A profession in medical helping is among the quickest growing fields within the well being care occupation today. The abilities required for this job mix knowledge of workplace work and billing software in addition to an understanding of anatomy and human biology. There are numerous ways to turn into a medical assistant and an internship in is one approach to launch a profession in well being care.
Medical assistants help doctors in quite a few ways. They carry out some secretarial duties but are charged with medical providers which can be past the scope of an average secretary. Their duties could be divided into three classes: administrative, medical and financial.
The executive duties embody scheduling appointments and sustaining the files of the physician's office. This part of the job also contains taking telephone messages for docs when they do not have time to make use of the phone. Different clerical duties could also be assigned.
The medical duties vary from the very simple to the challenging, depending on the level of coaching that the person has obtained and the amount of expertise she or he has acquired. Many clinical medical assistants interview patients ahead of their go to with the doctor. They collect data and cross it on to the physician earlier than he or she sees the patient.
Medical assistants are sometimes requested to take a patient's very important indicators and report on the results to the overseeing physician. Additionally they draw blood and perform simple laboratory tests. Some experienced assistants might even assist in using EKG and x-ray machines, if these are available within the doctor's office by which they work. They're usually answerable for explaining outcomes of checks and passing info between physician and patient when a face to face assembly isn't possible.
The monetary role contains dealing with billing points and speaking to insurance coverage companies. This protects the doctor time and permits him or her to make use of their experience relatively than waste time on the phone with bureaucrats. Medical assistants also purchase and look after medical gear that the doctor uses.
How can an internship in medical helping enable you to? Many doctors' places of work require that assistants have a certificate earned form an establishment that will require one to 2 years' price of examine earlier than granting such a certificate. Other doctors are willing to offer on the job training to interns. These positions do not pay effectively if they pay at all. Nonetheless, these gives can provide you a chance to find out if this work is basically for you. It's significantly better to find out that you don't want to pursue this profession in a month fairly than after a yr of schooling.
Taking an internship may persuade you that this is the right job for you. The experience might encourage you to complete your coaching and even go on to a specialised school. This chance will certainly open your eyes about your future in health care.
Showing posts with label Cancer Treatment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancer Treatment. Show all posts
Medical Equipment - Uncover the Key Advantages of the Well-liked CT and PET Scanning Units
There are a lot of new products which can be being produced to make elevated degree of diagnosis. It's important to select the most effective amongst all medical equipment such that there will probably be good level of easiness that shall be related to interpretation of assorted kinds of outcomes that usually happen. Some of the essential equipments that will likely be of nice use in figuring out various sorts of medical conditions which are present in human body is a scanning device.
There are a lot of sorts of scanning gadgets that may be undertaken to check the whole human body. There are massive numbers of people that have been treated in a exact and excellent manner as a result of good identification of varied kinds of medical circumstances in a fast manner. The 2 essential scanners that play an vital function within the identification of doable lung cancer are the CT scanner and PET scanner.
These scanners can be utilized separately or in combination with one another to derive results that can provide a great deal of information about cancer. Many sorts of results equivalent to progress price of cancer cells, metabolic activity of most cancers cells and lots of more could be established with the help of this technique. The next area contains particulars about CT scan and PET scan that may be of nice use in identifying varied kinds of knowledge
This technique makes use of x rays to check the human anatomical structure. This machine makes it doable to review numerous cells and tissues that are current within the body. The portions that are subjected to cancer cell will present different indication from that of other cells. The x rays will be selected in such a way they will not penetrate deep into the body. This may even be of great use for actual time purposes since there can be no invasion of these particles within the body. The entire course of is threat and pain free.
This particular technique is used to identify the presence of most cancers cells and can also be used in an efficient method to review about numerous developments of cancer cells that occur. The precept of this system is that it can be used in an efficient method to study metabolic activity of cancer. The research of metabolic exercise of most cancers cells will provide whole lot of details about spreading of most cancers and suitable treatment that can be utilized to amass a correct solution.
There are a lot of sorts of scanning gadgets that may be undertaken to check the whole human body. There are massive numbers of people that have been treated in a exact and excellent manner as a result of good identification of varied kinds of medical circumstances in a fast manner. The 2 essential scanners that play an vital function within the identification of doable lung cancer are the CT scanner and PET scanner.
These scanners can be utilized separately or in combination with one another to derive results that can provide a great deal of information about cancer. Many sorts of results equivalent to progress price of cancer cells, metabolic activity of most cancers cells and lots of more could be established with the help of this technique. The next area contains particulars about CT scan and PET scan that may be of nice use in identifying varied kinds of knowledge
This technique makes use of x rays to check the human anatomical structure. This machine makes it doable to review numerous cells and tissues that are current within the body. The portions that are subjected to cancer cell will present different indication from that of other cells. The x rays will be selected in such a way they will not penetrate deep into the body. This may even be of great use for actual time purposes since there can be no invasion of these particles within the body. The entire course of is threat and pain free.
This particular technique is used to identify the presence of most cancers cells and can also be used in an efficient method to review about numerous developments of cancer cells that occur. The precept of this system is that it can be used in an efficient method to study metabolic activity of cancer. The research of metabolic exercise of most cancers cells will provide whole lot of details about spreading of most cancers and suitable treatment that can be utilized to amass a correct solution.
Five Essential Developments in Medical Equipment
Medical doctors are solely as good as their tools allows. At the moment, new research into medical gear will not be solely bettering the effectiveness of medical procedures day-after-day, but also changing the way in which we think about well being and medicine. Listed below are 5 of crucial and promising advancements in medical tools today.
1. Smartphone Ultrasound Imaging
With the help of a $100,000 grant from Microsoft, laptop scientists at Washington University have combined USB-primarily based ultrasound probe know-how with good phone technology. The result is a portable medical imaging device sufficiently small to fit in your palm. One of many targets of the research workforce is to coach folks in creating international locations to use the portable probe to collect patient knowledge, which might then be despatched to specialists' half-approach world wide for examine and quick diagnosis.
2. New Prostate Therapy Technique: Bubbles
Conventional treatment of prostate growths entails inserting a metallic software into the prostate and scraping away malignant cells lining the walls. At the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a staff of urologists have developed a simpler and fewer invasive methodology, using extremely focused ultrasound pulses. The pulses create microscopic bubbles out of dissolved fuel in prostate tissue. When these bubbles collapse, they release acoustic shock waves that, over 1000's of repetitions, liquefy prostate growths. That is the primary time that cavitation has been controlled nicely sufficient to be used as a software at such microscopic level.
3. Treating Tumors with Microwaves
Liver cancer is turning into extra widespread within the U.S. Traditional treatment involves both transplant or open surgery. However at UC San Diego's Medical Heart, a brand new device is being used to remove liver tumors: microwave ablation. The procedure involves accessing the liver via a small pores and skin incision and piercing the cancerous tumor with a thin antenna that emits microwaves at temperatures above 60 levels Celsius, inflicting mobile dying in the tumor usually after 10 minutes.
4. Gamma Digicam
New high-resolution gamma cameras are permitting medical doctors to detect breast cancer extra effectively than with conventional mammograms or clinical exams. This new technique is called breast-particular gamma imaging (BSGI). But the doable makes use of of gamma imaging aren't restricted to breast cancer only. High-decision gamma cameras have gotten probably the most essential tools for early detection of many several types of cancers.
5. First Steps towards Robotic Surgeries
Medical tools is supposed to help human beings perform medical procedures. But the day is probably not far when human arms are not wanted at all throughout surgeries. Unassisted, robotic-carried out surgeries are a risk that engineers at Duke University are working to make reality. Utilizing a basic, tabletop robot, 3-D ultrasound know-how and an artificial intelligence program, researchers have been in a position to create a robot that could perform many fundamental duties required during surgeries on its own. Extra research and improvement is needed before surgery robots become viably usable, however the first steps have been taken.
1. Smartphone Ultrasound Imaging
With the help of a $100,000 grant from Microsoft, laptop scientists at Washington University have combined USB-primarily based ultrasound probe know-how with good phone technology. The result is a portable medical imaging device sufficiently small to fit in your palm. One of many targets of the research workforce is to coach folks in creating international locations to use the portable probe to collect patient knowledge, which might then be despatched to specialists' half-approach world wide for examine and quick diagnosis.
2. New Prostate Therapy Technique: Bubbles
Conventional treatment of prostate growths entails inserting a metallic software into the prostate and scraping away malignant cells lining the walls. At the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a staff of urologists have developed a simpler and fewer invasive methodology, using extremely focused ultrasound pulses. The pulses create microscopic bubbles out of dissolved fuel in prostate tissue. When these bubbles collapse, they release acoustic shock waves that, over 1000's of repetitions, liquefy prostate growths. That is the primary time that cavitation has been controlled nicely sufficient to be used as a software at such microscopic level.
3. Treating Tumors with Microwaves
Liver cancer is turning into extra widespread within the U.S. Traditional treatment involves both transplant or open surgery. However at UC San Diego's Medical Heart, a brand new device is being used to remove liver tumors: microwave ablation. The procedure involves accessing the liver via a small pores and skin incision and piercing the cancerous tumor with a thin antenna that emits microwaves at temperatures above 60 levels Celsius, inflicting mobile dying in the tumor usually after 10 minutes.
4. Gamma Digicam
New high-resolution gamma cameras are permitting medical doctors to detect breast cancer extra effectively than with conventional mammograms or clinical exams. This new technique is called breast-particular gamma imaging (BSGI). But the doable makes use of of gamma imaging aren't restricted to breast cancer only. High-decision gamma cameras have gotten probably the most essential tools for early detection of many several types of cancers.
5. First Steps towards Robotic Surgeries
Medical tools is supposed to help human beings perform medical procedures. But the day is probably not far when human arms are not wanted at all throughout surgeries. Unassisted, robotic-carried out surgeries are a risk that engineers at Duke University are working to make reality. Utilizing a basic, tabletop robot, 3-D ultrasound know-how and an artificial intelligence program, researchers have been in a position to create a robot that could perform many fundamental duties required during surgeries on its own. Extra research and improvement is needed before surgery robots become viably usable, however the first steps have been taken.
Health Article On Most cancers
The treatment for most cancers remains to be some way off however it is one thing that science expects to occur possibly throughout the subsequent few decades; medical research continues to advance in it is warfare with this disease that plagues humanity. Although there are other more awful diseases, this one holds the crown for the time being because of how usually it's diagnosed. The three most common cancers in men in America are prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer whereas the women are affected by breast most cancers, lung cancer, and colon cancer.
It causes extra deaths per inhabitants than another sickness and the older you get the more inclined you are to contracting the illness; Statistics show that the number of individuals cancer kills globally each year is about 13 in each one hundred.
A treatment would bring a sigh of relief everywhere.
The reasons most cancers is triggered in the physique are only theories as it can be brought on by many things.
Most cancers is the uncontrolled growth of irregular cells within the body.These regular cells grow out of control and even intrude in other surrounding tissues.
Benign tumors do not usually develop bigger, metastasize or threaten the body and organs like malignant (cancerous) tumors do though it is possible for a malignant tumor to have started out as benign. Cancerous cells could have been transformed by radiation or poison for example and this creates genetic abnormality in those cells which then continue to grow and divide.
Simply to confuse the difficulty extra, it's doable to inherit genes that may be pre-disposed to it in addition to defective genetic DNA replication. It would seem that certain individuals's genetic make-up makes them much less susceptible to contacting the illness even if they are permitting harmful carcinogens into their bodies.
Owing to the worldwide drawback of most cancers, it's usually studied throughout the world and lengthening our information on the subject. We are always learning extra about diseases and the way they have an effect on our our bodies and minds. We are frequently trying to find out why this disease attacks some and not others. All of us need to know extra in regards to the causes of cancer what we will do to help stop this illness from striking.
It's now believed by many that the food we eat could possibly be answerable for many cases. Even when this is not the case, what we eat does have an effect on our total and long term health. A number of the foodstuffs that could possibly be inflicting these issues are salt, saturated fat and dairy products. A high calcium consumption may possibly be responsible for cases of prostrate most cancers in men.
Most cancers can have an effect on any a part of the physique from the bones, blood, skin or organs. The problem is that it can also be insidious and an individual might have it for some time before it's diagnosed. Cures for a lot of types have superior lately and are extra possible to achieve success if the most cancers is present in its early stages. Cancer is just not the sure loss of life sentence it as soon as was and though a lot of its numerous varieties are incurable presently, medical science continues to improve.
It causes extra deaths per inhabitants than another sickness and the older you get the more inclined you are to contracting the illness; Statistics show that the number of individuals cancer kills globally each year is about 13 in each one hundred.
A treatment would bring a sigh of relief everywhere.
The reasons most cancers is triggered in the physique are only theories as it can be brought on by many things.
Most cancers is the uncontrolled growth of irregular cells within the body.These regular cells grow out of control and even intrude in other surrounding tissues.
Benign tumors do not usually develop bigger, metastasize or threaten the body and organs like malignant (cancerous) tumors do though it is possible for a malignant tumor to have started out as benign. Cancerous cells could have been transformed by radiation or poison for example and this creates genetic abnormality in those cells which then continue to grow and divide.
Simply to confuse the difficulty extra, it's doable to inherit genes that may be pre-disposed to it in addition to defective genetic DNA replication. It would seem that certain individuals's genetic make-up makes them much less susceptible to contacting the illness even if they are permitting harmful carcinogens into their bodies.
Owing to the worldwide drawback of most cancers, it's usually studied throughout the world and lengthening our information on the subject. We are always learning extra about diseases and the way they have an effect on our our bodies and minds. We are frequently trying to find out why this disease attacks some and not others. All of us need to know extra in regards to the causes of cancer what we will do to help stop this illness from striking.
It's now believed by many that the food we eat could possibly be answerable for many cases. Even when this is not the case, what we eat does have an effect on our total and long term health. A number of the foodstuffs that could possibly be inflicting these issues are salt, saturated fat and dairy products. A high calcium consumption may possibly be responsible for cases of prostrate most cancers in men.
Most cancers can have an effect on any a part of the physique from the bones, blood, skin or organs. The problem is that it can also be insidious and an individual might have it for some time before it's diagnosed. Cures for a lot of types have superior lately and are extra possible to achieve success if the most cancers is present in its early stages. Cancer is just not the sure loss of life sentence it as soon as was and though a lot of its numerous varieties are incurable presently, medical science continues to improve.
Medical Oncologist For Breast Cancer
Oncology is a department of medication that deals with the research and therapy of cancer. A medical oncologist is a health care provider specializing within the said study and treatment. Nonetheless, a medical oncologist for breast cancer should first consult with a pathologist about the precise biological nature of the tumor being treated.
An oncologist deals with the diagnosis, therapy akin to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, fixed follow-up with the affected person, and the screening of the kin of the patient. Having diagnosed with breast cancer, a affected person is knowledgeable with the three specialty areas within the therapy of the illness, that are as follows: medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology.
There are completely different methods in the diagnosis. The medical oncologist for breast most cancers could do a biopsy on the affected person (may be incisional or excisional), x-rays or a number of blood tests. If a affected person is identified to have one, the treatment for the tumor that the medical oncologist would apply varies relying on the stage of the disease.
Chemotherapy may be finished before or after surgery. Chemotherapy includes several varieties of medicine and these drugs are given to sufferers with primary breast most cancers; breast most cancers believed to haven't but spread outdoors the breast or to the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy may also be used to treat tumor that has already metastasized or have already spread to other organs in the body.
Another specialty therapy of a medical oncologist is hormone therapy. This hormone therapy interferes with the hormones in the body that stimulates the growth of the ailment. Hormone therapy may be finished to sufferers with main breast cancer or also to sufferers with tumor that has already unfold to other organs in the body.
The therapy that the medical oncologist for breast most cancers applies to patients, like chemotherapy, has certain side effects like lack of hair. These docs are expert of their field and they also are also dealing with the therapy of the unwanted side effects and issues encountered by the patient with breast cancer.
An oncologist deals with the diagnosis, therapy akin to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, fixed follow-up with the affected person, and the screening of the kin of the patient. Having diagnosed with breast cancer, a affected person is knowledgeable with the three specialty areas within the therapy of the illness, that are as follows: medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology.
There are completely different methods in the diagnosis. The medical oncologist for breast most cancers could do a biopsy on the affected person (may be incisional or excisional), x-rays or a number of blood tests. If a affected person is identified to have one, the treatment for the tumor that the medical oncologist would apply varies relying on the stage of the disease.
Chemotherapy may be finished before or after surgery. Chemotherapy includes several varieties of medicine and these drugs are given to sufferers with primary breast most cancers; breast most cancers believed to haven't but spread outdoors the breast or to the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy may also be used to treat tumor that has already metastasized or have already spread to other organs in the body.
Another specialty therapy of a medical oncologist is hormone therapy. This hormone therapy interferes with the hormones in the body that stimulates the growth of the ailment. Hormone therapy may be finished to sufferers with main breast cancer or also to sufferers with tumor that has already unfold to other organs in the body.
The therapy that the medical oncologist for breast most cancers applies to patients, like chemotherapy, has certain side effects like lack of hair. These docs are expert of their field and they also are also dealing with the therapy of the unwanted side effects and issues encountered by the patient with breast cancer.
Medical Malpractice and Cancer Misdiagnosis
Probably the most common reasons medical malpractice lawsuits are introduced forth is due to affected person misdiagnosis. Such a swimsuit is very disturbing because when an illness or situation just isn't correctly diagnosed; correct remedy just isn't given which may be devastating. A cancer misdiagnosis can be extremely severe and may lead to loss of life, which could have in any other case been avoided if early remedy had been administered.
As we speak, the medical profession has a collection of normal assessments which might be to be used to assist detect various forms of cancer. The exact sort of check that is for use could range somewhat relying on what kind of most cancers the doctor suspects. That is exactly the place the problem occurs. Since there isn't a one test, or one set of exams that can be utilized to find all types of most cancers, your physician should adequately assess your signs so the proper check can be ordered. Routine cancer screenings are necessary for that reason; as some forms of cancer are already in advanced phases by the time symptoms occur.
Cancer misdiagnosis happen more than it's possible you'll wish to believe. Based on a current research carried out by Harvard College, most cancers is among the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases in the United States. When this happens, the cancer grows, spreads, and then turns into less possible to be able to be treated.
A number of the mostly misdiagnosed forms of cancer embrace:
Breast Most cancers: Though there have been major advancements in the therapy of breast cancer, it nonetheless tops the list of probably the most generally misdiagnosed types of cancer. This is due to the truth that it is one of the most commonly occurring kinds of cancer. It's estimated that as many as ten % of all women might be identified with breast most cancers at some point in their lives. Common screenings, comparable to mammograms, have develop into an essential early detection tool. A majority of these screenings ought to be completed as early as doable with the intention to catch the most cancers in its starting stages. The primary purpose that breast most cancers is so commonly misdiagnosed is because physicians typically do not need the correct expertise to detect breast lumps, interpret test results properly, and acknowledge the signs of inflammatory breast cancer, which is a rare, however aggressive form. Any such most cancers is often misdiagnosed as an infection because it does not cause lumps, solely an inflammation.
Lung Cancer: It isn't uncommon for lung cancer to be misdiagnosed as a much less critical condition, akin to bronchitis, a respiratory an infection, or COPD. Since there aren't any early detection tests for lung cancer it is not often detected till the late phases, which makes remedy quite difficult.
Colorectal Most cancers: This form of cancer is another commonly misdiagnosed form for a number of reasons. In early phases, many individuals have no symptoms at all, making early detection screenings, corresponding to colonoscopies, critical. Also, when signs are current, they're typically mistaken for extra minor illnesses, resembling hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome. Lastly, colorectal most cancers is considerably embarrassing to discuss, subsequently many patients delay treatment.
Mind Most cancers: Mind cancer typically doesn't present symptoms that are consistent and is commonly misdiagnosed as migraine headaches.
While there aren't any ensures in the medical world, it's inevitable that there are going to be mistakes made, similar to a cancer misdiagnosis. When these mistakes are made, the results could be deadly, and a patient might must undergo many unnecessary medical treatments that may be painful and expensive. Missing a diagnosis fully can result in delayed therapy causing extra severe disease development and even death.
When this occurs, a patient and/or the surviving members of the family could possibly sue the doctor for lost wages, medical expenses, lost high quality of life, ache and suffering, and more.
Most cancers will be deadly and within the United States is the second main reason for dying; second solely to coronary heart disease. This illness might be agonizing for both the patient and their family members. Delaying therapy will only worsen these impacts, and there may also be other underlying situations also misdiagnosed or overlooked inflicting the disease to progress even further.
Now that we have now checked out what varieties of misdiagnosis can happen, and the implications they will deliver, it's now important to determine why these mistake happen in the first place.
Benign tumors are recognized mistakenly as malignant, and vice versa;
Tests aren't correctly conducted, interpreted, or they are mishandled by the hospital or medical facility;
Checks are completely misinterpret by the physician or other medical staff;
The physician does not send the patient to a cancer specialist to request more in-depth checks be performed;
Early screening just isn't done, or is not performed correctly for sufferers who're thought of to be excessive risk;
Doctors dismiss patient complaints or symptoms.
If you happen to or somebody you like has skilled the heartbreak of a most cancers misdiagnosis, you recognize firsthand how devastating this can be in your life in addition to the lives of others around you. It is extremely vital that you seek the assistance of a private injury lawyer to be able to assist recoup some of your damages for medical bills, misplaced revenue, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses. Surviving relations may be capable of sue the physician for wrongful demise and punitive damages as well.
Since this situation is extremely sensitive, it can be tough to determine a financial value. Due to this, courts now base their figures on earlier court docket awards. Some states have placed limits on compensation and cap damages between $250,000 and $750,000.
It will be very tough, if not unimaginable, to file a medical malpractice suit for a most cancers misdiagnosis without the assistance of a medical malpractice legal professional who specializes on this area. The experience of an expert who has dealt with plenty of instances of an analogous natures knows the ins and out of the system nicely, and will be able to effectively handle your case to achieve the very best possible settlement.
As we speak, the medical profession has a collection of normal assessments which might be to be used to assist detect various forms of cancer. The exact sort of check that is for use could range somewhat relying on what kind of most cancers the doctor suspects. That is exactly the place the problem occurs. Since there isn't a one test, or one set of exams that can be utilized to find all types of most cancers, your physician should adequately assess your signs so the proper check can be ordered. Routine cancer screenings are necessary for that reason; as some forms of cancer are already in advanced phases by the time symptoms occur.
Cancer misdiagnosis happen more than it's possible you'll wish to believe. Based on a current research carried out by Harvard College, most cancers is among the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases in the United States. When this happens, the cancer grows, spreads, and then turns into less possible to be able to be treated.
A number of the mostly misdiagnosed forms of cancer embrace:
Breast Most cancers: Though there have been major advancements in the therapy of breast cancer, it nonetheless tops the list of probably the most generally misdiagnosed types of cancer. This is due to the truth that it is one of the most commonly occurring kinds of cancer. It's estimated that as many as ten % of all women might be identified with breast most cancers at some point in their lives. Common screenings, comparable to mammograms, have develop into an essential early detection tool. A majority of these screenings ought to be completed as early as doable with the intention to catch the most cancers in its starting stages. The primary purpose that breast most cancers is so commonly misdiagnosed is because physicians typically do not need the correct expertise to detect breast lumps, interpret test results properly, and acknowledge the signs of inflammatory breast cancer, which is a rare, however aggressive form. Any such most cancers is often misdiagnosed as an infection because it does not cause lumps, solely an inflammation.
Lung Cancer: It isn't uncommon for lung cancer to be misdiagnosed as a much less critical condition, akin to bronchitis, a respiratory an infection, or COPD. Since there aren't any early detection tests for lung cancer it is not often detected till the late phases, which makes remedy quite difficult.
Colorectal Most cancers: This form of cancer is another commonly misdiagnosed form for a number of reasons. In early phases, many individuals have no symptoms at all, making early detection screenings, corresponding to colonoscopies, critical. Also, when signs are current, they're typically mistaken for extra minor illnesses, resembling hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome. Lastly, colorectal most cancers is considerably embarrassing to discuss, subsequently many patients delay treatment.
Mind Most cancers: Mind cancer typically doesn't present symptoms that are consistent and is commonly misdiagnosed as migraine headaches.
While there aren't any ensures in the medical world, it's inevitable that there are going to be mistakes made, similar to a cancer misdiagnosis. When these mistakes are made, the results could be deadly, and a patient might must undergo many unnecessary medical treatments that may be painful and expensive. Missing a diagnosis fully can result in delayed therapy causing extra severe disease development and even death.
When this occurs, a patient and/or the surviving members of the family could possibly sue the doctor for lost wages, medical expenses, lost high quality of life, ache and suffering, and more.
Most cancers will be deadly and within the United States is the second main reason for dying; second solely to coronary heart disease. This illness might be agonizing for both the patient and their family members. Delaying therapy will only worsen these impacts, and there may also be other underlying situations also misdiagnosed or overlooked inflicting the disease to progress even further.
Now that we have now checked out what varieties of misdiagnosis can happen, and the implications they will deliver, it's now important to determine why these mistake happen in the first place.
Benign tumors are recognized mistakenly as malignant, and vice versa;
Tests aren't correctly conducted, interpreted, or they are mishandled by the hospital or medical facility;
Checks are completely misinterpret by the physician or other medical staff;
The physician does not send the patient to a cancer specialist to request more in-depth checks be performed;
Early screening just isn't done, or is not performed correctly for sufferers who're thought of to be excessive risk;
Doctors dismiss patient complaints or symptoms.
If you happen to or somebody you like has skilled the heartbreak of a most cancers misdiagnosis, you recognize firsthand how devastating this can be in your life in addition to the lives of others around you. It is extremely vital that you seek the assistance of a private injury lawyer to be able to assist recoup some of your damages for medical bills, misplaced revenue, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses. Surviving relations may be capable of sue the physician for wrongful demise and punitive damages as well.
Since this situation is extremely sensitive, it can be tough to determine a financial value. Due to this, courts now base their figures on earlier court docket awards. Some states have placed limits on compensation and cap damages between $250,000 and $750,000.
It will be very tough, if not unimaginable, to file a medical malpractice suit for a most cancers misdiagnosis without the assistance of a medical malpractice legal professional who specializes on this area. The experience of an expert who has dealt with plenty of instances of an analogous natures knows the ins and out of the system nicely, and will be able to effectively handle your case to achieve the very best possible settlement.
Most cancers Medical Alert Bracelets
Medical Alert Bracelets are an essential consideration for all sufferers of cancer or any illness/illness that requires a number of medicine usage. Yet it's a proven fact that most people don't wear them. Encouragement should be given to individuals of all ages to put on these as they're life-savers.
Whether you might be at present receiving therapy on your ailment or if you're in remission it is extremely essential to guantee that should you require emergency medical treatment and you can not respond to the medical professionals readily available that you give them as a lot info as attainable to deal with you appropriately. If you're unable to respond and there's no one around to talk for you the easiest manner that you are able to do this is by sporting Medical Alert Jewellery. It will alert them to the truth that you might be on a specific drug or a cocktail of them.
Traditionally Medical Alert Bracelets haven't been engaging however that is now not the case you can purchase bracelets in an entire number of fashionable and basic types so there's really no excuse to not wear one. A Cancer Medical Alert Bracelet may be as discreet or as obvious as you need it to be. Medical professionals are trained to look out for them so you possibly can afford to be delicate, if that's your style.
Selecting your Most cancers Medical Alert Bracelet is an easy process every bracelet is individually tailor-made to meet your needs. All you must do is select the following attributes from the choice supplied; the metallic, the bracelet sort, the chain kind, the clasp kind, the chain length that you desire. After you have finished this you allow them to know what gender you're and they'll make your bracelet as much as order. As a particular enhancement there are also a variety of charms that you can add to the bracelet.
Whether you might be at present receiving therapy on your ailment or if you're in remission it is extremely essential to guantee that should you require emergency medical treatment and you can not respond to the medical professionals readily available that you give them as a lot info as attainable to deal with you appropriately. If you're unable to respond and there's no one around to talk for you the easiest manner that you are able to do this is by sporting Medical Alert Jewellery. It will alert them to the truth that you might be on a specific drug or a cocktail of them.
Traditionally Medical Alert Bracelets haven't been engaging however that is now not the case you can purchase bracelets in an entire number of fashionable and basic types so there's really no excuse to not wear one. A Cancer Medical Alert Bracelet may be as discreet or as obvious as you need it to be. Medical professionals are trained to look out for them so you possibly can afford to be delicate, if that's your style.
Selecting your Most cancers Medical Alert Bracelet is an easy process every bracelet is individually tailor-made to meet your needs. All you must do is select the following attributes from the choice supplied; the metallic, the bracelet sort, the chain kind, the clasp kind, the chain length that you desire. After you have finished this you allow them to know what gender you're and they'll make your bracelet as much as order. As a particular enhancement there are also a variety of charms that you can add to the bracelet.
My Breast Cancer Scare: Truths or Myths?
Every time I've changed Gynecologists, I filled out the dreaded medical history forms knowing the reaction my new doctor will have once she/he sees that both my grandmothers had breast cancer."Do you examine your breasts often?" "You need to be very careful", "Here put your arms up and let me see" poke poke poke...
Though I am glad for their concern I must admit that it is scary to think that you are considered high risk for breast cancer. In June of this year, I turned 30 and I can't begin to tell you all the weird changes that have been happening to my body. Some are way too weird and personal to mention, but about a month ago I did find a strange mass in my left breast. Now this is not really unusual for me since I normally have quite lumpy breasts, especially as that time of the month gets closer. So I figured it was just my natural lumps just feeling a little extra lumpy and I didn't pay it much mind. Three weeks later however it was still there and even more pronounced. So, to ward off any possibilities that it was my imagination playing tricks on me I asked my mother if she felt anything and she did. I quickly made the appointment to see my gynecologist.
I decided not to become rippled with fear about what the possibilities of an unknown mass in my breast could mean, but my panicky personality got the best of me and at times and I would picture myself losing all my hair which I had been spending so much time and money taking care of, the possibility of not being able to have kids, and worst of all losing my breast which I quickly passified by picturing myself with fake boobs. Vein and shallow!...yes I know. I reprimanded myself for thinking such thoughts and focused on God and life and thinking positive. It may be nothing.
The day of my much anticipated appointment came. As I waited in the examination room for my doctor, I lay on the bed in my robe opened to the front and busied myself with texting and bbm'ing to keep my mind of the negative. Thirty minutes later my doctor walked in with chart in-hand and stated, "What borough do you live in?" I said Queens. She said, "For How long?" Took me a while to think. I was unprepared for those questions. I was expecting something more around "How long have you had the lump?", "Who else in your family has had breast cancer?", "Seen any strange oozing?"
Seeing the confused look on my face, my gynecologist explained that the reason why she asked was because women who have lived in Queens and Long Island all or most of their lives are twice as likely to get breast cancer than women in any other borough in New York City. I was shocked! "I wasn't aware of that at all" I said and told her that I had only been living in Queens for the past 2 years and spent most of my life in the Caribbean. She then began her examination of both my breasts, starting with the right and then the left. She quickly felt the mass as well as another somewhere in the center of my left breast. She had me feel it also and yes! certainly there was something there. Not quite a lump or ball per se but definitely something. She asked me if I drink caffeine. I replied in the affirmative and told her that I had at least one cup a day give and take a few days here and there when I preferred tea. She told me that caffeine has been known to make the breasts lumpy. Again, I was shocked at that.
She also told me that taking 600 mg's of Vitamin E daily will also help prevent breast cancer. Another shocker! She also asked me if I wore wired bras. I told her "All the time" she then went on to say that I needed to get non-wired bras since the wired ones are known to put extra pressure on the glands of the breast and can lead to breast cancer also. Yet another shocker!
She never once mentioned or even brought up my grandparents, so I volunteered the information just in case she missed it. She then asked me at what age they were diagnosed. I wondered whether it mattered, point is they had it and that makes me high risk! I said one was diagnosed at 84 and another at around 60. She nonchalantly shrugged it off saying "OK they were both past menopausal age". I was like "ok", wondering if that now meant that I am no longer high risk. Talk about confused.
By the end of the examination she explained that though I am too young to have a mammogram because of the density of my breast, that she was scheduling one anyway along with a sonogram just to be on the safe side. My heart was beating as she wrote the referral, still nervous and overwhelmed from the confusing information I had just received as well as this pending mammogram which I had heard such horror stories about. Two days later I showed up for my "mamo" and "sono" and though the doctor said that the tests are never 100% percent accurate, I thank God that the results were negative and showed no abnormality.
Though I was relieved, I was still a bit confused and very concerned. Even if the less than perfect results are negative then why do I have a lump? could the test be wrong? and am I really at less of a risk for breast cancer because both my grandparents were diagnosed post menopausal? and do I really have to go buy an entire new collection of wireless bras and take 600 Mg's of Vitamin E? Clearly there were some mixed messages being sent here and we all know prevention is better than cure so it was time to get to the bottom of things. I therefore decided to do some research and here are some of my findings.
I don't know about you, but I always thought a lump in the breast was a sure and definitive sign of cancer. The September issue of Cosmopolitan however, featured a section on finding a lump in your breast and that breast cancer doesn't have to be the diagnosis. According to their source, Marisa Weiss, Breast oncologist and Founder of Breastcancer.org "boobs get lumpy all the time" and although breast cancer is uncommon in young women it is always good to be on the safe side and always check with your gynecologist. She pinpoints a few different types of lumps that can be found in the breast and what it could possibly mean. For instance, if it feels like a painless moveable sphere, it's probably a fribroadenoma which are firm growths common in women in their 20's and are perfectly harmless. If the lump(s) feel small and pebbly or knotty, it's most likely fibrocystic changes related to hormone changes in the body particularly around PMS. If the lump is spongy round or oval it could be a fluid-filled cyst formed when fluid is retained in the breast tissue and has to be drained by a procedure called needle aspiration. So for starters, we know that all lumps don't necessarily mean breast cancer especially if you're still in your child bearing years. Youth however, doesn't necessarily mean that you're not at risk for getting breast cancer either. The only way to be sure is to see your gynecologist.
The October issue of Shape Magazine really goes into dispelling some of the breast cancer myths out there with a great article called "What You Don't Know About Breast Cancer Can Hurt You" by Karyn Repinski. The first myth is: You can't get beast cancer if it doesn't run in your family. Like Sr. Weiss said, anyone can get breast cancer. The true determinants are age, hormones, biopsy history and breast density as well as other factors. According to Repinski, the real danger is in having a false sense of security so always check with your doctor to be on the safe side. The second myth is: Breast cancer always appears as a lump. The truth is signs of breast cancer can come in many ways. For example, a change in the size of your breast like a dimpled area or puckered appearance to the skin, an itchy scaly area, nipple discharge, swelling or redness of the breast or an inverted nipple. The third myth is: antiperspirants and under wire bras cause breast cancer. According to Repinski, the National Cancer Institute has done several studies that shows no correlation between breast cancer and deodorants or under wire bras. Phew! isn't that that's a relief?!
Though Respinski has cleared up a few of the smokey areas I am still confused about the family history theory as well as whether daily intake of vitamins such as Vitamin E lowers one's risk. So we know anyone can get breast cancer, but do persons with a family history of women being diagnosed in the pre or post menopausal stage make a difference in your chances of being diagnosed as well? To answer this question I took to the internet. According to Cancer.org "breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have the disease." If your mother, sister or daughter has been diagnosed, you are twice as likely to be at risk. If two of your close relatives have been diagnosed your risk is essentially tripled! Now interestingly enough, less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member(s) who was diagnosed which means that 85% of women who do get breast cancer actually have no family history of the disease. According to Breasthealthlink.com, a person with a familial history of breast cancer is one who has:
A relative who has had breast cancer in both breasts
A relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40
A relative who has had both breast cancer and ovarian cancer
A male relative who has or has had breast cancer
Familial factors that affect your risk are:
The number of relatives with breast cancer
The age at which their breast cancer is diagnosed.
The number of first degree relatives with breast cancer
The next step in this myth debunking research is determining whether an intake of 600 Mg's of Vitamin E will really help prevent breast cancer. In regards to diet and vitamin intake, The American Cancer Society suggests eating a healthy diet focused on plant sources such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain and limiting consumption of processed foods and red meats. According to Cancer.org however, studies on the effects of vitamin intake such as Vitamin E on breast cancer are conflicting and inconclusive. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Vitamin E's antioxidant abilities help to destroy free radicals which can damage bodily cells and DNA. The UMMC Study shows that women diagnosed with breast cancer show low levels of vitamin E in the body. Based on this observation, researchers have felt that vitamin E intake would help prevent breast cancer. However, studies have not been able to prove that intake of vitamins does in fact reduce one's risk.
Though I am more at ease about the myths and truths about breast cancer, I realize that risk factors vary greatly and can range from gender, to age as well as family history, race and ethnicity. Though I didn't touch on this, your lifestyle is also a factor in your risk for breast cancer and includes: oral contraceptive use, hormone therapy, having children, breast feeding, alcohol use and even physical activity. In reality one can never really know definitively what are the causes of breast cancer or what our individual risks are. The important thing is to educate yourself about the disease so that you can look out for any possible warning signs. Know your body. If something feels strange or looks strange be sure to check with your doctor and always get a second, third or fourth opinion.
Based on the information I've learned I understand that I am at risk. Having two second degree relatives affected by the disease increases my awareness as well as my risk. My paternal grandmother was diagnosed in her early post menopausal 60's and succumbed to the disease because of her own lack of knowledge. My maternal grandmother on the other hand was a survivor and was diagnosed in her early 80's with both breast and ovarian cancer. My cousin was also diagnosed in her early 20's. I may not be able to prevent myself from getting breast cancer but I can surely help decrease my risk. Debunking the myths and finding the truths was the first step and puts a more realistic and controlled picture in my mind. Although my "sono" and "mamo" are normal I intend to go get a second opinion being that the lump in my breast is still very much there. I also intend to lower my risk by getting into a more strict exercise routine, as well as eating a more well balanced diet made up of at least 5 grams of servings or more of vegetables and fruits per day. I will not go out and buy a wardrobe of new bras, but I do intend to continue to take my vitamins daily, yes even the Vitamin E. I also plan to continue my routine at-home breast exams. If I were not doing that exam regularly I probably would never have discovered the lump and we all know prevention is better than cure.
Women (and men) need to be aware of this disease. The only way to increase your awareness is through knowledge. There are lots of information on the internet and in your local library and don't be afraid to ask your doctor all the relevant questions. Express your concerns and talk about your personal risk. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in American women, except for skin cancer. Almost a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 alone and almost 40,000 will succumb to the disease. At this time, there are over 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone including my grandmother. Thanks to the stellar care she received at the Queens Hospital Breast Service and early detection, she was able to survive both breast and ovarian cancer. Strong family support was also a factor. Sometimes the families of breast cancer victims are forgotten and overlooked, but they also play a very important role in the care and support that they provide to family members. Caring for a family member diagnosed with breast cancer can be extremely stressful. This breast cancer month take the time to learn more about the disease and participate in the fight for the cure.
Though I am glad for their concern I must admit that it is scary to think that you are considered high risk for breast cancer. In June of this year, I turned 30 and I can't begin to tell you all the weird changes that have been happening to my body. Some are way too weird and personal to mention, but about a month ago I did find a strange mass in my left breast. Now this is not really unusual for me since I normally have quite lumpy breasts, especially as that time of the month gets closer. So I figured it was just my natural lumps just feeling a little extra lumpy and I didn't pay it much mind. Three weeks later however it was still there and even more pronounced. So, to ward off any possibilities that it was my imagination playing tricks on me I asked my mother if she felt anything and she did. I quickly made the appointment to see my gynecologist.
I decided not to become rippled with fear about what the possibilities of an unknown mass in my breast could mean, but my panicky personality got the best of me and at times and I would picture myself losing all my hair which I had been spending so much time and money taking care of, the possibility of not being able to have kids, and worst of all losing my breast which I quickly passified by picturing myself with fake boobs. Vein and shallow!...yes I know. I reprimanded myself for thinking such thoughts and focused on God and life and thinking positive. It may be nothing.
The day of my much anticipated appointment came. As I waited in the examination room for my doctor, I lay on the bed in my robe opened to the front and busied myself with texting and bbm'ing to keep my mind of the negative. Thirty minutes later my doctor walked in with chart in-hand and stated, "What borough do you live in?" I said Queens. She said, "For How long?" Took me a while to think. I was unprepared for those questions. I was expecting something more around "How long have you had the lump?", "Who else in your family has had breast cancer?", "Seen any strange oozing?"
Seeing the confused look on my face, my gynecologist explained that the reason why she asked was because women who have lived in Queens and Long Island all or most of their lives are twice as likely to get breast cancer than women in any other borough in New York City. I was shocked! "I wasn't aware of that at all" I said and told her that I had only been living in Queens for the past 2 years and spent most of my life in the Caribbean. She then began her examination of both my breasts, starting with the right and then the left. She quickly felt the mass as well as another somewhere in the center of my left breast. She had me feel it also and yes! certainly there was something there. Not quite a lump or ball per se but definitely something. She asked me if I drink caffeine. I replied in the affirmative and told her that I had at least one cup a day give and take a few days here and there when I preferred tea. She told me that caffeine has been known to make the breasts lumpy. Again, I was shocked at that.
She also told me that taking 600 mg's of Vitamin E daily will also help prevent breast cancer. Another shocker! She also asked me if I wore wired bras. I told her "All the time" she then went on to say that I needed to get non-wired bras since the wired ones are known to put extra pressure on the glands of the breast and can lead to breast cancer also. Yet another shocker!
She never once mentioned or even brought up my grandparents, so I volunteered the information just in case she missed it. She then asked me at what age they were diagnosed. I wondered whether it mattered, point is they had it and that makes me high risk! I said one was diagnosed at 84 and another at around 60. She nonchalantly shrugged it off saying "OK they were both past menopausal age". I was like "ok", wondering if that now meant that I am no longer high risk. Talk about confused.
By the end of the examination she explained that though I am too young to have a mammogram because of the density of my breast, that she was scheduling one anyway along with a sonogram just to be on the safe side. My heart was beating as she wrote the referral, still nervous and overwhelmed from the confusing information I had just received as well as this pending mammogram which I had heard such horror stories about. Two days later I showed up for my "mamo" and "sono" and though the doctor said that the tests are never 100% percent accurate, I thank God that the results were negative and showed no abnormality.
Though I was relieved, I was still a bit confused and very concerned. Even if the less than perfect results are negative then why do I have a lump? could the test be wrong? and am I really at less of a risk for breast cancer because both my grandparents were diagnosed post menopausal? and do I really have to go buy an entire new collection of wireless bras and take 600 Mg's of Vitamin E? Clearly there were some mixed messages being sent here and we all know prevention is better than cure so it was time to get to the bottom of things. I therefore decided to do some research and here are some of my findings.
I don't know about you, but I always thought a lump in the breast was a sure and definitive sign of cancer. The September issue of Cosmopolitan however, featured a section on finding a lump in your breast and that breast cancer doesn't have to be the diagnosis. According to their source, Marisa Weiss, Breast oncologist and Founder of Breastcancer.org "boobs get lumpy all the time" and although breast cancer is uncommon in young women it is always good to be on the safe side and always check with your gynecologist. She pinpoints a few different types of lumps that can be found in the breast and what it could possibly mean. For instance, if it feels like a painless moveable sphere, it's probably a fribroadenoma which are firm growths common in women in their 20's and are perfectly harmless. If the lump(s) feel small and pebbly or knotty, it's most likely fibrocystic changes related to hormone changes in the body particularly around PMS. If the lump is spongy round or oval it could be a fluid-filled cyst formed when fluid is retained in the breast tissue and has to be drained by a procedure called needle aspiration. So for starters, we know that all lumps don't necessarily mean breast cancer especially if you're still in your child bearing years. Youth however, doesn't necessarily mean that you're not at risk for getting breast cancer either. The only way to be sure is to see your gynecologist.
The October issue of Shape Magazine really goes into dispelling some of the breast cancer myths out there with a great article called "What You Don't Know About Breast Cancer Can Hurt You" by Karyn Repinski. The first myth is: You can't get beast cancer if it doesn't run in your family. Like Sr. Weiss said, anyone can get breast cancer. The true determinants are age, hormones, biopsy history and breast density as well as other factors. According to Repinski, the real danger is in having a false sense of security so always check with your doctor to be on the safe side. The second myth is: Breast cancer always appears as a lump. The truth is signs of breast cancer can come in many ways. For example, a change in the size of your breast like a dimpled area or puckered appearance to the skin, an itchy scaly area, nipple discharge, swelling or redness of the breast or an inverted nipple. The third myth is: antiperspirants and under wire bras cause breast cancer. According to Repinski, the National Cancer Institute has done several studies that shows no correlation between breast cancer and deodorants or under wire bras. Phew! isn't that that's a relief?!
Though Respinski has cleared up a few of the smokey areas I am still confused about the family history theory as well as whether daily intake of vitamins such as Vitamin E lowers one's risk. So we know anyone can get breast cancer, but do persons with a family history of women being diagnosed in the pre or post menopausal stage make a difference in your chances of being diagnosed as well? To answer this question I took to the internet. According to Cancer.org "breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have the disease." If your mother, sister or daughter has been diagnosed, you are twice as likely to be at risk. If two of your close relatives have been diagnosed your risk is essentially tripled! Now interestingly enough, less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member(s) who was diagnosed which means that 85% of women who do get breast cancer actually have no family history of the disease. According to Breasthealthlink.com, a person with a familial history of breast cancer is one who has:
A relative who has had breast cancer in both breasts
A relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40
A relative who has had both breast cancer and ovarian cancer
A male relative who has or has had breast cancer
Familial factors that affect your risk are:
The number of relatives with breast cancer
The age at which their breast cancer is diagnosed.
The number of first degree relatives with breast cancer
The next step in this myth debunking research is determining whether an intake of 600 Mg's of Vitamin E will really help prevent breast cancer. In regards to diet and vitamin intake, The American Cancer Society suggests eating a healthy diet focused on plant sources such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain and limiting consumption of processed foods and red meats. According to Cancer.org however, studies on the effects of vitamin intake such as Vitamin E on breast cancer are conflicting and inconclusive. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Vitamin E's antioxidant abilities help to destroy free radicals which can damage bodily cells and DNA. The UMMC Study shows that women diagnosed with breast cancer show low levels of vitamin E in the body. Based on this observation, researchers have felt that vitamin E intake would help prevent breast cancer. However, studies have not been able to prove that intake of vitamins does in fact reduce one's risk.
Though I am more at ease about the myths and truths about breast cancer, I realize that risk factors vary greatly and can range from gender, to age as well as family history, race and ethnicity. Though I didn't touch on this, your lifestyle is also a factor in your risk for breast cancer and includes: oral contraceptive use, hormone therapy, having children, breast feeding, alcohol use and even physical activity. In reality one can never really know definitively what are the causes of breast cancer or what our individual risks are. The important thing is to educate yourself about the disease so that you can look out for any possible warning signs. Know your body. If something feels strange or looks strange be sure to check with your doctor and always get a second, third or fourth opinion.
Based on the information I've learned I understand that I am at risk. Having two second degree relatives affected by the disease increases my awareness as well as my risk. My paternal grandmother was diagnosed in her early post menopausal 60's and succumbed to the disease because of her own lack of knowledge. My maternal grandmother on the other hand was a survivor and was diagnosed in her early 80's with both breast and ovarian cancer. My cousin was also diagnosed in her early 20's. I may not be able to prevent myself from getting breast cancer but I can surely help decrease my risk. Debunking the myths and finding the truths was the first step and puts a more realistic and controlled picture in my mind. Although my "sono" and "mamo" are normal I intend to go get a second opinion being that the lump in my breast is still very much there. I also intend to lower my risk by getting into a more strict exercise routine, as well as eating a more well balanced diet made up of at least 5 grams of servings or more of vegetables and fruits per day. I will not go out and buy a wardrobe of new bras, but I do intend to continue to take my vitamins daily, yes even the Vitamin E. I also plan to continue my routine at-home breast exams. If I were not doing that exam regularly I probably would never have discovered the lump and we all know prevention is better than cure.
Women (and men) need to be aware of this disease. The only way to increase your awareness is through knowledge. There are lots of information on the internet and in your local library and don't be afraid to ask your doctor all the relevant questions. Express your concerns and talk about your personal risk. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in American women, except for skin cancer. Almost a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 alone and almost 40,000 will succumb to the disease. At this time, there are over 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone including my grandmother. Thanks to the stellar care she received at the Queens Hospital Breast Service and early detection, she was able to survive both breast and ovarian cancer. Strong family support was also a factor. Sometimes the families of breast cancer victims are forgotten and overlooked, but they also play a very important role in the care and support that they provide to family members. Caring for a family member diagnosed with breast cancer can be extremely stressful. This breast cancer month take the time to learn more about the disease and participate in the fight for the cure.
What to Do After Cancer
Many people suffering from cancer find that they are no longer able to conceive, despite all of the best efforts of fertility preservation. There is nothing guaranteed to succeed with fertility preservation during cancer treatments, but it is important to have the right attitude about getting pregnant and starting a family once you have cured your cancer. There are a number of solutions that you can consider, and you may find that starting a family is possible despite the damage the cancer and the subsequent treatments have done to your body.
How to Get Pregnant
If the cancer has damaged your body, it may be very difficult for you to get pregnant. Men suffering from cancer will often become sterile as a result of the treatments, and women may find that one or both of their ovaries are damaged beyond repair. If this is the case, here are some ways that you can get pregnant or start a family despite the cancer treatments:
1. IVF
In vitro fertilization is a method of artificial insemination in which the eggs of the woman are extracted and combined with the semen of the man. The combined eggs and sperm are then incubated to encourage fertilization, and they are then injected back into the woman's womb once the egg has been fertilized. If you suffered from cancer and the treatments have caused early menopause or caused you to stop ovulating, you may find that using this method of conception makes getting pregnant possible.
2. Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is a more natural method of conception, and it calls for the semen to be injected directly into the womb to make it as easy as possible for the sperm to fertilize the egg. This method is good for men who have low sperm count or motility as a result of their cancer treatment, or for women who have only a few eggs left.
3. Fertility Drugs
Fertility drugs help to boost the fertility level in the bodies of both men and women by increasing the levels of the hormones that control fertility. These drugs may have negative side effects, but they will be a good solution for those who are suffering from lower fertility than normal as a result of the cancer treatments.
4. Egg and Sperm Donors
Women who have gone through radiation treatment may find that they no longer have any eggs produced by their ovaries, and men may have a very low sperm count as a result of their treatments. If this is the case, the solution may be to obtain a donor for the eggs or sperm. There are hundreds of sperm banks in the country with many sperm samples available, and there are many places where cryopreserved eggs can also be obtained.
5. Surrogacy
If the mother's womb has been damaged or rendered inhospitable for the growing embryos, the body will reject it. In order to avoid this problem, surrogacy is another option to consider. Surrogacy involves implanting inseminated eggs inside a third party's womb, and the embryo simply grows to full term and is delivered by this third party. Many people suffering from cancer find that they are no longer able to conceive, despite all of the best efforts of fertility preservation.
Dealing With the Emotions
Once the cancer treatments have been completed, there is likely to be a flood of emotions that you may have no idea how to deal with. Many people find that they have a low self esteem or self image as a result of the changes their body has undergone, and it is important to deal with these properly. Another emotion that conflicts many people is the feeling that you are alone in your struggle. You may find that negativity floods you, and you may feel that the rest of your life is over.
The reality is that you are never alone. There are many people who have undergone similar situations, and they know what you are feeling. If you feel these negative emotions, you should seek help. Recovering from cancer is as much a mental battle as it is a physical battle, and you will find that you will need help to overcome the battles you face. Don't hesitate to seek help from friends, family, and even professionals if needed.
How to Get Pregnant
If the cancer has damaged your body, it may be very difficult for you to get pregnant. Men suffering from cancer will often become sterile as a result of the treatments, and women may find that one or both of their ovaries are damaged beyond repair. If this is the case, here are some ways that you can get pregnant or start a family despite the cancer treatments:
1. IVF
In vitro fertilization is a method of artificial insemination in which the eggs of the woman are extracted and combined with the semen of the man. The combined eggs and sperm are then incubated to encourage fertilization, and they are then injected back into the woman's womb once the egg has been fertilized. If you suffered from cancer and the treatments have caused early menopause or caused you to stop ovulating, you may find that using this method of conception makes getting pregnant possible.
2. Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is a more natural method of conception, and it calls for the semen to be injected directly into the womb to make it as easy as possible for the sperm to fertilize the egg. This method is good for men who have low sperm count or motility as a result of their cancer treatment, or for women who have only a few eggs left.
3. Fertility Drugs
Fertility drugs help to boost the fertility level in the bodies of both men and women by increasing the levels of the hormones that control fertility. These drugs may have negative side effects, but they will be a good solution for those who are suffering from lower fertility than normal as a result of the cancer treatments.
4. Egg and Sperm Donors
Women who have gone through radiation treatment may find that they no longer have any eggs produced by their ovaries, and men may have a very low sperm count as a result of their treatments. If this is the case, the solution may be to obtain a donor for the eggs or sperm. There are hundreds of sperm banks in the country with many sperm samples available, and there are many places where cryopreserved eggs can also be obtained.
5. Surrogacy
If the mother's womb has been damaged or rendered inhospitable for the growing embryos, the body will reject it. In order to avoid this problem, surrogacy is another option to consider. Surrogacy involves implanting inseminated eggs inside a third party's womb, and the embryo simply grows to full term and is delivered by this third party. Many people suffering from cancer find that they are no longer able to conceive, despite all of the best efforts of fertility preservation.
Dealing With the Emotions
Once the cancer treatments have been completed, there is likely to be a flood of emotions that you may have no idea how to deal with. Many people find that they have a low self esteem or self image as a result of the changes their body has undergone, and it is important to deal with these properly. Another emotion that conflicts many people is the feeling that you are alone in your struggle. You may find that negativity floods you, and you may feel that the rest of your life is over.
The reality is that you are never alone. There are many people who have undergone similar situations, and they know what you are feeling. If you feel these negative emotions, you should seek help. Recovering from cancer is as much a mental battle as it is a physical battle, and you will find that you will need help to overcome the battles you face. Don't hesitate to seek help from friends, family, and even professionals if needed.
My Breast Cancer Scare: Truths or Myths?
Every time I've changed Gynecologists, I filled out the dreaded medical history forms knowing the reaction my new doctor will have once she/he sees that both my grandmothers had breast cancer."Do you examine your breasts often?" "You need to be very careful", "Here put your arms up and let me see" poke poke poke...
Though I am glad for their concern I must admit that it is scary to think that you are considered high risk for breast cancer. In June of this year, I turned 30 and I can't begin to tell you all the weird changes that have been happening to my body. Some are way too weird and personal to mention, but about a month ago I did find a strange mass in my left breast. Now this is not really unusual for me since I normally have quite lumpy breasts, especially as that time of the month gets closer. So I figured it was just my natural lumps just feeling a little extra lumpy and I didn't pay it much mind. Three weeks later however it was still there and even more pronounced. So, to ward off any possibilities that it was my imagination playing tricks on me I asked my mother if she felt anything and she did. I quickly made the appointment to see my gynecologist.
I decided not to become rippled with fear about what the possibilities of an unknown mass in my breast could mean, but my panicky personality got the best of me and at times and I would picture myself losing all my hair which I had been spending so much time and money taking care of, the possibility of not being able to have kids, and worst of all losing my breast which I quickly passified by picturing myself with fake boobs. Vein and shallow!...yes I know. I reprimanded myself for thinking such thoughts and focused on God and life and thinking positive. It may be nothing.
The day of my much anticipated appointment came. As I waited in the examination room for my doctor, I lay on the bed in my robe opened to the front and busied myself with texting and bbm'ing to keep my mind of the negative. Thirty minutes later my doctor walked in with chart in-hand and stated, "What borough do you live in?" I said Queens. She said, "For How long?" Took me a while to think. I was unprepared for those questions. I was expecting something more around "How long have you had the lump?", "Who else in your family has had breast cancer?", "Seen any strange oozing?"
Seeing the confused look on my face, my gynecologist explained that the reason why she asked was because women who have lived in Queens and Long Island all or most of their lives are twice as likely to get breast cancer than women in any other borough in New York City. I was shocked! "I wasn't aware of that at all" I said and told her that I had only been living in Queens for the past 2 years and spent most of my life in the Caribbean. She then began her examination of both my breasts, starting with the right and then the left. She quickly felt the mass as well as another somewhere in the center of my left breast. She had me feel it also and yes! certainly there was something there. Not quite a lump or ball per se but definitely something. She asked me if I drink caffeine. I replied in the affirmative and told her that I had at least one cup a day give and take a few days here and there when I preferred tea. She told me that caffeine has been known to make the breasts lumpy. Again, I was shocked at that.
She also told me that taking 600 mg's of Vitamin E daily will also help prevent breast cancer. Another shocker! She also asked me if I wore wired bras. I told her "All the time" she then went on to say that I needed to get non-wired bras since the wired ones are known to put extra pressure on the glands of the breast and can lead to breast cancer also. Yet another shocker!
She never once mentioned or even brought up my grandparents, so I volunteered the information just in case she missed it. She then asked me at what age they were diagnosed. I wondered whether it mattered, point is they had it and that makes me high risk! I said one was diagnosed at 84 and another at around 60. She nonchalantly shrugged it off saying "OK they were both past menopausal age". I was like "ok", wondering if that now meant that I am no longer high risk. Talk about confused.
By the end of the examination she explained that though I am too young to have a mammogram because of the density of my breast, that she was scheduling one anyway along with a sonogram just to be on the safe side. My heart was beating as she wrote the referral, still nervous and overwhelmed from the confusing information I had just received as well as this pending mammogram which I had heard such horror stories about. Two days later I showed up for my "mamo" and "sono" and though the doctor said that the tests are never 100% percent accurate, I thank God that the results were negative and showed no abnormality.
Though I was relieved, I was still a bit confused and very concerned. Even if the less than perfect results are negative then why do I have a lump? could the test be wrong? and am I really at less of a risk for breast cancer because both my grandparents were diagnosed post menopausal? and do I really have to go buy an entire new collection of wireless bras and take 600 Mg's of Vitamin E? Clearly there were some mixed messages being sent here and we all know prevention is better than cure so it was time to get to the bottom of things. I therefore decided to do some research and here are some of my findings.
I don't know about you, but I always thought a lump in the breast was a sure and definitive sign of cancer. The September issue of Cosmopolitan however, featured a section on finding a lump in your breast and that breast cancer doesn't have to be the diagnosis. According to their source, Marisa Weiss, Breast oncologist and Founder of Breastcancer.org "boobs get lumpy all the time" and although breast cancer is uncommon in young women it is always good to be on the safe side and always check with your gynecologist. She pinpoints a few different types of lumps that can be found in the breast and what it could possibly mean. For instance, if it feels like a painless moveable sphere, it's probably a fribroadenoma which are firm growths common in women in their 20's and are perfectly harmless. If the lump(s) feel small and pebbly or knotty, it's most likely fibrocystic changes related to hormone changes in the body particularly around PMS. If the lump is spongy round or oval it could be a fluid-filled cyst formed when fluid is retained in the breast tissue and has to be drained by a procedure called needle aspiration. So for starters, we know that all lumps don't necessarily mean breast cancer especially if you're still in your child bearing years. Youth however, doesn't necessarily mean that you're not at risk for getting breast cancer either. The only way to be sure is to see your gynecologist.
The October issue of Shape Magazine really goes into dispelling some of the breast cancer myths out there with a great article called "What You Don't Know About Breast Cancer Can Hurt You" by Karyn Repinski. The first myth is: You can't get beast cancer if it doesn't run in your family. Like Sr. Weiss said, anyone can get breast cancer. The true determinants are age, hormones, biopsy history and breast density as well as other factors. According to Repinski, the real danger is in having a false sense of security so always check with your doctor to be on the safe side. The second myth is: Breast cancer always appears as a lump. The truth is signs of breast cancer can come in many ways. For example, a change in the size of your breast like a dimpled area or puckered appearance to the skin, an itchy scaly area, nipple discharge, swelling or redness of the breast or an inverted nipple. The third myth is: antiperspirants and under wire bras cause breast cancer. According to Repinski, the National Cancer Institute has done several studies that shows no correlation between breast cancer and deodorants or under wire bras. Phew! isn't that that's a relief?!
Though Respinski has cleared up a few of the smokey areas I am still confused about the family history theory as well as whether daily intake of vitamins such as Vitamin E lowers one's risk. So we know anyone can get breast cancer, but do persons with a family history of women being diagnosed in the pre or post menopausal stage make a difference in your chances of being diagnosed as well? To answer this question I took to the internet. According to Cancer.org "breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have the disease." If your mother, sister or daughter has been diagnosed, you are twice as likely to be at risk. If two of your close relatives have been diagnosed your risk is essentially tripled! Now interestingly enough, less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member(s) who was diagnosed which means that 85% of women who do get breast cancer actually have no family history of the disease. According to Breasthealthlink.com, a person with a familial history of breast cancer is one who has:
A relative who has had breast cancer in both breasts
A relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40
A relative who has had both breast cancer and ovarian cancer
A male relative who has or has had breast cancer
Familial factors that affect your risk are:
The number of relatives with breast cancer
The age at which their breast cancer is diagnosed.
The number of first degree relatives with breast cancer
The next step in this myth debunking research is determining whether an intake of 600 Mg's of Vitamin E will really help prevent breast cancer. In regards to diet and vitamin intake, The American Cancer Society suggests eating a healthy diet focused on plant sources such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain and limiting consumption of processed foods and red meats. According to Cancer.org however, studies on the effects of vitamin intake such as Vitamin E on breast cancer are conflicting and inconclusive. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Vitamin E's antioxidant abilities help to destroy free radicals which can damage bodily cells and DNA. The UMMC Study shows that women diagnosed with breast cancer show low levels of vitamin E in the body. Based on this observation, researchers have felt that vitamin E intake would help prevent breast cancer. However, studies have not been able to prove that intake of vitamins does in fact reduce one's risk.
Though I am more at ease about the myths and truths about breast cancer, I realize that risk factors vary greatly and can range from gender, to age as well as family history, race and ethnicity. Though I didn't touch on this, your lifestyle is also a factor in your risk for breast cancer and includes: oral contraceptive use, hormone therapy, having children, breast feeding, alcohol use and even physical activity. In reality one can never really know definitively what are the causes of breast cancer or what our individual risks are. The important thing is to educate yourself about the disease so that you can look out for any possible warning signs. Know your body. If something feels strange or looks strange be sure to check with your doctor and always get a second, third or fourth opinion.
Based on the information I've learned I understand that I am at risk. Having two second degree relatives affected by the disease increases my awareness as well as my risk. My paternal grandmother was diagnosed in her early post menopausal 60's and succumbed to the disease because of her own lack of knowledge. My maternal grandmother on the other hand was a survivor and was diagnosed in her early 80's with both breast and ovarian cancer. My cousin was also diagnosed in her early 20's. I may not be able to prevent myself from getting breast cancer but I can surely help decrease my risk. Debunking the myths and finding the truths was the first step and puts a more realistic and controlled picture in my mind. Although my "sono" and "mamo" are normal I intend to go get a second opinion being that the lump in my breast is still very much there. I also intend to lower my risk by getting into a more strict exercise routine, as well as eating a more well balanced diet made up of at least 5 grams of servings or more of vegetables and fruits per day. I will not go out and buy a wardrobe of new bras, but I do intend to continue to take my vitamins daily, yes even the Vitamin E. I also plan to continue my routine at-home breast exams. If I were not doing that exam regularly I probably would never have discovered the lump and we all know prevention is better than cure.
Women (and men) need to be aware of this disease. The only way to increase your awareness is through knowledge. There are lots of information on the internet and in your local library and don't be afraid to ask your doctor all the relevant questions. Express your concerns and talk about your personal risk. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in American women, except for skin cancer. Almost a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 alone and almost 40,000 will succumb to the disease. At this time, there are over 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone including my grandmother. Thanks to the stellar care she received at the Queens Hospital Breast Service and early detection, she was able to survive both breast and ovarian cancer. Strong family support was also a factor. Sometimes the families of breast cancer victims are forgotten and overlooked, but they also play a very important role in the care and support that they provide to family members. Caring for a family member diagnosed with breast cancer can be extremely stressful. This breast cancer month take the time to learn more about the disease and participate in the fight for the cure.
Though I am glad for their concern I must admit that it is scary to think that you are considered high risk for breast cancer. In June of this year, I turned 30 and I can't begin to tell you all the weird changes that have been happening to my body. Some are way too weird and personal to mention, but about a month ago I did find a strange mass in my left breast. Now this is not really unusual for me since I normally have quite lumpy breasts, especially as that time of the month gets closer. So I figured it was just my natural lumps just feeling a little extra lumpy and I didn't pay it much mind. Three weeks later however it was still there and even more pronounced. So, to ward off any possibilities that it was my imagination playing tricks on me I asked my mother if she felt anything and she did. I quickly made the appointment to see my gynecologist.
I decided not to become rippled with fear about what the possibilities of an unknown mass in my breast could mean, but my panicky personality got the best of me and at times and I would picture myself losing all my hair which I had been spending so much time and money taking care of, the possibility of not being able to have kids, and worst of all losing my breast which I quickly passified by picturing myself with fake boobs. Vein and shallow!...yes I know. I reprimanded myself for thinking such thoughts and focused on God and life and thinking positive. It may be nothing.
The day of my much anticipated appointment came. As I waited in the examination room for my doctor, I lay on the bed in my robe opened to the front and busied myself with texting and bbm'ing to keep my mind of the negative. Thirty minutes later my doctor walked in with chart in-hand and stated, "What borough do you live in?" I said Queens. She said, "For How long?" Took me a while to think. I was unprepared for those questions. I was expecting something more around "How long have you had the lump?", "Who else in your family has had breast cancer?", "Seen any strange oozing?"
Seeing the confused look on my face, my gynecologist explained that the reason why she asked was because women who have lived in Queens and Long Island all or most of their lives are twice as likely to get breast cancer than women in any other borough in New York City. I was shocked! "I wasn't aware of that at all" I said and told her that I had only been living in Queens for the past 2 years and spent most of my life in the Caribbean. She then began her examination of both my breasts, starting with the right and then the left. She quickly felt the mass as well as another somewhere in the center of my left breast. She had me feel it also and yes! certainly there was something there. Not quite a lump or ball per se but definitely something. She asked me if I drink caffeine. I replied in the affirmative and told her that I had at least one cup a day give and take a few days here and there when I preferred tea. She told me that caffeine has been known to make the breasts lumpy. Again, I was shocked at that.
She also told me that taking 600 mg's of Vitamin E daily will also help prevent breast cancer. Another shocker! She also asked me if I wore wired bras. I told her "All the time" she then went on to say that I needed to get non-wired bras since the wired ones are known to put extra pressure on the glands of the breast and can lead to breast cancer also. Yet another shocker!
She never once mentioned or even brought up my grandparents, so I volunteered the information just in case she missed it. She then asked me at what age they were diagnosed. I wondered whether it mattered, point is they had it and that makes me high risk! I said one was diagnosed at 84 and another at around 60. She nonchalantly shrugged it off saying "OK they were both past menopausal age". I was like "ok", wondering if that now meant that I am no longer high risk. Talk about confused.
By the end of the examination she explained that though I am too young to have a mammogram because of the density of my breast, that she was scheduling one anyway along with a sonogram just to be on the safe side. My heart was beating as she wrote the referral, still nervous and overwhelmed from the confusing information I had just received as well as this pending mammogram which I had heard such horror stories about. Two days later I showed up for my "mamo" and "sono" and though the doctor said that the tests are never 100% percent accurate, I thank God that the results were negative and showed no abnormality.
Though I was relieved, I was still a bit confused and very concerned. Even if the less than perfect results are negative then why do I have a lump? could the test be wrong? and am I really at less of a risk for breast cancer because both my grandparents were diagnosed post menopausal? and do I really have to go buy an entire new collection of wireless bras and take 600 Mg's of Vitamin E? Clearly there were some mixed messages being sent here and we all know prevention is better than cure so it was time to get to the bottom of things. I therefore decided to do some research and here are some of my findings.
I don't know about you, but I always thought a lump in the breast was a sure and definitive sign of cancer. The September issue of Cosmopolitan however, featured a section on finding a lump in your breast and that breast cancer doesn't have to be the diagnosis. According to their source, Marisa Weiss, Breast oncologist and Founder of Breastcancer.org "boobs get lumpy all the time" and although breast cancer is uncommon in young women it is always good to be on the safe side and always check with your gynecologist. She pinpoints a few different types of lumps that can be found in the breast and what it could possibly mean. For instance, if it feels like a painless moveable sphere, it's probably a fribroadenoma which are firm growths common in women in their 20's and are perfectly harmless. If the lump(s) feel small and pebbly or knotty, it's most likely fibrocystic changes related to hormone changes in the body particularly around PMS. If the lump is spongy round or oval it could be a fluid-filled cyst formed when fluid is retained in the breast tissue and has to be drained by a procedure called needle aspiration. So for starters, we know that all lumps don't necessarily mean breast cancer especially if you're still in your child bearing years. Youth however, doesn't necessarily mean that you're not at risk for getting breast cancer either. The only way to be sure is to see your gynecologist.
The October issue of Shape Magazine really goes into dispelling some of the breast cancer myths out there with a great article called "What You Don't Know About Breast Cancer Can Hurt You" by Karyn Repinski. The first myth is: You can't get beast cancer if it doesn't run in your family. Like Sr. Weiss said, anyone can get breast cancer. The true determinants are age, hormones, biopsy history and breast density as well as other factors. According to Repinski, the real danger is in having a false sense of security so always check with your doctor to be on the safe side. The second myth is: Breast cancer always appears as a lump. The truth is signs of breast cancer can come in many ways. For example, a change in the size of your breast like a dimpled area or puckered appearance to the skin, an itchy scaly area, nipple discharge, swelling or redness of the breast or an inverted nipple. The third myth is: antiperspirants and under wire bras cause breast cancer. According to Repinski, the National Cancer Institute has done several studies that shows no correlation between breast cancer and deodorants or under wire bras. Phew! isn't that that's a relief?!
Though Respinski has cleared up a few of the smokey areas I am still confused about the family history theory as well as whether daily intake of vitamins such as Vitamin E lowers one's risk. So we know anyone can get breast cancer, but do persons with a family history of women being diagnosed in the pre or post menopausal stage make a difference in your chances of being diagnosed as well? To answer this question I took to the internet. According to Cancer.org "breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have the disease." If your mother, sister or daughter has been diagnosed, you are twice as likely to be at risk. If two of your close relatives have been diagnosed your risk is essentially tripled! Now interestingly enough, less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member(s) who was diagnosed which means that 85% of women who do get breast cancer actually have no family history of the disease. According to Breasthealthlink.com, a person with a familial history of breast cancer is one who has:
A relative who has had breast cancer in both breasts
A relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40
A relative who has had both breast cancer and ovarian cancer
A male relative who has or has had breast cancer
Familial factors that affect your risk are:
The number of relatives with breast cancer
The age at which their breast cancer is diagnosed.
The number of first degree relatives with breast cancer
The next step in this myth debunking research is determining whether an intake of 600 Mg's of Vitamin E will really help prevent breast cancer. In regards to diet and vitamin intake, The American Cancer Society suggests eating a healthy diet focused on plant sources such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain and limiting consumption of processed foods and red meats. According to Cancer.org however, studies on the effects of vitamin intake such as Vitamin E on breast cancer are conflicting and inconclusive. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Vitamin E's antioxidant abilities help to destroy free radicals which can damage bodily cells and DNA. The UMMC Study shows that women diagnosed with breast cancer show low levels of vitamin E in the body. Based on this observation, researchers have felt that vitamin E intake would help prevent breast cancer. However, studies have not been able to prove that intake of vitamins does in fact reduce one's risk.
Though I am more at ease about the myths and truths about breast cancer, I realize that risk factors vary greatly and can range from gender, to age as well as family history, race and ethnicity. Though I didn't touch on this, your lifestyle is also a factor in your risk for breast cancer and includes: oral contraceptive use, hormone therapy, having children, breast feeding, alcohol use and even physical activity. In reality one can never really know definitively what are the causes of breast cancer or what our individual risks are. The important thing is to educate yourself about the disease so that you can look out for any possible warning signs. Know your body. If something feels strange or looks strange be sure to check with your doctor and always get a second, third or fourth opinion.
Based on the information I've learned I understand that I am at risk. Having two second degree relatives affected by the disease increases my awareness as well as my risk. My paternal grandmother was diagnosed in her early post menopausal 60's and succumbed to the disease because of her own lack of knowledge. My maternal grandmother on the other hand was a survivor and was diagnosed in her early 80's with both breast and ovarian cancer. My cousin was also diagnosed in her early 20's. I may not be able to prevent myself from getting breast cancer but I can surely help decrease my risk. Debunking the myths and finding the truths was the first step and puts a more realistic and controlled picture in my mind. Although my "sono" and "mamo" are normal I intend to go get a second opinion being that the lump in my breast is still very much there. I also intend to lower my risk by getting into a more strict exercise routine, as well as eating a more well balanced diet made up of at least 5 grams of servings or more of vegetables and fruits per day. I will not go out and buy a wardrobe of new bras, but I do intend to continue to take my vitamins daily, yes even the Vitamin E. I also plan to continue my routine at-home breast exams. If I were not doing that exam regularly I probably would never have discovered the lump and we all know prevention is better than cure.
Women (and men) need to be aware of this disease. The only way to increase your awareness is through knowledge. There are lots of information on the internet and in your local library and don't be afraid to ask your doctor all the relevant questions. Express your concerns and talk about your personal risk. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in American women, except for skin cancer. Almost a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 alone and almost 40,000 will succumb to the disease. At this time, there are over 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone including my grandmother. Thanks to the stellar care she received at the Queens Hospital Breast Service and early detection, she was able to survive both breast and ovarian cancer. Strong family support was also a factor. Sometimes the families of breast cancer victims are forgotten and overlooked, but they also play a very important role in the care and support that they provide to family members. Caring for a family member diagnosed with breast cancer can be extremely stressful. This breast cancer month take the time to learn more about the disease and participate in the fight for the cure.
Cancer - Facts You Need to Know, But Won't Be Told
The most important part of any orthodox cancer treatments you will be offered is it must make a profit. Unfortunately we live in a world where the dollar reigns supreme, our entire lives and everything we do revolve around money, so why would it be any different with cancer? It is not.
If you or someone you care about are dealing with cancer, there are many facts you need to know to be able to successfully overcome it and the more information you gain and the more you get involved the greater the chance you will have of surviving the disease. There is no way you should blindly put your life in someone else's hands and except just what's on offer without knowledge.
All cancers happen for a reason and they are caused by a change in your genes but those changes are brought about by our lifestyle and environment factors. It is caused by bad diets, smoking, exposure to carcinogenic substances and our lack of exercise. Cancer cannot develop in a healthy body.
It is very rare for cancer to only have one cause, it's more typically caused by the following; nutritional deficiencies, toxins in our environment, our sedentary lifestyle and emotional conflict. Faulty nutrition is singularly the most important causative factor in the development of all cancers.
Cancer was an exceptionally rare disease many years ago and has now become a major problem, but mainly in the industrialized world. Look at the changes in the food we now eat. Our diets are loaded with processed food and many of these items contain refined sugar, salt or fat. These are all known contributors towards cancer. Refined sugar actually feeds cancer cells and that was discovered over 70 years ago and it's very sad that we are not told this. Other food items that contribute to cancer are pressed or processed meats and nearly all of these contain the food additives sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite. They are carcinogenic and no one will tell us that either.
Our immune system, which is our built in repair system has a very important role in why there is so much cancer and also, it's only through the immune system that you can become totally cancer free. All cancers are a result of an immune system that didn't destroy mutant cancer cells because it had been weakened. How do you strengthen it? There are many ways and a little exercising everyday is one of them. The immune system needs muscular activity to keep it in peak performance and you do that by getting some exercise.
We now have access to over 70,000 synthetic chemicals, most of which have been extracted from crude oil. Many of these chemicals we use on our skin as they are in personal care products and when applied, is the perfect delivery system into our blood stream. The skin is not an impermeable barrier and these products are absorb into our body the same way as medical patches work like anti nausea patches. These chemicals do cause us harm.
Any genuine treatments have to revolve around the 7 necessities of life and they are fresh air, clean water, rest, exercise and sunshine. A little sunshine helps cure cancer and doesn't cause it. Also fresh healthy fruit and vegetables for food, and hopefully a happy heart, that is, seek help to address any emotional stress related problems.
A person when newly diagnosed with cancer is already undergoing a major health crisis and it just doesn't make sense to tax the body further with toxic treatments. The human body is a miraculous living item and even as we slowly learn more about it we will never fully understand it completely because of its complexities. With that in mind, doesn't it make sense to turn to nature to help you overcome cancer?
If you or someone you care about are dealing with cancer, there are many facts you need to know to be able to successfully overcome it and the more information you gain and the more you get involved the greater the chance you will have of surviving the disease. There is no way you should blindly put your life in someone else's hands and except just what's on offer without knowledge.
All cancers happen for a reason and they are caused by a change in your genes but those changes are brought about by our lifestyle and environment factors. It is caused by bad diets, smoking, exposure to carcinogenic substances and our lack of exercise. Cancer cannot develop in a healthy body.
It is very rare for cancer to only have one cause, it's more typically caused by the following; nutritional deficiencies, toxins in our environment, our sedentary lifestyle and emotional conflict. Faulty nutrition is singularly the most important causative factor in the development of all cancers.
Cancer was an exceptionally rare disease many years ago and has now become a major problem, but mainly in the industrialized world. Look at the changes in the food we now eat. Our diets are loaded with processed food and many of these items contain refined sugar, salt or fat. These are all known contributors towards cancer. Refined sugar actually feeds cancer cells and that was discovered over 70 years ago and it's very sad that we are not told this. Other food items that contribute to cancer are pressed or processed meats and nearly all of these contain the food additives sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite. They are carcinogenic and no one will tell us that either.
Our immune system, which is our built in repair system has a very important role in why there is so much cancer and also, it's only through the immune system that you can become totally cancer free. All cancers are a result of an immune system that didn't destroy mutant cancer cells because it had been weakened. How do you strengthen it? There are many ways and a little exercising everyday is one of them. The immune system needs muscular activity to keep it in peak performance and you do that by getting some exercise.
We now have access to over 70,000 synthetic chemicals, most of which have been extracted from crude oil. Many of these chemicals we use on our skin as they are in personal care products and when applied, is the perfect delivery system into our blood stream. The skin is not an impermeable barrier and these products are absorb into our body the same way as medical patches work like anti nausea patches. These chemicals do cause us harm.
Any genuine treatments have to revolve around the 7 necessities of life and they are fresh air, clean water, rest, exercise and sunshine. A little sunshine helps cure cancer and doesn't cause it. Also fresh healthy fruit and vegetables for food, and hopefully a happy heart, that is, seek help to address any emotional stress related problems.
A person when newly diagnosed with cancer is already undergoing a major health crisis and it just doesn't make sense to tax the body further with toxic treatments. The human body is a miraculous living item and even as we slowly learn more about it we will never fully understand it completely because of its complexities. With that in mind, doesn't it make sense to turn to nature to help you overcome cancer?
Cancer - One Important Nutrient to Prevent It
Having cancer in the family is not a fun thing. Just to know that you may have the genetic tendency to develop cancer can really be scary. But there is one important thing that you should know. Just because you have the gene does not mean that you will get cancer. It certainly means you are at a high risk. But you are not in a predestined situation.
But there are things you can do to prevent it. The common belief that there is nothing you can do because of your genetic tendencies is just a myth.
Genes are the gun. But it is generally accepted that your life style is the trigger. What you do in your daily habits determine if you will activate this gene or keep it dormant.
So what is the one thing you can do to that will greatly help in preventing cancer and keeping that gene dormant?
The answer is: Make sure your diet is predominantly high in potassium. Yes potassium is a very important nutrient in the prevention of cancer. We usually hear about antioxidants, phytonutrients and other factors. But rarely do we hear about potassium.
This nutrient is present inside of normal cells. While in the outside, cells are being bathed with sodium (salt). This balance is important in maintaining a healthy cell metabolism. Without this balance the cells cannot receive nutrients or process them.
On the opposite side, cancer cells like sodium. They have a lot of sodium inside and very little potassium. Sodium helps the cancer's feeding mechanism.
So my recommendation for you today is:
1. Keep dietary sodium low. The body only needs a teaspoon or less a day. This is about 1500 to 2000 mgs per day.
2. Eat foods high in potassium such as bananas, all veggies, lentils, baked potato, beans, and all fruits have different levels of potassium
If you eliminate most junk foods and eat foods the way they are found in nature, you will have less trouble maintaining your sodium levels and less trouble preventing cancer. Cancer hates potassium. So keep potassium high and cancer genes will stay dormant.
But there are things you can do to prevent it. The common belief that there is nothing you can do because of your genetic tendencies is just a myth.
Genes are the gun. But it is generally accepted that your life style is the trigger. What you do in your daily habits determine if you will activate this gene or keep it dormant.
So what is the one thing you can do to that will greatly help in preventing cancer and keeping that gene dormant?
The answer is: Make sure your diet is predominantly high in potassium. Yes potassium is a very important nutrient in the prevention of cancer. We usually hear about antioxidants, phytonutrients and other factors. But rarely do we hear about potassium.
This nutrient is present inside of normal cells. While in the outside, cells are being bathed with sodium (salt). This balance is important in maintaining a healthy cell metabolism. Without this balance the cells cannot receive nutrients or process them.
On the opposite side, cancer cells like sodium. They have a lot of sodium inside and very little potassium. Sodium helps the cancer's feeding mechanism.
So my recommendation for you today is:
1. Keep dietary sodium low. The body only needs a teaspoon or less a day. This is about 1500 to 2000 mgs per day.
2. Eat foods high in potassium such as bananas, all veggies, lentils, baked potato, beans, and all fruits have different levels of potassium
If you eliminate most junk foods and eat foods the way they are found in nature, you will have less trouble maintaining your sodium levels and less trouble preventing cancer. Cancer hates potassium. So keep potassium high and cancer genes will stay dormant.
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