout, and sardines. If you’re not a fish lover take an
• omega 3 supplement.
• Use Olive Oil, Pure Virgin Coconut Oil and Butter
• Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Use pure manuka honey which is proven to be an anti inflammatory as well as anti bacterial
• Try to find a source of grass fed beef which is high in omega 3s

Research on Chronic Inflammation and Breast Cancer:
A study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has identified two proteins in the blood that could become important prognostic markers for long-term survival in breast cancer patients. The proteins are associated with chronic inflammation, which is known to contribute to cancer development and progression of the disease.

WTN News published an article about the “Medical College of Wisconsin it ties breast cancer to inflammation”. Ashwani Khanna associate professor of medicine presented his finds at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Orlando.
He said: ” Research shows that when the condition becomes chronic, it can lead to a great many diseases, including cancer”.

He clearly found a relationship between inflammation and this disease. What can you do about inflammation? Fortunately there are many things you can do to prevent inflammation or get it under control if you already have it, and sadly most of us have it. The most important thing is to follow an anti inflammation cancer prevention diet.

Diane Michel is an online researcher on the subject of inflammation and Breast Cancer Risks. You can find out more insights and the latest research into how chronic inflammation is causing you to be sick and what you can do about it at:

http://www.inflammation-information.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Michel

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In the UK and North America, breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer that can affect women. Breast cancer amounts for 30% of female cancers in the UK and approximately 1 in 9 women in the UK will get breast cancer at some point during their life.

The incidence of breast cancer increases with age and will then double every 10 years until the menopause. There are many factors which can affect the chances of contracting the disease, such as the age at which you had your first child, inherited risks, and lifestyle. What is vitally important is that a self-examination is carried out monthly, so that any abnormalities or concerns can be noticed early and hence reduce the risk of terminal cancer.

It is important that you are aware of your own body, how it looks and feels. If there is any change in your breasts, which includes the nipples, then you should make an appointment to speak to your local GP. Changes can include a discharge from your nipples, inverting of the nipple, dimpling of the breast, a visible lump or a lump can be detected by examining the breast, swelling of the lymph node, a pain in the breast or reddening of the skin.

Women should be carrying out self breast examinations by the time they reach 20 years of age and women should have a clinical breast exam every 3 years up until the age of 40, when the clinical examination should be carried out annually.

So how should a self examination be carried out? A self examination can be carried visually, which involves standing in front of the mirror with your arms hanging by your side and looking at your breasts for visual signs of change. Are your breasts showing signs of puckering, dimpling, changing in size and texture or are your nipples inverted. Try the same examination again with your hands on your hips and then with your arms raised and palms pressed together. Next you should 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 middle finger on your right hand. You should start at the outer edge of the breast and then begin to 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. This method should then be repeated for the other breast. It is important to make sure that you check the area up to your collarbone and out to the armpit as this is the region where your lymph nodes are located.

If you have any doubts about what you are doing or if you have found a lump, it is recommended that you speak to your local Doctor. It is stated that around 80% of breast lumps are non-cancerous and more than 50% of women have a condition known as Fibrocystic breasts during their periods and menopause. These Fibrocystic breasts are lumpy, painful and tender, which may be caused by the hormone fluctuations during a menstrual period and menopause.

If you have undergone breast surgery or are looking for a post surgery bra visit Classic British Styles and view their medical underwear range.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/the-importance-of-self-breast-examinations-in-detecting-breast-cancer-early-1699407.html
Technorati Tag: Breast Cancer

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By now you should be friendly with the blond ‘Live Strong’ rubber melanoma awareness rings. Seven popularized them-time Tour de France cycling champion and canker survivor Lance Armstrong. The money from their proceeds goes for scourge seek.

If he has planned to pitchfork blight awareness into guild’s consciousness, Lance Armstrong has done a really good job. His rubber rings are ubiquitous nowadays, an ever state awareness tool for pest, and a furnish-raising tool for blight explore.

Among evil awareness ornaments, next to Armstrong’s rubber wristbands come the breast tumor awareness charms. However, different the ‘LiveStrong’ rubber ensemble rings, the breast bane awareness earrings come in different flag. The most accepted redden for breast melanoma awareness earrings is pink.

Nevertheless why pink? There is a chronicle behind it: Charlotte Haley, a 68-year-old lady, began making and distributing peach garland in the 1990s with cards that read: “The National Cancer Institute yearly plan is $1.8 billion, only 5 percent goes for growth prevention. Help us arouse up our legislators and America by draining this ribbon.” Haley’s daughter, sister and grandmother had breast menace. Self magazine sought to use Haley’s ribbon but she refused proverb they were too commercial. The magazine came up with another shade then — pink. Focus groups say pink is ‘gentle, comforting and curative.’ Soon the pink ribbon became the worldwide icon for breast bane, and Charlotte Haley’s peach ribbon chronicle.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. says that more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast bane in America in 2005. Of these 43,300 will die. One woman in eight either has or will ripen breast canker in her life. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast scourge and 400 will die this year.

However, the breast menace awareness charms can come in all insignia, a rainbow of them, depending on the organization or gifts promotion them. These charms typically have some point, such as ‘Support Breast Cancer Research And Education’ stamped on them.

Well, the breast menace awareness charms needn’t be made of rubber or silicone either. The charms can be made of prize, or cats eye, or metal, or any other fitting pertinent. There are even stainless steel breast melanoma awareness earrings! The difference between them is, of course, the value. The rubber ones would advertise for around $1 an example. The metal ones would promote senior. Some nugget breast canker awareness charms push for around $30 a piece. Such bracelets help two purposes — they are jewels and butter the memo of charity and breast plague research.

The advantage with rubber breast pest awareness bracelets, distant from the value, is that they are infinitely customizable. Yes, you can order them in any affect and with any note stamped on them. You needn’t take them off while washing or live — they are all-coarsen bracelets. And you don’t have to agonize about losing them, disparate the pearl or cats eye ones.

The rubber breast cancer awareness bracelets can be ordered in immensity or bought in packets of a dozen or so from many Web sites.

About the Author:For tips on breast cancer statistics and signs of breast cancer, visit the Breast Cancer Prognosis website.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Being Aware of Breast Cancer

Technorati Tag: Breast Cancer

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