Fish Oil and the Fight Against Breast Cancer

There is little, if any, guidance for consumers who wish to use supplements to help in disease prevention and treatment especially, when it comes to the fight against cancer and its prevention. Studies have repeatedly found cancer prevention properties in different types of foods and the nutrients that they contain. Several schools of Epidemiology have found consistent proof that diets high in fruits and vegetables can prevent certain types of cancer and reduce the incidence in other types. The newest evidence shows that fish oil can also provide some protection against mouth, pharynx, lung, stomach, esophageal, colon, rectum, bladder and breast cancers.

With more than 200,000 diagnosed breast cancer cases per year and 40,000 or more deaths from this disease, women deserve the best nutritional information available in order to stave off this killer. Mainstream medicine is often quick to dismiss nutritional avenues for disease prevention but in the case of breast and most other cancers, even the mainstream medical community is looking to the foods we eat to help in this fight. As more physicians accept the beneficial part of nutrition in the fight against breast cancer, supplements like fish oil will gain a wider foothold and the benefits can be seen in a wider segment of the population. In a study called VITAL (Vitamin and Lifestyle Cohort Study) those respondents who took fish oil on a regular basis (counted as 3 or more times per week) were shown to have a 32% reduction in breast cancers.

The women who took part in the study were all between the ages of 50 and 76 and had never shown signs of breast cancer. They completed questionnaires concerning their lifestyle and supplements taken and the group was followed over a period of 9 years. During the follow-up period 880 women were diagnosed with breast cancer out of over 35,000 participating women. The women who had been taking the fish oil supplements containing high levels of EPA and DHA (greater than 1 gram per day) showed a one-third reduction in the incidence of cancers. The American Association for Cancer Research scored this as a significant finding for which they were not prepared. Out of the total number of supplements taken by the participants, the fish oil showed some of the most promising benefits.
A number of natural medicine publications have picked up on this and have begun to investigate other studies looking for links to a reduction in breast cancers. Over the years fish oil has been shown to have some excellent health benefits including protecting the heart (heart disease is the number 2 killer among women), reducing the effects of aging (such as memory loss, Alzheimer's, dementia, and depression), and strengthening bones and joints. The important nutrient found in fish oil is EPA and DHA. These two molecules are two that must be gotten from your diet as the body cannot synthesize these from any thing else. An alternate essential acid is ALA but in order for the body to use it, it must first be converted to DHA and the body is not efficient at this process.

The best dietary sources of fish oil come from cold-water fish normally referred to as fatty fish. These include salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod, herring, sardines, and anchovies. Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, kelp, and olive are excellent vegetable sources of these essential fatty acids. However, many people find it easier to take a fish oil supplement that provides a high dose of EPA and DHA (greater than 1 gram per day) in purified capsule form to avoid the possibility of any heavy metal contamination. Quality sources of fish oil and omega 3 supplements are available from many retailers.
Fish Oil and the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Different Types of Breast Reconstruction

There are more than 200,000 cases of breast cancer each year in the United States alone. Most of these women have never thought they would have to remove either a portion or the entirety of the breast. This may seem overwhelming, but you should know that you do have options when you have a mastectomy. The breast can be reconstructed and the surgery won't be noticeable after the procedure is complete.

One type of breast reconstruction that you might consider is having breast implants put in immediately after a mastectomy. If you go with this option, the breast implant is lodged behind the chest's pectoral muscle. Your surgeon will probably use a permanent implant, which would depend on the breast skin quality following the mastectomy and how large the implant is going to be. Once you're on your way to full recovery, which might be after a month or two after the surgery, your doctor may suggest a secondary procedure to adjust the contour of your breast shape. This additional procedure is simply done to adjust breast symmetry and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

A second option when thinking about a breast reconstruction is to get a breast implant using a staged approach. This process can begin immediately following a mastectomy, or it can be delayed as to give yourself more time to analyze your options. In the staged approached, a tissue expanding device is placed along the chest wall under the pectoral muscle. This acts as a space saver in which the permanent implant will eventually be placed into. A small amount of saline is injected into the expander. After a few weeks of healing, the expansion process can start to begin where the doctor will inject more saline into the expanding device through a fill-port located in the device. This port is reached by using a needle through the skin. After several months of expansion, the female will then have an operation to exchange the expansion device for a permanent breast implant.

There is a third option in the TRAM flap procedure. With this procedure, tissue is removed from the abdomen and moved up to the chest in order to create new breast tissues. This will create a more natural feeling breast as you are using your own natural tissue, and you may even achieve better symmetry using this approach. There are a few disadvantages however, one of which is a scar that can run across your entire abdomen from hip to hip. You may also experience weaknesses in your abdominal wall, bulges or even a hernia.

No matter what breast reconstruction you choose in the end, you have to make sure you get a clear comparison among all three methods by speaking with a qualified physician so that you will be comfortable with your final decision on how to go about your breast cancer surgery.
Different Types of Breast Reconstruction

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My Cancer Journey: Recognizing God's Blessings

Being a one-year cancer survivor, God has blessed me beyond measure. Although my situation isn't as severe or complex as some, I believe that cancer survivors have many of the same challenges. I also believe that sharing one's experiences with cancer can be beneficial not only for the one sharing, but for others currently dealing with cancer, and for their families, friends, and caregivers. My prayer is that the Lord will use my story to provide encouragement and reassurance that HE is in control. Furthermore, health crisis, others will be motivated to have a more positive focus. As John Piper has urged, I do not want to "waste my cancer".

This is a journalized account of my first year. On July 23, 2007 I spent a wonderful day with my daughter, Angie and two-and-a-half month old granddaughter, Lily. When I got home later that afternoon, I checked my voicemail as I usually do when gone for the day. There was a message from WestHealth to call back as soon as possible - even a number to call after 5:00 p.m. My heart went straight to my stomach since I had just had my yearly mammogram on July 19th at the Breast Center there. I called and found out that they had found micro-calcifications on my left breast and needed to do another mammogram with other views and more magnification. I was told that it was probably nothing and that women are called back all the time. That offered a little relief.
"...I am the Lord your God - and I say to you, Don't be afraid;
I am here to help you."
Isaiah 41:13¹
I went to the Breast Center on July 24th with the idea that I would be in and out quickly. I had a lot to do that day. I ended up being there almost three hours. The mammogram showed a "questionable" area. Next, an ultra-sound was done and two different radiologists looked at it. They were both quite sure there was a problem. My first thought was directed at the Lord, "How can this be happening to me?- this must be a dream - because cancer only happens to other people! " The technician explained that the next step would be a core biopsy to get tissue from the lump and send it in to pathology to confirm whether or not it was cancer. Being the determined person I am, I asked if there was any way possible to do the biopsy right then. I do not like waiting; I like to get to the bottom of things right away and immediately have a plan of action. I like to be in control! At this point, I was not trusting the Lord, but I was sure talking to Him a lot. The biopsy was arranged after consulting with my doctor. I had to lie on an uncomfortable table for quite awhile as they were setting things up and getting the right staff together - since it wasn't planned ahead. I didn't care, because I wanted to get it over with. The procedure was not fun. The area was "numbed" and a long needle inserted in my breast directed to the lump by the ultra-sound equipment. Ordinarily, the needle is inserted and brought back out 5 times - mine was 8 times. It was very painful. I have always considered myself "tough" and practiced "mind over matter" techniques all the time. It didn't work! To make matters worse, the doctor doing the procedure was very blunt (which I normally prefer). As he was performing the biopsy, he said, "Yes, I'm sure it's cancer - I've done so many of these over the past 16 years that I know what it looks like". Now I was really in shock and in pain - and asking the Lord, again, "How can this be happening to me?"
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help
in times of trouble."
Psalm 46:1²

My personal experience with breast cancer has been a gift. My faith and love of my Savior, Jesus, has become deeper and more real. I have found that developing new relationships when you are hurting and weak actually strengthens others. My need has given others an opportunity to love. It is a two-way street of generous giving and grateful receiving. I have learned that Christians are never anywhere or experiencing anything by divine accident. There are reasons why we end up where we do. I know that one of the purposes of my cancer journey is to share my story and hopefully encourage others going through cancer or other health problems. My cancer sharpened my awareness of how God has always been at work in every detail of my life. God has limitless power and there are no obstacles that intimidate Him. The greatest blessing of all is the opportunity to share how Jesus Christ brought me through this health crisis and how I was able to recognize his blessings. This would not be possible if I did not know Him as my personal Savior. May all the glory and praise be given to our awesome God who loved us enough to send his own son to die on the cross in our place to provide redemption for our sins and give us eternal life.
My Cancer Journey: Recognizing God's Blessings

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Cancer, Why Me? Why Not Me Part Two

I have shared in the past that I am a breast cancer survivor. Now I will share that I do not survive breast cancer, I live with metastatic breast cancer. You see, my cancer has gone beyond the breast and now exists in many parts of my body. Having spread to a major organ makes a cancer a metastasis. My breast cancer has spread to my lungs, chest wall lymph nodes, bones in my pelvis and right arm bones. For the past two years I've been treated for fibromyalgia. This was a misdiagnosis. But I won't go into the high rate of misdiagnosis in breast cancer and mets breast cancer. Instead, I will share this. The pink ribbon notorious for breast cancer awareness is no friend to women and the few men who have mets breast cancer. Less than 1 % of money raised for research goes towards studying or finding treatments or cures for metastatic breast cancer. You may ask yourself this, If Susan G Komen began fundraising for a cure in 1998, why more than 13 years later are we no closer to a cure?

This year in March, I discovered that the persistent cough I had suffered for months was caused by fluid in my lungs. On biopsy this fluid was found to be metastatic breast cancer. Further test by PET scan showed the cancer to be in my arm, pelvic area, and chest wall. As of now I have had 4 procedures to drain my lungs. Which is insert a needle into your lung to drain the fluid so that you can breathe. Since diagnosis I have received 5 chemo therapy treatments. My lungs no longer are filling with fluid, I can breathe, and I have energy. The drugs that are used to treat me are Taxol and Avastin. You may have heard of Avastin in the news recently. It has been decided by the FDA that Avastin isn't a drug that benefits patients with mets breast cancer. The original studies found the drug to extend the life expectancy by 5-6 months. The FDA disputes that claim stating that the study really reveals a life expectancy of 1-2 months. I ask you, if you could have 1-2 extra months of life would you take it? I know I would. The side effects of this drug are high blood pressure, nose bleeds, and possible intestinal problems. There are a few a law suits pending due to some of the side effects. This drug will continue to be used to treat liver, intestinal and brain cancer. The same side affects still apply.
Having just learned that the FDA has removed this drug as a treatment for my cancer is frustrating.They say that Doctors may still prescribe the generic form for mets breast cancer treatment. But in fact insurance companies will no longer pay for this. That would mean an average of $100,000 out of pocket from the patient. I am not independently wealthy. This paying out of pocket would not be an option for me. There are no drugs that I am aware of waiting in the wings with as much promise as Avastin has at treating this disease. So far I have completely stopped all tumor growth. My lungs have cleared, and my energy has increased. My quality of life has gone from being sick and weak to being active and energetic. The FDA's decision has left me sad and worried. This is not a place that is healthy for someone who has a shortened life expectancy to be in.

Let me leave you with this, if you have any lumps, bumps or swelling, do not let a Dr tell you it is probably nothing. I had a radiologist tell me this. I asked him, If he had a lump or swelling on his testicle, would he just ignore it because someone told him it was probably nothing. He said he would get it checked out. Of course he would. It is different when the problem is yours and not someone else. So, if you have a lump, pursue getting it checked out. Even go as far as demanding a needle biopsy. It could save your life! If not for the insistence on pre-surgical testing for my recently cancelled breast reconstruction by my cosmetic surgeon, I would still think I had fibromyalgia and would not be receiving medical intervention. Get mammograms, and insist on follow up on anything you find that is suspicious.

Cancer, Why Me? Why Not Me Part Two
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What Are the Different Types of Biopsy Needles?

Biopsy needles are of utmost importance in the diagnosis of certain diseases such as cancer and the likes. Doctors get samples of the tissues that need to be studied in order to get a better picture of what is really the general status of the organ or other parts of the body that needs evaluation. Before a doctor will perform surgery, he will need to acquire a sample specimen first and have it sent to the histopathology section of the hospital laboratory where it is processed and read by a pathologist to determine if the object of inspection has cancer or free from it.
In some cases, the surgeon may require a small chunk of the organ or part to be examined, while in other cases all that is needed are really small amounts of flesh or fluid as a sample. In this case, they are used to extract the sample directly from the organ or part to be tested.
The biopsy needle types largely depend on its purpose and also the organ involved in the biopsy. For example, percutaneous liver biopsies use aspiration or asuction type needles, for their oblique tip that has slightly convex tip as it extends outward. Another type of needles used are the cutting type needles also know as the automatic biopsy needles. They are spring loaded and once triggered, it slices in a rapid-firing side-notch manner cutting through parenchyma cells of the liver.
For lung biopsies, coaxial needles are used. They are characterized by its increased rigidity and torque, which can overcome any resistance from the surrounding soft tissues and can collect multiple samples from a single procedure. Additionally, single shaft needles can also be used, since they are more flexible and maneuverable than the previous needle. They also puncture through soft tissues easily provided that no heavy tissue resistance is present. Nonetheless, a cutting needle, due to the barbed edges that enable the needle to cut large tissue samples from the pulmonary nodule, also works well. A 14 to 21 gauge needle can be used and can also be incorporated in a biopsy gun.
There are also soft tissue needles and bone marrow needles. The soft tissue needle are specifically made to capture good quality soft tissue samples while minimizing trauma to the patient. While bone marrow needles are very rigid, which allow them to drill through bones to acquire bone marrow samples.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com