What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (excluding skin cancers). About 10% of American women will have it during their lifetimes. There are several types of breast cancer, but most occur in the breast ducts or lobes. The chance of getting breast cancer increases with age; women over 60 are especially at risk. Regular breast self-examination & mammography are important for early detection.

What is cancer?

The name for diseases in which the body's cells become abnormal and divide without control. Cancer cells may invade nearby tissues. And they may spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

How is Cancer formed?

Cancer cells are formed from normal cells due to a modification / mutation of DNA and/or RNA. These modifications / mutations can occur spontaneously (II Law of Thermodynamics - increase of entropy) or they may be induced by other factors such as: nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation (microwaves, X-rays, Gamma-rays, Ultraviolet-rays, etc.), viruses, bacteria and fungi, parasites (due to tissue inflamation/irritation), heat, chemicals in the air, water and food, mechanical cell-level injury, free radicals, evolution and ageing of DNA and RNA, etc.

All these can produce mutations that may start cancer.

Cancer can be called therefore "Entropic Disease" since it is associated with the increase of entropy of the organism to the point where the organism cannot correct this itself. External intervention is required to allow the organism to return to an stable entropic state.Cancer cells are formed continuously in the organism (it is estimated that there are about 10,000 cancer cells at any given time in a healthy person). The question is why some of these result in macroscopic-level cancers and some don't. First, not all damaged cells can multiply and many of them die quickly. Those which have the potential to divide and form cancer are effectively destroyed by the various mechanisms available to the immune system. This process takes place continuously.

Therefore cancer develops if the immune system is not working properly and/or the amount of cells produced is too great for the immune system to eliminate. The rate of DNA and RNA mutations can be too high under some conditions such as: unhealthy environment (due to radiation, chemicals, etc.), poor diet (unhealthy cell environment), people with genetic predispositions to mutations and people of advanced age (above 80).

Symptoms of breast cancer

Early breast cancer can in some cases be painful. Usually breast cancer is discovered before any symptoms are present, either on mammography or by feeling a breast lump. A lump under the arm or above the collarbone that does not go away may be present. Other possible symptoms include breast discharge, nipple inversion and changes in the skin overlying the breast

Screening and Diagnosis of Breadt Cancer

looking for evidence of disease before signs or symptoms appear is the key to finding breast cancer in its early, treatable stages. Depending on your age and risk factors, screening may include breast self-examination, examination by your nurse or doctor (clinical breast exam), mammograms (mammography) or other tests.

Breast self-examination

Breast self-examination is an option beginning at age 20. By becoming proficient at breast self-examination and familiar with the usual appearance and feel of your breasts, you may be able to detect early signs of cancer. Learn how your breasts typically look and feel and watch for changes. If you detect a change, promptly bring it to your doctor's attention. Have your doctor review your examination technique if you'd like input or you have questions.

Clinical breast exam

Unless you have a family history of cancer or other factors that place you at high risk, the American Cancer Society recommends having clinical breast exams once every three years until age 40. After that, the American Cancer Society recommends having a yearly clinical exam.During this exam, your doctor examines your breasts for lumps or other changes. He or she may be able to feel lumps you miss when you examine your own breasts and will also check for enlarged lymph nodes in your armpit (axilla).

Mammogram

A mammogram, which uses a series of X-ray images of your breast tissue, is currently the best imaging technique for detecting tumors before you or your doctor can feel them. For that reason, the American Cancer Society has long recommended screening mammography for all women over 40

Breast Cancer Treatment

In recent years, there's been an explosion of life-saving treatment advances against breast cancer, bringing new hope and excitement. Instead of only one or two options, today there's an overwhelming menu of treatment choices that fight the complex mix of cells in each individual cancer. The decisions—surgery, then perhaps radiation, hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy, and/or chemotherapy—can feel overwhelming.

Overview of Options

What types of treatment are available and which might be appropriate for you.

Surgery Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy, and lymph node dissection, and what to expect from each.

Radiation Therapy What it is, who it's for, advantages, side effects, and what to expect when you get it.Herceptin How it works, who should get it, how it's given, side effects, and major studies.

Hormonal Therapy The link between hormones and breast cancer and how different groups of drugs—including ERDs, SERMs and aromatase inhibitors—can affect that link.

Chemotherapy Who should get it, how it works, different types, side effects and how to manage them.

Targeted Therapies How targeted therapies work, different types, who they're for, and side effected.

Complementary Medicine How complementary medicine techniques such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga could be a helpful addition to your regular medical treatment. Includes research on complementary techniques and ways to find qualified practitioners.

Building Long-Term Health Why it's so important to stick to your treatment plan, take the full course of medications, and continue with regular tests and doctors' visits to keep yourself healthy into the future.

New Research in Cancer Treatment

Genetically engineered bacteria and virusesSome new promising research uses genetically engineered bacteria and viruses to infect and destroy cancer cells. This could be useful when cancer is already advanced and there are large masses of cancer cells. The potential drawback of these methods is the generation of large amounts of toxins from dying cancer cells, which in turn can suppress the immune system or even kill the patient. Also bacteria and viruses very often mutate which in turn can lead to infection and attack on healthy, non-cancerous cells.

Anti-cancer vaccines Anti-cancer vaccines or even custom-made anti-cancer vaccines for a particular patient and cancer type are also a very promising line of research. By providing fragments of cancer cells to the immune system, one can potentially get the immune system response to destroy live cancer cells.

Cancer markers Another promising line of research is related to chemical substances which could be used to mark cancer cells. This in turn will allow easier recognition of these cells by the immune system.

Cancer growth retarders / inhibitors This line of research is related to the use of chemical substances which could retard / inhibit the growth of cancer cells. An interesting research topics are the substances blocking activity of telomerase, the enzyme responsible for the management/elongation of telomeres. Telomerase is found in high concentrations in 80% of tumors and allows tumor cells to gain "immortality" by removing restrictions on the number of cell divisions. This enzyme may also be useful in extending the lifespan of healthy cells and in turn extend the lifespan of the organism (cancer cells and their growth may hold much valuable information about fountain of youth and immortality).All the above mentioned methods show some promise. However these methods by themselves do not provide reliable cancer treatment. It is possible that some of them in conjunction with the non-traditional treatment of cancer (listed below) will become the standard cancer treatment, in the 21st or 22nd century.

Non-traditional Treatment of Cancer

The development of cancer usually takes many years. Therefore, full treatment also can take several months or years (one has to be patient). What is important is to reverse the process in order to stop and reverse cancerous growth.There are no silver bullets to accomplish this task. People have to do all things right in order to have the best chance of reversing the process.

In the majority of cases (probably in 90-95%) total reversal of cancer is possible. Here are major factors contributing to good health and cancer reversal: try to live in a healthy macro-environment which means one with good air quality, water, soil, light, humidity, temperature range, local organic food supply, etc. Play a pro-active role in preserving a safe macro-environment for you and others living there. try to live in a healthy micro-environment, one which you create at home and at your workplace. This means one with good air quality, water, light, humidity, temperature range, etc. Play a pro-active role in preserving a safe micro-environment for you and others living and working there. try to find if there are any internal carcinogenic pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and other foreign substances.

They should be eliminated using available safe and natural methods such as cleansing diets, herbs, etc. This will minimize the number of produced cancer cells and it will lower the burden on the immune system.the diet should be low-entropy, organic, raw food-based and calorie-restricted. Acidity and pH balance should be monitored (with a pH meter or lacmus/litmus paper) since consumption of some foods can increase acidity (for example sugars) which promotes cancer and creates a toxic and cell-damaging environment.chemicals should be eliminated from your home.Dishes could be washed with just warm water.

Most of the things around the house can be cleaned with warm water, soap and vinegar. Chemicals should be eliminated also from your backyard and garden (such as pesticides, herbicides, etc.).don't keep things totally sterile - small amounts of viruses and bacteria are vital to good health, since they keep your immune system "informed" about what is out there and they help to build better immunity. Bacteria and viruses are an integral part of the environment and the ecosystem and they play an essential role in evolution (exchange and modification of genes) and natural selection (testing of "new genetic designs" and elimination of genetic errors).a proper amount of sleep in a comfortable bed with no metal parts (they change electromagnetic fields around the body) and in a well-ventilated, dark and quiet room.avoidance of radiation from underground water and "Swiss Net" which are claimed to suppress or even block the immune system (some people claim it to be EMF at frequency 1420 MHz or wavelength 21 cm).

Diviners (people who can find underground water with a divining rod) can find this radiation, since they are highly-sensitive bio-detectors of this low-level energy.a person should lower the stress level and increase the level of happiness and satisfaction (stress produces a lot of harmful chemicals and free radicals).a person should be involved in non-strenuous exercise such as walking, biking and swimming (strenuous exercise suppresses immune system probably due to free radicals and tissue damage).

a person should eliminate smoking, alcohol, an unhealthy environment (radiation from various sources such as cell phones, microwave ovens, cell antennas, X-rays, isotopes, chemicals, etc.). Even flying can be dangerous due to ionizing, cell-destroying cosmic radiation at high altitudes and pesticides often sprayed in the cabin to kill insects (sometimes during the flight).various things such as special herbs, specific food supplements and massage (in particular one which involves the acupressure and adjustments of the chi-energy flow), relaxation and meditation techniques, music and sounds, etc. can be used to boost the immune system. Also a device such as BIO-EMI - Immune System Stimulator can be used to further improve the immune system (more info about this innovative product will be available soon).

Alternative therapies

Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant substances, called essential oils, distilled from plants to alter mood or improve health. These highly concentrated aromatic substances are either inhaled or applied during massage. Approximately 40 essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy; among the most popular are lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, chamomile, marjoram, jasmine, peppermint, lemon, ylang ylang, and geranium.
Art therapy is used to help people manage physical and emotional problems by using creative activities to express emotions. It provides a way for people to come to terms with emotional conflicts, increase self-awareness, and express unspoken and often unconscious concerns about their illness and their lives. "Expressive arts therapy" or "creative arts therapy" may also include dance and movement, drama, poetry, photo therapy and others, as well as the more traditional art methods.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine. It has an integrated approach to the prevention and treatment of illness and tries to maintain or re-establish the harmony between the mind, body, and forces of nature. It combines a number of approaches, such as changes in lifestyle, herbal remedies, exercise, and meditation to strengthen and purify the body and mind and increase spiritual awareness.
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese philosophy and art of placing objects, ornaments, furniture, rooms, buildings, and even towns in position so they promote the beneficial flow of vital energy or life force called qi (or chi). The words feng shui literally mean wind and water.
Yoga is a form of non-aerobic exercise that involves a program of precise posture, breathing exercises, and meditation. In ancient Sanskrit, the word yoga means "union."
Meditation is a mind-body process that uses concentration or reflection to relax the body and calm the mind. It has been defined as the intentional self-regulation of attention, a mental focus on a particular aspect of one's inner or outer experience. One commonly practiced type is Transcendental Meditation, which involves repeating a word or phrase (mantra), either silently or aloud. Another is mindfulness meditation, in which a person observes sensations, perceptions, and thoughts without judgment as they arise. There are other types of meditation that focus attention by walking or visualizing. Meditations that focus on words or images and do not strive for a state of thoughtless awareness are sometimes called quasi-meditative.
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that is part of Qigong (see Qigong). It is a mind-body, self-healing system that uses movement, meditation, and breathing to improve health and well being.
Qigong is a Chinese system designed to enhance the natural flow of vital energy called qi (or ch'i, pronounced "chee" or "kee") in the body. The process of working toward a regulated, smooth flow of qi is called "gong" (pronounced "kung").
Native American healing is a broad term that includes healing beliefs and practices of hundreds of indigenous tribes of North America. It combines religion, spirituality, herbal medicine, and rituals that are used to treat people with medical and emotional conditions.
There are many tribal differences, so it is not surprising that healing rituals and beliefs vary a great deal. The most sacred traditions are still kept secret, passed along from one healer to the next. Because of these factors, information on healing practices is general and somewhat limited.
Breathwork is a general term used to describe a variety of conscious breathing techniques that are used in many relaxation exercises and spiritual healing methods. There are many types of breathwork and facilitators. Focused, deep breathing exercises, such as exaggerating the way you naturally inhale and exhale, is said to promote relaxation, awareness, and emotional release. Since shallow breathing is considered to be a way to avoid feeling one's emotions and an indicator of stress, the goal in breathwork is usually to take long, deep breaths. These breaths are said to be "cleansing" in that they free the body and mind from restrictions, and release toxins that work against a healthy state.
Dance therapy is the therapeutic use of movement to improve the mental and physical well being of a person. It focuses on the connection between the mind and body to promote health and healing. Dance therapy can be considered an expressive therapy.

Precursors of Cancer and Cancer Prevention

A weak or non-functioning immune system, poor health, an unhealthy environment and advanced age (over 80) can contribute to cancer. In the majority of people cancer can be prevented with proper lifestyle which consists of a low-entropy diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, etc. In most cases cancer develops slowly over many years. With a positive change of lifestyle and healthy environment this trend can be reversed in the majority of cases (probably in 90% -> 95%) - the cancer will shrink and eventually disappear.

Statistics for 2007

1) Beginning with Cancer Facts & Figures 2007, estimated new cancer cases were computed using a new, more accurate method developed by researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. Improvements in the new model include use of data from a much larger percentage of the US population, allowance for geographical variation in cancer incidence, adjustment for delays in reporting, and the inclusion of many socio-demographic, medical facility, lifestyle, and cancer screening behavior variables. Comparisons of estimates produced by the old and new methods were generally similar for all cancers combined but differ substantially for some sites. For more information, see: A New Method of Estimating US Incidence ; Projected and Observed Cancer Cases for 2003 , New Method; Estimated New Cancer Cases for Selected Cancer Sites by State, US, 2007, Old Method .
2) Beginning with Cancer Facts & Figures 2003, the incidence and mortality data have been age adjusted to the 2000 population standard of the US. This change in method will affect the comparability of the new report's data with that of previous years. The new approach will result in an increase of about 20% in age-adjusted annual incidence rates for all cancers combined and for the most common cancer sites. It will also somewhat affect racial and ethnic differences.
Cancer Facts & Figures 2007 Presents data on cancer incidence, mortality, survival, cancer risk factors, and annual estimates of expected new cases and deaths. Special section on Cancer-related Pain. Also available: the most-requested tables and figures and the Cancer Statistics Presentation 2007 in PowerPoint.
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2005-2006 Provides estimates of new breast cancer cases and deaths for 2005, information on factors that influence survival, known risk factors for the disease, prevention details, early detection and treatment methods, and research currently being conducted on breast cancer. (New edition due September 2007)
Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2007-2008 Estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths for 2007 and provides the most recent statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and five-year relative survival. Also includes sections on cancer risk factors such as tobacco use, physical activity, and use of cancer screening examinations.
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts & Figures 2007 Annual updates on the preventable causes of cancer--tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition--and use of cancer screening tests. Discusses cancer control measures for youth and adults, and highlights community/legislative/environmental initiatives to improve these modifiable risk factors.

"World Cancer Report" by Who

WHO (World Health Organization, division of UN) estimates that only 4% of all cancers are inherited /genetic and that the majority of cancers are preventable ("World Cancer Report", IARC Press, Lyon 2003). According to this report, various cancers are strongly linked to lifestyle and the environment. It lists many of these factors and carcinogens. Cancer world maps shown in the report illustrate that the majority of cancers are in developed countries - which indicates again a strong link between cancer, lifestyle, diet and environment. This statistical data is very consistent with the cancer model outlined in this paper."World Cancer Report" by WHO