Archive for April, 2011

A question asked by tg00014: What are the statistics for BRCA/Breast cancer gene?
After my mother had breast cancer, she and an aunt have tested positive for the breast cancer gene mutation that causes breast cancer, which means I have a 50% chance of having the gene mutation also. I was just wondering what the actual statistics are of getting breast cancer with this gene, and if I do have the gene what age would be appropriate for beginning the prophylactic surgeries? Thanks!

Most comprehensive answer:

Answer by lo_mcg
As you say, you have a 50% chance of inheriting the BRCA gene.

If you have inherited it, you have an 50 – 80% chance of having breast cancer – which also means you have at least a one in five chance of NOT getting it.

I hope you haven’t inherited it; if you have your doctor will advise about the appropriate time for surgery.

I suggest you look at these two sites if you haven’t already; as well as loads of information they have forums where you can talk to other women who are or have been in the same situation:

http://www.breastcancer.org

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk

**sorry, I originally typed 80% instead of 50 – 80%

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Why is breast cancer radiation a part of many treatment programs? The primary treatment protocols for breast cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. However, for cancers found in a localized area of the breast, radiation therapy is often part of the treatment program as well. A lumpectomy or partial mastectomy keeps much of the breast tissue intact. To make sure the breast does not have any lingering cancer cells, a round of radiation is often a preventative measure to ensure the cancer does not return. In rare cases where the patient or doctor finds tumors early, radiation may be the only treatment required.

What is external beam radiotherapy? This form of breast cancer radiation comes from the outside in. The radiation treatment technician places the beam source close to the breast tissue right above the area for treatment. When the technician turns on the radiation beam, it penetrates the skin and goes to work on the tissues surrounding the cancerous area. This radiation is very local and great care is necessary to ensure the best treatment without damaging healthy tissue. During the treatment, patients have to wear protection over the skin area to protect it from sunlight.

What is internal radiotherapy? In contrast to external beam radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy takes the radiation directly inside. During the initial surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor places a catheter into the body that leads into the area of the cancer. During the radiation therapy, the doctor gives the patient a local anesthetic. The doctor then inserts a probe which emits radiation into the cancerous area. This form of breast cancer radiation is less common than the external beam variety. However, by bringing the radiation directly to the cancerous area, it helps minimize damage to healthy tissues.

What else do you need to know about breast cancer radiation? A typical round of radiation will go five days a week for up to six consecutive weeks. The radiation therapy itself is usually painless. Technology has made these sessions relatively quick also.

Side effects of the therapy vary from patient to patient. Some of the common ones reported include fatigue, skin changes in the irradiated area, diarrhea, and trouble eating. The patient also becomes more susceptible to infections and should stay away from family and friends with communicable illness. Modern radiation therapy is very precise. With breast cancer, most patients do not experience hair loss and very little nausea.

Raphaelo is medical student; he enjoys talking about medical related topics. To learn more about breast cancer radiation, please visit http://www.breastcancerradiation.us.

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How does breast cancer affect the body?

A question asked by caitig90: How does breast cancer affect the body?
I’m doing a bio paper on breast cancer and i know the symptoms that they check for to diagnos u with breast cancer but i don’t know how cancer really affects the body. Like what would it do if left untreated.

No 1 answer:

Answer by Alan
The American Cancer Society probablly has online materials on this, however cancer when it is ‘localized’ (meaning it has not spread) is not the big issue (when it is found like this, ‘cure’ or success rates are high). It is only when it spreads (called metastasis) is the issue. Because when this happens the cancer cells are basically free and start impacting other body organs. Typically cancer likes to do this via the lymph node system (where it can travel it like a highway to other body organs)

For example say the breast cancer decides to metastasis and it goes to the brain or liver, etc. When it starts to form tumors on these organs it causes problems. For example my mom’s ovarian cancer created some new tumors on ther intestines and it created a bowel blockage where she can’t digest food.

Agree or disagree? Leave your own thoughts below.

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Warning signs of breast cancer are not always easy to recognize, particularly when it is in the early stages. However, if you are watchful enough, you may be able to at least catch the suspicion or paranoia that saves your life by having you walk into the specialist’s early enough.You may not be able to get to the doctor on time, or perhaps you just don’t have the funds to.

This is why, you must be able to identify breast cancer symptoms as they appear on you. Knowing them may be the only way you can diagnose the condition early enough to get better treatment.You don’t want to mistake your breast cancer symptoms for other things. Individually, there may point elsewhere, but when you have them all hitting you at the same time, you want to seek the right kind of medical attention.

Some of these symptoms have to be observed by x-ray or under a microscope before the doctors conclude that you have breast cancer. You will be wise not to jump to conclusions.When you suffer from breast cancer, you may experience redness of your skin, or pitting thereof, over your breast. When you find that your skin is beginning to look somewhat like the skin of an orange, it may be a good time to panic.

It is not unusually to experience a change in the size or the contours of your breast when you have breast cancer. As a matter of fact, that is perhaps the first of symptoms that most sufferers observe before they run in for medical checkup. You must never neglect such.

If you happen to have breast cancer, one of the symptoms you will likely see as the condition begins to progress is a retraction or indentation of the nipple of the infected breast. Although this is perhaps one of the first things you may notice, the disease has probably gone some way and done damage by this time.

Are you trying to be more eco-friendly? Buy water barrels to find out how easy it is saving water and saving money. Perhaps you may consider the Fiskars Salsa Rain Water Barrel as a possibility.

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Question posed by David C: Where is the best place to go for breast cancer treatment?

Most detailed answer:

Answer by grannyzattic
MD Anderson in Houston, TX, the best cancer treatment hospital.

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Breast Cancer Treatment

Combine this video with the excellent questions and answers given throughout this blog to improve your knowledge of breast cancer treatment.

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A question from Carolyn Williams: What the likeliness of me getting breast cancer at my age?
I’m 20 and constantly check my breasts for hard lumps and often think bones are cancer, but I can’t really tell the difference. What do I need to feel for? Can I get cancer on my sternam or breast bone and does the breast bone go into the breast at all? Please help.

Top answer:

Answer by Ruby_red_shoes
Stop constantly checking your breasts or you will make them sore. Check them once a month after your period, in the shower. Soap them well and run your flat hand around your breast. Learn where all the usual lumps and bumps are. Any new ones, go to a doctor and have them checked. Ask your doctor to check them when you have your usual yearly checkup.

The chances of you getting breast cancer at your age is so slim. Stop thinking about it, it will probably never happen.

Just wanting to add for the benefit of the last poster – breast cancer is absolutely possible in a 20 year old. A three year old child has just recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. In Australia, there have been a number of very high profile women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their 20s. It is a miniscule chance, but the chance exists. Women of all ages should check their breast each month following their period. Screening mammograms are advised over the age of 50, but in Australia can be utilised over 40 free of charge. Vigilance is important for early detection. However, over checking and being obsessive about it is not in anyone’s best interests.

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Based on the type and progression of the health problems, specific therapies are available intended for breast cancer. Using drug is one method in addressing the problem. With regard to menopausal who have been diagnosed with cancer, Aromasin may be a means to cure these illness.

This disease is a lot more widespread in females but it does not mean that males are exempted. It usually begins in the tubes or even the lobules. A cancer that begins in the whole milk tubes is unquestionably known as “ductal carcinomas”, while those beginning from the lobules is referred to as “lobular carcinomas”. 10 percent of malignant cancer present in women are often breast cancer, and is the 5th common causes of dying.

Cancer of the breast is hard to determine because there is absolutely no advance or feasible symptoms seen or perhaps felt. Consequently, it’s recognized whenever a big hard lump in the breast area can be sensed. You may find this unpleasant and also irritating when sleeping because it grows in size however other than that there is no indicators that may alarm an individual. When protuberance is noticeable within the armpits or even the so-called lymph nodes, it is best to see a medical doctor immediately for opinion. Other body changes may include enhancement of the busts, dimpling, nipple area inversion, or even a quick discharge of single areola. Swelling, discoloration, warmness, infection, along with being irritable is oftentimes the signs related to several types of cancer.

Hormonal therapy is one solution to combat the disease, and one drug that’s utilized is Aromasin. It is an exemestane tablet that influence estrogen hormones. The drug is usually used for women who may have previously had estrogen-receptor positive early stage cancer of the breast, who have entered menopause, and also currently taken tamoxifen for around 3 years. It is typically prescribed by doctors just after tamoxifen has recently been in use, in conjunction with chemotherapy, radiation or surgical procedure may take about 5 years to complete.

Tamoxifen is initially given as a way to keep estrogen from attaching to cancer cells. Breast cancer often makes use of this agent to grow. Following its use, the medication is then recommended in order to minimize levels of estrogen substantially. These have been in conflict with hormone replacement therapy, so a physician need to be made knowledgeable of virtually all treatments prior to use.

It is relatively straightforward. You take one capsule every day after a food. If however you miss a dose, take it the next day. The producer does not suggest increasing up pills or even attempting to make up for missed dosage. Just like whatever you take it’s wise approach your medical professional about your some other drugs prior to starting using Aromasin.

Just about everything has feasible side effects, although no person is affected. Nearly all these types of effects tend to be more not comfortable than dangerous. Your physician could have some advice regarding how to deal with these kinds of unwanted effects that includes increased sweating, headaches, hot flashes, exhaustion joint pain, and also sleeplessness. It is extremely uncommon instance (under 1% of individuals) have seen weak bones, chest pain or upper body soreness, as well as center disappointment.

Marnix Drustanh has investigated health complications and its treatment for a long time. The writer must have regarded effectively the response of Aromasin. Gathered extra info about Aromasin and when it features effectively to an individual for treatment.

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A question from blossombloom07: What kind of tests or examinations should be done for breast cancer?
So I am 20 years old and I began to become more worried about breast cancer.
There is no history of breast cancer in my family but I just thought it would be good to do some early testing just in case.
So I was wondering, what kind of tests should be done to detect breast cancer at age 20? I heard that mannograms should be done around 35. Is there any other examinations that you can do at an early age? And if there is where can I get them done? Regular family physician, gynocologist? Thanks everyone!

The best answer:

Answer by Denisedds
There is no reason to do screening tests at your age. You should get a breast exam when you have your annual pap. Mammograms are recommended annually starting at age 40. If you find a lump in your breast before then have your doctor check it. Exposing yourself to unnecessary radiation is never a good idea.

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Question by m3_sofakinggood: Does support for breast cancer leave less charity for other types of cancer?

Im guessing so since no one has the answer.

My chosen answer:

Answer by Denisedds
No one is answering as it is clear facts do not matter to you. You just make guesses with that huge chip on your shoulder.

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