Breast Cancer - Both Physical and Emotional
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American women and it is one of the disease we women fear most, as it is silent but deadly. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease. Heightened awareness of breast cancer risk in the past decades has led to an increase in the number of women undergoing mammography for screening, leading to detection of cancers in earlier stages and a resultant improvement in survival rates.
Still, breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women between the ages of 45 and 55. Although breast cancer in women is a common form of cancer, breast cancer can also occur in men, but it's far less common, accounts for about 1% of all cancer deaths in men.
Did you know that there is a probability of breast cancer in attractive woman! (ok, so l guess that counts me out, lol) Although there is no data to prove that attractive women are at higher risk of the disease, there is a possibility. Attractive women could have high levels of hormones that are carcinogenic because attractiveness is in part based on the level of female hormone and high levels make women look more feminine, thus more attractive. May be this is the reason many young female celebrities have fought battles with breast cancer.
There are a number of famous breast cancer survivors, and many of them are under the age of 45. Some of these survivors have made huge contributions to raising awareness about breast cancer, and more importantly have focused attention on the reality that the disease can hit women in the prime of their lives.
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For example, the actress Christina Applegate, 36 was very recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. Applegate is among the celebrities scheduled to appear on the "Stand Up To Cancer" one-hour television special to be aired on ABC, CBS and NBC on Sept. 5 to raise funds for cancer research, how ironic is that. |
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| Melissa Etheridge, the singer went public with her fight against breast cancer in a big way, appearing on stage at the 2005 Grammy Awards after losing her hair to chemotherapy. She was 43 at the time of her diagnosis. Melissa's fight inspired her fans to raise money for breast cancer research. |  |
Kylie Minogue, the Australian singer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 37. Kylie has gone through the entire gamut - from surgery to chemotherapy. She came out the other side fighting, moving forward, and speaking candidly about her journey. Ann Jillian, in 1985, at the age of 35, the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.
Canadian punk-rocker Bif Naked announced on January 6, 2008 that she has breast cancer. 36-year-old singer is approaching her battle with the disease with a no-nonsense, take charge attitude. She is speaking out, urging women to schedule regular screenings and making a strong point that cancer is non-discriminatory, affecting even those in great health. She plans to record and work during her treatment, and will most certainly continue to speak out about breast cancer and the impact it has had on her life.
There has also been the singers Olivia Newton John and Delta Goodrem, who have also been diagnosed with this disease and have bravely spoken out about it. Olivia Newton-John has openend up a treatment and help centre, called "The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre" which has its facilities in Melbourne, Australia.
Celebrity status does not give a diagnosis more import, but it does provide these women with a unique opportunity to speak out. Breast cancer does not discriminate. Young or old, gay or straight, famous or not, anyone can get the disease. One in nine women will battle breast cancer in her lifetime. Famous women are in a unique position in that, often, their disease is high profile, and they have the opportunity to use their fame to raise awareness of the disease.
How does the cancer process?
New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer but malignant tumors are.
- Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening.
- Generally, benign tumors can be removed. They usually do not grow back.
- Cells from benign tumors do not invade the tissues around them.
- Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.
When breast cancer cells spread, the cancer cells are often found in lymph nodes near the breast. Also, breast cancer can spread to almost any other part of the body. The most common are the bones, liver, lungs, and brain. The new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor.
Causes:
- Age. Your chances of developing breast cancer increase with age. Close to 80 percent of breast cancers occur in women older than age 50. In your 30s, you have a one in 233 chance of developing breast cancer. By age 85, your chance is one in eight.
- 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.
- Family history. If you have a mother, sister or daughter with breast or ovarian cancer or both, or a male relative with breast cancer, you have a greater chance of also developing breast cancer.
- Genetic predisposition. Between 5 percent and 10 percent of breast cancers are inherited. Defects in one of several genes.
- Excess weight. The relationship between excess weight and breast cancer is complex. In general, weighing more than is healthy increases your risk, particularly if you gained the weight as an adolescent. But risk is even greater if you put the weight on after menopause. Your risk also is greater if you have more body fat in the upper part of your body.
- First pregnancy at older age. If your first full-term pregnancy occurs after age 30, or you never become pregnant, you have a greater chance of developing breast cancer. Although it's not entirely clear why, an early first pregnancy may protect breast tissue from developing genetic mutations that result from estrogen exposure.
- Hormone therapy. Treating menopausal symptoms with the hormone combination of estrogen and progesterone for four or more years increases your risk of breast cancer.
- Birth control pills. Use of birth control pills is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. The risk seems to be greater for women who use birth control pills for four or more years before their first full-term pregnancy, but since delayed first pregnancy is also a risk factor, part of the risk could be attributed to that.
- Smoking. Evidence is mixed on the relationship between smoking and breast cancer risk. Some studies show no link between cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke and breast cancer. Others suggest that smoking increases breast cancer risk.
- Excessive use of alcohol. According to the American Cancer Society, women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage a day have about a 20 percent greater risk of breast cancer than do women who don't drink. To reduce your breast cancer risk, limit alcohol to no more than one drink daily.
Symptoms: Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. Still, a woman should see her health care provider about breast pain or any other symptom that does not go away. Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems may also cause them. Any woman with these symptoms should tell her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine. If you find a lump or other change in your breast - even if a recent mammogram was normal - see your doctor as soon as possible. If you haven't yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn't gone away after a month, have it evaluated promptly. |
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Important Links
United States:
National breast cancer organization
United Kingdom:
Against Breast Cancer: It is a registered charity which funds unique research into breast cancer. Their aim is to find vital information to increase survival after diagnosis and ultimately to discover a vaccine against breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer.
Australia:
The Advanced Breast Cancer Group: This is a unique service that offers women all over Queensland an opportunity to meet and talk with other women. This group provides the time and the space to do this. It also provides an opportunity to make strong and lasting friendships which nourish and support members of the group through what is often described as a roller-coaster ride.
Breast Cancer Network Australia: They are peak national organization for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. They work to ensure that Australians diagnosed with breast cancer and their families receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible, no matter who they are or where they live.
Bangkok: The Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group is a non-profit organization run by a group of dedicated ladies.
Great books on Breast Cancer:
Be A Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment : This is a fantastic book for the newly-diagnosed breast cancer patient. It does a great job explaining things on a level that the average person can understand. It also has great diagrams, lists of questions to ask your medical team, glossary of terms, websites to check out and comments from breast cancer survivors and/or significant others of survivors. Book is highly recommend.
The Breast Cancer Book by Ruth H. Grobstein, M.D., Ph.D.; Foreword by Margaret Foti, M.D.
Highlights of the book:
- The most up-to-date information on diagnosis and treatment options, endorsed by top medical experts
- Decision trees that tear out for easy reference-which lead the way toward sound decisions
- A simple, straightforward writing style
- An explanation of treatment teams and the roles of their members
- Organization that allows the reader to dip into the book at any point
- Helpful answers to all the essential questions about breast cancer
Advanced Breast Cancer - A Guide to Living With Metastatic Disease. Every woman facing breast cancer should have a copy of this outstanding and supportive book that offers information to help women cope with the shock of breast cancer recurrence, and provides extensive information about dealing with the medical profession, family, and friends.
Breast cancer effects physically however the victim goes through a major emotional crisis. At this stage always try to discuss your feelings with your partner, doctor and friends. The best way is to discuss your problem with the person who has breast cancer, so why not join a discussion group? Don't lose your confidence and try to fight against the odds, l am sure you will win! We will soon post about the treatments of breast cancer.
(Sources: medicine net, mayoclinic, my lifetime)
