Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease.

As what we have observed all over the world, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAW) through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and many people work tirelessly to increase awareness and early detection. Every month women are encouraged to perform regular self breast examination (SBE) and also have a yearly breast examination by a primary care provider or gynecologist. It is also recommended that women over the age of forty have an annual screening to detect any changes in breast tissue, or more frequently depending on personal or family history and other risk factors. The best way to fight the disease is when we detect it early, which is why regular monthly self breast examination and mammography is very important.

You noticed that how many people inflicted with cancer and it seems that every week we heard that someone that has been diagnosed with some form of cancer. Even though there have been many years of cancer research, studies and treatments still the occurrence are becoming more frequent rather than less frequent. The prevention of cancer does not seem to have made much advancement. We have a better understanding of the causes of some cancers such as lung cancer as well as skin cancer but many other forms of the disease seem do not have an explanation of why they begin. Breast cancer treatment depends upon many factors, including the type of cancer and the extent to which it has spread.

I have been very lucky in my family. And as we have an issues regarding with the different forms of cancer to any large extent. Here is an illustration about my brother in law who had a patch of minor cancerous cells in his skin and the cancer stopped. Recently my cousin who is like another sister to me was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mother's family has a history of this disease. The sarcastic thing is that my cousin has been involved in breast cancer research for twelve years. She did a fellowship working on different ways of manufacturing synthetic insulin and when she was done with her fellowship she was hired by a drug company to help with the breast cancer research. This company manufactures on of the drugs that is used in the chemotherapy process for victims of breast cancer. Because the company is involved in administering the drug it has many patients available to track regarding the breast cancer research. Still my cousin is trying to find similarities between the people that are diagnosed with breast cancer and she also working on the profiles of the people that seems to respond well to the treatments and for those who do not. As my cousin has been involved with the breast cancer research she has noticed how much the attitude of the person plays into their treatment and recovery. Those patients who have positive attitude are much more likely to tolerate the medications and have a smoother adjustment and those who have negative about their treatments or pessimistic about their survival do not respond to their medications. My cousin told me that those that hear cancer and feel that this is a death sentence usually do die from their disease. When it comes to cancer the mind certainly plays a huge role.

Even now, several women spend more time thinking about weight loss issues, but that's fading thanks to Breast Cancer Month and other awareness efforts, which have contributed immensely to greater survival rates. Mammography can detect the smallest lesion that cannot yet be palpated by touch, again demonstrating how important it is for women to have regular mammograms. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is just around the corner. Do your part by participating in annual activities such as the Susan G. Komen Run/Walk for the Cure, which raises a significant amount of money for continued breast cancer research, and promotes self breast examination and early detection. It is important to continue this present effort to teach every woman about their breast cancer and the risk factors because many women have lost their lives due to this devastating disease. So you should educate a friend or family member about breast cancer and early detection. You may not only save your life, but that of another.