breast cancer
Breast Cancer
Posted by Max Hammonds on
“The incidence of breast cancer is decreasing in the United States.” This was the lead sentence in a recent newspaper article, only one of many that have been written recently. With the recent release of cancer statistics showing a decrease in breast cancer, the nation-wide fund raiser walk-a-thons for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an entire issue of Time Magazine given to a discussion of the topic and a diplomatic trip through four Middle East countries by First Lady Laura Bush, breast cancer is the hot topic of the day.
The good news is that breast cancer is on the decline in the United States, so much so that many are wanting to share the prevention, diagnosis and treatment information with those in other parts of the world where breast cancer is steeply on the rise and where diagnosis and treatment are severely delayed or non-existent.
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Breast Cancer Risk Higher with Moderate Drinking
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Small amounts of alcohol increase risk of invasive breast cancer.
A study of more than 100,000 women for almost 30 years has shown that those who drink 3-6 alcoholic drinks per week had a 15% higher risk of invasive breast cancer compared to non-drinkers. That risk increased to 50% in women who averaged more than 30 drinks per week. The type of alcohol made no difference. This study is consistent with earlier studies.
PositiveTip: Ladies, avoid the use of alcohol to lower your risk of breast cancer.
Daughters Get Breast Cancer Sooner than their Mothers
Posted by Elvin Adams on
The genetic markers BRCA1 and BRCA2 indicate an increased likelihood of developing breast cancer. A recent study shows that children with these genetic markers will develop breast or ovarian cancer much earlier than their cancer prone parents did.
The research was done at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The doctors were able to pair 106 women with BRCA-positive cancer with a family member in the previous generation who was also diagnosed with a BRCA-related breast or ovarian cancer at some time in their lives.
The average age of cancer diagnosis in the parents was 48 years but was only 42 years in the children. Using a mathematical predictive model it was estimated that the drop in expected age at onset of cancer for everyone in the study was 7.9 years.
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Physical Inactivity and Risk of Serious Disease
Posted by Galen Bosley on
Physical inactivity is high stakes game.
After analysing the lifestyle habit data in several large studies, researchers have found that those who were physically inactive doubled their risk of ischemic heart disease, experienced 72% increased risk of ischemic stroke, a 52% higher risk of breast cancer, and an 80% increase in colon cancer risk.
PositiveTip: Exercise is a great way to reduce your risk of illness and disease. Start a physical activity program today! It will reduce your risks and give you a brighter outlook.
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Walking Improves Breast Cancer Survival
Posted by Galen Bosley on
Brisk walking 3 hours a week improves postmenopausal breast cancer survival.
The Women's Health Initiative study conducted at Yale School of Public Health found that postmenopausal breast cancer survivors live longer if they walk briskly for three or more hours per week, compared to survivors who had low levels of activity. This held true even if the women had not been active before their diagnosis.
PositiveTip: Walking regularly is an excellent form of exercise with many health benefits. Try to walk 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes a day. Can't walk for 30 minutes straight? Then walk 10 minutes three times a day. It all counts toward improving your health!
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No Alcohol Intake Level Safe
Posted by Galen Bosley on
Even small amounts of alcohol raise the risk of cancer.
A ten year study of eight European countries on alcohol consumption and cancer has lead researchers to conclude that "there is no sensible limit below which the risk of cancer is decreased. ... Thus, alcohol consumption should not be recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality."
Representatives from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, wrote: "From a standpoint of cancer risk, the message of this report could not be clearer. There is no level of alcohol that can be considered safe".
PositiveTip: Skip the alcohol and choose healthy non-alcoholic, low-calorie drinks.
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Early Smoking Increases Risk of Breast Cancer
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Early smoking is associated with an 25% increased risk of breast cancer.
The Nurses's Health Study has provided 3 million person years of follow-up data which has revealed that women who smoke more than 25 cigarettes per day for more than 35 years and began smoking before age 18 had a 25% increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who never smoked.
PositiveTip: The best advice is, never start smoking. For smokers there is never a better time to quit than now!
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Good News for Breast Cancer Survivors
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Weight lifting does not raise the risk of lymphedema among breast cancer survivors.
More than 150 breast cancer survivors at risk for lymphedema were randomized to a one-year weight-lifting group or to no intervention. At the end of the study those in the weight-lifting group actually had less lymphedema than those with no intervention (5% vs. 11%). Among women who had five or more nodes removed the difference was even greater (7% vs. 22%). This is good news for breast cancer survivors who want to engage in upper body exercise.
PositiveTip: Slowly progressive weight-lifting exercises can confer the health benefits of upper-body exercise to all women, including breast cancer survivors.
Green Tea Doesn’t Prevent Breast Cancer
Posted by Elvin Adams on
Green tea contains polyphenols and other antioxidants that many people think will help to protect them against cancer.
It's true that breast cancer rates are lower in several Asian countries where green tea is commonly consumed, compared to rates in the United States where breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women.
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"Nutritional Insurance" Raises Risk of Breast Cancer
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Multivitamin users experienced 19% more breast cancers.
Can "nutritional insurance" in the form of taking multivitamin supplements actually increase the risk of breast cancer? Swedish investigators followed more than 35,000 older women (49-083 at the beginning) for an average of 10 years, and discovered that after adjusting for known risk factors, the multivitamin users were 19% more likely to develop breast cancer. While this observational study cannot determine cause-and-effect, the authors indicate it is certainly biologically plausible.
PositiveTip: If you eat a healthy and varied diet there is really no need to take multivitamins.