Breast Cancer Therapy

Image Credit : http://www.mid-day.com/

A diet that starves cancer cells of an essential nutrient may help improve outcomes of difficult to treat type of breast cancer, says a study. "Our results suggest that a dietary intervention can increase the effectiveness of a targeted cancer therapy," said the study's senior author Vincent Cryns, professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the US.

Methionine is an essential amino acid abundant in meat, fish, some legumes and nuts, but low in fruits and vegetables. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer have limited treatment options because their tumour cells lack the three receptors -- estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) -- commonly targeted in hormone or chemotherapy. The study was detailed in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. Scientists knew that methionine deficiency can block the growth of many types of cancer, but the underlying mechanisms have puzzled researchers. "We have shown that removing methionine can have a specific effect on a molecular pathway that regulates cell death to increase the vulnerability of cancer cells to treatments that target this pathway," Cryns said. Specifically, the researchers showed that when triple-negative breast cancer cells were deprived of methionine, the stressed cancer cells responded by increasing the amount of a receptor on the cell's surface called TRAIL-R2. This resulted in the breast cancer cells becoming very sensitive to an antibody that binds to TRAIL-R2 on the surface of the cancer cells and triggers them to die. The study lays the foundation for a clinical trial to see if a low-methionine diet will help improve outcomes in women with "triple-negative" breast cancer. 

Article Credit : http://www.mid-day.com/

Breast Cancer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it's important to understand some basics: What is breast cancer and how does it happen?

In this section, you can learn about how breast cancer develops, how many people get breast cancer, and what factors can increase risk for getting breast cancer. You also can learn more about signs and symptoms to watch for and how to manage any fears you may have about breast cancer.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop.

Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor.

A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body.

The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast.

Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body. The breast cancer’s stage refers to how far the cancer cells have spread beyond the original tumor (see the Stages of breast cancer table for more information).

Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a “mistake” in the genetic material). However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or father. Instead, 85-90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general.

There are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible, such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising regularly (learn what you can do to manage breast cancer risk factors). While these may have some impact on your risk of getting breast cancer, they cannot eliminate the risk.

Developing breast cancer is not your or anyone's fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not productive.

Breast profile: 
A Ducts
B Lobules
C Dilated section of duct to hold milk
D Nipple
E Fat
F Pectoralis major muscle
G Chest wall/rib cage

Enlargement 
A Normal duct cells
B Basement membrane
C Lumen (center of duct)

Image and Article Credit: http://www.breastcancer.org/

Cancer Awareness

We all know that the light pink ribbon stands for breast cancer awareness. But did you know that each of the other types of cancer have a colour of their own? As World Cancer Day approaches (May 14), we tell you what each coloured ribbon stands for.

Pink ribbon: The pink ribbon is most commonly associated with breast cancer. It is also symbolic of childhood cancer awareness.

Yellow ribbon: Though the yellow ribbon is most commonly associated with bladder cancer, it also stands for suicide prevention and spina bifida (a birth defect with the backbone).

Burgundy ribbon: The burgundy ribbon stands for multiple myeloma or bone marrow cancer. 

Purple ribbon: The purple ribbon signifies pancreatic cancer and testicular cancer.

Grey ribbon:  The grey ribbon symbolises brain cancer.

Blue ribbon: The blue ribbon signifies prostrate cancer. Apart from that it symbolises child abuse.

White ribbon: The white ribbon stands for lung cancer.

Orange ribbon: The orange ribbon stands for leukemia and kidney cancer.

Teal ribbon: The teal-coloured ribbon stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer.

Black ribbon: Stands for melanoma or skin cancer awareness

Red ribbon: The red ribbon is the universal symbol of AIDS awareness

Image and Article Credit: Idiva.com

Breast Cancer

Video Credit: youtube.com

Breast Caner

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Breast cancer symptoms vary widely — from lumps to swelling to skin changes — and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. Symptoms that are similar to those of breast cancer may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like infection or a cyst.

Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine, and you should visit your doctor if you experience breast changes. If you're over 40 or at a high risk for the disease, you should also have an annual mammogram and physical exam by a doctor. The earlier breast cancer is found and diagnosed, the better your chances of beating it.

The actual process of diagnosis can take weeks and involve many different kinds of tests. Waiting for results can feel like a lifetime. The uncertainty stinks. But once you understand your own unique “big picture,” you can make better decisions. You and your doctors can formulate a treatment plan tailored just for you.

In the following pages of the Symptoms and Diagnosis section, you can learn about:

Understanding Breast Cancer

How breast cancer happens, how it progresses, the stages, and a look at risk factors.

Screening and Testing

The tests used for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring, including mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, CAT scans, PET scans, and more.

Types of Breast Cancer

The different types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), inflammatory breast cancer, male breast cancer, recurrent breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and more.

Your Diagnosis

The characteristics of the cancer -- featured on your pathology report -- that might affect your treatment plan, including size, stage, lymph node status, hormone receptor status, and more.

Article Credit: www.breastcancer.org

Facebook status

'I like it on ...': suggestive Facebook status updates 'new breast cancer campaign'

A new suggestive “I like it on” Facebook status update craze that has swept the social networking site is a new campaign to help raise awareness for breast cancer.

Millions of female users across the world have been updating their profiles with the phrase with it ending with words such as “floor”, “kitchen counter” and other location.

But after the updates started raising eyebrows across the internet, it was revealed that instead of it being sexually suggestive phrase, it was about the locations where women place their handbags or purse.

It has emerged that the craze is another unofficial campaign aimed at raising breast cancer awareness.

It was designed after a previous successful Facebook breast cancer campaign, where woman give details of their bra colour.

This week women all over the world were asked a Facebook message, asking them to make their own small contribution to October Breast Cancer Awareness month.

“Remember the game last year about what colour bra you were wearing at the moment,” the American organisers wrote.

“The purpose was to increase awareness of October Breast Cancer Awareness month.

“It was a tremendous success and we had men wondering for days what was with the colours and it made it to the news.”

They added: “This year's game has to do with your handbag/purse, where we put our handbag the moment we get home for example "I like it on the couch", "I like it on the kitchen counter", "I like it on the dresser" well u get the idea.

“Just put your answer as your status with nothing more than that and cut n paste this message and forward to all your FB female friends to their in-box. The bra game made it to the news. Let's see how powerful we women really are!!!

“REMEMBER – DO NOT PUT YOUR ANSWER AS A REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE- PUT IT IN YOUR STATUS!!! PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!”

But while campaigners welcomed the viral marketing, some questioned whether it was effective.

A spokesman for Breast Cancer Care, which is not affiliated with the campaign told EmaxHealth, said: “While viral campaigns have great potential for increasing consciousness around many issues, we’d like to see this go further.

“We would encourage people to direct their Facebook friends towards helpful support and information to create better breast awareness … or reminding their friends to check their breasts regularly when they explain what the campaign is about.”

MJ DeCoteau, the executive director of Rethink Breast Cancer, an organisation supplying information and support to young women with breast cancer, added to the Star newspaper in Canada: "The bra I kind of got — it’s connected to boobs — but I don’t understand the purse.

"I definitely would think it’s university-driven and in that age group. Probably someone in their 20s.”

Latest figures show that death rates from breast cancer in Britain have dropped by a third in a generation.

Between 1989 and 2006, the number of deaths fell by 34.3 per cent — faster than in any other major European country.

Despite the fall, Britain still has the eighth worst record out of 28 countries, with breast cancer killing 12,000 women every year, concluded the analysis, published in the British Medical Journal.

In Britain, women from 47 to 73 are offered mammograms every three years under a £75 million screening programme.

Article Credit: telegraph.co.uk

Breast Cancer

How to Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Breast Cancer Awareness Day is observed every fourth Monday in October. While breast cancer is a serious illness, celebrating the recovery of many whose lives it has touched and gaining the awareness of others is how a cure is going to be found.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Awareness lapel pin
• Postcard or e-card
• Breast exam materials
• Cupcakes or cookies with pink frosting
• Breast cancer wreath

1. • 1
     Wear your breast cancer awareness ribbon pin on your lapel for everyone to see. You may want to carry extra pins for co-workers, friends, family and people working in the businesses you visit.
   • 2
     Arrange with your employer to let employees wear jeans to work to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Day. In return, collect a $5 donation from each participant for breast cancer research. Your employer may even want to match (or double) the employee contributions.
   • 3
     Hang a breast cancer awareness wreath on your front door. Bring one to your office as well. Ask everyone to tie one ribbon on the wreath for themselves and one for someone they know or love who has fought breast cancer.
   • 4
     Host a dinner and collect donations for breast cancer research. You can increase the amount of money you can send to the breast cancer organization of your choice by asking guests to bring a dish instead of paying for a catered affair. Pink-frosted cupcakes and cookies for dessert are a good way to tie in the breast cancer awareness theme.
   • 5
     Write a letter to the editor sharing information on breast cancer and the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Ask the newspaper to cover breast cancer in the health section of the newspaper.
   • 6
     Make Breast Cancer Awareness Day the day you remind the women you love to have a mammogram. A postcard or e-card reminding them to get their yearly mammogram and to do monthly self breast exams is a fast, non-invasive way of getting your point across.
   • 7
     Write a letter to Congress, asking them to support legislation improving treatments for women with breast cancer.
   • 8
     Call local or national radio talk shows and discuss Breast Cancer Awareness Day. You might want to draft a list of points you wish to mention before calling in.
   • 9
     Volunteer to speak to the local high school or college health classes and present information on breast cancer. You can pass out take-home materials on self breast exams for young women in the class.

Article Credit: ehow.com 

Know Your Breasts Better!

Image Credit: idiva.com

You've grown up with them. You think they're your best assets. You definitely know a thing or two about how to flaunt them. But do you really know enough about them? This October being breast cancer month, we think it's the perfect time to think about your breasts and get to know them better!

Here are 10 amazing or downright bizarre facts about breasts.

1) For starters, no two breasts are ever equal. The left breast is usually larger than the right! Of course, you've probably noticed this already (or may be not because the difference is so negligible, you could've missed it).

2) You can never really increase the size of your breasts (except by a boob job, of course). But you can make your breasts perkier by exercising the pectoral muscles in your chest. Here are some Exercises for Firmer Breasts. P.S. Pregnancy could up your size but make your breasts less firm :(

3) When you're younger your breasts contain milk glands, collagen and fat. But as you grow older the glands and collagen reduce and are replaced by just fat! That's why gravity takes over and your breasts tend to sag as years go by.

4) They'd like you to think they're not shallow, but a recent study proved that most men notice your breasts first . Just about 20 per cent of men actually look at your face when they first meet you! And that's not all. One study showed that staring at a well-endowed woman's breasts for 10 minutes has the same effect on men as 30 minutes of aerobics. So it helps them live longer.

5) Your breasts could go out of shape if you are in the habit of sleeping with your face down. The ideal sleep position is on your side. Here's another tip: Place a pillow under your breasts to give them support. And while we're at it, wearing a bra to sleep will NOT cause breast cancer. Just make sure you bra isn't too tight or uncomfortable.

6) The world's biggest breasts are owned by a Brazil-born Texas resident Sheyla Hershey. Her unsightly breasts are size 38KKK after nine surgeries. We don't even want to imagine the backache this poor 5'3” woman will have to bear a couple of years from now.

7)  Even though one in eight women will have breast cancer in her lifetime, almost 50% of women don't bother to check their breasts for signs of breast cancer. The study said that 13 per cent didn't think it was necessary, 18 per cent were unaware of the need and 15 per cent were fearful that they'd actually find something.  

8) Finding a lump in your breasts doesn't mean you have breast cancer. In fact, 80 per cent of all breast lumps are benign. Besides, due to the menstrual cycle breasts keep changing (swelling, pain and tenderness), so if the lumps persist after your period, it's a good idea to visit the doc.

9) A man can have breasts too and no, it's not just because he's overweight. Apparently, it's because of a hormonal disorder that results in abnormally big mammary glands in a man's body. It's a disease called Gynecomastia. And while we're on this topic, men can get breast cancer too.

10) As much as women crib about it, breastfeeding could actually help you lose weight. A study shows that for up to three to six months, your body will to lose fat if you continue breastfeeding.
Article Credit: www.idiva.com

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop.

Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor.

A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body.

The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast.

Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body. The breast cancer’s stage refers to how far the cancer cells have spread beyond the original tumor.

Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a “mistake” in the genetic material). However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or father. About 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general.

While there are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible (such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising regularly), breast cancer is never anyone's fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not productive.

Stages of Breast Cancer

Stage	Definition
Stage 0	Cancer cells remain inside the breast duct, without invasion into normal adjacent breast tissue.
Stage I	Cancer is 2 centimeters or less and is confined to the breast (lymph nodes are clear).
Stage IIA	No tumor can be found in the breast, but cancer cells are found in the axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm)  OR  the tumor measures 2 centimeters or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes  OR  the tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage IIB	The tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes  OR  the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage IIIA	No tumor is found in the breast. Cancer is found in axillary lymph nodes that are sticking together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone  OR  the tumor is any size. Cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which are sticking together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Stage IIIB	The tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast  AND  may have spread to axillary 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	There may either be no sign of cancer in the breast or a tumor 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 either above or below the collarbone  AND  the cancer may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Stage IV	The cancer has spread — or metastasized — to other parts of the body.

Image and Article Credit: http://www.breastcancer.org