The pain known as sciatica (sometimes misspelled as "syatica" or "psyatica") is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve (one on each side). The symptoms of sciatica usually start in the buttock and may extend partially or all the way down the leg. The sciatic nerves are each formed by nerve roots from the lower lumbar and sacral parts of the spinal cord. The individual nerve roots come together in the lower pelvis to form the sciatic nerves. Each sciatic nerve then runs from the pelvis down the back of each leg. The sciatic nerve splits into two parts below the knee and the two halves run down the back of the lower leg to the foot.
While there are several possible causes of sciatica, by far the most common source of sciatic nerve irritation is a bulging or herniated disc in the lower lumbar spine. A damaged disc may bulge into the opening where one of the nerve roots exits the spine on it's way to join other nerve roots as part of the sciatic nerve. The bulging disc may create direct nerve pressure, and/or may trigger inflammation and swelling, which can also cause pressure on the nerve. When this occurs, pain and other symptoms may be felt part along the course of the sciatic nerve, starting in the buttock area and possibly running down the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.
Besides disc bulges, spinal openings for nerves may be narrowed by bone spurs or other bone formations related to spinal degeneration. In some cases, sciatica may result from direct trauma to the nerve after it exits the pelvis, such as what can happen if there is a direct impact or hard pressure applied in the lower buttock region. Rare sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, which can compress sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine. Another rare cause of sciatica is a cyst or tumor that compresses the sciatic nerve in the hip or knee area.
Not every buttock or leg pain that people think is sciatica is acutually sciatica. True sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation) is usually felt mostly in the back of the leg (not the front or side of the leg). Symptoms of true sciatica are described by various people as stabbing, burning, tingling, numbness/heaviness, or like an electric shock. But even if symptoms seem like sciatica, they are not always due to actual irritation of the sciatic nerve.
One common condition that closely mimics sciatica is caused by knots of contraction called trigger points in a muscle called the piriformis. The piriformis muscles are located on either side of the lower buttock area, running from the upper thigh bone to the edge of the sacrum (the triangular pelvic bone that is at the base of the spine). In addition to causing symptoms that mimic sciatica, tightness in the piriformis muscle may also cause true sciatic irritation, because the sciatic nerve actually runs through the center of the piriformis muscle in some people, and can be compressed by excessive muscle contraction.
Trigger points in other muscles in the buttocks and upper thigh can cause referred pain in the side of the leg that may be mistaken for sciatica as well. It should be kept in mind that true sciatica and piriformis syndrome are associated with symptoms that are primarily felt in the back of the leg. If symptoms are in the front or side of the leg, there's a good chance that the problem is not sciatica.
Treatment of sciatica is usually associated with treating a bulging disc. The first line of treatment is usually an attempt to reduce inflammation to reduce pressure on the nerve bymeans of oral medications. If oral medications fail, steroids may be injected in the area of the disc bulge in order to provide more potent anti-inflammatory effects. A variety of other types of treatment may also be used, such as physical therapy, massage, chiropractic or osteopathic spinal manipulation, acupuncture, or one of the newest forms of treatment, spinal decompression. In some situations, surgery may be recommended as a last resort.
Most episodes of sciatica will resolve within a period of several weeks with or without treatment, but due to the severity of the pain typically involved, most people with sciatica will seek out treatment. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions by doctors and patients alike regarding the nature of sciatica, the necessary steps to prevent a return of sciatica are usually not taken. So, even though most people do recover from a bout of sciatica, nearly all will eventually have problems again at some point. Even sciatica sufferers initially treated successfully with surgery will often have future problems with sciatica.
The good news is that with awareness of how to manage sciatica and a little bit of effort dedicated to prevention, most people can avoid ongoing long-term sciatica problems. The challenge is simply to making people aware of the necessity of a "management" versus "cure" approach to sciatica and getting them to follow-through with preventive exercises and other self-care techniques.
söndag 21 december 2008
How To Find The Best Arthritis Specialist
When you’re looking for a medical specialist, it’s sometimes really difficult because you don’t know who’s good and who isn’t. Sometimes you can rely on a friend or relative who’s seen somebody… or you can call the local hospital because sometimes they’ll give you the names of people who specialize.
Unfortunately, these methods are not necessarily the best ways to locate somebody who is really skilled.
I’ve written a previous article on how to find an arthritis expert… and that should be mandatory reading if you’re looking for a top-notch person. (The 12 Things You Must Look For In An Arthritis Expert)
This new article will add a few other things.
Do you know what training an arthritis specialist (rheumatologist) has gone through? Let me tell you… Four years of college, four years of medical school, three to four years of internal medicine residency, and three years of fellowship in arthritis training. And several board exams have to be passed along the way culminating in the internal medicine boards and the rheumatology boards. Many candidates don’t pass the first time around.
You should ask if they passed the first time or not. You can maybe excuse somebody for not passing once (although even that is a bit much) but if they have had to take the exams over and over, then you might want to be a bit leery. After all you don’t want to see a doctor who’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal!
This article will give you the essential things you need to look for in an arthritis specialist.
1. Graduate of an American medical school. American medical education is still the finest in the world.
2. Residency training at a University teaching hospital.
3. Fellowship training at a top university or better yet, a biomedical research center like the National Institutes of Health.
4. Reputation. What do you hear about the doctor from his or her patients?
5. Education. Is this specialist still doing research and continuing to publish papers… the best do.
6. How many papers published- 25-50 is a minimum.
7. How does their practice run? Is the staff courteous, efficient, and do they seem to know what they’re doing?
8. Do the employees appear to enjoy their work? There’s nothing worse than walking up to a receptionist or other staff person who treats you like a piece of chuck roast.
9. When you are in the office do the physician and the staff give you informational literature about your case? Do they answer your questions?
10. Do they return your calls the same day?
11. When you start a new medicine do they go over the things should look out for as far as side effects?
12. Do they refer tough cases out? Often, a doctor who has ego problems may not refer out a patient who should be referred out. An arthritis specialist can’t be a specialist in all types of arthritis- there are too many of them. For instance, I am an expert in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. While I can take care of patients with mild lupus, I refer out more serious cases because I don’t really feel I have the expertise or the energy any longer to take care of these complicated patients… so I refer them to a University hospital.
13. Are they careful about checking laboratory tests regularly?
14. Is research being done? The best arthritis specialists do research. They have their hand on the pulse of what is happening in the forefront of their specialty.
15. Are they invited to speak nationally? Obviously, a person who is a nationally recognized speaker has the knowledge and respect to have earned this right.
16. Do they care? You can tell by how the doctor talks to you and follows up with you. Do they stay in touch? For instance, we send out a monthly newsletter to keep patients informed, entertained, and in touch.
17. Are they trustworthy? In your heart of hearts, do you feel they have your best interest at heart?
18. Are they cheap or are they expensive? Doctors who sign up with insurance plans are weak and usually second rate. The best arthritis experts don’t sign insurance contracts because they don’t want to work for the insurance company. They want to work for the patient and do what’s right for them. Not surprisingly, they also are expensive because they are the best. Remember… in life you get what you pay for.
Let’s face it… picking the right doctor isn’t like looking for laundry detergent. This is particularly true when it comes to arthritis, many forms of which can lead to crippling disability as well as early death.
The right arthritis expert can make the difference between your leading a long, productive, and enjoyable life… or dealing with a progressive, crippling, agonizingly painful existence.
Like Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it…”
It’s your life and your health that’s on the line.
Unfortunately, these methods are not necessarily the best ways to locate somebody who is really skilled.
I’ve written a previous article on how to find an arthritis expert… and that should be mandatory reading if you’re looking for a top-notch person. (The 12 Things You Must Look For In An Arthritis Expert)
This new article will add a few other things.
Do you know what training an arthritis specialist (rheumatologist) has gone through? Let me tell you… Four years of college, four years of medical school, three to four years of internal medicine residency, and three years of fellowship in arthritis training. And several board exams have to be passed along the way culminating in the internal medicine boards and the rheumatology boards. Many candidates don’t pass the first time around.
You should ask if they passed the first time or not. You can maybe excuse somebody for not passing once (although even that is a bit much) but if they have had to take the exams over and over, then you might want to be a bit leery. After all you don’t want to see a doctor who’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal!
This article will give you the essential things you need to look for in an arthritis specialist.
1. Graduate of an American medical school. American medical education is still the finest in the world.
2. Residency training at a University teaching hospital.
3. Fellowship training at a top university or better yet, a biomedical research center like the National Institutes of Health.
4. Reputation. What do you hear about the doctor from his or her patients?
5. Education. Is this specialist still doing research and continuing to publish papers… the best do.
6. How many papers published- 25-50 is a minimum.
7. How does their practice run? Is the staff courteous, efficient, and do they seem to know what they’re doing?
8. Do the employees appear to enjoy their work? There’s nothing worse than walking up to a receptionist or other staff person who treats you like a piece of chuck roast.
9. When you are in the office do the physician and the staff give you informational literature about your case? Do they answer your questions?
10. Do they return your calls the same day?
11. When you start a new medicine do they go over the things should look out for as far as side effects?
12. Do they refer tough cases out? Often, a doctor who has ego problems may not refer out a patient who should be referred out. An arthritis specialist can’t be a specialist in all types of arthritis- there are too many of them. For instance, I am an expert in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. While I can take care of patients with mild lupus, I refer out more serious cases because I don’t really feel I have the expertise or the energy any longer to take care of these complicated patients… so I refer them to a University hospital.
13. Are they careful about checking laboratory tests regularly?
14. Is research being done? The best arthritis specialists do research. They have their hand on the pulse of what is happening in the forefront of their specialty.
15. Are they invited to speak nationally? Obviously, a person who is a nationally recognized speaker has the knowledge and respect to have earned this right.
16. Do they care? You can tell by how the doctor talks to you and follows up with you. Do they stay in touch? For instance, we send out a monthly newsletter to keep patients informed, entertained, and in touch.
17. Are they trustworthy? In your heart of hearts, do you feel they have your best interest at heart?
18. Are they cheap or are they expensive? Doctors who sign up with insurance plans are weak and usually second rate. The best arthritis experts don’t sign insurance contracts because they don’t want to work for the insurance company. They want to work for the patient and do what’s right for them. Not surprisingly, they also are expensive because they are the best. Remember… in life you get what you pay for.
Let’s face it… picking the right doctor isn’t like looking for laundry detergent. This is particularly true when it comes to arthritis, many forms of which can lead to crippling disability as well as early death.
The right arthritis expert can make the difference between your leading a long, productive, and enjoyable life… or dealing with a progressive, crippling, agonizingly painful existence.
Like Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it…”
It’s your life and your health that’s on the line.
Why Colon Cancer Screening is Important
Many people don't think about getting a colon cancer screening until they begin to have problems. Unfortunately, in some cases this may be too late. So why is colon cancer screening so important? The answer is simple. This is a serious medical condition that can be fatal if not treated in time. However, early detection can make a difference.
Having the screening done cannot guarantee that you will never get colon cancer (also commonly called colorectal cancer) but it can greatly lower your risk. Still, there are many reasons why people continue to put it off. The main reason for this reluctance is the fear that the screening is unpleasant. Even preparing for the test can be unsettling.
Stool samples must be taken for the fecal occult blood test, which can be uncomfortable.
Usually you must take a strong laxative prior to the examination. Your colon to be clean so the doctor can spot potential signs of trouble like polyps.
Today, virtual colonoscopy is making the news but it's still in the experimental stage. However, this new test is less invasive because it's done by using a CT scanner from the outside of the body. Your colon still needs to be clean and if this virtual colonoscopy does show any signs of polyps in the colon, you will be required to have the original test done.
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of colon cancer such as regular exercise, controlling your weight, cutting back on the consumption of red and processed meats and avoiding smoking. However, nothing takes the place of regular screenings. The first one is recommended when you reach the age fifty. It's suggested you have one every ten years after that, providing you are a healthy adult and no problems were found. If you do have other problems you may need to have the screenings more regularly.
Colon cancer can be caused by heredity but this is very rare and usually makes up about five percent of the cases. About twenty-five percent of the cases fall into what is called the gray area. This is because they have family members that have colon cancer but there is no pattern associated with who gets it and who doesn't. This suggests that others causes may be factors.
That leaves about seventy percent of cases that can't be explained by factors associated with heredity. These are known as "sporadic" cases. It appears that the majority of cases are caused by a person's lifestyle more than anything else. That's why colon cancer screening is so important. There's no way to predict who will get it and who won't.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and the third most common type of cancer. Don't become part of the statistics. Take the time to have the colon cancer screening test when you reach age fifty or when your doctor recommends you do so.
Having the screening done cannot guarantee that you will never get colon cancer (also commonly called colorectal cancer) but it can greatly lower your risk. Still, there are many reasons why people continue to put it off. The main reason for this reluctance is the fear that the screening is unpleasant. Even preparing for the test can be unsettling.
Stool samples must be taken for the fecal occult blood test, which can be uncomfortable.
Usually you must take a strong laxative prior to the examination. Your colon to be clean so the doctor can spot potential signs of trouble like polyps.
Today, virtual colonoscopy is making the news but it's still in the experimental stage. However, this new test is less invasive because it's done by using a CT scanner from the outside of the body. Your colon still needs to be clean and if this virtual colonoscopy does show any signs of polyps in the colon, you will be required to have the original test done.
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of colon cancer such as regular exercise, controlling your weight, cutting back on the consumption of red and processed meats and avoiding smoking. However, nothing takes the place of regular screenings. The first one is recommended when you reach the age fifty. It's suggested you have one every ten years after that, providing you are a healthy adult and no problems were found. If you do have other problems you may need to have the screenings more regularly.
Colon cancer can be caused by heredity but this is very rare and usually makes up about five percent of the cases. About twenty-five percent of the cases fall into what is called the gray area. This is because they have family members that have colon cancer but there is no pattern associated with who gets it and who doesn't. This suggests that others causes may be factors.
That leaves about seventy percent of cases that can't be explained by factors associated with heredity. These are known as "sporadic" cases. It appears that the majority of cases are caused by a person's lifestyle more than anything else. That's why colon cancer screening is so important. There's no way to predict who will get it and who won't.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and the third most common type of cancer. Don't become part of the statistics. Take the time to have the colon cancer screening test when you reach age fifty or when your doctor recommends you do so.
Breast Cancer Symptoms Guide
Breast cancer is probably the most common cancer affecting women. One must recognise this fact, even if the risk to men is minimal. This is very true when it concerns women. In this article, you will be introduced to this type of cancer, as well as the symptoms that are involved when it comes to breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Explained
Breast cancer is essentially a case of unusual growth that happens principally in the breasts of a person. Changes in breast size is perfectly normal and common for women on a monthly basis due to their natural menstrual cycle. When examining your breasts, you may feel a ball or clump in them. It's likely that many of these are not harmful at all, however, there still exists the possibility that some may carry cancer. The danger is that if one of these lumps is actually cancerous, then it could potentially mestastisize to other regions of the body. This means that it can spread. The lymphatic system and the bloodstream are the 2 mediums through which cells from the breasts travel to other regions of the body. There have been cases where the spread has been quite slow, and there have been others where this spread has been pretty fast.
The Symptoms of Cancer in the Breasts
You may have heard medical experts say on various occasions that in the early phases of breast cancer, you may not detect any symptoms at all. You may also be aware that the symptoms become more obvious as the cancer advances. You should be able to detect at least one of the following symptoms if you have cancer:
1. One may begin to feel some pain in the breast as well as some soreness.
2. Discharge from your breasts may be one of the symptoms and this may be clear, slightly yellow or even look like blood.
3. A change in breast size may indicate cancer, but there may also be other changes relating to the texture. Another indication is if a breast is very warm to touch.
4. There could be swelling in the breast, or even in the lymph node that is found under the arm. If you discover this type of situation, it is important to understand that this could be a sign that cancer is developing.
5. Many individuals may begin to experience itching, burning, and even physical ulcerations on the skin of the breasts.
Conclusion
There is not just one type of breast cancer, there are various. Furthermore, there are various physical signs that show that cancer has begun developing. It's very important that you examine your breast correctly and on a regular basis. Once to twice a month is typically appropriate. Keeping an eye out for the symptoms listed in this article could possibly save your life. Hence, you should not hesitate in calling a doctor if any of the above symptoms present themselves.
Breast Cancer Explained
Breast cancer is essentially a case of unusual growth that happens principally in the breasts of a person. Changes in breast size is perfectly normal and common for women on a monthly basis due to their natural menstrual cycle. When examining your breasts, you may feel a ball or clump in them. It's likely that many of these are not harmful at all, however, there still exists the possibility that some may carry cancer. The danger is that if one of these lumps is actually cancerous, then it could potentially mestastisize to other regions of the body. This means that it can spread. The lymphatic system and the bloodstream are the 2 mediums through which cells from the breasts travel to other regions of the body. There have been cases where the spread has been quite slow, and there have been others where this spread has been pretty fast.
The Symptoms of Cancer in the Breasts
You may have heard medical experts say on various occasions that in the early phases of breast cancer, you may not detect any symptoms at all. You may also be aware that the symptoms become more obvious as the cancer advances. You should be able to detect at least one of the following symptoms if you have cancer:
1. One may begin to feel some pain in the breast as well as some soreness.
2. Discharge from your breasts may be one of the symptoms and this may be clear, slightly yellow or even look like blood.
3. A change in breast size may indicate cancer, but there may also be other changes relating to the texture. Another indication is if a breast is very warm to touch.
4. There could be swelling in the breast, or even in the lymph node that is found under the arm. If you discover this type of situation, it is important to understand that this could be a sign that cancer is developing.
5. Many individuals may begin to experience itching, burning, and even physical ulcerations on the skin of the breasts.
Conclusion
There is not just one type of breast cancer, there are various. Furthermore, there are various physical signs that show that cancer has begun developing. It's very important that you examine your breast correctly and on a regular basis. Once to twice a month is typically appropriate. Keeping an eye out for the symptoms listed in this article could possibly save your life. Hence, you should not hesitate in calling a doctor if any of the above symptoms present themselves.
Things You Can Do to Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths from cancer in the United States. Every year around 11,000 women die and 49,000 new cases are diagnosed. However, there are things you can do to prevent breast cancer so that your risk is lowered.
Things You Can Do to Prevent Breast Cancer:
• Diet: If you improve your diet, you can dramatically reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. Avoid foods like pastries, pizzas, fried foods. Instead start eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, cut down on alcohol, tea, coffee and nicotine.
• Exercise: Make it a point to exercise at least for 30 minutes a day. This will reduce the chances of developing present by 30 to 40 percent. Having a healthy body will allow it to fight not just against cancer but other infections and diseases.
• Pregnancy: Doctors advocate women having their first child by the age of 25. Although there is no concrete evidence but doctors say that women who have children early reduce their chances of getting breast cancer significantly compared to women who have their first child in their 30s.
• Breastfeed your baby for at least 6 months: The risk of developing cancer reduces if you breastfeed your child for at least 6 months.
Remember, breast cancer can be treated and cured if detected early. Doctors lay stress on this constantly. Women should go for regular breast examination after the age of 30; or they can do it themselves at home. There are many websites that teach women how self-examination can be done. However, as the age-old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. That is why you should take heed and work towards preventing breast cancer. After all, it is easier and cheaper than breast cancer treatment!
Things You Can Do to Prevent Breast Cancer:
• Diet: If you improve your diet, you can dramatically reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. Avoid foods like pastries, pizzas, fried foods. Instead start eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, cut down on alcohol, tea, coffee and nicotine.
• Exercise: Make it a point to exercise at least for 30 minutes a day. This will reduce the chances of developing present by 30 to 40 percent. Having a healthy body will allow it to fight not just against cancer but other infections and diseases.
• Pregnancy: Doctors advocate women having their first child by the age of 25. Although there is no concrete evidence but doctors say that women who have children early reduce their chances of getting breast cancer significantly compared to women who have their first child in their 30s.
• Breastfeed your baby for at least 6 months: The risk of developing cancer reduces if you breastfeed your child for at least 6 months.
Remember, breast cancer can be treated and cured if detected early. Doctors lay stress on this constantly. Women should go for regular breast examination after the age of 30; or they can do it themselves at home. There are many websites that teach women how self-examination can be done. However, as the age-old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. That is why you should take heed and work towards preventing breast cancer. After all, it is easier and cheaper than breast cancer treatment!
Studies Link Obesity and Breast Cancer
In case you needed more of a reason to keep an eye on your weight, recent research has found that, in general, obesity is linked to cancer. For obese women, especially those who have gone through menopause, this means an increased risk of breast cancer. Though experts can't yet explain to us why the link is there, they are working hard to figure it all out.
What we do know is that the higher your Body Mass Index (BMI) the measurement of your weight against your height squared, the more chance you have of developing cancer. This was confirmed by an extensive data review of 140 studies by scientists at the University of Manchester in England earlier this year. Other work had found the same links between cancers and more body fat, and in 2007 a report issued by the American Institute of Cancer Research and the U.K.-based World Cancer Research Fund concluded that body fat is associated with an increased risk for several different types of cancer.
If that wasn't enough a recent study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, found more than two-thirds of women with stage III locally advanced breast cancer were overweight (32%) or obese (34%). The research also found that a greater number of obese patients were likely to be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer - a rare and more deadly form of this type of cancer.
The extra weight increases your risks, and brings other problems too. It's harder to spot tumors (or recurrences) early, and women who are overweight or obese are known to avoid checkups altogether. Once a cancer has been spotted, the added weight can cause problems figuring the best chemotherapy dose - plus the more weight the more medicine that must be used, and the more intense any side effects will be.
"We know that women who are overweight at the time of breast cancer diagnosis have a higher risk of recurrence than lean women, but the reasons for this are not clear," says Dr. Jennifer A. Ligibel of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. "Recent evidence suggests that high insulin levels, which are common in overweight women, may be involved in the increased risk of breast cancer recurrence."
Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society, points out that it's not completely clear what role obesity plays in breast cancer risk. According to ACS numbers, about 182,500 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 2008. Right now there are almost 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
In all this doom and gloom, there is some rather encouraging news. Studies have shown that exercise - 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-high intensity activity each day - cuts breast cancer risk according to Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society. You don't have to go from no workout to a full hour of high intensity activity in one leap - in fact, if you're really out of shape and very sedentary, talk with your doctor first, before you start getting more active.
Once you get the okay, adding activities like walking is a great way to get started. Build your routine, both in time and intensity slowly, over weeks or months, until you are able to do the 30 minutes recommended. Not only will you notice that you're feeling better... stronger and more confident, but you'll be doing one of the best things you can to lower your risk of breast cancer and give yourself many healthy, happy years.
What we do know is that the higher your Body Mass Index (BMI) the measurement of your weight against your height squared, the more chance you have of developing cancer. This was confirmed by an extensive data review of 140 studies by scientists at the University of Manchester in England earlier this year. Other work had found the same links between cancers and more body fat, and in 2007 a report issued by the American Institute of Cancer Research and the U.K.-based World Cancer Research Fund concluded that body fat is associated with an increased risk for several different types of cancer.
If that wasn't enough a recent study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, found more than two-thirds of women with stage III locally advanced breast cancer were overweight (32%) or obese (34%). The research also found that a greater number of obese patients were likely to be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer - a rare and more deadly form of this type of cancer.
The extra weight increases your risks, and brings other problems too. It's harder to spot tumors (or recurrences) early, and women who are overweight or obese are known to avoid checkups altogether. Once a cancer has been spotted, the added weight can cause problems figuring the best chemotherapy dose - plus the more weight the more medicine that must be used, and the more intense any side effects will be.
"We know that women who are overweight at the time of breast cancer diagnosis have a higher risk of recurrence than lean women, but the reasons for this are not clear," says Dr. Jennifer A. Ligibel of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. "Recent evidence suggests that high insulin levels, which are common in overweight women, may be involved in the increased risk of breast cancer recurrence."
Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society, points out that it's not completely clear what role obesity plays in breast cancer risk. According to ACS numbers, about 182,500 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 2008. Right now there are almost 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
In all this doom and gloom, there is some rather encouraging news. Studies have shown that exercise - 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-high intensity activity each day - cuts breast cancer risk according to Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society. You don't have to go from no workout to a full hour of high intensity activity in one leap - in fact, if you're really out of shape and very sedentary, talk with your doctor first, before you start getting more active.
Once you get the okay, adding activities like walking is a great way to get started. Build your routine, both in time and intensity slowly, over weeks or months, until you are able to do the 30 minutes recommended. Not only will you notice that you're feeling better... stronger and more confident, but you'll be doing one of the best things you can to lower your risk of breast cancer and give yourself many healthy, happy years.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Rare But Dangerous
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and very aggressive type of breast cancer that can be difficult to treat. The name, inflammatory breast cancer, may cause some confusion. It is called "inflammatory" because with this type of cancer, the breast appears inflamed or swollen, red and tender. However, an infection of the breast will cause these same symptoms. Inflammation occurs when there is injury to a cell. The body responds by sending additional red and white blood cells and chemical substances to the area to help it heal. This is not, however, what happens with inflammatory breast cancer. In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells grow and spread rapidly, penetrating and eventually blocking the lymph vessels just below the skin of the breast. When these vessels are blocked, lymph fluid backs up and redness and swelling occur. If there is a true infection of the breast, antibiotics will help the swelling and inflammation. If cancer cells are causing the inflammation, antibiotics won't help.
Inflammatory breast cancer can be difficult to diagnose. It is less likely that a lump will be felt because of the way in which it grows and spreads. In addition, this type of cancer is not usually detected by mammograms and ultrasounds. Symptoms can include any of the following, but not necessarily all of them.
· Sudden breast swelling
· Breast may feel warm to the touch
· Itching
· Pain
· Inverted nipple or discharge
· Pinkish or bruised and thickened areas of the skin, sometimes looking like the skin of an orange
Symptoms often come about quickly, even within a matter of days or weeks. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms arise and the cancer is diagnosed, it has already reached stage IIIB (spread to lymph nodes) or stage IV (spread to other areas). Inflammatory breast cancer is typically diagnosed with a biopsy of the breast skin and tissue. As these can be symptoms of other medical conditions, a biopsy is usually performed after antibiotic treatment has failed. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, additional tests will help determine how far the cancer has spread.
Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer starts with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is given first to reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as the size of the cancerous area. This makes surgery easier and helps improve the outcome of the operation. The recommended surgery for this type of cancer is a mastectomy. Chemotherapy may also be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
The course of treatment after surgery is radiation therapy. This helps lessen the chance of recurrence. If the cancer is considered inoperable, radiation may be used as the main treatment to help slow the progression of the disease.
Even with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, this type of cancer has a very high rate of recurrence. With this in mind, doctors may recommend further treatments with chemotherapy or other drugs. Clinical trials for new procedures or drugs may also be available.
While inflammatory breast cancer affects a very small percentage of women, it's important to be aware of its symptoms. If changes in the skin of the breast occur, see a doctor right away and ask about this type of breast cancer. Research and new treatment options continue to improve the prognosis for inflammatory breast cancer offering hope for a future.
I have been interested in cancer since my brother Jerry was diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago. After two surgeries he is doing well and is still cancer free. The first surgery was to remove a large tumor from his colon and the second was to remove his colon. Needless to say he has been through a lot and the road to recovery was a long one. About two years ago my brother Fred was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Man, you talk about devastating! Well after about a month or two the shock started to ware off and treatments started to begin. My brother Fred was in denial for, what seemed to be a long time. I wanted to write about both of my brothers cancers but, decided against it thinking it would hurt them some how so I decided to write about cancers that no one in the family has as of yet. If you'd like to send a massage of support to my brothers Jerry and Fred, leave a comment here and I'll see that they get it
Inflammatory breast cancer can be difficult to diagnose. It is less likely that a lump will be felt because of the way in which it grows and spreads. In addition, this type of cancer is not usually detected by mammograms and ultrasounds. Symptoms can include any of the following, but not necessarily all of them.
· Sudden breast swelling
· Breast may feel warm to the touch
· Itching
· Pain
· Inverted nipple or discharge
· Pinkish or bruised and thickened areas of the skin, sometimes looking like the skin of an orange
Symptoms often come about quickly, even within a matter of days or weeks. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms arise and the cancer is diagnosed, it has already reached stage IIIB (spread to lymph nodes) or stage IV (spread to other areas). Inflammatory breast cancer is typically diagnosed with a biopsy of the breast skin and tissue. As these can be symptoms of other medical conditions, a biopsy is usually performed after antibiotic treatment has failed. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, additional tests will help determine how far the cancer has spread.
Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer starts with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is given first to reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as the size of the cancerous area. This makes surgery easier and helps improve the outcome of the operation. The recommended surgery for this type of cancer is a mastectomy. Chemotherapy may also be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
The course of treatment after surgery is radiation therapy. This helps lessen the chance of recurrence. If the cancer is considered inoperable, radiation may be used as the main treatment to help slow the progression of the disease.
Even with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, this type of cancer has a very high rate of recurrence. With this in mind, doctors may recommend further treatments with chemotherapy or other drugs. Clinical trials for new procedures or drugs may also be available.
While inflammatory breast cancer affects a very small percentage of women, it's important to be aware of its symptoms. If changes in the skin of the breast occur, see a doctor right away and ask about this type of breast cancer. Research and new treatment options continue to improve the prognosis for inflammatory breast cancer offering hope for a future.
I have been interested in cancer since my brother Jerry was diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago. After two surgeries he is doing well and is still cancer free. The first surgery was to remove a large tumor from his colon and the second was to remove his colon. Needless to say he has been through a lot and the road to recovery was a long one. About two years ago my brother Fred was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Man, you talk about devastating! Well after about a month or two the shock started to ware off and treatments started to begin. My brother Fred was in denial for, what seemed to be a long time. I wanted to write about both of my brothers cancers but, decided against it thinking it would hurt them some how so I decided to write about cancers that no one in the family has as of yet. If you'd like to send a massage of support to my brothers Jerry and Fred, leave a comment here and I'll see that they get it
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