BREAST CANCER, SYMPTOM AND CAUSES Part1

DEFINITION

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

Public support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths has been declining, thanks to a number of factors such as earlier detection, new treatments and a better understanding of the disease.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER MAY INCLUDE:

·         A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue

·         Bloody discharge from the nipple

·         Change in the size or shape of a breast

·         Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling

·         Inverted nipple

·         Peeling, scaling or flaking of the nipple or breast skin

·         Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

When to see a doctor

If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor.

It's not clear what causes breast cancer. Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. The cells may spread (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.

Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells within the breast.

Researchers have identified things that can increase your risk of breast cancer. But it's not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It's likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.

INHERITED BREAST CANCER

Doctors estimate that only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. A number of inherited mutated genes that can increase the likelihood of breast cancer have been identified. The most common are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, blood tests may help identify mutations in BRCA or other genes that are being passed through your family.

Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor, who can review your family health history. A genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing with you.

A breast cancer risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you'll get breast cancer. But having one or even several breast cancer risk factors doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop breast cancer. Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women.

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

·         Being female. Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer.

·         Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.

·         A personal history of breast cancer. If you've had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.

·         A family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

·         Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most common gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don't make cancer inevitable.

·         Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.

·         Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.

·         Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.

·         Beginning menopause at an older age. If you began menopause at an older age, you're more likely to develop breast cancer.

·         Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child after age 35 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

·         Having never been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more pregnancies.

·         Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.

·         Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Women with breast cancer may have appointments with their primary care doctors, as well as several other doctors and other health professionals, including:

·         Breast health specialists

·         Breast surgeons

·         Doctors who specialize in diagnostic tests, such as mammograms (radiologists)

·         Doctors who specialize in treating cancer (oncologists)

·         Doctors who treat cancer with radiation (radiation oncologists)

·         Genetic counselors

·         Plastic surgeons

What you can do to prepare

·         Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

·         Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

·         Write down your family history of cancer. Note any family members who have had cancer, including how each member is related to you, the type of cancer, the age at diagnosis and whether each person survived.

·         Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.

·         Keep all of your records that relate to your cancer diagnosis and treatment. Organize your records in a binder or folder that you can take to your appointments.

·         Consider taking a family member or friend along.Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

·         Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For breast cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

·         What type of breast cancer do I have?

·         What is the stage of my cancer?

·         Can you explain my pathology report to me? Can I have a copy for my records?

·         Do I need any more tests?

·         What treatment options are available for me?

·         What are the benefits from each treatment you recommend?

·         What are the side effects of each treatment option?

·         Will treatment cause menopause?

·         How will each treatment affect my daily life? Can I continue working?

·         Is there one treatment you recommend over the others?

·         How do you know that these treatments will benefit me?

·         What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?

·         How quickly do I need to make a decision about cancer treatment?

·         What happens if I don't want cancer treatment?

·         What will cancer treatment cost?

·         Does my insurance plan cover the tests and treatment you're recommending?

·         Should I seek a second opinion? Will my insurance cover it?

·         Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites or books do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask additional questions that may occur to you during your appointment.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR DOCTOR

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:

·         When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?

·         Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?

·         How severe are your symptoms?

·         What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?

·         What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

IS TAP WATER SAFE TO DRINK?

Traces of at least 18 potentially, hazardous pollutants were found in more than one-third of U.S. water utilities during a nationwide sampling, as noted in a report by Environmental Health News (EHN). So, the concern as to whether or not your tap water is safe is a major one, and rightfully so.

Scary as it may sound, those findings included such pollutants as herbicides, anti-bacterials, viruses, metals, anti-depressants, pesticides and more. Scientific studies have found that these can cause thyroid disease, endocrine disruption and various types of cancers. They can cause oxidation of your cells, breaking down your immune system, and leaving you vulnerable to disease... scary but true.

You're probably asking yourself right now, is there any good news in all of this?

It's hard to say. Concentrations of these compounds are low, according to a U.S. Geological Survey. The unknown lies in what will long-term exposure of such low-levels do to our bodies?

Further studies also revealed most treatment plants aren't successful in removing all of the compounds that pass through them. They remove some but, not all, and react with others, transforming into a chemical we don't know much about.

What can you do to protect you and your family?

Learn what's in your water. The E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) requires all local utilities to provide a Consumer Confidence Report every year to their customers. It will tell you about the water used by your own municipality. If you have a well you use as your water source, you can call the hotline for the E.P.A. at 800-426-4791 for the name of a state-certified lab to have your water tested.

If, there are traces of compounds found in your tap water, you should install a faucet filtration system for extra protection. Consumer Reports offers great information along with their suggestions and rankings of their top recommended water faucet filters.

Taking probiotics is one of the most important things you can do for better health, because every person needs good bacteria to maintain a healthy digestive system. The presence of good bacteria leaves no room for parasites and other unwanted organisms to attach. A poor lifestyle and simply what we are exposed to, including the water we drink can destroy the good bacteria in our bodies. When that happens, your body is left vulnerable to numerous diseases. Probiotics can help restore the body to its natural state of balance.

By Chuck Hallberg

VENTILATION FOR CLEAN, FRESH AIR AT WORK

Increased oxygen in your body translates to greater energy and clarity of mind. Fresh air is the simplest way to boost brainpower, health and feel great. But with 90% of our time spent indoors, getting that dosage of clean air isn't always easy. The air that we breathe on the inside is not as fresh as we need it to be.

More to Work than Hard Work

The scrupulous report from the World Health Organisation shouldn't need to remind us of the importance in getting our dosage of fresh air. The goodness fresh air provides was understood back in the halcyon days and often shared by our parents "Turn off the computer, go outside, get some fresh air, and relax".

On the inside, looking out

A business is in business to offer a valuable service that generates profit, it operates to improve service and increase sales. Its incessant toil perpetuates revenues for investors and stakeholders. Its focus is on product development, customer relationships and public relations. Businesses also revere their clients and their staff. After all, it wouldn't be a viable business without them.

The average person inhales 237,600,000 breathes of air at work over their lifetime, so stale air at work could contribute to the rising numbers of respiratory diseases and infections. Did you know, Casinos pump high quality ventilated air to prevent fatigue, so why not your workplace?

90% of our time is spent indoors and stepping out isn't always a practical solution. Business would become unpredictable if staff switched off and went out for a dose of fresh air. A healthy and happy work force is efficient so Investing in air ventilation makes perfect sense.

Respiratory Diseases and Infections

Lung diseases affect an increasing number of people around the world:

1. Asthma

2. COPD (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis)

3. Infectious lung diseases

4. Lung cancer

5. Sleep apnea

6. Tuberculosis

According to WHO, 4.3 million people a year die from the exposure to indoor air pollution. Making sure that your building is well-ventilated and getting rid of pollutants can improve the quality of your indoor air.

Fresh air is a big win for business

Heat recovery ventilation systems supply fresh air in an energy efficient way, this constant supply of air reduces fatigue and sickness in the work place. Operate more profitably and efficiently with Ventilation. It isn't a business expensive with Provinces / States encourage energy efficient products with tax rebates.

Ken writes on environmental issues for Tempeff North America who specialize in Heat Recovery

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO EXERCISE

A lot of people when they get into their middle-aged years if they are out of shape may be inclined to think that getting fit is a lost cause. They imagine in order to get into shape again requires many hours a week on the treadmill or long distance running. Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth. First of all it is never too late for anyone to start a fitness routine. And secondly the most effective training methods shouldn't take a person more than a few minutes a week to complete.

Exercise at a high intensity level interspersed with periods of moderate rest is known as high intensity interval training (HIIT). If you are middle-aged and out of shape you might think that this type of intense activity will be too much for you to handle. Certainly you must take the approach that you can only give your body as much as it can handle, but normally your body will tell you when it's had enough. Letting your doctor know that you are about to undertake an intense training program should put your mind at ease as your body's abilities to handle it.

Test after test have shown that exercise after 40 will provide multiple benefits. Lowering your existing heart rate and maximizing oxygen uptake are only a couple of ways that exercise can help people at middle-age. But the one wonderful benefit I would like to address here is how intense exercise will help naturally boost human growth hormone levels. This is vital for healthy aging and maintaining the vigorous lifestyle well into old age.

And what makes this hormone so important? The growth hormone, also known as Somatotropin is beneficial not only for bodybuilders, as we've heard so much about, but for everyone as they get into their middle years and over. These hormones act as a liaison as they pass messages to various endocrine glands using the blood as a carrier. The signals they send are the main way that new tissue growth is built. As we age, old tissue is constantly lost, and if it is not replaced by new tissue we gradually deteriorate through old age.

Increasing the growth hormone gives other medical benefits. To name a few they lower bad cholesterol levels and raise good cholesterol levels, reduce fat tissue, make it possible to increase lean muscle mass and give us more energy to exercise longer. Anything we can do to increase these levels should be a high priority.

The necessity of getting into intense training begins shortly after we start the aging process. We probably aren't aware of this, but when we reach our mid-20s to 30 years old we begin a process called somatopause. This is where our production of human growth hormone begins to decrease quite dramatically, and this is where the aging process begins. Maintaining your HGH levels take on a great importance as it addresses the issues of muscle loss and a trophy. But tests have shown that just because you miss this early window doesn't mean you can't make up for it in your midlife or even elderly years. Never assume that you're too old, as it's been well documented that you're never too old to begin intense exercising.

Endorphins are an important regulator of pain, but also pleasure.  Most people produce them through exercise, but certain foods, especially chocolate can produce a similar effect.  Read more about it on our website.  Rich Carroll is a writer and health advocate now living in Chicago.

By Rich Carroll  

GET IN SHAPE WITH INDOOR CYCLING

Is it really possible to get fit on a stationary bike? This is a question many people want to know the answer to. How do you get in shape when cycling indoors? Well, this really is a great form of exercise and not something that can only be done outside.

Although you might find more enjoyment out of cycling outdoors, you can turn the indoors into a great cycling experience. Ever heard of spin classes? They seem to be all the rage. Here's what makes a good spin class.

How Indoor Cycling Gets You in Shape

Endurance riding helps build and tone muscles. To achieve this you'll need to increase resistance which will simulate hill climbing.

Indoor cycling burns fat with quick bursts of energy. You ride real hard and fast for that fat burning workout in indoor cycling. Doing this in short bursts for like a minute with a 15-second rest in between three times makes for a great workout.

What You Need for Indoor Cycling

You need a stationary bike, obviously. If you don't have a lot of room in your home, then you might want to join a gym and do actual spin classes, but if that's not your thing you can get a decent stationary bike cheaply at a second-hand shop or tag sale of some sort. Test it out first.

Plenty of water is required. You're going to need it because you are going to work hard and you want to stay hydrated.

Cycling shorts will be more comfortable. They won't move around a lot like other shorts. And since you will be working up quite a sweat you will want to be in something comfortable.

Sneakers or specialty cycling sneakers with an SPD cleat on the bottom that can be attached to the pedal can be used with indoor cycling. Either one will work and will give you results. The specialty cycling sneaker will just give you more stability when riding.

A heart rate monitor might be helpful. It's not necessary, but you might want to keep track of your heart rate because you are definitely going to get it going. It will also tell you how many calories you have burned. It will help you to not overdo it, too, especially if you know your target heart rate before you begin.

Indoor cycling is something that you can do all year round. It does not matter what the weather is like outside, it just matters that you do it. Whether it's too cold, too hot, raining, or snowing, you can still cycle. And it's something you will see results with. You can mix it up where one day you work on endurance and build and tone your muscles, and the next you do the fat burning.

Turn on the music and pump it up loud. Watch a movie, catch up on email even while you're cycling indoor. It is something fun to do and it is an excellent way to get yourself in shape.

Where will indoor cycling take you today?

By Russell (Rusty) Hart  visit his site at http://www.healthfitnessandsport.com 

WHY IS EXERCISE IN THE MORNING THE BEST TIME?

There are several benefits when exercising in the morning in contrast to other times of the day. If this sounds surprising consider the time factor. We are getting more done and performance in general is better in the morning than at other times of the day. Getting the most benefits from an effective exercise program it has to become a pattern or routine, and the best time is in the morning. If you schedule your exercise later in the day, invariable, there will be something competing for that time, and you will miss out on that exercise.

Set aside those half n hour to 60 minutes for whatever exercise you may do in the morning. It will become such a routine that you can hardly do without it once it is in your system; even your breakfast will taste better afterwards. Another disadvantage of exercising late in the day or at night is it tends to rev up your system when its time for your body to relax, winding down and preparing for bed and a good night's sleep. This question often gets asked: What type of exercise is best? This can vary; it depends on what your objectives are. For sport purpose you would choose a different exercise than anyone who wants to improve his overall fitness or to overcome some health issues.

The best exercise and equipment!

When people are looking which exercise machine to buy, the best one is with four legs: A dog! A dog will remind and even force you to walk it every day which makes two positives: The dog is happy and pays you back with affection, and "You" will become fit and healthy. For a gradual exercise program to build a stronger body and overcome some health problems there is no better than walking. With 30 to 60 minutes brisk walking early in the morning you get better results than at any other time during the day. For some staying motivated is difficult. It can help to do this together with a friend or in a group where you feel more committed, this way it's not as easy to make excuses and to say no. Some other crucial element in exercising is enjoyment; having to force you into this exercise every time will soon lead to abandonment. Make sure to wear the appropriate footwear as walking can put pressure on your feet which can cause pain and become uncomfortable. Most cities have walking paths to keep away from traffic, or choose walking through park land or grass areas. Walking on grass if possible is better; it cushions and absorbs the impact on your joints and ligaments, this especially applies when you are jogging.

Long extended exercise is not always better for your health!

Long cardio sessions of exercise may not benefit your health; it could have just the opposite effect. By having or staying on for long periods such as marathons can pose a significant risk and damage to your heart. Long distance running can cause acute overload and stress to your body, but the heart is usually the most affected and sudden cardiac arrest is possible. According to research a more effective and safer exercise is high intensity interval training, in a time frame from 30 to 40 minutes, which consists of short bursts of intense exertion. Give your body a rest period after intense training and between workouts. It is also recommended a diet high in nutrients and a good amount of fluid intake, the best is water. Good exercise should consist of a balanced program. Just jumping on to a treadmill or exercise bike at a gym will not give you this level of fitness or health benefits.

It will make all the difference in your life being fit, flexible, no pain and feeling strong. With regular exercise you will be reaping the rewards and feel better than you ever did before. For a mere few hours a week of putting in some effort you get the benefits of regaining the energy you need, being able to do anything in life you want to do. In the morning combine the two most crucial strategies together: Exercise and a good breakfast. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having these two in that order, exercise and a healthy, protein-rich breakfast is the best start for the day and for taking control of your health.

By Josef Bichlerm, visit his websit for mpre: http://josefbichler.com/free

Thank you for reading..

TELEVISION VS EXERCISE - WHICH PAY MORE?

One of the most common reasons people have for not being able to exercise on a regular basis is that they do not have enough time during the day. Does this sound familiar? Maybe you have been guilty of telling yourself this is the reason why you are unable to workout on a consistent schedule. If so, try not to feel too bad and get down on yourself because you are far from being the only one using this excuse.

This is not an attempt to downplay the daily schedule of individuals who avoid regular exercise due to having a jam-packed day with work, chores, kids, along with other time-zappers that arise. There are millions of reasons why exercising on a consistent basis takes a backseat to other day-to-day activities.

First off, if you are content with the lack of exercise and have no desire to change your ways, then by all means stop reading this article because you are definitely wasting your time. However, if you truly want to lose weight and get fit, in addition to eating in a more healthy manner, you will have to find a way to start exercising on a regular basis.

Here's something you should really take to heart. If you have time to watch television, you have time to exercise. Simple and straight to the point.

In actuality, if you have time for any type of leisure activity such as reading a book/newspaper, using the computer for non-work related things (like social media), and particularly watching movies/television, these are specific moments you will want to consider to change or at least alter a bit in order to accommodate exercise regularly.

As the idea for this article popped into my head, I thought about my past experiences with "leisure time" activities and how I was accustomed to spend my time away from work. The number one leisure activity for me was that darn television.

That's when I asked myself some simple questions to test how important this television time was to me. See if you can answer these same 3 questions which may open your eyes and get you to rethink the role the TV plays in your leisure time.

1) What did you watch 3 weeks ago at 9pm on a Tuesday night?

2) What was the plot of your favorite tv show in the first week of October last year?

3) OK, OK, something a bit more recent. What is your favorite memory of your television viewing from last week?

After taking a moment to really think carefully about these questions, you may have found out an interesting revelation just as I did when I thought about these same three. My answers were 1) Have no idea, possibly an Ancient Aliens show or some movie on a cable station 2) My favorite show is Big Bang Theory so I know it was funny, but I don't remember specifics 3) Nothing stands out, except a Redbox movie rental Non-Stop. But will I really remember that 2 months or a year from now?

Did you have difficulties coming up with accurate, memorable answers to these questions?

Sure watching television is an enjoyable way to spend the evening after a long day of work, chores, and kids. Naturally after an exhausting jam-packed day, it's refreshing to jump in bed and simply not have to move anything other than your eyes at the images on the screen.

However, I think now about how many countless "free-time" hours I spent sitting on the couch or laying in bed watching television. Often I would just channel surf until I found something that peaked my interest. Bam, one hour just flew by. That could have been one hour working out burning 700+ calories and making my body healthier and stronger.

This is the decision you will have to come to just as I had to about two years ago. Either change your habits or stay in the same condition you are in. I was sick and tired of being lazy and out of shape and was determined to do something about it especially when I found out I weighed nearly 300 pounds. Now, a year and a half later, I am proud to state that I am 45 pounds lighter and continuing to lose a little more week by week.

Sure I still watch television, but now it's usually after I've worked out for at least an hour as I'm falling asleep after a long, productive day. The choices you make from this point on will help determine the direction your life will take.

Just remember, the next time you use the excuse "I don't have time to exercise" hopefully it's not said after you watched two hours of the Kardashian show or Friends re-runs.

By Gregory L. Gomez, visit his website for more http://healthychoicesinlife.com/healthy-snacks-for-work.