Because hypertension is a silent disease you may feel fine but be a walking time-bomb. Most people dont even know there are many different forms of breast cancer. Some spread rapidly and are unpredictable, while others grow slowly and may go undetected for years. While the most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or nodule within the breast, there are several other symptoms that may also indicate its presence.

Lumps that appear in the breasts prior to menstruation and disappear or reduce in size after the cycle, are not worrisome. These types of lumps are referred to as fibrocystic change and are thought to be caused by hormonal changes within the body. If lumps continue to grow in size and do not disappear after the menstrual cycle, you should consult with a physician.

Localized pain may occur in one or both breasts at various times throughout a woman’s life. It is rarely a symptom of breast cancer; but new and persistent discomfort in only one breast may be a sign of breast cancer. If breast pain continues for more than one week, contact your doctor.

Occasionally, women will experience a slight discharge of clear liquid from the nipples of both breasts. This generally occurs due to a hormone imbalance and will dissipate within 24 to 48 hours. However, if nipple discharge occurs in only one breast and has any signs of blood, it may be cause for concern.

skin rashes can occur on the breasts due to chemical irritants such as laundry detergent or underarm deodorant. However, if a skin rash appears on the breast that resembles eczema, or if dry scales appear around the nipples, this could be a sign of Paget’s disease.

Symptoms of Paget’s disease include itching, redness, and soreness of the nipple. Paget’s disease always signals the presence of primary ductal carcinoma elsewhere in the breast tissue. Primal ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer.

Swelling of the breasts can occur prior to the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. If swelling is accompanied by redness or warmth, it may be a sign of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. IBC is a rare, but aggressive form of breast cancer that can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Other symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer may include a pitting of the skin surrounding the breast. This pitted appearance resembles the texture of an orange and is called peau d’ orange. Pitting of the breast is caused by a buildup of fluid, which causes edema (swelling) in the breast.

The most common breast cancer symptoms include:
v A lump or thickening of the breast.
v A change in the size or shape of a breast.
v A change in the size or shape of a nipple.
v A bloody discharge from a nipple.
v A rash on the skin around the nipple or on the breast.
v Pitting or dimpling of the skin.
v Swelling or lumps in the armpit.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with your physician. Chances are good that these signs are not breast cancer. However, if breast cancer is diagnosed, your chances for recovery improve significantly through early detection.

By: Parry P

About the Author:
breast cancer symptom

www.alternativehealthwellness.com

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In Jacksonville, breast reconstruction can be confusing and daunting process. When women are faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer, they are taken through a whirlwind of seeing doctors and receiving tests aimed at defeating the cancer. They receive a whole pile of information from their radiation oncologist, their medical oncologist, their breast radiologist, and their breast surgeon. All the focus is on eliminating the cancer. Our detection and treatment of cancer has improved over the years and women are living through the diagnosis of breast cancer, but what about after the cancer is gone. What are the options for women who have undergone a mastectomy or women who had a lumpectomy, but now have breast deformity? Many of these women had options for reconstruction performed at the same time as the mastectomy, but the focus was on killing the cancer. So next time you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, please take a moment to reflect about the post-cancer needs of the patient. Ask these questions.

1. Is she a candidate for immediate breast reconstruction? (Reconstruction performed at the time of the mastectomy)

Patients with early stages of breast cancer who are not likely to receive radiation therapy are candidates for immediate reconstruction?

2. What are the advantages of immediate breast reconstruction?

Patients have less scarring and better cosmetic outcomes when the reconstruction is performed at the time of mastectomy. In addition, there is a proven psychologic benefit for patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction?

3. Does immediate reconstruction delay other necessary treatments like chemotherapy?

Although some patients may have wound still to heal, most published studies demonstrate no difference in the time after surgery that chemotherapy is started whether or not patients undergo immediate reconstruction.

4. Does immediate breast reconstruction increase the chance of breast cancer recurrence?

Immediate reconstruction has no difference in local cancer recurrence from mastectomy alone?

5. Does immediate reconstruction decrease survival?

Patients undergoing mastectomy alone when compared to those receiving immediate breast reconstruction have no difference in the overall survival. Therefore, immediate breast reconstruction is oncologically safe and effective.

6. If she needs radiation therapy and is not a candidate for immediate breast reconstruction, are there options that can hep minimize the scarring?

Traditionally, all of patients requiring radiation were not offered immediate reconstruction. However, this paradigm is shifting and by working with the radiation oncologist we can place temporary tissue expanders to help keep all the original skin of the breast. Then after your radiation therapy is complete, we can replace the expander with your own tissue with or without an implant to complete your reconstruction. This process is called delayed-immediate breast reconstruction and is a mix between immediate and delayed reconstruction so that we can maintain all your original skin and minimize scarring.

7. What are the latest options for breast reconstruction?

The options for breast reconstruction are usually categorized by implant or autologous (using your body’s own tissue) based reconstruction. Implant reconstruction involves the use of a tissue expander (an inflatable implant) to recruit more skin before finally replacing the temporary expander with a silicone or saline implant.

Autologous Reconstruction is most commonly performed from tissue from your abdomen. The deep inferior epigastric artery flap (DIEP Flap) is performed by taking skin and fat from your lower abdomen and preserving ALL the muscle to recreate soft natural breast that will last the test of time. Using microsurgical techniques, your plastic surgeon will recreate the breast gland and shape. In addition, patients benefit from the tummy tuck they receive when the skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed. Other autologous options include the superficial epigastric artery flaps and flaps taken from the buttocks.

In Jacksonville, breast reconstruction and the treatment of your breast cancer can be a difficult time for women. You should find a plastic and reconstructive surgeon as well as a general surgeon that you feel comfortable with, that can offer and explain all of your options to you. These options should include the use of expanders with or without a latissimus muscle flap as well as the DIEP flap. Microsurgical breast reconstruction is becoming more popular and you should find a plastic surgeon capable of performing both expander or implant based reconstruction as well as microsurgical breast reconstruction.

About the Author:

Written by: Ankit Desai
Jacksonville Breast Reconstruction Experts:

Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Breast-Reconstruction—Latest-Techniques-In-Breast-Cancer-Reconstruction-After-Mastectomy/1037739#ixzz0lZR1ksKO
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Flax seed contain high volumes of fiber and lignan. Fiber is important in fighting cancer, such as colon and breast cancer, as is usually attained from fruits and vegetables. Lignan is a plant chemical inside the flax seed and is viewed as the main component that fights hormone-dependent cancers. Hormones produced in the body stimulate cancerous cells to grow, but lignans do the opposite. There are 75-800 times more lignans in flax seeds than vegetables or other grain foods. Healthy benefits, like reducing the risk of cancer and healthy weight management, can be acquired by simply adding 1/8 – 1/4 cup to your daily meals.

It is important in hormone-related cancer prevention to maintain a balance between unsaturated fats. There are two categories, called omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Often times, omega-6 fatty acids are acquired excessively from a mass use of vegetable oils. Flax seed oil provides a natural and concentrated level of omega-3 fatty acids, but is expensive and rather short life span, so it is recommended to add whole or ground flax seeds to your diet. Breast and prostate tissue are particularly sensitive to fatty acid imbalances. When omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are at healthy levels, they work together to maintain the stability of the body. Studies have also shown that high levels of omega-3 fatty with low levels of omega-6 can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Read more about flax seed at www.goldenflax.com.

As there are nutritious foods, there are also foods to avoid during cancer treatment. Some of these include cheeses, cold cut meats, and other items from the deli counter. You can view a list of other juices, dairy, and raw products in the article, “Food Safety During Cancer Treatment.” Also, general food preparation and recommendations are explained in the article.

In addition to being extra cautious with preparing your meals during cancer treatment, it is important to discuss your diet with your doctor.

It can be very overwhelming when a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer.  Sometimes you don’t know what kind of questions to ask your doctor.  After speaking to several women who have gone through the process, we have compiled top ten questions a woman should ask her oncologist.

1.What does my final pathology report say?  Can I have a copy?

2.Is the Estrogen/Progesterone/HER2 status positive or negative?

3.What are the recommended treatments for my type of cancer?

4.How long will each treatment take?

5.What are the side effects and length of my treatment options?  (nausea, bone, pain, rash, etc)

6.How can I deal with the side effects of my treatments?  (anti-nausea meds, pain meds)

7.What side effects are of urgent concern that I should report immediately?

8.After I finish these treatments, what is my prognosis for survival?

9.Should I get the testing for the breast cancer gene (brca1 &2) ?

10.What is the likelihood I could get cancer in my other breast?

Healthcastle.com has released a “Breast Cancer Diet & Nutrition Manual” that has links for what to do and eat during certain symptoms (Feeling tired, dry mouth, etc.) and specific types of foods to eat in general. It has information from Vitamins and Minerals to what spices and beverages to have.

Read more: http://www.healthcastle.com/breast_cancer_diet.shtml

It can be very overwhelming when a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer.  Sometimes you don’t know what kind of questions to ask your doctor.  After speaking to several women who have gone through the process, we have compiled top ten questions a woman should ask her oncologist.  

1.What does my final pathology report say?  Can I have a copy?

 2.Is the Estrogen/Progesterone/HER2 status positive or negative?

 3.What are the recommended treatments for my type of cancer?

 4.How long will each treatment take?

 5.What are the side effects and length of my treatment options?  (nausea, bone, pain, rash, etc)

 6.How can I deal with the side effects of my treatments?  (anti-nausea meds, pain meds)

 7.What side effects are of urgent concern that I should report immediately?

 8.After I finish these treatments, what is my prognosis for survival?

 9.Should I get the testing for the breast cancer gene (brca1 &2) ?

 10.What is the likelihood I could get cancer in my other breast?

When a woman first find out she has breast cancer, she goes into a stage of shock.  After the news sink in, most women will go search on-line for some answers.  Answers to how I got breast cancer to what are my treatment options.  That’s what I did when I first found out I had breast cancer, but all the information I researched on I didn’t know what questions to ask my surgeon, oncologists, radiologists, and plastic surgeon. 

I decided to help out another fellow new breast cancer survivor, my close survivor friends and I put together a “Top Ten Questions To Ask Your Breast Surgeon”.  My next entry will be questions for oncologists, radiologists, and plastic surgeons.

1. What does the pathology report indicate?  When can I have a copy?
2. What are my surgery options?  Lumpectomy/ Mastectomy, Double Mastectomy.  Simple or CompleteWill I need Lymph Node removal? 
3.  What type?  What are the side effects of the surgery?
4. Will I have a drain?  What do drains do? Can I see one and work with it prior to surgery?
5. What are y limitations during recovery?  i.e.  Bedrest, lifting, diet, driving. 
6. Is there anything indications my breast cancer is likely to re-occur if I choose lumpectomy?
7. What arm exercises will I need to do after mastectomy?  When should I start them?
8. Based on the surgery I decide, how long will my recovery be?
9. Are there other diagnostic exams I should have?  i.e. MRI, PET Scan.
10. Should I consult with a Plastic Surgeon?      

Feel free to contact me at info@saverboobies.com should you have questions.  Thank you and hope this has helped you in your journey.