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Know The Symptoms & Treatment Of Breast Cancer

Cancer develops when the body cells behave in an unrestrained way. According to some well-proven facts, Breast cancer develops in the ducts or lobules of the breast. It may be present as a lump, but this is not mandatory, so there are other breast changes that should be kept in mind and investigated. Breast cancer develops in either the ducts or the lobules. Lobules are the site where the milk is produced and ducts are the passage through which milk travels to the nipple. Cancer cells develop when the cell lining of the ducts or lobules becomes abnormal in size and shape and start multiplying in an uncontrolled way.Doctors classify breast cancer primarily according to:

Location: The part of the breast where it originates.
Spread: Whether and where cancer has spread.

Doctors also refer to recurrent breast cancer, which means cancer that reappears after treatment.CausesFamily history of breast and other cancersMany facts suggest that a family history of breast cancer means that one or more close blood relatives have or had breast cancer. Some families have more cases of breast cancer than expected by chance. Sometimes it is not clear whether the family’s pattern of cancer is due to chance, shared lifestyle factors, genes passed from parents to children or a combination of all these factors.Peutz-Jeghers syndromePeople with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome may have a mutation of the STK11 (also known as LKB1) gene. This gene appears to normally function as a tumour suppressor gene. This disorder increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal, breast, ovarian and testicular cancers.Early menarcheThe start of menstruation is called menarche. Early menarche is when menstruation starts at an early age (11 or younger). Signs including irregular early periods mean that the cells are exposed to estrogen and other hormones for a greater amount of time. This increases the risk of breast cancer.Oral contraceptivesOral contraceptives that contain both estrogen and progesterone can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, especially among women who have used oral contraceptives for 10 or more years. The increased risk disappears after the woman stops taking oral contraceptives. However, current and recent (less than 10 years since last use) users have a slightly increased risk compared to those who have never used oral contraceptives.AlcoholDrinking alcohol increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Even low levels of alcohol consumption (just 1 drink per day) can increase a woman’s risk. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.One possible reason for this is that alcohol is thought to cause higher levels of estrogen. Alcohol may also lower levels of some essential nutrients that protect against cell damage, such as folate (a type of vitamin B ), vitamin A and vitamin C.Smoking and second-hand smokeResearch shows that there may be a link between smoking and second-hand smoke and breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that active smoking is related to breast cancer in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. There is also a link between second-hand smoke and breast cancer, particularly in younger, mainly premenopausal women who have never smoked. There is not enough evidence to show a link between second-hand smoke and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.A lot of research is needed to determine the impact of active smoking and second-hand smoke on the rate of new cases of breast cancer, death rates and the relationship between genetics and the risk of smoking.Birth weightSome pieces of evidence and facts suggest that greater birth weight may increase the risk of premenopausal breast cancer. A greater birth weight means the foetus is exposed to more maternal estrogen, which may increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life.Symptoms

A lump, lumpiness or thickening in the breast or armpit – especially if it is in one breast only.
A change in the size or shape of the breast.
Skin changes such as dimpling, puckering or redness.
Nipple inversion or discharge.
A change to the nipple, like a rash, ulcer or itchiness.
An unusual or persistent pain.

TreatmentAfter diagnosis and determination of the stage of cancer you’re at, the doctor might recommend one or more of these treatments; Surgery, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy or Bisphosphonates to help aid primary breast cancer. Other important facts are about the side effects after treatment that usually include hot flushes, fatigue, pain etc.Also Read: What is the Cause of Nipple Pain? Understanding and Managing DiscomfortDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Facts about Bone Cancer :Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Bone cancer is caused when cells start dividing constantly and begin to grow out of control in the bones. It is basically a tumour that destroys normal bone tissue. Cells in the bones can become cancerous and spread to any other part of the body. Know the basic Facts about Bone Cancer to understand it better. They are broadly classified into two types of cancer.

Benign (non-cancerous): The benign bone tumour is more common and it compresses the healthy bone tissue in the affected area. The benign tumours are said to be less harmful as compared to the malignant tumours because they don’t spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant (cancerous): Malignant tumour that spreads to the bone tissues is called primary bone cancer. The case when cancer spreads from other organs like lungs, breast or prostate to the bones is called metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer is relatively common in comparison to primary bone cancer and harmful, in most cases fatal.

The exact cause of bone cancer has not been defined but researchers/doctors have identified many factors that could increase the chances of getting cancer. One of the most important facts about Bone Cancer is that it is difficult to determine if an individual has cancer unless they go for an extensive comprehensive exam involving physical tests, biopsy and blood tests along with a varied number of tests. Most common symptoms that could indicate bone cancer are:

Pain in the affected area: Patients complain of pain in the affected area and mention that when the affected bone (like the hand or leg) is used, the pain gets worse. The pain increases as cancer grows and becomes constant.
Fractures: As the cancer affects the cells, it weakens the bones and makes an individual prone to fractures. Most of the time the bones don’t fracture but patients complain of severe pain in the affected region for months together.
Swelling: Many people feel a mass or a lump depending upon the affected part of the body. Swelling can occur in areas affected by pain after a couple of weeks.

Persistent bone pain that gets worse over time and continues into the night should always be considered as bone cancer unless ruled out. Please consult your orthopedician for the above symptoms. Many a times bone cancer can also be non painful.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Other symptoms include tingling in fingers, numbness, weight loss, fatigue, etc. Sometimes people with bone cancer are not affected by these symptoms at all and hence, it is very crucial to consult a doctor first and get a proper diagnosis. It is also possible that these symptoms could be an indication of other conditions. Treatment of cancer depends upon the individual age & health along with the location, type, size and stage of cancer.

Some of the treatment methodologies in brief are:

Surgery: The tumoru-affected area of the bone along with some portion of healthy tissue is surgically removed to get rid of the cancer. This is done to ensure that the cancer doesn’t relapse and affect the tissues again.
Radiotherapy: which is also called radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells with the help of high-energy x-ray beams. Radiotherapy can be used in a combination with surgery depending upon the cancer type and a patient’s willingness to undergo the surgery.
Chemotherapy: also known as chemo; destroys the cancer cells through the use of a combination of anticancer drugs. Chemo while it slows the growth of cells, it adversely harms the healthy tissues in the body.
Cryosurgery: instead of using the method of conventional surgery, cryosurgery uses a liquid form of nitrogen to kill and freeze the cancer cells.

Bone cancer can begin in any bone in the body, but it most commonly affects the pelvis or the long bones in the arms and legs. Like most cancers, the risk of bone cancer increases with age. But for some types of bone cancer, younger people have a higher risk e.g. osteosarcoma.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Researchers and doctors have been trying to solve the mystery of cancer since decades and there is no one single cure for it. The best doctors in the world also cannot determine the exact reason why it affects a young child or an old person and why it does not affect everyone. Though there are defined rules to avoid, understanding the facts about Bone Cancer can help you take necessary precautions to stay healthy and be prepared.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

4 Critical Health Disorders Women Suffer!

Health Disorders in Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women but men can get it too. The term “ovarian cancer” includes several types of cancer that all arise from cells of the ovary. Both these diseases are major women’s health issues in urbanized areas. According to the National Cancer Institute, certain types of breast and ovarian cancer are highly genetic. These gene mutations pass from parent to child and frequently affect multiple generations of a family. They account for up to 25% of genetic breast cancers and 15% of ovarian cancer cases.Breast and ovarian cancer are treated according to the stage and type of cancer and treatments often involve surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation. Some women choose to be screened for genetic mutations and have their breasts and ovaries removed as a preventative measure.

Health Disorders in Rett Syndrome

Occurring in about 1 in 10,000 female infants, Rett Syndrome is a women’s health issue, typically involves a developmental regression sometime in the first 18 months of life, according to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Symptoms include problems with various types of brain function – from emotional and behavioural issues to cognitive challenges.The level of disability varies significantly and treatment typically involves behavioural therapy and special education. Rett Syndrome results from a mutation on the X chromosome, which a girl can receive from either parent.There are treatments available for Rett syndrome that focuses on helping a girl live the best life she can with the condition. Physical therapy can help improve mobility; speech therapy may help somewhat with language problems and occupational therapy helps girls perform daily activities – like bathing and dressing independently.Experts believe that therapy can help girls with Rett syndrome and their parents. Although a “normal” life may not be possible, some improvement can be expected with therapy. Participating in activities, including school and improved social interaction, are sometimes possible.Medicines can help to manage some of the problems with movement in Rett syndrome. Medication can also help control seizures. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Rett syndrome, which is an irreversible women’s health issue.

Health Disorders in Osteoporosis

Newest Womens Health Center Area - Best Exercise For Preventing Osteoporosis

Source

68 per cent of the 44 million people at risk for osteoporosis are women, making it a huge concern in women’s health issues. Osteoporosis may have its roots in childhood and adolescence, which is the period when your body does the most bone building. Women reach their peak bone mass at about age 18 while men reach theirs at 20. After that, both women and men continue to build small amounts of bone mass but men add more than women.Two major factors that affect your chance of getting osteoporosis are:

The amount of bone you have when you reach menopause- The greater your bone density is, to begin with, the lower your chance of developing osteoporosis. If you had low peak bone mass or other risk factors that caused you to lose bone, your chances of getting osteoporosis might be greater.
How fast you lose bone after you reach menopause- For some women, bone loss happens faster than for others. In fact, a woman can lose up to 20% of her bone density during the five-seven years following menopause. If you lose bone quickly, you have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis.

According to doctors, the prevention of this women’s health issue is simple – Get enough calcium and vitamin D and eat a well-balanced diet, exercise and don’t smoke or drink.

Health Disorders in Postpartum Depression

Bringing a new baby into the family can be challenging at the best of times, both physically and emotionally. It is natural for new mothers to experience mood swings, feeling joyful one minute and depressed the next. These feelings are sometimes known as the ”baby blues” and often go away soon after birth. However, some women may experience a deep and ongoing depression that lasts much longer. This is called postpartum depression.One cannot afford to take this women’s health issue lightly as it affects both the mother and the child. Postpartum depression can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth. The cause is not known. Hormonal and physical changes after birth and the stress of caring for a new baby may play a role. Women who have had depression are at higher risk.The first thing women affected should do is contact their doctor, who may refer them to a psychiatrist and/or therapist. If the doctor advises medication don’t be afraid to try it. For many women with PPMDs, medication is a helpful and necessary treatment. Mothers should not berate themselves if they do require medication. It can help.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.