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Archive for the ‘Breast Cancer’ Category

Argentina medical issues (EMO), a web space that aims to disseminate information on medical advances, yesterday reported a study of the Hospital Universitario de La Ribera, which has demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the diagnosis of breast cancer, considering that the test has correctly adjust the treatment in one of every five women involved, as reported by the Generalitat Valenciana.

EMO, based on a publication of JANO Spain, relates that the research involved the participation of 465 patient’s alcireño center, who have been studying. Thanks to the study mentioned here, as Manuel Cervera, Minister of Health, has won national awards and international research.

The research was led by the head of the center of Radiology, Dr. Julia Camps, who says that “with MRI is properly adjusted initial therapeutic approach to the specific needs of each patient, ie, the treatment had been decided follow based on the results of ultrasound and mammography, one of five women, representing 21% of cases.”

Hospital Universitario de La Ribera is one of the pioneers in Spain in hospitals routinely use MRI to determine the characteristics of breast tumors, its location and extent, and thus decide the best course of treatment , according to the source.

Dr. Julia Camps relates that once a patient has tested positive breast cancer, through the results of mammography, ultrasound and biopsy techniques, the most important thing is to see what size and tumor extension is because it “is not the same for the surgeon and oncologist cancer measure 1 inch and there is only one focus, or that measures 3 and has more of a focus scattered throughout the breast or even the other breast.”

In this way, it is considered that MRI allows better planning of surgery, as best detected the tumor and the extent, and even detects tumors that might otherwise go unnoticed to mammography or ultrasound. In the study, was taken into account not only the number of women in whom there has been a change in treatment after practicárseles an MRI, but also long-term results in the number of reoperations and recurrences.

Thus, of the women studied had returned to only intervene at the edges of the tumor excised piece affections, to 12% of patients, whereas in the case of women studied with MRI, this percentage tends to increase between 19 % and 25%.

Worldwide, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the second leading cause of death in women. Knowledge and early detection of tumor is the best prevention. And to achieve this we need to be informed. Today we continue to see some major misconceptions about breast cancer.

“The occurrence of breast cancer is not associated with the lifestyle of women.”

FALSE. Excessive limits in life are not beneficial in general and breast cancer is no exception. Regular physical activity, healthy diet and not drinking alcohol help reduce the risks.

“The oral contraceptives promote breast cancer development.”

FALSE. No data are scientifically proven to be told that birth control pills cause breast cancer.

“Regular use of antiperspirants is harmful and contributes to breast cancer development.”

FALSE. There is good evidence that antiperspirants do not cause health problems so its use is safe and poses no risk pra women.

“Certain types of bras as rigid ring favor the development of breast cancer.”

FALSE. It is advisable to use a bra that does not tighten or squeeze the breast because this can cause pain in the breasts, hardening of the breast or marks on the skin but is not scientifically proven that the use of rigid bodices conducive to the emergence of breast cancer. Yet it is advisable to wear clothing that fits inside the body.

Worldwide, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the second leading cause of death in women. Knowledge and early detection of tumor is the best prevention. And to achieve this we need to be informed. Today we will see some major misconceptions about breast cancer.

“Breast cancer cannot be prevented.”

FALSE. Periodic monitoring for early detection becomes the only way to treat it on time and increase the chances of a cure. The survival rate 5 years after diagnosis and early treatment is 96%. You are conducting studies with drugs that could
prevent breast cancer.

“If there are no symptoms should not worry.”

FALSE. 75% of nearly 18,000 women each year who are diagnosed with this disease had no known risk factors or symptoms. It is therefore important to monitor periodically, although in some cases the disease is announced from any symptoms such as lumps in the breast, changes in color or texture of the skin, hard or persistent axillary nodes, among others.

“There is no right age to start with the controls.”

FALSE. The WHO recommendations and Intersociedades Argentine Consensus indicates that we must perform a mammogram every year after age 40. If a woman has a family history of breast cancer begins ten years before the age of onset of disease in your family. Due to the particularity of each woman’s age and the frequency may be determined by your doctor.

“Self-examination is not used to detect breast cancer.”

FALSE. The method is used to detect breast cancer early, but is valid for awareness regarding breast care.

“The ultrasound replace mammography”

FALSE. They are two different types of techniques with specific purposes and uses, and often complementary at the discretion of the physician, but ultrasound does not replace mammography.

But preventive measures can be taken to prevent breast cancer have a limited impact, know that you can always do something to prevent the risk: choosing a healthy lifestyle, not snuff, with exercise and good habits. Today we will talk about the factors that increase the possibility of breast cancer.

Mammography from age 50

X-ray of the breast is a good method for early detection and, like MRI, has significantly improved the prognosis of the disease, but their age and frequency of application are discussed within the medical community because, among other things it is a chest irradiation, which is a risk factor. Although some experts advise to do it after 40 or 45 years, its benefit is unproven. Instead, it is beyond doubt that should do it every one or two years between 50 and 65 years of age.

Self-exploration and exploration

since it is not harmful, as is generally recommended for women of childbearing age in conjunction with breast self-examination each period, and postmenopausal women, once a month. It is also important to see a doctor once a year for a full gynecological examination.

When they jump the warning signs

No time to waste. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible after you notice the presence of a lump, redness or retraction of the skin or nipple changes in any discharge, however small or that seem harmless such alterations.

Overweight: the enemy n ° 1

once the woman stops having periods, the amount of fat that accumulates in your body is related to the incidence of breast cancer. The more fat women have more estrogen is produced by exposing the breast to a greater amount of these hormones; the excess is related to the disease.

Breastfeeding: a healthy habit

The long-term breastfeeding decreases slightly the risk of breast cancer while women are in their childbearing years, subject to breast-feed her child during at least one year.

There are several breast conditions and each has its own treatment. But most important is to take preventive measures by breast self-examination and medical consultation at least once a year.

What are the most common breast conditions?

MASTITIS: These inflammations or infections. Are identified by their red color of the skin and cause severe pain and edema. To treat the condition, prescribed medication, vitamins or a gel may be prescribed to relieve pain.

DYSPLASIA: These are the most common. Are named to alterations in the structure of the breast (the normal state is soft, smooth and even) producing agglomerates, lumpy changes. Tri-fold to the two, in one or in a very tough, very restrictive and the characteristics of a nodule. To address this breast disease, medication prescribed therapy can vary in vitamin E, A and B6, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory.

NODE: A localized hardness, a lump, a well circumscribed in one place. It may be a cyst with fluid or mild dysplasia. Cancer begins as a nodule, therefore, is essential to clarify the nature quickly. The treatment for this condition varies from anti-estrogen medication, anti-inflammatory oral antibiotics. Sometimes a tri-fold using local cream based on progesterone.

Fibroadenoma Fibroids are presented commonly between 25 and 30 years and sometimes are mistaken for a benign tumor, therefore, should be treated and operated to exclude all doubts. They are located very well and it looks hard. As for their treatment is identical to the previous condition.

Cysts are lumps cno water inside. Not operate, only made a puncture to remove fluid. Some special cases are treated surgically. As for their treatment is identical to the previous condition.

BREAST CANCER: They have many characteristics and variability. The positive is that with early screening are detected easily without harming health. In relation to treatment will require several treatments simultaneously.

The woman who flees from overweight, exercise, take protective qualities of plant foods, avoid alcohol, self-examination and meeting the medical examinations, reduce the risk to his chest. The incidence of breast cancer has tripled in the last 50 years, and although it is suspected that environmental factors such as diet, may influence the increase in cases, not yet identified with certainty the agents that cause it.

Moreover, although preventive measures you can take to prevent breast cancer have a limited impact, know that you can always do something to prevent the risk: choosing a healthy lifestyle, not snuff, with exercise and good habits. Today we begin to talk about the factors that increase the possibility of breast cancer.

In most genetic risk, more control

Between 5 and 8% of breast cancers are hereditary. Women with a history of the disease in three or more first degree, it is advisable to undergo a genetic test, consisting of a blood test to check if they carry mutations in their genes that predispose to illness. In these cases should begin breast exams as advised before the rest of the female population, and conducted a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) after 25 years, which helps to detect tumors when they are smaller and therefore more curable.

The disadvantages of late pregnancy

other factors are reproductive. A menarche (first period) early and late menopause, primarily a large interval between the first period and first pregnancy, at which breast cells are differentiated and no longer can become malignant, are factors that can trigger breast cancer.

In the early twentieth century reached menarche at age 15, and first pregnancy at 18-19, so that the period for which there is a carcinogenic stimulus was 3 to 4 years. Now, menarche is ahead of the 12-in appearance is influenced by a higher intake of calories, and first pregnancy
# Is more late-around 26 years on average, but sometimes much later, because, among other things, the incorporation of women to work, so the risk has increased sixfold.

Research has found a group of risk factors, or circumstances that make a person more likely to develop tumors.

Age: Risk increases with age. Most breast cancer occurs more than 50 years, at 60 the risk is higher and very rarely below 35 years, although there is a possibility.

Sex women: more likely to develop breast cancer. Men could also suffer, but the probability is one out of every hundred women.

Family history: probably rise if the sisters, mothers or women suffering from this disease. In addition, this risk increases if the family has had cancer before menopause has been done, or has affected both breasts.

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According to new research by U.S. scientists, a hormone responsible for milk production blocks a gene that makes breast cancer more aggressive. The discovery could lead to better diagnostic tests for breast cancer and new treatments for disease.

It is the hormone prolactin, which normally stimulates breast development and milk production, and found to reduce levels of a known oncogene BCL6. Previous studies have shown that BCL6 plays an important but poorly differentiated in breast cancer, and women who develop breast cancer have a poor prognosis.

By far, the role of prolactin in breast cancer is done through the pathway of a protein called Stat5, the researchers said, and the deactivation of Stat5 is associated with a poorly differentiated breast cancer.

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The extract of a plant that is common in India and China shows promise to destroy breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying, as found Ratna Ray, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology at the University Saint Louis.

Habamos bitter melon extract, and is the first report describing the effect of the extract on cancer cells. Our result is encouraging extract induces cell death in breast cancer and reduces their growth and spread significantly, “says Ray.

Ray decided to study the impact of bitter melon extract on breast cancer cells because the research by others has shown that the substance reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels. In addition, the extract is commonly used as folk medicine to treat diabetes in China and India, he said.

Ray conducted the research with human cells of breast cancer in vitro. The next step, he says, is proof of bitter melon extract in an animal model to see if it plays a role in stunting or death of breast cancer cells. If results are positive, could further human trials.

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