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Smash Breast Cancer Risk

YOU CAN ACE THIS Two new studies suggest ways that lifestyle changes can help post-menopausal women reduce their risk of breast cancer. In one study, National Cancer Institute researchers report that women who were involved in high-intensity exercise — such as swimming, tennis or jogging — at least seven hours a week over the previous 10 years were 16% less likely to develop breast cancer than inactive women. Researchers say the possible explanations include altered hormone levels, effects on insulin and insulin-like growth factors, enhanced immunity and reduced chronic inflammation. Also the results that more recent physical activity appears to influence breast cancer risk suggests that it might not be too late for postmenopausal women who increase their physical activity to reduce their risk of breast cancer. In the second new study, French researchers found that avoiding a Western-style diet-high in meat, fast food, starches, dairy fats, eggs and alcohol — might help postmenopausal women reduce their risk of breast cancer. The study compared an "alcohol/ Western" diet to an eating pattern focused on fruits, vegetables, seafood and olive or sunflower oil. The researchers noted that breast cancer incidence varies widely between countries, suggesting an important role for diet and other environmental factors. Japan, they pointed out, has traditionally seen one of the lowest rates for breast cancer; as a Western diet has grown in popularity in Japan, however breast cancer incidence has risen.

What you can do:

• Exercise vigorously at least 7 hours a week.

• Eat more produce and seafood instead of fast food and saturated fats.

• Watch alcohol intake.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Following abnormalities in the breast anatomy are suggestive breast cancer symptoms:
• Unusual swelling of all or one specific part of the breast
• Continuous skin irritation or dimpling
• Persisting pain in breast
• Persisting nipple pain or inversion of nipple
• Inflammation or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
• An unusual discharge from the nipple other than breast milk
• Lump in the underarm area

Breast Cancer Causes
Despite extensive investigation into the cause of breast cancer there is still no known cause. However, a combination of environmental factors and genetic mutations are thought to be responsible for this cancer. In familial breast cancers, a molecular change in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 play a major role in the onset of the disease.

Breast Cancer Awareness : The Pink Ribbon
A pink ribbon is universally accepted as the emblem of breast cancer awareness campaign. It denotes the struggle of the breast cancer patients. It was in 1996, when the pink and the blue ribbon was first designed to create awareness of the fact that "Men Get Breast Cancer Too!”

Breast Cancer Types
Breast cancer is mainly of two types:
Ductal Carcinoma
Occurs in milk ducts
Lobular Carcinoma
Occurs in the milk secreting breast lobules.

Breast Cancer Treatment
In recent years, there has been an overwhelming explosion of life-saving treatment advances against breast cancer. So, once breast cancer is detected, one should go for the following breast cancer treatment options: Surgery
• Radiation
• Surgery followed by Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Combined Therapy
• Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
• Hormonal Therapy - Aromatase Inhibitors
• Targeted Therapies
• Complimentary and Holistic Medicines
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors Therapy