Itsanutha

Archive for June, 2010

A pancreas transplant is here but let’s trace a bit of its history. I remember when in 2005 the Washington School of Medicine scientists in St. Louis were successful at transplanting pig pancreatic cells to produce insulin into monkeys. They did not need drugs to prevent rejection.

After several weeks, the cells have established within the three monkeys and released pig insulin as a result of the rising blood sugar levels. This reduced the need for insulin injections and therefore can be of benefit in looking for a diabetes cure for humans.

The transplants worked without employing immune suppression drug. This is an obstacle they were able to overcome. Mind you, the transplant did not produce enough insulin but doing more research and transplanting more pig cells will help reduce the need for insulin.

This research followed a previous study demonstrating a cure for type 1 and type 2 diabetes without the immune suppression drugs. Other researchers previously studied this but they all required the risky use of the drugs to avoid rejection. Pig insulin works well for people as treatment for diabetes. In fact before pharmaceutical companies were able to manufacture human insulin in the 1980s, diabetics were given cow and pig insulin.

By 2008, ten patients in Chicago received pancreas transplant. Kimberley Carlson was one of the recipients and it was found out that while before she needed insulin to stabilize her blood sugar level, she no longer had to rely on insulin.

There are still drawbacks standing in the way. They say that that the longest time one could remain free from insulin injection is four years. More research is needed specially of the risk for rejection. And there are side effects like developing hypertension, high cholesterol level, fatigue and anemia. And the worst is in the decrease of white blood cells.

Anyone considering a pancreas transplant as a diabetes cure for advanced type 1 diabetics should familiarize himself with the surgery, its process and follow-up treatment. One who has severe type 1 diabetes which is not successfully controlled through insulin may be a candidate.

Is there only one type of pancreas transplant? One is when pancreas alone is transplanted and the other is the one combined with a kidney transplant. When choosing the transplant center, find out how many of them they have done and what is the survival rate. Some even have additional services like support groups, travel plan arrangement and local housing for recovery period.

What does one have to do to prepare for a pancreas transplant? Eat healthy, exercise, take medications as ordered by the doctor, be optimistic, become a member of a support group, be on time with appointments with the members of the health care team and indulge in activities that keep one healthy like being relaxed with friends and family.

Be ready with a packed bag and transportation to the transplant center at a moment’s notice as one never knows when the pancreas will be donated. It may take years to come but when it does, one has to be prepared. Make sure the transplant center knows where one is at all times.

Try to find out what happens during the transplant which could last three hours plus a few more if it is done with the kidney transplant. The pancreas with a small piece of the donor’s small intestine will be placed into the lower abdomen. The surgeon will then attach the donor’s intestine to the small intestine of the recipient and will leave the old pancreas to help with the digestion. It should begin working right away.

There will be pain around the incision area while it is healing. One week is the usual recovery period but monitoring will continue for up to four weeks. At this time it is wise to stay near the transplant center. The immune system may try to reject the new pancreas and medicines will be used to suppress this which will have some side effects.

The new pancreas carry no guarantee. Around 85% of those who have the kidney-pancreas combo at the same time have their pancreas working after one year but after five years, this drops to 70%. Among those who get the pancreas after the kidney transplant, around 73% have a functioning pancreas after a year but then after five years, this drops down to 56%. Around 73% of those who get only the pancreas have their pancreas functioning after a year but after five years this goes down to 53%. All these will help one decide whether to undergo a pancreas transplant.

Fibroids are most often difficult to detect because it does not produce any symptoms. In the absence of visible fibroid symptoms women remain unaware of this condition for long time. In fact, when the fibroid tumors are small in size it is easier to shrink them. However, only when the tumors increase in size the symptoms start showing up. Uterine fibroid treatment becomes difficult as the tumors increase in size.

The major symptoms of fibroids are excessive menstrual bleeding, heavy periods and pelvic pain. Bladder problems can also be associated with fibroids. In this article I am going to share some natural methods of shrinking fibroids.

With the onset of menopause in many women fibroids automatically reduce or completely disappear. This is because the body stops producing estrogen during menopause, thereby eliminating the trigger which boosts the growth of fibroids.

Natural remedies used in treatment for uterine fibroids will not get rid of existing fibroids completely. These remedies will however prevent new fibroids from growing and shrink the size of existing fibroids. Here are some things you can do to shrink fibroids naturally:

Diet

Most natural remedies including natural treatment for uterine fibroids concentrate a lot on our diet. A poor diet elevates estrogen levels in the body and prevents the body from breaking down and eliminating excess estrogen. Hence merely by watching what you eat you should be able to control fibroids growth.

The liver is the main organ in our body responsible for breaking down hormones. If liver is overloaded due to increased intake of undesirable foods like coffee and alcohol, its estrogen metabolizing function will be affected. By avoiding saturated fats found in meats and dairy products, alcohol and excess sugar, you will be lowering the burden on your liver. It will be able to process excess estrogen and expel it from the body.

You must also try to include foods containing phytoestrogens, a natural source of weak estrogen. This helps to protect the body from the effects of excess estrogen. Whole grains, including brown rice, buckwheat, oats and millet, foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as fish, nuts and flax seeds, soy, fruits and vegetables and non-dairy milk products provide critical nutrition and help shrink to fibroids.

Exercise

Exercise reduces stress and relieves fibroid symptoms. Exercise is also useful to ensure that you maintain your ideal body weight. Research has found that women who are obese and overweight stand a greater chance of developing fibroids. Hence it is important to maintain a healthy body weight. As a general health rule and specifically during treatment for uterine fibroids ensure that you engage in moderate exercise like brisk walking for 30-45 minutes each day.

These simple natural measures are very effective in uterine fibroid treatment. Natural remedies used in treatment for uterine fibroids do not produce any side effects and are beneficial in the long run. I got rid of my fibroids with the help of a natural 7 step plan developed by a renowned herbalist. This plan has helped thousands of women overcome fibroids naturally without any side effects.

The latest studies on the Vitamin E have been so vast that many previously unknown facts about this phenomenal vitamin are just beginning to now be revealed. Studies have shown that Vitamin E is a great antioxidant and is essential for our body’s well being. Scientists have come to believe the importance of Vitamin E and the vital role it plays in protecting our healthy cells as well as repairing the damaged ones. The antioxidants present in Vitamin E helps our bodies repair the damages that are caused by free-radical oxidants (unstable molecules that harm cells by oxidizing the fats in cell membranes.)

These free radicals are not only responsible for speeding up our body’s aging process, but they are also responsible for many serious diseases. With the quality of our food supply diminishing, people making unhealthy food choices and the amount of toxins we take in, free radicals flourish. Even though our bodies, via our daily diet, have a built-in system that produces Vitamin E and its anti-oxidants, in most cases, this natural occurrence is not enough to fight off all of the free radicals.

Therefore, it has become essential for us to add Vitamin E supplements do our daily diet. But it is very difficult to find a good quality Vitamin E supplement that works just like the Vitamin E that is naturally created by our bodies. The majority of Vitamin E products you will find being sold are of low quality, thus of very little to no value in performing the way they should.

Discovered in the year 1922, Vitamin E became instantly popular as a fertility enhancing vitamin. But most recently, studies have shown that Vitamin E is very helpful in the prevention and reversal of many conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, sunburn, dermatitis, etc. Vitamin E works as an antithrombin in our body which is responsible for preventing our blood from clotting. In addition, it works as an antioxidant which has the role of removing the negative effects that free radicals have upon us. I personally take Vitamin E every day as well as use it topically. It’s a great moisturizer that can be used on any part of your body. It’s also great in healing minor cuts. With so many wonderful benefits, Vitamin E is one of the essential vitamins and has been proclaimed by many to be a miracle worker.

Studies have now succeeded in linking the damage caused by free radicals with degenerative diseases. Free radicals are created via natural manners within our body and are also created from the toxins in our environment such as processed foods, personal care products, household chemicals, smog, tap water, food pesticides, etc.

Antioxidants in vitamins such as E are our body’s defense mechanisms against all the negative effects of free radicals. In addition to Vitamin E, there are other sources for antioxidants: Vitamin A and C, bioflavonoids, peroxidase, alpha lipoid acid, glutathione, arotenoids, proanthocyanidins and superoxide dismutase. But aside from these various antioxidants, Vitamin E is of greatest interest and importance because it is oil soluble. Because of this, it is an important aspect for the protection of free radical damage to the fatty molecules in our cells.

Here are some interesting facts about the benefits of Vitamin E:

Alzheimer’s

Vitamin E helps shield the neurons from free radicals. In addition, it can also regenerate the areas on neurons where neurotransmitters enter. Vitamin E has been found to slow down the degeneration process caused by Alzheimer’s by as much as 50%. The New England Medicine Journal says that although Vitamin E cannot cure Alzheimer’s, there is no other compound that has been found to slow down its process in the same manner in which Vitamin E can.

Heart Disease

Vitamin E can help reverse the damaging effects that free radicals have on the lining of your arteries. When plaque accumulates on the lining of the arterial walls, healthy blood flow is diminished which contributes to heart disease. Vitamin E helps prevent the oxidation of the fats that are in these cell membranes thus preventing heart disease.

Many studies have concluded that Vitamin E can reduce the risk of heart disease. Human studies with groups of 100,000 or more people, as well as studies with animals have all revealed the benefits that Vitamin E has on the heart. When Vitamin E was restricted from lab animals, they died from heart disease.

Cancer

Today, over 80% of all cancers are caused by environmental factors; free radicals also play a huge role in causing and promoting those cancers. Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals and thus, has the ability to prevent cancer. Many studies conducted on humans and animals have shown that the antioxidants provided by Vitamin E are greatly helpful in the prevention of cancer.

Another study, conducted on male smokers ranging in age from 50 to 69 has shown that the risk of prostate cancer can be cut by 30% and the death risk reduced by 41% when regular doses of Vitamin E are taken over a period of several years.

Diabetics

Patients suffering from diabetes often suffer from an eye condition known as diabetic retinopathy. This is a degenerative problem that can lead to loss of vision. The main cause of this problem is that the blood flow to the eyes becomes disrupted which causes the eyes to lose veins which then leads to blindness. But a study done in 1999 showed that Vitamin E can normalize the blood flow and thus, the problem can be resolved.

Cataracts

Free radicals in light can damage our eyes by causing lipid peroxidation. This condition can cause the lenses of the eyes to cause a blurry and cloudy vision. This condition is known as cataract. The only cure for cataracts is a surgery which is probably one of the most common surgical procedures done on senior citizens.

According to a study done in 1998, Vitamin E can prevent cataracts to a great extent. The experiment had studied volunteers who were supplemented with Vitamin E over a period of five years and the results showed that the risk of cataracts in those people had declined by 75%.

Immunity

Vitamin E has also been found to boost your immune system, especially with the elderly. Our immunity decreases as we grow older, therefore it is very important to supplement our diet with Vitamin E in order to strengthen immunity. This fact has also been concluded by a study conducted by Tufts University in which 88 people from the age of 65 years and above were asked to take Vitamin E for four months. At the end of those four months, the immune systems of those people had improved to a level equal to that of a 40 year old.

Physical Exertion

It is very important to maintain a healthy level of Vitamin E while exercising. Exercising speeds up the metabolism of oxygen in our bodies which raises the level of free radicals by several times. This increased amount of free radicals is very harmful to our muscles. But when Vitamin E is taken prior to doing any type of strenuous exercise, the damage caused by the activity can be reduced.

Skin

Vitamin E strengthens the connecting tissues of our skin and thus, is found to be a great source for younger looking skin. If applied to the skin regularly, Vitamin E can tighten sagging skin. As a result, it is used in just about every skin care product. However, it is far more effective when used straight from the gel capsule. Vitamin E also helps to rapidly heal open, ulcerated and burn wounds and to protect those wounds from infections. Vitamin E has also been found to be very helpful in healing scars and sunburn.

Natural versus Synthetic

The question arises which brand of Vitamin E is best for you. There are many different brands that are available. You should always choose a natural form over synthetic. Due to the differences in their molecular structure, synthetic Vitamin E supplements are not very well accepted by the body. They are also not as biologically active as the natural form is.

Synthetic supplements are made of petroleum derivatives and are not as effective as their natural counterpart. This fact was also endorsed by a study conducted by The American Journal of Natural Nutrition in 1998 which stated that natural Vitamin E supplements are much better than the synthetic ones.

So where can you find high quality Vitamin E? I use Unique E by AC Grace. The quality of this brand is well beyond any other brand I have seen. Vitamin E is so important to AC Grace that it is the only product/supplement this company creates. This brand is also used and recommended my many naturopathic and alternative health practitioners. Doctors usually prescribe around 400 I.U per day per 40 pounds of body weight. However, this amount can be increased to 2400 I.U. or 3200 I.U. per day for people with a serious illness or extreme Vitamin E deficiency.

As always, before beginning any type of supplementation program, you should consult with your naturopath and/or perform a mineral analysis test of your hair to determine specific needs for your body.

The eyelift or blepharoplasty is common in women because they want to get rid of their tired looking eyes and they want to have the “glow” which makes them look younger. This is a surgical procedure wherein it can diminish drooping eyes and it can remove eye bags. This is performed by plastic surgeons.

This is done for aesthetic reasons or an elective surgery. It removes the excess fat and skin from the upper and lower eyelids. The surgery is performed using a local anesthesia and it takes about 2 to 3 hours and the patient may go home after the procedure. Some surgeons opt for general anesthesia, wherein the patient is asleep and it’s easier for them to perform the operation. Incisions are made within the natural line of the patient’s eyelids and may extend through the outer corner of the eyes. The surgeon trims the sagging skin as well as the muscle to tighten the eyelid area. Very fine sutures are used to close the incisions. After the procedure, the surgeon will apply lubricant on the eyes and a bandage will be applied as well.

Soreness and tightness on the area might be felt. This is normal. Oral medications will be prescribed for pain and discomfort. If you experience severe and intolerable pain, report it immediately. Antibiotics might be also prescribed to prevent infection.

Before going home a list will be given to you with the post op care. Like any other surgery, there are also risks and complications in blepharoplasty. This includes infection, painful swelling, allergic reactions, muscle damage, excessive bleeding and even loss of sight.

There are also persons who are prohibited to have this. Some are persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disorders, heart problems, dry eyes and glaucoma. Wanting an improved look is not bad. With all plastic surgery procedures your appearance and health is at risk and it may also cause psychological effects.

Cancer accounts to a death of 6 million human lives per year. Modern medicine is aging with breath taking advances in cancer care with increasing awareness, preventing, detection, therapy, research and symptom management. Last 15 years has been a revolution. It is likely to fight Cancer out by getting an early detection especially at a pre cancer stage thus yielding best cure with much shorter treatment time, lesser cost, lesser body insult.

Am I at risk for breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most common malignancy-affecting woman in North America and Europe. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. Close to 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any particular woman getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8 although the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower at 1 in 28. The diagnosis once confirmed by Doctor shocks in such a way that not only the patient suffers but entire family suffers the shock. Thus the patient and family both suffer differently and that adds to the total burden of cancer related illness.

Know your breast: The breast is a collection of glands and fatty tissue that lies between the skin and the chest wall. The glands inside the breast produce milk after a woman has a baby. Each gland is called as lobule and many such lobules make up a lobe. There are 15 to 20 lobes in each breast. The milk gets to the nipple from the glands by way of tubes called ducts. The glands and ducts get bigger when a breast is filled with milk, but the tissue that is most responsible for the size and shape the breast is the fatty tissue. There are also blood vessels and lymph vessels in the breast. Lymph is a clear liquid waste product that gets drained out of the breast into lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, pea-sized pieces of tissue that filter and clean the lymph. Most lymph nodes that drain the breast are under the arm in what is called the axilla.

Risk factors for breast cancer: They can be divided into those that you cannot change and those that you can change. Some factors that increase your risk of breast cancer that you cannot alter include being a woman, getting older, having a family history (having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer doubles your risk), having a previous history of breast cancer, having had radiation therapy to the chest region, being Caucasian, getting your periods young (before 12 years old), having your menopause late (after 50 years old), never having children or having them when you are older than 30, and having a genetic mutation that increases your risk. Genetic mutations for breast cancer have become a hot topic of research lately. Between 3-10% of breast cancers may be related to changes in either the gene BRCA1 or the gene BRCA2.

Women can inherit these mutations from their parents and it may be worth testing for either mutation if a woman has a particularly strong family history of breast cancer (meaning multiple relatives affected, especially if they are under 50 years old when they get the disease). If a woman is found to carry either mutation, she has a 50% chance of getting breast cancer before she is 70. Family members may elect to get tested to see if they carry the mutation as well. If a woman does have the mutation, she can get more rigorous screening or even undergo preventive (prophylactic) mastectomies to decrease her chances of contracting cancer. The decision to get tested is a highly personal one that should be discussed with a doctor who is trained in counseling patients about genetic testing.

Certain factors which increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer can be altered including taking hormone replacement therapy (long term use of estrogens with progesterone for menopause symptoms slightly increases your risk), taking birth control pills (a very slight increased risk that disappears in women who have stopped them for over 10 years), not breastfeeding, drinking 2 to 5 alcoholic drinks a day, being overweight (especially after menopause), and not exercising. All of these modifiable risk factors are not nearly as important as gender, age, and family history, but they are things that a woman can control that may reduce her chances of developing a breast malignancy. Remember that all risk factors are based on probabilities, and even someone without any risk factors can still get breast cancer. Proper screening and early detection are our best weapons in reducing the mortality associated with this disease.

What are the signs of breast cancer? Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. As a tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of symptoms including: lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, change in size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge or nipple turning inward, redness or scaling of the skin or nipple, ridges or pitting of the breast skin

Can you prevent breast cancer? The individual cannot control the most important risk factors for the development of breast cancer. There are some risk factors that are associated with an increased risk, but there is not a clear cause and effect relationship. In no way can strong recommendations be made like the cause and effect relationship seen with tobacco and lung cancer. There are a few risk factors that may be modified by a woman that potentially could influence the development of breast cancer. If possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, have children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain through exercise and proper diet, and limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day or less. For women already at a high risk, their risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by about 50% by taking a drug called Tamoxifen for five years. Tamoxifen has some common side effects (like hot flashes and vaginal discharge), which are not serious and some uncommon side effects (like blood clots, pulmonary embolus, stroke, and uterine cancer) which are life threatening. Tamoxifen isn’t widely used for prevention, but may be useful in some cases.

There are limited data suggesting that vitamin A may protect against breast cancer but further research is needed before it can be recommended for prevention. Other things being investigated include phyto estrogens (naturally occurring estrogens that are in high numbers in soy), vitamin E, vitamin C, and other drugs. Further testing of these substances is also needed before they can be recommended for breast cancer prevention. Right now, the most important thing any woman can do to decrease her risk of dying from breast cancer is to have regular mammogram screening, perform breast self-exams once a month. Follow a few, easy steps, you will soon know what is normal for you and will quickly be aware of any changes. If you find a lump or other change, note down where it is and make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Question for young women’s are how to look? Well it is medically suggested that you stand up straight in front of a mirror with your arms loosely by your sides. Raise your arms above your head and move from side to side so you can see your breasts in the mirror, from different angles. What should you look for? A change in the size of either breast, change in the shape or position of nipple, bleeding or discharge from the nipples, unusual dimpling or puckering.
How do you feel for changes? Lie flat on your back with your head on a pillow. Put a folded towel under the shoulder on the side of the breast you are checking. This helps to spread the tissue so that it is easier to feel. Examine one breast at a time. Put the hand on the same side of the breast that you are going to examine under your head. With your other hand flat and fingers together, use the flats of your fingers to feel around the breast in small, circular movements, in an anticlockwise direction. Cover the whole of the breast including the nipple. Check your armpit for lumps in the same way, starting in the hollow and moving down towards the breast.

Now examine the other breast in the same way. If you think you have found something, feel the same area on the opposite breast. If they are the same it’s probably just your shape, but if you are at all worried, do visit your doctor. Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they cannot spread or threaten someone’s life. These are called benign tumors. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Theoretically, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or the glands. Because it may take months to years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it.

The earlier that a breast cancer is found, the more likely it is that treatment can be curable. Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast. The breast is placed between two plates for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. If something appears abnormal, or better views are needed, magnified views or specially angled films are taken during the mammogram. Mammograms often detect tumors before they can be felt and they can also identify tiny specks of calcium that could be an early sign of cancer. Regular screening mammograms can decrease the mortality of breast cancer by 30%. Woman should get a yearly mammogram starting at age 40 (although some groups recommend starting at 50), and women with a genetic mutation that increases their risk or a strong family history may want to begin even earlier. Between the ages of 20 and 39, every woman should have a clinical breast exam every 3 years and after age 40 every woman should have a clinical breast exam done each year.

There are some experimental screening modalities that are currently being studied. These include MRI, ductal lavage, ultrasound, optical tomography, PET scan, and digital mammograms. Depending on the results of the mammograms and/or ultrasounds, your doctors may recommend that you get a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if you have cancer, because it allows your doctors to get cells that can be examined under a microscope. There are different types of biopsies; they differ on how much tissue is removed. Some biopsies use a very fine needle, while others use thicker needles or even require a small surgical procedure to remove more tissue. Your team of doctors will decide which type of biopsy you need depending on your particular breast mass. Once the tissue is removed, a pathologist will review the specimen. The pathologist can tell if it is cancer or not; and if it is cancerous, then the pathologist will characterize it by what type of tissue it arose from, how abnormal it looks (known as the grade), whether or not it is invading surrounding tissues, and if the entire lump was excised, the pathologist can tell if there are any cancer cells left at the borders (also known as the margins). The pathologist will also test the cancer cells for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors as well as a receptor known as HER-2/neu. Basic 4 stages of breast cancer are called as

Stage 0 (called carcinoma in situ) Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) refers to abnormal cells lining a gland in the breast. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells lining a duct.

Stage I – early stage breast cancer where the tumor is less that 2 cm across and hasn’t spread beyond the breast

Stage II – early stage breast cancer where the tumor is either less than 2 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm (with or without spread to the lymph nodes under the arm); or the tumor is greater than 5 cm and hasn’t spread outside the breast

Stage III – locally advanced breast cancer where the tumor is greater than 5 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the cancer is extensive in the underarm lymph nodes; or the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone or to other tissues near the breast

Stage IV – metastatic breast cancer where the cancer has spread outside the breast to other organs in the body

Depending on the stage of your cancer, your doctor may want additional tests to see if you have metastatic disease. If you have a stage III cancer, you will probably get a chest x-ray, CT scan and bone scan to look for metastases. Each patient is an individual and your doctors will decide what is necessary to adequately stage your cancer.
What are the treatments for breast cancer?

Surgery: Almost all women with breast cancer will have some type of surgery in the course of their treatment while some women will be candidates for what is called breast conservation therapy (BCT) where surgeons perform a lumpectomy which means they remove the tumor with a little bit of breast tissue around it but do not remove the entire breast. Some patients will have a sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure first to determine if a formal lymph node dissection is required. Sometimes, the surgeon will remove a larger part (but not the whole breast), and this is called a segmental or partial mastectomy. Most patients with DCIS that have a lumpectomy are treated with radiation therapy to prevent the local recurrence of DCIS.More advanced breast cancers are usually treated with a modified radical mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy means removing the entire breast and dissecting the lymph nodes under the arm.

Chemotherapy: is the use of anti-cancer drugs that go throughout the entire body. The higher the stage of cancer you have, the more important it is that you receive chemotherapy; however, even stage I patients may benefit from chemotherapy in certain cases. In early stage patients, the risk of recurrence may be small, and thus the benefits of the chemotherapy are even smaller. There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are usually given in combinations for 3 to 6 months after you receive your surgery. Depending on the type of chemotherapy regimen you receive, you may get medication every 3 or 4 weeks; and you may have to go to a clinic to get the chemotherapy because many of the drugs have to be given through a vein. Two of the most common regimens are AC (doxorubicin and cycolphosphamide) for 3 months or CMF (cycolphosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil) for 6 months. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the different regimens that your medical oncologist will discuss with you. Based on your own health, your personal values and wishes, and side effects you may wish to avoid, you can work with your doctors to come up with the best regimen for your lifestyle.

Radiotherapy: uses high-energy rays (similar to x-rays) to kill cancer cells. It comes from an external source, and it requires patients to come in 5 days a week for up to 6 weeks to a radiation therapy treatment center. The treatment takes just a few minutes, and it is painless. Radiation therapy is used in all patients who receive breast conservation therapy (BCT). It is also recommended for patients after a mastectomy that had large tumors, lymph node involvement, or close/positive margins after the surgery. Radiation is important in reducing the risk of local recurrence and is often offered in more advanced cases to kill tumor cells that may be living in lymph nodes.

Hormonal Therapy: When the pathologist examines your tumor specimen, he or she finds out if the tumor is expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors. Patients whose tumors express estrogen receptors are candidates for therapy with an estrogen-blocking drug called Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is taken by pill form for 5 years after your surgery. This drug has been shown to drastically reduce your risk of recurrence if your tumor expresses estrogen receptors. However, there are side effects commonly associated with Tamoxifen including weight gain, hot flashes and vaginal discharge that patients may be bothered by. There are also very uncommon side effects like blood clots, strokes, or uterine cancer that may scare patients from choosing to take it. You need to remember that your chances of having a recurrence of your cancer are usually higher than your chances of having a serious problem with Tamoxifen, but the decision to undergo hormonal therapy is a personal one that you should make with your doctor. There are also newer drugs, called aromatase inhibitors that act by decreasing your body’s supply of estrogen; these drugs are reserved for patients who have already gone through menopause. Talk to your doctors about these new therapies.

Biologic Therapy: The pathologist also examines your tumor for the presence of HER-2/neu over expression. A compound called Herceptin (or Trastuzumab) is a substance that blocks this receptor and helps stop the breast cancer from growing.

Follow-up testing: Once a patient has been treated for breast cancer, they need to be closely followed for a recurrence. At first, you will have follow-up visits every 3-4 months. The longer you are free of disease, the less often you will have to go for checkups. After 5 years, you could see your doctor once a year. You should have a mammogram of the treated and untreated breasts every year. Because having had breast cancer is a risk factor for getting it again, having your mammograms done every year is extremely important. If you are taking Tamoxifen, it is important that you get a pelvic exam each year and report any abnormal vaginal bleeding to your doctor.

Drink Green Tea: Generations of families in India and Asia have been turning to tea to cure what ails them. Green tea could benefit at least five vital organs, including the heart. Earlier, green tea was thought to improve urinary and brain function, combat beriberi disease, and alleviate indigestion. In other words, green tea was considered to be a multi-purpose elixir, able to treat a wide variety of health problems. But this ancient remedy has now found a place in modern scientific literature, thanks to a new wave of studies on the medicinal properties of green tea. While studies on human subjects have been inconclusive, initial evidence from the laboratory looks incredibly promising.

While green tea can be beneficial in attacking everything from high cholesterol to depression, it has perhaps gotten the most attention for its impact on cancer.
Antioxidants are important because they can stop the enzyme activities that give rise to cancer. In essence, they repair DNA problems that have been caused by oxidants or free radicals. Green tea has been considered a godsend for good health because it contains antioxidants known as catechins. These substances have been called impressive inhibitors of cancer growth. Here’s how they do it: lab tests show that they combat oxidants prior to cell injuries, stop the growth of tumor cells, and reduce the occurrence of tumors.

This article is meant to give you a better understanding of breast cancer. Use this knowledge when meeting with your physician, making treatment decisions, and continuing your search for information.

Stay Healthy, as Health is Wealth!

Mobile Edge is a American company based in Anaheim, California that manufactures and produces a large line of computer laptop backpacks and messenger bags. The company was established in 2002 and currently has 30 employees. In addition to computer backpacks the company also produces briefcases, tote bags, and computer sleeves. One of their specialties is the production of checkpoint friendly computer bags. Thanks to their unique design you no longer have to remove your computer from the bag when going through computer checkpoints. This is a very handy feature for those that do a lot of traveling for business purposes.

The company participates in many charitable causes and recently partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization and is donating 10% of sales of certain items including their pink computer backpack line to the cause. They also joined with the Boomer Esiason Foundation which is an organization that helps raise money for cystic fibrosis research and awareness.

One of the things Mobile Edge is best known for is its collection of computer backpacks designed especially for women. Not only do they look more sleek and fashionable than your average black or gray laptop bag, they are more comfortable and easier to carry. A lot of computer bags are so large that they become cumbersome and awkward to hold, especially if you have a smaller frame or figure.

One of the most popular computer backpacks created for women by Mobile Edge is the Pink Polka Dot Express Backpack. This bag is very sleek and trendy. It features a design of brown and black along with multi-color pink polka dots. This laptop backpack is appropriate for both teenagers and young adults in college. The bag is designed to hold both 15″ and 15.4″ notebooks although some people say they are able to fit their 17″ laptop inside this backpack. The bag also offers many interior pockets to make organizing your other books and supplies quick and painless. Mobile Edge also includes a lifetime warranty with every purchase.

This computer backpack would be a good alternative for those looking to find a bag that is both durable and feminine without being too big and bulky. The only problem you might find is that because the backpack is designed for more slender bodies, the major inner pocket may be a tad smaller than other backpacks.