According to a survey conducted by the American Journal of Nursing, 79 percent of males who are at high risk for breast cancer are not aware that men can develop the disease.
The study looked at a total of 28 men, chosen because they had at least one blood related relative on their mother’s side who had breast cancer. 79 percent said that they did not know they could get the disease, and 43 percent admitted that having breast cancer would impact their perception of masculinity.
According to Maureen Shawn Kennedy of the journal, male breast cancer is often ignored by the general population, media and the healthcare community. In fact, not one of the men involved of the study has been talked to about breast cancer by their doctor.
According to the United States Cancer Institute, breast cancer typically affects men between the ages of 60 and 70, and accounts for less than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases.
According to a study from the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, air fresheners and cleaning products that help control mold and mildew are particularly linked to a risk for breast cancer.
The study consisted of phone interviews with 787 women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 721 women who did not have breast cancer. The women were asked about pesticide and cleaning product use in the houses they had lived in. The study revealed that the strongest link was combined cleaning product use. The risk for breast cancer was found to be twice as high for women who said they used cleaning products the most. When asked about air fresheners, women who had used them seven or more times a year had twice the risk of breast cancer than those who never used air fresheners.
However, other scientists are skeptical. They believe that this study is unreliable and biased as many environmental groups are against cleaning products, and the results are based on self-reported answers. One scientist suggests that a better way to measure a true risk would be to define product exposure first, and then follow the women. The Silent Spring Institute will continue to do research.
According to a study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, post-menopausal women who took fish-oil supplements had a 32 percent lower risk of breast cancer. 35,0000 women in Western Washington took part in the survey, and were given omega-3 fish-oil pills.
However, Emily White, an epidemiologist working on the study, does not recommend that women begin taking fish-oil supplements. According to White, the new research, while intriguing, is not definitive. The study targeted women who were already taking fish-oil supplements, which may have developed a bias, since supplement users may have healthier lifestyles or other health conditions.
To confirm the effects of fish-oil on fighting cancer, scientists would need to run clinical trials comparing fish-oil supplements and placebos. During such trials, any side effects regarding omega-3 supplements, which contain 5-10 more fatty acids than in a serving of fish, would be revealed.
The American Heart Association already recommends at least two servings of fish per week to enhance cardiovascular health. However, they do not provide any specific recommendations about supplements.
Immunologist Dr. Vincent Tuohy believes that he has discovered a vaccine that will prevent breast cancer.
The vaccine was tested on genetically engineered mice for 10 months. The mice were predisposed to breast cancer. 100% of mice who did not receive the vaccine developed breast tumors. None of the ones vaccinated developed the cancer.
Dr. Tuohy believes that breast cancer is completely preventable. If human testing of the vaccine goes well, he hopes that it will be available for women over 40 in 10 years. Touhy and his researchers believe this vaccination will provide effective and safe protection against breast cancer development in their post-child-bearing, premenopausal years, a time when the risk for breast cancer is especially high.
Breast cancer continues to have a bright outlook. Yearly mammograms are important for women, as they are the best indicator of the cancer. The main symptom is a lump in the breast. Others include thickening, swelling, distortion or tenderness, skin irritation or dimpling, and nipple pain, scaliness, ulceration, retraction, or spontaneous discharge.
British researchers say that the spread of breast cancer cells from the main tumor to other parts of the body is controlled by a growth factor known as TGFb. The findings may prove a promising target for new drugs to prevent metastatic breast cancer.
The researchers found that single breast cancer cells broke away from the main tumor and entered the blood system when TGFb turned on messenger genes in the cancer cells and then turned them off.
Study author Erik Sahai explained that “[t]he results helped us to find the set of genes that are behind the spread of breast cancer — and that the genes need to be first turned on and then off in order for single cancer cells to be able to ‘relocate’”
For more information on the study visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s news section.
NorthShore University HealthSystem recently published a story on the importance of early detection of breast cancer:
Mary Lynn Pross is not only an advocate for regular breast screening, she is living proof of the importance of early detection. At 62, a routine mammogram revealed what turned out to be Stage 0 cancer in two places on her right breast.
After dealing with her initial shock and “feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under me,” Pross moved forward quickly studying her treatment options and meeting with her team of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) caregivers.
“They gave me a lot of good information and answered all my questions so that I could make an informed decision,” Pross said. “I knew I just wanted the cancer gone, I have six grandchildren and I want to go to their weddings.”
Pross elected to have a mastectomy, followed by reconstruction surgery with plastic surgeon Karol A. Gutowski, MD. She is now taking an anti-cancer hormonal medication prescribed by her oncologist Douglas Merkel, MD.
An exceptionally positive attitude has surely contributed to Pross’ speedy recovery. “It always helps when a patient has such a positive outlook and good energy level,” said Katharine Yao, MD, a breast surgeon now caring for Pross.
While there is still no known cure for breast cancer, treatment is getting a lot more sophisticated. As Health.com reports there are many advances in the way medical professionals approach prevention, detection and treatment.
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HealthDay reports that many breast cancer patients have lower levels of vitamin D, which could lead to weaker bones and increased risk of fractures. Women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy.
According to a study performed by U.S. researchers, in “166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and found that nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood… The researchers found that weekly supplementation with high doses of vitamin D (50,000 IU or more) boosted the levels of the vitamin among all the women”. How else does vitamin D benefit cancer patients? vitamin D plays an important role in cell growth and keeping the immune system strong.
Visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s cancer treatment center for more information on treatment options for cancer survivors.
MRIs are used to treat and diagnose medical conditions by using a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.
Breast MRIs are performed to:
• Assess multiple tumor locations, especially before breast conservation surgery
• Identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease
• Evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography or ultrasound
• Distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumors.
• Determine whether cancer detected by mammography, ultrasound, or after surgical biopsy has spread further in the breast or into the chest wall
• Assess the effect of chemotherapy
• Provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions.
• Determine the integrity of breast implants
Join NorthShore University HealthSystem on Wednesday, October 14th at 10AM CST for an breast MRI online live chat.
According to the CDC, one of every 1,000 pregnant women in the United States has cancer, a stark convergence of life and death. For these women, treatment is possible. It comes with terrifying decisions for the family. Do you start chemotherapy, which could harm the fetus, or do you delay treatment, potentially risking the woman’s life? The Chicago Tribune offers hope for mothers as it discusses a 15-year study conducted by researchers at M.D. Anderson.
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