Keep-A-Breast » Health

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Cancer causes cells in the body to change and multiply much faster than normal. These growing cancer cells eventually form a lump, or tumor.
The cancer is named for the part of the body where the tumor originally grew, though it can spread through your blood stream to other parts of your body.
Breast cancer generally forms in the breast tissue, which is made up of glands for milk production and the ducts that connect these glands to the nipple.

CANCER FACTS

Only 1 in 10 women who have breast cancer have a genetic history of the disease.
Today, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer accounts for more than 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in US women.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes.
In 2008 there was 182,460 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed.
Also according to the ACS, the chance that a breast cancer patient will be alive five years after diagnosis is lower in women under 40.
Women over 40 have an 89% five-year relative survival rate, while the rate for women under 40 is 82%. These statistics indicate that tumors diagnosed in younger women may be more aggressive and less responsive to treatment, making early detection key.
Men can get Breast Cancer too! Although usually occurs in women men have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer. About 2,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in men each year and approximately 450 men die from breast cancer annually.

PREVENTION IS THE CURE

Twenty-five percent of all breast cancers are found by women doing their own breast examinations.
You should begin conducting regular, monthly Breast Safety Exams (BSE) as soon as your breasts are fully developed. This usually varies from 10-16 years-old.
The best time to do a BSE is right after your period.
A boyfriend or girlfriend can help with a BSE, in fact, many lumps are found by a woman’s partner. But don’t rely on others. You should know your own body better than anyone.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BREAST SELF EXAM (BSE)

You are looking for anything that feels abnormal for your body. It is important to begin self-exams while you are healthy so you will be able to recognize any changes.
Don’t worry if your breasts are different sizes. In fact it is common among teenagers, as each breast develops at a slightly different rate. It is also normal to have lumpy breasts, especially in young women.

NON TOXIC REVOLUTION

YOUR BODY

Do not smoke! Women who either smoke or inhale passive smoke may have as much as a 60% increased risk of breast cancer.
Keep to a high fiber, low fat diet
Just 30 minutes of aerobic activity 3-5 times a week can lower the risk of breast cancer by 30 to 50%
Women who eat the most red meat have 88 to 330% higher risk of breast cancer
Makeup and beauty products often contain chemicals linked to cancer.

Chemicals in makeup to avoid

Parabens
Parabens is a chemical found in lotions, sunscreens and deodorant. Known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. This chemical is absorbed in the skin so well it has been found in most breast tumors! EEK! Many companies have removed Paraben from their products so check for Paraben Free on the label!

Phthalates
Phthalates are found in nail polishes, fragrances used in air fresheners, detergents, cleaning products and more. Frequent exposure to this chemical, not frequently listed on labels, has been shown to cause explosion of breast tumor cells and makes anti-estrogen treatments, such as tamoxifen, less effective against tumors.

1,4-dioxane
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of processing harsh chemicals to make them less harsh. However shows it is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and listed as an animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program.

Nitrosamines
Numerous studies and databases link nitrosamines to cancer. Banned in the UK and Canada they are listed as possible human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the U.S. National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens and the California EPA Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects. Enough Said!

Heavy Metals
Lead in your Lipstick? Aluminum in your deodorant? Can you imagine rubbing those ingredients on your body in pure form? Cancerous breast biopsies show higher accumulations of iron, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium, mercury and lead than non-cancerous biopsies, and several metals act like estrogen in the presence of some breast cancer cells. One metal that’s great for your body.. Iron! Found in leafy greens it’s necessary for blood oxygenation.

Check Ingredients not Labels!
Many products state that they are “natural” doesn’t always mean it’s chemical free. In 2007, Kline and Company released the “Natural Personal Care: Competitive Brand Assessment and Ingredient Analysis” report, profiling 26 brands and finding that half of the brands positioned as “natural” actually contain mostly synthetic ingredients such as parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, petrolatum, chemical sunscreens, silicones and surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate.

Find out more at http://www.safecosmetics.org

Use organic fibers for your clothing, bedding and all other products in your house.
According to the EPA, five of the top nine pesticides used in conventional cotton production in the United States (including cyanide, propargite and trifluralin) are known cancer-causing chemicals. Choose organic cotton for your tees. Check out our selection of organic tees!
Because wool grows and regrows, wool is an inherently sustainable material—if the land is managed sensibly and cleanly. Unfortunately, in most parts of the world, it isn’t. To control fleas and mites, sheep are sprayed with pesticides—14,000 pounds of them in the U.S. alone! Imagine what residue is on your sweater.

YOUR HOUSE

CLEANING
Use lemon, baking soda and vinegar to clean the house. Stay away from bleach!
Use non-bleached toilet paper and tampons.
Did you know there are 17,000 petrochemicals that are approved for home use in cleaning products – and only about 30% of which have been tested for human and environmental safety. Petrochemicals come from petroleum, – so essentially the same thing you would clean your house with you put in your car? Also 150 chemicals that are found in the home are connected to disease – including cancer! Can’t make your own use non-toxic alternatives like Mrs. Myers , Seventh Generation , Method , Ecover , or BioKleen.

PLASTIC SUCKS

Plastics slowly leak chemicals into everything they touch.
Never microwave your food in plastic containers
Use stainless steel or aluminum water bottles.
Never drink out of a plastic water bottle that has been sitting in your car getting hot.

May 2008 the FDA acknowledged that this BISPHENOL A (BPA) a chemical used to make hard plastic was detected in urine of 93 percent of the population, including infants. BPA mimics estrogen and has been blamed for growing public-health problems such as early onset puberty in girls and breast cancer. Look for BPA-free on hard plastic drinking cups like sports water bottles, food storage containers or baby bottles. Click here for a consumer reports of safe products.

FOODS TO LOWER YOUR RISK

Anticarcinogens found in these foods help reduce the overall risk of developing cancer. Sign up for our newsletter for yummy recipes!

Cruciferous Vegetables- like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, kale, and Brussels sprouts- Their indole-3-carbinols block estrogen receptors, slowing bad estrogen from causing breast cells to grow and divide faster, which increases risk of breast cancer. Cruciferous veggies also contain a compound called diindolylmethane (DIM) that helps detoxify estrogen in the body.

Flaxseeds- High in omega-3 fatty acids and plant lignans, Homer calls flax the super-plant–the most powerful food you can eat to fight breast cancer.

Turmeric- Popular in Indian cuisine, turmeric is an anti-inflammatory that’s 300 times more potent than vitamins E or C and may cut your risk of breast cancer in half. It also stimulates liver enzymes, helping to clear the body of bad estrogen toxins.

Fiber- Women who eat high-fiber diets have a 54 percent lower risk of breast cancer. Insoluble fiber binds to estrogen in the colon and eliminates it from the body.

Green Tea- The Chinese have been reaping the medicinal benefits of green tea for more than 4,000 years. Green tea inhibits the growth of cancers and decreases the body’s estrogen production.

Soy- An adequate amount of soy in your diet can reduce your chances of breast cancer by 30 to 50 percent. Soy contains genistein, a plant estrogen proven to stop tumor growth, prevent metastasis, and shut off blood flow to growing tumors8. Olive Oil

Mushrooms- For centuries, the Japanese have been celebrating the medicinal magic of maitake mushrooms. Research shows they can stop the growth of, or even shrink existing cancerous tumors and boost your immune system (especially beneficial to those undergoing chemotherapy). Other cancer-fighting mushrooms: reishi or shiitake.

Seaweeds- Wakame and mekabu seaweeds may help kill cancer cells in much the same way man-made chemotherapeutic drugs do. They are rich in iodine, which is toxic to breast cancer cells.

Garlic- Garlic contains sulfur compounds that may stimulate the immune system’s natural defenses against cancer, and may have the potential to reduce tumor growth.

Red Fruits and Vegetables: Tomatoes, watermelon, beets, red peppers, red grapes, cherries contain Lycopene which may reduce the risk of cancers.

Orange/Yellow Fruits and Vegetables: Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash contain Carotenoids which may reduce the risk of cancers.

Blueberries- Blueberries rank number one in terms of their antioxidant power. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are unstable compounds that can damage cells and lead to diseases including cancer.

Kiwifruit- Kiwi is a little hand grenade of cancer-fighting antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and copper.

Grapes – They’re great sources of resveratrol, the cancer-protecting compound found in wine, but don’t have the alcohol of wine, which can increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

Choose cucumbers over pickles, fresh salmon over lox. Studies find that smoked and pickled foods contain various carcinogens.

Serve sauerkraut at your next picnic. A Finnish study found that the fermentation process involved in making sauerkraut produces several other cancer-fighting compounds, including ITCs, indoles, and sulforaphane. To reduce the sodium content, rinse canned or jarred sauerkraut before eating.

Pick the right Proteins: Tofu, Beans and nuts: Black Beans, almonds, Walnuts are great protein options.

BREAST CANCER GLOSSARY

Estrogen: A steroidal hormone. In women, estrogen is primarily produced by the ovaries and is responsibe for regulating the development of secondary sex characteristics, including BOOBIES!, regulating your periods, and preparing your uterus for reproduction (baby making)!
Breast Safety Exam (BSE): Breast safety exam or Breast self-exam is a tool that may help you learn what is normal for you. BSE involves looking at and feeling your breasts. Women who practice BSE should also be sure to get mammograms and clinical breast exams at the appropriate age. BSE should not be substituted for these screening tests.

Clinical Breast Examination: This is a physical exam of the breast and auxiliary tissues of the body. A clinician seeks to find suspicious lumps as well as any visual changes in the breast such as dimpling, skin thickening, or major size differences in the breasts. The nipples are also checked for any abnormal discharges.

Mammogram: In Mammography the breasts are compressed and radiation is passed through the breast to produce an image. This is an anatomical test that seeks to locate tumors. This test is available only to women over 40. For younger women, and women with dense breasts, this procedure is not reliable.

Diagnostic Mammogram: Diagnostic mammography is an x-ray exam of the breasts that is performed in order to evaluate a breast complaint or abnormality detected by physical exam or routine screening mammogram.

Ultra Sound: In an ultrasound, high frequency sound waves are bounced off the breast tissue and collected as an echo to produce an image. Like mammography, this is an anatomical test that can locate a suspicious area of the breast. This is not a screening procedure but is used to investigate an area already detected by mammography, thermography, or physical examination. This is good at distinguishing solid masses from fluid filled cysts.

Thermography: Thermography uses infrared sensors to detect heat and increased vascularity(angiogenesis) as the byproduct of biochemical reactions. Cancerous cells require increased vascularity and increased metabolism. Thermography can detect changes in the breasts vascularity and metabolism up to 8 years before a tumor is large enough to be visualized on the anatomical tests such as mammography and ultrasound. Thermography is a physiologic test.

Mammography: Studies show that it can detect breast tumors a year or so earlier than palpation from breast physical exams

Breast Cancer Stages

Breast Cancer stage is based on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether lymph nodes are involved, and whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast. In general, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number means a more serious cancer.

Stage 0 – Stage 0 is used to describe non-invasive breast cancers. There is no evidence of cancer cells or non-cancerous abnormal cells invading neighboring normal tissue.

Stage I - Stage I describes invasive breast cancer (cancer cells are invading neighboring normal tissue) in which: the tumor measures up to 2 centimeters and no lymph nodes are involved.

Stage II – Stage II is divided into subcategories known as IIA and IIB.

Stage IIA describes invasive breast cancer in which:

No tumor can be found in the breast, but cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.

The tumor measures 2 centimeters or less and has spread to the lymph nodes.

The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIB describes invasive breast cancer in which:

The tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the lymph nodes.

The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage III Stage III is divided into subcategories known as IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.
Stage IIIA describes invasive breast cancer in which:

No tumor is found in the breast. Cancer is found in lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone.

The tumor is 5 centimeters or smaller and has spread to lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other structures

The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other structures.

Stage IIIB describes invasive breast cancer in which:

The tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast may have spread to lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone.

Inflammatory breast cancer is considered at least stage IIIB.

Stage IIIC describes invasive breast cancer in which:

There may be no sign of cancer in the breast or, if there is a tumor, it may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast and the cancer has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone and the cancer may have spread to lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone.

Stage IV Stage IV describes invasive breast cancer in which: the cancer has spread to other organs of the body — usually the lungs, liver, bone, or brain.

CHECK YOUR SELF CARD

Keep A Breast Check Your Self card – print out and put it in your shower!

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