Stomach Cancer is More Closely Linked to Stomach Ulcers than You Think!

Interestingly enough, both the causes and the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer (also called gastic cancer) are almost identical to those of peptic ulcers. It is important to note that you are more likely to have a peptic ulcer if you are showing any of these symptoms, so do not be too alarmed! Of course if your ulcers are already at an advanced stage, then you need to read on to see if you are at risk and what to do about it. Eradicating the H Pylori bacterium is a good way to avoid stomach cancer.

RISK GROUPS

Cancer of the stomach is twice as common in men as it is in women, and most people who develop this type of cancer are over the age of 50 years. Stomach cancer is very rare in people under 40. Even so, get yourself checked out by a doctor who will be able to give you a proper diagnosis.

CAUSES OF STOMACH CANCER

Stomach cancer can be caused by a number of factors that damage the DNA in your stomach cells. When the DNA is damaged, healthy cells can grow out of control and form a tumor (a mass of malignant cells).

These factors include:

H Pylori infection – 75% of the world’s population is infected with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H Pylori) that lives deep in the mucous layer which coats the lining of your stomach. It is the primary cause of stomach ulcers, accounting for at least 80 percent of all cases. Also, the World Health Organization have indicated that close to 50% of the annual new cases of stomach cancer can be attributed to H Pylori infection.

If 75% of the world’s population is infected with the Helicobacter Pylori bacterium, that means that right now 4.6 billion people are infected across the world. Having ulcers doesn’t necessarily put you at higher risk of stomach cancer, but having H Pylori infection does.

Statistics show that 816 million of those infected with H Pylori bacterium right now will develop a stomach ulcer in their lifetime.

That means that 1 in every 7 people (or 17.7% of the current population) are at high risk, and 1 in every 14 people will get stomach cancer from H Pylori. That is an astounding 408 million people.

Nitrates and nitrites – these chemicals are added to certain foods, such as processed or cured meats such as ham and bacon, sausages and other cold meats you normally find down at the deli. Nitrates and nitrites combine with other substances in your stomach to form carcinogens, which are known to cause stomach cancer.

Salted, smoked or pickled foods and red meat – in countries where consumption of salted meat and fish and pickled vegetables is high, the corresponding rates of stomach cancer are also high. Consuming high levels of red meat, especially when the meat is barbecued or well done, has also been linked to stomach cancer.

Tobacco and alcohol use – Both can irritate the stomach lining and are especially likely to cause cancer in the upper stomach area.

Low income groups – children and adults from low income groups are more likely to develop stomach cancer than are those in higher income groups. This is due to a number of reasons. The main problem is in poor countries with poor sanitation and unhygienic living conditions where H Pylori spreads quite quickly.

PREVENTION

From the above it is clear that the easiest way to prevent stomach cancer is to know the causes. Eradicating the H Pylori bacterium is the going to take most of the risk away but then you will also need to adjust your diet and general hygiene.

SYMPTOMS

# The most common symptom is a gnawing or burning pain in your stomach just below your sternum
# Stomach pains are triggered by hunger and occur between meals and in the early hours of the morning
# Pains can be sharp or dull
# Bloating of the stomach
# Pain can come and go over long periods of time
# The passing of foul smelling black, tarry stools could be one of the first symptoms of a gastric ulcer or a duodenal ulcer that has started bleeding
# dark red blood in your stools
# If your ulcer is already at an advanced stage then repeated and different signs of bleeding can be identified.
# Vomiting of new blood which is bright red in color – this indicates that a gastric ulcer has started bleeding. This will be accompanied by repeated episodes of nausea.
# Vomiting dark and grainy blood that looks like instant coffee granules. The dark color indicates that this is old blood.
# unplanned weight loss
# faintness and dizziness when standing up – this is due to loss of blood. Over a long period of time, you may become anemic and feel weak, dizzy, or tired all the time. This is typical of a slow bleed left untreated.

TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER

Most stomach cancers start in the glandular cells in the mucous layer which coats the lining of your stomach, and are called adenocarcinomas.

Although most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, there are other forms of the disease, including:
Lymphomas, Carcinoid tumors, and GIST’s (or gastrointestinal stromal tumors)

TREATMENT

The primary goal of any effective treatment is to remove the cancer. Choosing a treatment plan is a major decision, and it’s important spend some time researching all the options to make sure the treatment you select is right for you. It is always worthwhile getting a second opinion if you are unsure.

Treatment options include Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, and Clinical trials.

If you are at an advanced stage, you may be offered participation in a clinical trial. Beware! You may be used as a guinea-pig to test new new drugs, surgery or radiation. You must remember that the treatments used in clinical trials are experimental and have no recorded success rates. You could experience unexpected side effects, and there will be no guarantees offered.

Post is taken from http://www.curedisease.info/2009/07/stomach-cancer-is-more-closely-linked-to-stomach-ulcers-than-you-think/

Stomach Cancer

Stomach is a body organ that is responsible for breaking down the food into semi-solid state. The glands within the stomach produce several chemicals/enzymes that help in the digestion of the food. Formation of cancerous tissue within the stomach is known as stomach cancer.

Types of stomach cancer

There are a few different types of stomach cancers. However, the most well known stomach cancer is the one that occurs in the glandular cells of the stomach. This type of stomach cancer is also known as adenocarcinomas. Then there are other types of stomach cancer (based on the cells that are affected by cancer).

Causes of stomach cancer

There is a lot of research going on for ascertaining the exact causes of the stomach cancer. As of now, stomach cancer is known to happen more in older people i.e. people above 60 years of age. Some theories also suggest that certain conditions of stomach (including some types of stomach infections) could also increase the risk of stomach cancer. There are also suggestions of stomach cancer being linked to genes.

Symptoms of stomach cancer

The currently known symptoms of stomach cancer cannot really point to stomach cancer. As you would have imagined, the stomach cancer symptoms include things like indigestion, nausea, pain, tiredness etc. In case you feel that you are displaying some or all symptoms, you should consult a qualified doctor and get a check-up done. This can help in not only allaying your fears of stomach cancer but also help in early detection of stomach cancer (and thus facilitate treatment of stomach cancer).

Diagnosis of stomach cancer

You should make a note of and narrate the symptoms to the doctor as best as you can. This can really be helpful to the doctor doing the diagnosis. The diagnosis of stomach cancer will generally start with blood test and stool test. Endoscopy could be the next test in line for stomach cancer. In fact, endoscopy is quite effective in detecting stomach cancer. The cells collected from stomach are taken up for biopsy for further ascertaining the presence of stomach cancer. Couples of other stomach cancer detection techniques are used too but endoscopy seems to be the most common one.

Treatment of stomach cancer

Like most other cancer types, stomach cancer treatment is also carried out mostly through surgery. However, chemotherapy could also form part of your treatment. Depending on the need, the doctor might also advise radiotherapy for treatment of stomach cancer

Testicular Cancer

Testes are one of the most important parts of male reproductive system. Testes are responsible for production of sperm (which is the source of human life together with the female egg) and testosterone which starts at puberty. The testicular cancer is the development of cancerous/ malignant cells in the testes.

Causes of testicular cancer

The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known completely and are still a matter of research and analysis. However, the risk of testicular cancer is more for people who have a testicle that has failed to descend. Genes/ family history is generally quoted as another cause of testicular cancer.

Symptoms of testicular cancer

Swelling of a testicle could be the sign of testicular cancer. However, not all such swellings are testicular cancer. Such swellings could be caused by other conditions too (most of which are harmless). The lump (the testicular cancer) may or may not be accompanied by pain; so, do not consider the absence of pain as an indication of benign tissue. However, if you are in doubt then you should immediately contact a qualified doctor for advice. Detection of testicular cancer in its early stages can really prevent it from spreading around and substantially increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Diagnosis of testicular cancer

The first step in the diagnosis of testicular cancer is physical examination. The doctor can feel the lump and based on his/her observation recommend further testicular cancer tests. The next step is an ultrasound scan of the testes. The final diagnosis of testicular cancer involves biopsy. This test can confirm if the lump is malignant or benign. One important part of diagnosis of testicular cancer is to determine whether the testicular cancer is localized to that testicle or whether it has spread to other organs of the body.

Treatment of testicular cancer

As for most types of cancer, the treatment of testicular cancer too is done in three ways i.e. surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The best thing about the treatment of testicular cancer is that it is very successful for most patients. However, the golden rule that is applicable to all types of cancer is true for testicular cancer too i.e. catch it early to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Also, it’s worth noting that removal of one testicle (as part of surgical procedure for treatment of testicular cancer) doesn’t really effect your reproductive system (and if you want you can get a dummy testicle placed in the place of the removed testicle; just so it doesn’t look bad).

Symptons of Testicular Cancer

If you are a male in the 15 to 40 age range, you should be aware of the various symptoms of testicular cancer. As you may or may not know, while testicular cancer can affect anyone (including infants and those aged 60 and over), the 15 to 40 group is hit the hardest. On the bright side, if you do think you are experiencing some of the symptoms of testicular cancer, you shouldn’t fear going to the doctor and getting checked out. Testicular cancer have a very low mortality rate. Only 10 percent of men who have been diagnosed with the condition end up dying, and those who catch it in the earliest stage have a 95 percent chance of surviving.

Symptoms of testicular cancer to be aware of include constant, dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin areas. Even if it comes and goes, you’d be better off safe than sorry going to get it checked out by your primary care physician. Also, if you notice that one testicle unexpectedly grows or shrinks you should be concerned. If sex is painful, there is blood in your semen or if you don’t have much interest in sexual activity anymore, definitely talk to your doctor about it.

Nowadays, there is a wealth of information on the internet. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of testicular cancer, do a bit of research. Don’t try to talk yourself out of visiting your doctor, and absolutely don’t rely on the advice of internet strangers over your physician, but read up on it a bit. You might be surprised at what you can learn from visiting different forums and reading what people have to say. Up to 1 in 250 men in the United States will be diagnosed during his lifetime. Since the odds are already stacked against you, protect yourself

Post is taken from http://www.curedisease.info/2009/07/symptons-of-testicular-cancer/

Bone Tumor – Description, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Bones of the human body are essential because they serve numerous purposes. They hold and protect inner organs, for instance, the lungs are protected by the ribs and the brain is protected by the skull. Muscles stretch against every bone to allow movement of the body. Bone marrow is a soft tissue found at the core of several bones that make and store blood cells.

Tumor that starts within the bone was identified as primary bone tumor or cancer. Primary bone cancers are quite unusual compared to stage II or metastatic cancers. Primary bone cancers are found mostly in the legs and arms, but they can happen also in some bones of body. Children, as well as young persons are more prone to get bone tumor than adults.

Primary bone tumors are frequently called sarcoma. There are numerous kinds of sarcoma and each type starts in diverse kinds of bone tissues. Majority of the sarcomas are known as osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma.

The most ordinary form of bone tumor in young persons is osteosarcoma. It happens usually between ten to twenty five years old young people. Men are mostly affected frequently then women. This type of bone tumor often begins at the end of the bones, wherein fresh bone tissue form when an adolescent grows. The lengthy bones in the legs or arms are usually affected by osteosarcoma.

Chondrosarcoma is generally found in adults. This type of cancer forms in cartilages, the tough tissues around the joints.

Ewing’s sarcoma is generally found in persons between ten and twenty five years old; teenagers are mostly affected frequently. This tumor forms at the central portion of the large bone. It affects mostly hipbones and lengthy bones of the thigh along with the upper arms. It happens also in ribs.

Treatment for tumor that has scattered towards the bones depend where the tumor starts and the scope of the scatter. More or less eighty percent of metastatic lesions come from principal carcinomas, specifically of the prostate, breast, lungs, kidney, stomach, thyroid and pancreas.

Patients with bone cancer may suffer persistent pain, tenderness or swelling of the bone. They can have fracture of bones which are unexplainable, occasionally without visible trauma. The presenting sign is generally pain. The pathological fracture can be seen and mostly common within the lower extremity than upper extremity.

Learn and understand the nature of the Bone Tumor. For more information, visit us at: http://TumorTreatment.org/

Post is taken from http://www.curedisease.info/2010/12/bone-tumor-description-symptoms-and-diagnosis-2/

What is Bone Cancer?

Someone telling you that you have cancer is one of the most horrible things one can hear. Just thinking about all the problems that can come up and how long treatment takes can affect not only the person who has it, but also the people around them. However, the scariest part of cancer is that there are so many types of it out there, and people might not even know anything about them. Yes, everyone knows the main ones like lung, breast and brain cancer, but what about the other not so common ones.

 Bone cancer is one such example and is a type that is often overlooked, but it’s never too early for us to become informed about it.

More than 2,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with bone cancer or a bone tumor each year. The tumors often occur in children and adolescents more than it occurs in adults. If an adult does have bone cancer, it’s most likely because the disease has spread from another area in the body.

There are several types of bone cancer and the most common is called Osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is primarily a malignant form of the cancer occurring mainly in males between 10 to 25 years of age. The cancer forms in the long bones of the arm and legs at time of rapid growth rate.

Another form of bone caner is Ewing’s sarcoma. This is the most aggressive form of bone cancer and occurs in children between 4 to 15 years of age. It is more common in males but rarely occurs if they are over 30 years old.

Chondrosarcoma is the second most common form of bone cancer. It accounts for about 25% of all malignant bone tumors. However, what is interesting about this form of cancer is that it is most commonly found in adults over 40 years old. It is most commonly found in males and has a tendency to spread to the lungs. It occurs in the hips and pelvis.

These types of bone cancer are the more common forms although there are several more types which are not covered here. Cancer is becoming increasingly hard to diagnose because there are just so many different types of it. In addition, it’s actually quite difficult to know where to look for it. However, the more we know about the different types of cancer, the more easier it is for us to recognize them when they occur and to take early remedial action to arrest or eradicate this deadly disease. Earlier positive intervention can increase our chances for an early recovery and a higher survival rate.

Lester Lee is the webmaster of www.Cancer-Tumor.info, an informative website that provides the latest advice, info and updates on Bone Cancer. Visit our site today for more helpful info on Bone Cancer and other similar topics.

Post is taken from http://www.curedisease.info/2010/12/what-is-bone-cancer/

Your Liquid Guide to Prevent Liver Cancer – All About Coffee and Protein Shakes

Your diet is really crucial if you intend to avoid liver cancer. This article will guide you on how to prevent cancer with the right liquids in your diet. Here are tips on what to include in your anti liver cancer diet.

One of the first things you drink in the morning is your coffee. Coffee contains high levels of antioxidants, a very important component in your fight against cancer. With its antioxidants, it can inhibit carcinogens in the liver. It can also protect your liver in possible damage from alcohol intake.

A recently published research in Nutrition revealed that protein supplements can help you in liver damage, which can lead to liver cancer. The study compared the regeneration of the livers from rats given with the protein supplement and those without. The researchers noticed a significant increase in the rate of regeneration of rat’s damaged liver with the aid of protein supplements. This result could also apply in human beings.

To get your daily source of protein, have your daily dose of protein shake. Look for protein powders from whey and do not choose the soy variety. Find the essential amino acid glutamine in the list of ingredients. Take protein shakes for dessert, snacks, and post workout. Add fruits like blueberries, bananas, melons, strawberries, and kiwis for more antioxidants.

Lastly, drink your recommended 8 glasses of water every day. Have more than 8 glasses of water if you are on the heavy side. This amount will allow you to detoxify the toxins you take in, which can later accumulate inside your system, particularly your liver. The accumulation of toxins is one of the leading causes of cancer.

Paul De Vizard has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in diet, fitness and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website Crate Foam Mattress which reviews and lists Information on all types of Equipment like Electric Mattress Pad [http://www.eggcratefoammattress.com/electric-mattress-pad].

Post is taken from http://www.curedisease.info/2010/12/your-liquid-guide-to-prevent-liver-cancer-all-about-coffee-and-protein-shakes/

Lung Cancer

We all know about the important function that our lungs perform i.e. absorption of oxygen into our blood and the expelling out of carbon dioxide into air. Lungs are a very critical organ of our body and lung cancer (or development of malignant cells in lungs) can really be life threatening.

Causes of lung cancer

Most people would know the primary cause of lung cancer (after all there is so much propaganda about what increases the risk of lung cancer the most). Yes, smoking tobacco is the main culprit behind lung cancer (or behind increasing the risk of lung cancer). Even passive smoking can slightly increase the risk of lung cancer. It’s unfortunate that even with all that propaganda and people knowing that smoking can cause lung cancer, people continue to smoke tobacco. People working in industries which involve extensive use of asbestos and other chemical substances/fumes are also at a greater risk of lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung cancer

Most of the symptoms of lung cancer are related to cough conditions. However, the difference is that lung cancer may lead to prolonged cough or blood coming out with cough. Chest infections, difficulty in breathing or a pain in breathing etc. are some of the symptoms of lung cancer. But again, the occurrence of such symptoms should not lead you to concluding that you have lung cancer. Only a qualified doctor through proper examination and tests can deduce whether you have lung cancer or not.

Diagnosis of lung cancer

When there are symptoms of lung cancer, the doctor might start with getting an x-ray and a sputum test done for you. CT scans and biopsies are other specialist means of diagnosing lung cancer. The diagnosis of lung cancer can be done quite definitively.

Treatment of lung cancer

As is the case with most types of cancer, the treatment of lung cancer is pretty much planned based on the type of lung cancer, its size, the stage of lung cancer and your general health. The main treatments of lung cancer include chemotherapy and radiotherapy (and the combination of both is usually used). Surgical procedures are also used in some cases but again the suitability of surgery is determined by the doctor on the basis of a number of other factors. So, the best thing to do is avoid smoking and cut down your risk of lung cancer

Post is taken from http://www.curedisease.info/2009/07/lung-cancer/

Breast Cancer Facts For Kids

By Danny Fredricks
You want to take great care of him and make sure his health is at optimal levels just as you would for your other relatives.Breast Cancer Facts For Kids Because dogs are covered in hair, you may not immediately notice skin changes or even smaller tumors, but these can be deadly things for a dog if they are left unchecked. Did you know that canines can develop dog skin cancer from being exposed to the sun just like people can? Although they are covered in hair, they have areas such as their paws and nose which are exposed.

Not all types of dog skin cancer are caused by the sun, however. There are dog melanomas and mast cell tumors which are fatal if they are not treated in time. Malignant melanomas are very fast growing tumors that are often hard to catch in time. They can spread to the dog's organs rather quickly. There are, of course, benign tumors as well.

Squamous cell carcinomas are another form of dog skin cancer which occurs in the epidermis. They are normally causes from sun exposure. They do not spread to lymph nodes, but they are very aggressive and can destroy tissue around the tumor.

Mast cell tumors happen in the mast cells of a dog's immune system. They are by far the most common skin tumors that a canine will experience. Doctors do not know why these mast cell tumors develop, but it is thought that it could be linked to irritants on the skin.

No one wants to see their beloved best friend fight dog skin cancer, however if you pay close attention to your dog's skin you can hopefully catch it early enough to be treated. Just as humans must examine their bodies on a regular basis, you should do the same for your furry friend.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/breast-cancer-facts-for-kids-1664488.html#ixzz1HLjbvpvP
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Brain Tumor

Brain tumor - primary - adults

Glioblastoma multiforme - adults; Ependymoma - adults; Glioma - adults; Astrocytoma - adults; Medulloblastoma - adults; Neuroglioma - adults; Oligodendroglioma - adults; Meningioma - adults; Cancer - brain tumor (adults)

Last reviewed: November 23, 2010.

A primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in adults.
See also:

• Brain tumor - metastatic (cancer that has spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body)
• Brain tumor - children

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Primary brain tumors include any tumor that starts in the brain. Primary brain tumors can arise from the brain cells, the membranes around the brain (meninges), nerves, or glands.
Tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also damage cells by producing inflammation, placing pressure on other parts of the brain, and increasing pressure within the skull.
The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. There are many possible risk factors that could play a role.

• Radiation therapy to the brain, used to treat brain cancers, increases the risk for brain tumors up to 20 or 30 years afterwards.
• Exposure to radiation at work or to power lines, as well as head injuries, smoking, and hormone replacement therapy have NOT yet been shown to be factors.
• The risk of using cell phones is hotly debated. However, most recent studies have found that cell phones, cordless phones, and wireless devices are safe and do not increase the risk.
• Some inherited conditions increase the risk of brain tumors, including neurofibromatosis, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Turcot syndrome.

SPECIFIC TUMOR TYPES
Brain tumors are classified depending on the exact site of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, whether they are noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), and other factors. Sometimes, tumors that start out being less invasive can become more invasive.
Tumors may occur at any age, but many types of tumors are most common in a certain age group. In adults, gliomas and meningiomas are most common.
Gliomas come from glial cells such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells. The gliomas are divided into three types:

• Astrocytic tumors include astrocytomas (less malignant), anaplastic astrocytomas, and glioblastomas (most malignant).
• Oligodendroglial tumors also can vary from less malignant to very malignant. Some primary brain tumors are made up of both astrocytic and oligodendrocytic tumors. These are called mixed gliomas.
• Glioblastomas are the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor.

Meningiomas are another type of brain tumor. These tumors:

• Occur most commonly between the ages of 40 - 70
• Are much more common in women
• Are usually (90% of the time) benign, but still may cause devastating complications and death due to their size or location. Some are cancerous and aggressive.

Other primary brain tumors in adults are rare. These include:

• Ependymomas
• Craniopharyngiomas
• Pituitary tumors
• Primary lymphoma of the brain
• Pineal gland tumors
• Primary germ cell tumors of the brain

Symptoms

A doctor can often identify signs and symptoms that are specific to the tumor location. Some tumors may not cause symptoms until they are very large. Then they can lead to a rapid decline in the person's health. Other tumors have symptoms that develop slowly.
The specific symptoms depend on the tumor's size, location, how far it has spread, and related swelling. The most common symptoms are:

• Headaches
• Seizures (especially in older adults)
• Weakness in one part of the body
• Changes in the person's mental functions

Headaches caused by brain tumors may:

• Be worse when the person wakes up in the morning, and clear up in a few hours
• Occur during sleep
• Be accompanied by vomiting, confusion, double vision, weakness, or numbness
• Get worse with coughing or exercise, or with a change in body position

Other symptoms may include:

• Change in alertness (including sleepiness, unconsciousness, and coma)
• Changes in hearing
• Changes in taste or smell
• Changes that affect touch and the ability to feel pain, pressure, different temperatures, or other stimuli
• Clumsiness
• Confusion or memory loss
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty writing or reading
• Dizziness or abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo)
• Eye abnormalities
  
  • Eyelid drooping
  • Pupils different sizes
  • Uncontrollable movements
• Hand tremor
• Lack of control over the bladder or bowels
• Loss of balance
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle weakness in the face, arm, or leg (usually on just one side)
• Numbness or tingling on one side of the body
• Personality, mood, behavioral, or emotional changes
• Problems with eyesight, including decreased vision, double vision, or total loss of vision
• Trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking
• Trouble walking

Other symptoms that may occur with a pituitary tumor:

• Abnormal nipple discharge
• Absent menstruation (periods)
• Breast development in men
• Enlarged hands, feet
• Excessive body hair
• Facial changes
• Low blood pressure
• Obesity
• Sensitivity to heat or cold

Signs and tests

Most brain tumors increase pressure within the skull and compress brain tissue because of their size and weight.
The following tests may confirm the presence of a brain tumor and identify its location:

• CT scan of the head
• EEG
• Examination of tissue removed from the tumor during surgery or CT-guided biopsy (may confirm the exact type of tumor)
• Examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) (may reveal cancerous cells)
• MRI of the head

Treatment

Treatment can involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Brain tumors are best treated by a team involving a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, oncologist, or neuro-oncologist, and other health care providers, such as neurologists and social workers.
Early treatment often improves the chance of a good outcome. Treatment, however, depends on the size and type of tumor and the general health of the patient. The goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or the person's comfort.
Surgery is often necessary for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. Those that are deep inside the brain or that enter brain tissue may be debulked instead of entirely removed. Debulking is a procedure to reduce the tumor's size.
Tumors can be difficult to remove completely by surgery alone, because the tumor invades surrounding brain tissue much like roots from a plant spread through soil. When the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may still help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms.
Radiation therapy is used for certain tumors.
Chemotherapy may be used along with surgery or radiation treatment.
Other medications used to treat primary brain tumors in children may include:

• Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone to reduce brain swelling
• Osmotic diuretics, such as urea or mannitol to reduce brain swelling and pressure
• Anticonvulsants, such as evetiracetam (Keppra) to reduce seizures
• Pain medications
• Antacids or histamine blockers to control stress ulcers

Comfort measures, safety measures, physical therapy, and occupational therapy may be needed to improve quality of life. The patient may need counseling, support groups, and similar measures to help cope with the disorder.
Patients may also consider enrolling in a clinical trial after talking with their treatment team.
Legal advice may be helpful in creating advanced directives such as a power of attorney.

Support Groups

For additional information, see cancer resources.

Complications

• Brain herniation (often fatal)
  
  • Uncal herniation
  • Foramen magnum herniation
• Loss of ability to interact or function
• Permanent, worsening, and severe loss of brain function
• Return of tumor growth
• Side effects of medications, including chemotherapy
• Side effects of radiation treatments

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop any new, persistent headaches or other symptoms of a brain tumor.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room if you start having seizures, or suddenly develop stupor (reduced alertness), vision changes, or speech changes.

References

1. Buckner JC, Brown PD, O'Neill BP, Meyer FB, Wetmore CJ, Uhm JH. Central nervous system tumors. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(10):1271-1286. [PubMed: 17908533]
2. Stupp R, Roila F; ESMO Guidelines Working Group. Malignant glioma: ESMO clinical recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2009;20 Suppl 4:126-128. [PubMed: 19454432]
3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Central nervous system cancers. V.2.2009.
4. Wen PY, Kesari S. Malignant gliomas in adults. N Engl J Med. 2008 Jul 31;359(5):492-507. [PubMed: 18669428]

Review Date: 11/23/2010.

Reviewed by: Todd Gersten, M.D., Hematology/Oncology, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

This post is taken from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004485/

Malignancy

The term "malignancy" refers to cancerous cells that have the ability to spread to other sites in the body (metastasize) or to invade and destroy tissues. Malignant cells tend to have fast, uncontrolled growth due to changes in their genetic makeup.
Malignant cells that are resistant to treatment may return after all detectable traces of them have been removed or destroyed.

References

1. Moscow JA, Cowan KH. Biology of Cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 187.

Review Date: 8/14/2010.

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

This post is taken from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002914/

Tumor

A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

In general, tumors occur when cells divide excessively in the body. Typically, cell division is strictly controlled. New cells are created to replace older ones or to perform new functions. Cells that are damaged or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements.
If the balance of cell division and death is disturbed, a tumor may form.
Problems with the body's immune system can lead to tumors. Tobacco causes more deaths from cancer than any other environmental substance. Other causes include:

• Benzene and other chemicals and toxins
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Environmental toxins, such as certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
• Excessive sunlight exposure
• Genetic problems
• Obesity
• Radiation
• Viruses

Types of tumors known to be caused by viruses are:

• Cervical cancer (human papillomavirus)
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatitis B virus)

Some tumors are more common in one gender than the other. Some are more common among children or the elderly. Others are related to diet, environment, and family history.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors may cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Tumors of the colon can cause weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and blood in the stool.
Some tumors may not cause any symptoms. In certain tumors, such as pancreatic cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
The following symptoms occur with most tumors:

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Malaise
• Night sweats
• Weight loss

Signs and tests

Like the symptoms, the signs of tumors vary based on their site and type. Some tumors are obvious, such as skin cancer. However, most cancers cannot be seen during an exam because they are deep inside the body.
When a tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to determine if the tumor is noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation.
Most patients with tumors have CT or MRI scans to determine the exact location of the tumor and how far it has spread. More recently, positron emission tomography (PET) scans have been used to find certain tumor types.
Other tests include:

• Biopsy of the tumor
• Blood tests (to look for chemicals such as tumor markers)
• Bone marrow biopsy (most often for lymphoma or leukemia)
• Chest x-ray
• Complete blood count (CBC)

Treatment

Treatment varies based on:

• The type of tumor
• Whether it is noncancerous or cancerous
• Its location

If the tumor is benign (meaning it has no potential to spread) and is located in a "safe" area where it will not cause symptoms or affect the function of the organ, sometimes no treatment is needed.
Sometimes benign tumors may be removed for cosmetic reasons, however. Benign tumors of the brain may be removed because of their location or harmful effect on the surrounding normal brain tissue.
If a tumor is cancerous, possible treatments include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Surgery
• A combination of these methods

If the cancer is in one location, the goal of treatment is usually to remove the tumor with surgery. If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed. If all of the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, the options for treatment include radiation and chemotherapy, or both. Some patients need a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph glands) is rarely treated with surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are most often used for treating lymphoma.

Support Groups

A cancer diagnosis often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect a patient's entire life. There are many resources for cancer patients. See: Cancer resources

Expectations (prognosis)

The outlook varies greatly for different types of tumors. If the tumor is benign, the outlook is generally very good. However, there are some instances where a benign tumor can cause significant problems, such as in the brain.
If the tumor is malignant, the outcome depends on the type and stage of the tumor at diagnosis. Some cancers can be cured. Some that are not curable can still be treated, and patients can live for many years with the cancer. Still other tumors are quickly life-threatening.

Complications

Complications can occur if a tumor is located in a region of the body where it affects the function of the normal organ. If the tumor is malignant, it can also cause complications if it spreads (metastasizes).

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you notice any suspicious lumps or bumps on your body, or if you notice a new or changing mole on your skin.

Prevention

You can reduce the risk of cancerous (malignant) tumors by:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Limiting alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Minimizing exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals
• Not smoking or chewing tobacco
• Reducing sun exposure, especially if you burn easily

References

1. Moscow JA, Cowan KH. Biology of cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 187.

Review Date: 8/14/2010.

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

This post is taken from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002287/

Lung Cancer, Cancer Lung, Lung Deseases

Lung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs.
The lungs are located in the chest. They help you breathe. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe (trachea), and into the lungs, where it spreads through tubes called bronchi. Most lung cancer begins in the cells that line these tubes.
There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer.
• Small cell lung cancer makes up about 20% of all lung cancer cases.

If the lung cancer is made up of both types, it is called mixed small cell/large cell cancer.
If the cancer started somewhere else in the body and spread to the lungs, it is called metastatic cancer to the lung.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer for both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
Lung cancer is more common in older adults. It is rare in people under age 45.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.
The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk.
However, lung cancer has occurred in people who have never smoked.
Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) increases your risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 3,000 non-smoking adults will die each year from lung cancer related to breathing secondhand smoke.
The following may also increase one's risk of lung cancer:

• High levels of air pollution
• High levels of arsenic in drinking water
• Radon gas
• Asbestos
• Family history of lung cancer
• Radiation therapy to the lungs
• Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust

Symptoms

Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. Many times, lung cancer is found when an x-ray is done for another reason.
Symptoms depend on the specific type of cancer you have, but may include:

• Cough that doesn't go away
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Losing weight without trying
• Fatigue

Additional symptoms that may also occur with lung cancer, often in the late stages:

• Weakness
• Swallowing difficulty
• Nail problems
• Joint pain
• Hoarseness or changing voice
• Shoulder pain
• Swelling of the face or arms
• Facial paralysis
• Eyelid drooping
• Bone pain or tenderness

These symptoms can also be due to other, less serious conditions, so it is important to talk to your health care provider.
For more information, see:

• Small cell lung cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. You will be asked if you smoke, and if so, how long you have smoked.
When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the health care provider can sometimes hear fluid around the lungs, which could (but doesn't always) suggest cancer.
Tests that may be performed include:

• Chest x-ray
• Sputum cytology test to look for cancer cells
• Blood work
• CT scan of the chest
• MRI of the chest
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

To confirm lung cancer, the health care provider needs to remove a piece of tissue from your lungs for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. There are several ways to do this:

• Bronchoscopy combined with biopsy
• Pleural biopsy
• CT scan directed needle biopsy
• Mediastinoscopy with biopsy
• Open lung biopsy
• Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy

For more information, see:

• Small cell lung cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer

Treatment

Treatment depends on the specific type of lung cancer. Each type is treated differently. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery may be needed.
See the individual articles on the different types of lung cancer:

• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Small cell lung cancer

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the following:

• Type of lung cancer
• Whether or not the cancer has spread
• Your age
• Your overall health
• How well you respond to treatment

The earlier the cancer is found, the better the chances of survival. Lung cancer is a deadly disease. Nearly 60% of people with lung cancer die within a year. However, some people are cured and go on to live many years.

Complications

The cancer may spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Cancer treatment can cause significant side effects.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of lung cancer (particularly if you smoke).

Prevention

If you smoke, quit. It is never too late to stop smoking. Your risk of lung cancer drops dramatically the first year after you quit. You should also avoid breathing in the smoke from other people's cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
Routine screening for lung cancer using chest x-ray or a lung CT scan is not recommended for people without symptoms. Many studies have been done to look at this idea. Most experts have concluded that, at this time, screening would not help improve a person's chance for a cure or for living longer.

References

1. Alberg AJ, Ford JG, Samet JM; American College of Chest Physicians. Epidemiology of lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition). Chest. 2007;132:29S-55S. [PubMed: 17873159]
2. Bach PB, Silvestri GA, Hanger M, Jett JR. Screening for lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition). Chest. 2007;132:69S-77S. [PubMed: 17873161]
3. Croswell JM, Baker SG, Marcus PM, Clapp JD, Kramer BS. Cumulative incidence offalse-positive test results in lung cancer screening: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Apr 20;152(8):505-12, W176-80. Erratum in: Ann Intern Med. 2010 Jun 1;152(11):759. [PubMed: 15006108]
4. Jett JR, Schild SE, Keith RL, Kesler KA. Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, stage IIIB: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition). Chest. 2007;132:266S-276S. [PubMed: 17873173]
5. Johnson DH, Blot WJ, Carbone DP, et al. Cancer of the lung_ Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008:chap 76.

Review Date: 9/26/2010.

Reviewed by: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital.

This post is taken from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004529/

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

A “risk factor” is anything that increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Many of the most important risk factors for breast cancer are beyond your control, such as age, family history, and medical history. However, there are some risk factors you can control, such as weight, physical activity, and alcohol consumption.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about all of your possible risk factors for breast cancer. There may be steps you can take to lower your risk of breast cancer, and your doctor can help you come up with a plan. Your doctor also needs to be aware of any other risk factors beyond your control, so that he or she has an accurate understanding of your level of breast cancer risk. This can influence recommendations about breast cancer screening — what tests to have and when to start having them.

Risk factors you can control

Weight. Being overweight is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, especially for women after menopause. Fat tissue is the body’s main source of estrogen after menopause, when the ovaries stop producing the hormone. Having more fat tissue means having higher estrogen levels, which can increase breast cancer risk.

Diet. Diet is a suspected risk factor for many types of cancer, including breast cancer, but studies have yet to show for sure which types of foods increase risk. It’s a good idea to restrict sources of red meat and other animal fats (including dairy fat in cheese, milk, and ice cream), because they may contain hormones, other growth factors, antibiotics, and pesticides. Some researchers believe that eating too much cholesterol and other fats are risk factors for cancer, and studies show that eating a lot of red and/or processed meats is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. A low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables is generally recommended. For more information, visit our page on healthy eating to reduce cancer risk in the Nutrition section.

Exercise. Evidence is growing that exercise can reduce breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends engaging in 45-60 minutes of physical exercise 5 or more days a week.

Alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that breast cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol a woman drinks. Alcohol can limit your liver’s ability to control blood levels of the hormone estrogen, which in turn can increase risk.

Smoking. Smoking is associated with a small increase in breast cancer risk.

Exposure to estrogen. Because the female hormone estrogen stimulates breast cell growth, exposure to estrogen over long periods of time, without any breaks, can increase the risk of breast cancer. Some of these risk factors are under your control, such as:

• taking combined hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progesterone; HRT) for several years or more, or taking estrogen alone for more than 10 years
• being overweight
• regularly drinking alcohol

Recent oral contraceptive use. Using oral contraceptives (birth control pills) appears to slightly increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer, but only for a limited period of time. Women who stopped using oral contraceptives more than 10 years ago do not appear to have any increased breast cancer risk.

Stress and anxiety. There is no clear proof that stress and anxiety can increase breast cancer risk. However, anything you can do to reduce your stress and to enhance your comfort, joy, and satisfaction can have a major effect on your quality of life. So-called “mindful measures” (such as meditation, yoga, visualization exercises, and prayer) may be valuable additions to your daily or weekly routine. Some research suggests that these practices can strengthen the immune system.

Risk factors you can’t control

Gender. Being a woman is the most significant risk factor for developing breast cancer. Although men can get breast cancer, too, women’s breast cells are constantly changing and growing, mainly due to the activity of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This activity puts them at much greater risk for breast cancer.

Age. Simply growing older is the second biggest risk factor for breast cancer. From age 30 to 39, the risk is 1 in 233, or .43%. That jumps to 1 in 27, or almost 4%, by the time you are in your 60s.

Family history of breast cancer. If you have a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister) who has had breast cancer, or you have multiple relatives affected by breast or ovarian cancer (especially before they turned age 50), you could be at higher risk of getting breast cancer.

Personal history of breast cancer. If you have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk of developing it again, either in the same breast or the other breast, is higher than if you never had the disease.

Race. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African American women. Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer.

Radiation therapy to the chest. Having radiation therapy to the chest area as a child or young adult as treatment for another cancer significantly increases breast cancer risk. The increase in risk seems to be highest if the radiation was given while the breasts were still developing (during the teen years).

Breast cellular changes. Unusual changes in breast cells found during a breast biopsy (removal of suspicious tissue for examination under a microscope) can be a risk factor for developing breast cancer. These changes include overgrowth of cells (called hyperplasia) or abnormal (atypical) appearance.

Exposure to estrogen. Because the female hormone estrogen stimulates breast cell growth, exposure to estrogen over long periods of time, without any breaks, can increase the risk of breast cancer. Some of these risk factors are not under your control, such as:

• starting menstruation (monthly periods) at a young age (before age 12)
• going through menopause (end of monthly cycles) at a late age (after 55)
• exposure to estrogens in the environment (such as hormones in meat or pesticides such as DDT, which produce estrogen-like substances when broken down by the body)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pregnancy and breastfeeding reduce the overall number of menstrual cycles in a woman’s lifetime, and this appears to reduce future breast cancer risk. Women who have never had a full-term pregnancy, or had their first full-term pregnancy after age 30, have an increased risk of breast cancer. For women who do have children, breastfeeding may slightly lower their breast cancer risk, especially if they continue breastfeeding for 1 1/2 to 2 years. For many women, however, breastfeeding for this long is neither possible nor practical.

DES exposure. Women who took a medication called diethylstilbestrol (DES), used to prevent miscarriage from the 1940s through the 1960s, have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Women whose mothers took DES during pregnancy may have a higher risk of breast cancer as well.

For more detailed information about risk factors for breast cancer, visit our Lower Your Risk section.

Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

The term “risk” is used to refer to a number or percentage that describes how likely a certain event is to occur. When we talk about factors that can increase or decrease the risk of developing breast cancer, either for the first time or as a recurrence, we often talk about two different types of risk: absolute risk and relative risk.

Absolute risk

Absolute risk is used to describe an individual’s likelihood of developing breast cancer. It is based on the number of people who will develop breast cancer within a certain time period. Absolute risk also can be stated as a percentage.
When we say that 1 in 8 women in the United States, or 12%, will develop breast cancer over the course of a lifetime, we are talking about absolute risk. On average, an individual woman has a 1-in-8 chance of developing breast cancer over an 80-year lifespan.
The absolute risk of developing breast cancer during a particular decade of life is lower than 1 in 8. The younger you are, the lower the risk. For example:

• From age 30 to 39, absolute risk is 1 in 233, or 0.43%. This means that 1 in 233 women in this age group can expect to develop breast cancer. Put another way, your odds of developing breast cancer if you are in this age range are 1 in 233.
• From age 40 to 49, absolute risk is 1 in 69, or 1.4%.
• From age 50 to 59, absolute risk is 1 in 38, or 2.6%.
• From age 60 to 69, absolute risk is 1 in 27, or 3.7%.

As you can see, the older you are, the higher your absolute risk of breast cancer. Keep in mind that these numbers and percentages are averages for the whole population. Your individual breast cancer risk may be higher or lower, depending on a number of factors, including family history, reproductive history (such as menstrual and childbearing history), race/ethnicity, and other factors.
Take family history, for example. The absolute risk of breast cancer is much higher for women who have inherited mutations in the genes known as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Their absolute risk over the course of a lifetime ranges from 40-85%. This means that out of every 100 women who have these mutations, anywhere from 40 to 85 of them can expect to develop breast cancer should they live to age 80.
If you have breast cancer, absolute risk also can be used to describe the likelihood of a certain treatment outcome or the course of the disease. For example, suppose that, based on the characteristics of the breast cancer (stage, grade, other test results), your age and medical history, and the treatments you have, your doctor tells you that your likelihood of disease-free survival at 5 years — being alive with no evidence of breast cancer — is 90%. This means that your absolute risk of having the breast cancer come back within 5 years is 10%, or 1 in 10. In other words, 1 out of 10 women with similar characteristics and the same treatment plan can expect to have a recurrence within that time frame. Nine out of 10, or 90%, would not.

Relative risk

Relative risk is a number or percentage that compares one group’s risk of developing breast cancer to another’s. This is the type of risk frequently reported by research studies, which often compare groups of women with different characteristics or behaviors to determine whether one group has a higher or lower risk of breast cancer than the other (either as a first-time diagnosis or recurrence).
Understanding relative risk can help you answer an important question: If I make certain lifestyle choices or have certain treatments, how much will I increase or decrease my risk of developing breast cancer or having a recurrence?

Example of breast cancer risk going up

Many studies have shown that women who have two or more alcoholic drinks each day have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. (A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.) You may hear this relative risk described as a percentage or a number:

• Compared to women who do not drink, women who have two or more drinks per day have a 25% higher risk of breast cancer. Put another way, they are 25% more likely to develop breast cancer over the course of a lifetime than nondrinkers are. This doesn’t mean that their lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is 25% — it means that their risk of getting breast cancer is 25% higher relative to people who don’t drink. This percentage is how you are likely to see relative risk reported by television, the Internet, and newspapers.
• Compared to women who do not drink, women who have two or more drinks per day have a relative risk of 1.25. This number is how researchers and scientific papers would usually talk about relative risk. The number “1” is assigned to the baseline group (women who do not drink), since their risk remains the same. The .25 describes the relative increase in risk for the other group; it is another way of expressing the 25% higher lifetime risk (25% = .25).
  
  Another way of saying this is that women who drink two or more alcoholic drinks per day have 1.25 (1 + .25 = 1.25) times the risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink.

Relative risk can be a tricky concept, because most people tend to focus on the reported percentage — e.g., 25% higher risk — which sounds alarming. Yes, a 25% higher risk of developing breast cancer (relative to people who don’t drink) is significant, but it doesn’t tell a woman what her lifetime risk is if she drinks two or more alcoholic drinks per day for the rest of her life. Since women in this group have 1.25 times the risk of developing breast cancer, it’s necessary to multiply the absolute risk of breast cancer (12%) for women in the general population (13%, or .13) by relative risk (1.25):

• .127 x 1.25 = .159. This means that a woman’s absolute lifetime risk of developing breast cancer if she drinks two or more alcoholic drinks per day is just under 16%, or roughly 1 in 6, versus 12% for women who do not drink.

Many different factors can increase and/or decrease your risk of developing breast cancer. Online tools such as the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool allow you to input individual information to calculate your risk.

Example of breast cancer risk going down

Suppose you have had breast cancer and undergone lumpectomy (removal of the tumor itself and a margin of healthy surrounding tissue). The absolute risk of the breast cancer coming back in the same breast is about 25%. But if you have radiation therapy to the remaining breast tissue, you can reduce that risk by about 60%. To describe this relative risk decrease, your doctor might say:

• Compared to women who have lumpectomy alone, you have a 60% lower risk of developing breast cancer again in the same breast if you have radiation therapy after lumpectomy.

Medical researchers might express it this way:

• Compared to women who do not have radiation therapy, your relative risk of developing breast cancer is .40 (1 – .60 = .40). Again, the number “1” is assigned to the baseline group, which is not taking the extra action to decrease the risk. The .60 is subtracted from 1 because it represents a decrease in risk. In other words, you have about 40% of the risk of developing breast cancer again in the same breast as they do.

So in this scenario, what difference does radiation therapy really make for you in terms of reducing the absolute risk of cancer recurrence in the same breast? To know that, you have to multiply the risk of recurrence without radiation (25%, or .25) by the relative risk of .40:

• .25 X .40 =.10. In this hypothetical situation, your absolute risk of the cancer returning in the same breast is 10%, or 1 in 10, if you have radiation therapy, versus about 25%, or 1 in 4, if you don’t. Put another way, 1 in 10 women who have radiation therapy can expect to experience recurrence in the same breast, versus 1 in 4 women who do not have the treatment.

So, relative risk is the number that tells you how much something you do, such as a certain behavior or treatment, can change your risk for breast cancer compared to those who don’t do it. A relative risk of:

• .5 means that your risk decreases by half, or 50%
• 1.88 means that your risk increases by 88%
• 3.0 means that your risk triples, or goes up by 300% (you have three times the risk)

As the examples above show, knowing how much your breast cancer risk goes up or down with certain lifestyle factors and treatment options can help you and your doctor make the best decisions for you. These are hypothetical examples; you can find out more about breast cancer risk in the Lower Your Risk section.

Breast Cancer Risk and Risk Factors

By now you may be familiar with the statistic that says 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer. Many people misinterpret this to mean that, on any given day, they and the women they know have a 1-in-8 risk of developing the disease. That’s simply not true.

In reality, about 1 in 8 women in the United States — 12%, or about 12 out of every 100 — can expect to develop breast cancer over the course of an entire lifetime. In the U.S., an average lifetime is about 80 years. So, it’s more accurate to say that 1 in 8 women in the U.S. who reach the age of 80 can expect to develop breast cancer. In each decade of life, the risk of getting breast cancer is actually lower than 12% for most women.

People tend to have very different ways of viewing risk. For you, a 1-in-8 lifetime risk may seem like a high likelihood of getting breast cancer. Or you may turn this around and reason that there is a 7-in-8, or 87.5%, chance you will never get breast cancer, even if you live to age 80. How you view risk often depends on your individual situation — for example, whether you or many women you know have had breast cancer, or you have reason to believe you are at higher-than-normal risk for the disease — and your usual way of looking at the world.

Even though studies have found that women have a 12% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, your individual risk may be higher or lower than that. Individual risk is affected by many different factors, such as family history, reproductive history, lifestyle, environment, and others.

This section is designed to help you better understand breast cancer risk and some of the factors that can increase risk.

Breast Cancer Statistics

1. About 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
2. In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 54,010 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
3. About 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in men in 2010. Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases occur in men.
4. From 1999 to 2006, breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S. decreased by about 2% per year. One theory is that this decrease was partially due to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by women after the results of a large study called the Women’s Health Initiative were published in 2002. These results suggested a connection between HRT and increased breast cancer risk.
5. About 39,840 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2010 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.
6. For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
7. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women. More than 1 in 4 cancers in women (about 28%) are breast cancer.
8. Compared to African American women, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but less likely to die of it. One possible reason is that African American women tend to have more aggressive tumors, although why this is the case is not known. Women of other ethnic backgrounds — Asian, Hispanic, and Native American — have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer than white women and African American women.
9. In 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.
10. A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.
11. About 5-10% of breast cancers can be linked to gene mutations (abnormal changes) inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common. Women with these mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (before menopause). An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with these genetic mutations. In men, about 1 in 10 breast cancers are believed to be due to BRCA2 mutations and even fewer cases to BRCA1 mutations.
12. About 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
13. The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).

What is Breast Cancer ?

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Symptoms & Diagnosis

 

Breast cancer symptoms vary widely — from lumps to swelling to skin changes — and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. Symptoms that are similar to those of breast cancer may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like infection or a cyst.

Breast Cancer Treatment & Side Effects from BreastCancer.org

In recent years, there's been an explosion of life-saving treatment advances against breast cancer, bringing new hope and excitement. Instead of only one or two options, today there's an overwhelming menu of treatment choices that fight the complex mix of cells in each individual cancer. The decisions — surgery, then perhaps radiation, hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy, and/or chemotherapy — can feel overwhelming. Breastcancer.org can help you understand your cancer stage and appropriate options, so you and your doctors can arrive at the best treatment plan for You.

Estimate Your Risks for breast cancer from Siteman Cancer Center

breast cancer is a feared disease. even though lung cancer and heart disease kill more women each year, surveys show that women view breast cancer as their biggest health threat. but women can take steps to lower their risk. even though men can get breast cancer, your disease risk can't give men an accurate assessment of their risk. because breast cancer is rare in men, we don't have enough information on risk factors.
to estimate your risk of breast cancer and learn about ways to lower that risk, take a few minutes to answer some questions about your health, background, and lifestyle.

Breast Cancer Stages from Cancer.org

The stage describes the extent of the cancer in the body. It is based on whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, the size of the tumor, how many lymph nodes are involved, and if it has spread to other parts of the body. The stage of a cancer is one of the most important factors in determining prognosis and treatment options. Staging is the process of finding out how widespread a cancer is when it is diagnosed. Depending on the results of your physical exam and biopsy, your doctor may want you to have certain imaging tests such as a chest x-ray, mammograms of both breasts, bone scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or positron emission tomography (PET) scans (see below). Blood tests may also be done to evaluate your overall health and help find out if the cancer has spread to certain organs.

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Right Health - Cancer Care

Wikipedia

 

Cancer ˈkænsər||en-us-cancer.ogg (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth, invasion that intrudes upon and destroys adjacent tissues, and sometimes metastasis, or spreading to other locations in the body via lymph or blood. These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which do not invade or metastasize. Researchers divide the causes of cancer into two groups: those with an environmental cause and those with a hereditary genetic cause. Cancer is primarily an environmental disease, though genetics influence the risk of some cancers. Common environmental factors leading to cancer include: tobacco, diet and obesity, infections, radiation, lack of physical activity, and environmental pollutants. These environmental factors cause or enhance abnormalities in the genetic material of cells. Cell reproduction is an extremely complex process that is normally tightly regulated by several classes of genes, including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Hereditary or acquired abnormalities in these regulatory genes can lead to the development of cancer. A small percentage of cancers ...

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