Breast Cancer Blog

Breastfeeding is now accepted in our communities. The problem remains that most women who intend to breastfeed will give-up in the first six months. There are tangible measures we can take to help and support breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding would be made easier for new mothers if there were more private areas where they could nurse their baby. Support groups and forums devoted to breastfeeding mothers have proven to encourage mothers to nurse longer.

More clinics solely devoted to breastfeeding mothers and their babies are needed countrywide.

Most women are convinced of the benefits of nursing their babies, they just give-up when faced with challenges they are not prepared or equipped to deal with. Among the many benefits for the baby to be nursed, there are: Breastfed babies are less sick, have fewer ear and pulmonary infections and are less hospitalized.

One of the greatest benefits of breastfeeding is the special bond it provides both the mother and the baby.

Breastfed babies have fewer allergies and are less prone to the dreaded sudden infant death syndrome. On the overall, breast milk provides the baby with the proper nutrients to its developing brain and is easily digested. It needs no preparation and is very economical.

For the nursing mother, there are also health benefits such as lowering their risk of post-partum hemorrhages, fewer risk of developing breast cancer later on in life and some types of ovarian cancers.

Our society needs to take tangible actions to facilitate breastfeeding and improve the long term persistence. Fathers can play a crucial role in supporting the breastfeeding mother by taking over the other tasks like preparing meals, changing the baby’s diaper or giving the baby a bath, etc

A long term plan is well needed is governments really want to help new mothers continue breastfeeding for longer periods and diminish the important drop rate after a few months.

Support groups and complete information web sites on breastfeeding and solutions to the usual problem encountered by breastfeeding mothers are a must. Such information as what to do if baby seams not satisfied? How to deal with sensible skin in the first few weeks of breastfeeding? The proper positions while breastfeeding, etc would be of great help to nursing mothers.

The overall benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous for the baby and the mother. By encouraging and supporting breastfeeding mothers, society would insure a healthier and happier generation of developing babies.

Nathalie Fiset
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/breastfeeding-health-benefits-for-the-baby-and-the-mother-128366.html

Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammalian mammary gland (breast in primates, udder in other mammals). It is called puerperal mastitis when it occurs in lactating mothers and non-puerperal otherwise. Mastitis can occur in men, albeit rarely. Inflammatory breast cancer has symptoms very similar to mastitis and must be ruled out.

Mastitis occurs when bacteria enter your breast through a break or crack in the skin of your nipple or through the opening to the milk ducts in your nipple. Bacteria from your skin’s surface and baby’s mouth enter the milk duct and can multiply — leading to pain, redness and swelling of the breast as infection progresses.

Common, and more serious, signs of mastitis include chills, a headache, a temperature of over 38.5 degrees C / 101 degrees F and exhaustion. These symptoms are usually caused not by infection but by milk entering the small blood vessels in your breast and then being treated by your body as a “foreign protein”.

Sometimes, the term ‘chronic mastitis’ is wrongly used to describe a condition in which the breasts are of an irregular rubbery consistency and contain painful or tender nodules or cysts, which feel lumpy. These nodules change with the menstrual cycle. This is properly known as benign mammary dysplasia, or fibrocystic disease.

Mastitis is typically diagnosed by a physician based on signs such as swollen, red, and painful breasts and flu-like symptoms. If a physician is unsure whether a patient has mastitis, he or she may order a laboratory culture of the breast milk. Approximately 10% of women with mastitis develop abscesses in the infected breast area. An abscess is a benign (non-cancerous) closed pocket containing pus (a creamy, thick, pale yellow or yellow-green fluid). Abscesses are usually drained with needles. A particularly large abscess may need to be cut open to drain. Usually, the area I numbed with a local anesthesia and covered with gauze after the procedure.

Infective mastitis may develop from milk stasis or it may be caused by invading germs, although how exactly infection enters a breast isn’t clear. Some women who have had mastitis have also had cracked nipples and the infection may have passed through the crack or fissure in the nipple into the lymphatic system of the breast. Other experts believe that mastitis and cracked nipples are both symptoms resulting from poor latch-on technique and so the two are likely to be linked in this way.

Problems with recurrent mastitis are usually the result of irregular breastfeeding patterns: missing feedings, giving bottles in place of breastfeedings, or skipping pumping sessions when separated from the baby. Recurrent mastitis may also mean that mother’s immune system is generally run down, because of fatigue and stress. Mastitis is a sign that you need to take a closer look at your lifestyle and breastfeeding relationship and make some adjustments.

Blocked ducts tend to cause a more localised problem, resulting in an area of tender, hard lumpiness where some of the breast tissue does not empty of milk. Occasionally, especially in severe cases, there may be general flu-like symptoms.

Mild temperature elevations (previously termed milk fever) accompanied by some breast or nipple soreness is usually secondary to engorgement and dehydration immediately (24-72 hours) after delivery and is treated by improved breastfeeding technique. The body temperature should not be above 39°C (102.2°F), nor should the fever persist for longer than about 4-16 hours. This condition may also occur in women who are not breastfeeding and have not completely suppressed lactation yet.

peterhutch
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/mastitis-information-on-mastitis-406064.html

Everyday we are exposed to a multitude of contaminates and toxins from the air we breathe, the clothes we wear and the personal care products we use.  Most of us don’t stop to think about the risk we take when we constantly put chemicals into and onto our bodies and often it is assumed that if it is for sale then it is tested and safe.  Wouldn’t the health regulations make sure everything is safe to use?  Not really.  Below are the top factors in why we should think twice before going for the conventional personal care products.

Poor Regulation:  Personal care products are a part of the United States Cosmetics Industry and since 1938 this industry has been self regulated.  Additionally the manufactures have no federal review or approval process.  The ingredients used are often synthetic; in fact there are over 10,000 chemicals that are used in personal care products with only about 11 percent of them being tested for health and safety of its users.  Many of the chemicals used are proven to be toxic.

 Toxic Chemicals:  A few of the toxic chemicals used in many personal care products sold today include Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Lauramide and Sodium Laurel Sulfate.  These chemicals can cause health concerns, especially when used over a long period of time and when you consider we begin in infancy we set ourselves up for a lifetime of toxic chemical exposure.  Propylene Glycol is used in brake fluid and antifreeze.  Additionally this toxic chemical has been shown to cause kidney and liver damage.  Parabens mimic estrogen and is linked to breast cancer.  Two foaming agents widely used are Lauramide and Sodium Laurel Sulfate is carcinogenic.  Take a look at the ingredients on your personal care products and compare it to a directory of toxic chemicals available for your use.

 Petroleum Use:  In a recent study by a not for profit environmental group shows that over half of the baby soaps and many common personal care products using petroleum bases also contain a carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.   The study went on to show that 80% of cosmetic products contained one or more carcinogenic impurities including formaldehyde, hydroquinone, ethylene dioxide, PAH’s, nitrosamines and acrylamides.  To avoid the top carcinogens avoid products with ingredient lists that include: PEG, xynol, sodium laureth sulfate and oleth.  Additionally, the report suggested using only organic products to avoid a host of problems; environmental and health related.  Environmentally, avoiding petroleum based personal care products helps to reduce the non renewable oil usage.  Remember, if you can’t eat it you shouldn’t wear it!

 Poor Labeling for Safety:  This issue is not one that is designed to protect the consumer but more to protect the manufacture.  There are no safety regulations that specify a product must be tested; however, if not tested it must have a warning of the fact that it is untested.  What is worse is that if tested the results do not have to be reported and a product that has been tested and kills 50% of the animals used in the testing can still receive a federal safety recommendation of being non toxic.  Harsh chemicals and poor ethics combine to bombard our bodies with chemicals, additives and synthetically created fragrance.

 Harmful Fragrance and Animal Testing:  The personal care products we use everyday are loaded with about 5,000 fragrance additives and most are synthetically created and are not required to include ingredients.  The fact is fragrances are one leading contributor to headaches, asthma and allergic reactions as well as harsh chemical additives contributing to health concerns.  An additional problem with conventional personal care products is the animal testing that takes place.  Of all the animals used for testing purposes only about 27% are actually used for medical research with the remaining 73% being used to promote consumer products.  Products listed as Organic will never use animal testing.

 Now that we can see distinct reasons why we really should avoid using the conventional personal care products we can look at the alternatives and why we should make the move to organic personal care products.

 Natural Ingredients:  Organic and all natural personal care products use only natural, sustainable and organic ingredients in the manufacture of the product.  Ingredients that are found naturally in nature as well as using minimal processing allows the natural essence and benefits to remain in the product nourishing your body, skin and hair.

 Natural Fragrance:  The natural fragrances found in organic personal care products are derived from natural essential oils and offer wonderful scent combinations that add to the health benefits of the product.  Damaging synthetic fragrances are never used in organic products.

 Eco-Friendly Production:  The Cosmetics industry accounts for a large portion of the manufacturing industry and by using eco-friendly manufacturing processes you are assured that you are supporting a health Earth. 

 No Petroleum:  Organic care products will never include petroleum in their ingredients and therefore, in using organics, you lessen your carbon footprint and your impact on the Earth.  Recycling the packaging will increase the Earth friendly effects.

 It is really easy to see the difference between the conventional products and organics.  It is true, conventional products are often very inexpensive and this is often due to the manufacturing process coming from sweatshops and shipped overseas.   Many large companies are beginning to offer organic products at inflated prices as well.  Organics may cost a bit more because the process in manufacture will always include fair trade practices and the ingredients and natural and of exceptionally high quality ensuring the health and safety of the product.  Products such as Flower-Child Organics offers organic products at affordable prices and are manufactured by a small family owned company by people who have a passion for your health and the health of the Earth.

For more information on how to find Flower-Child Organics go to: Flower-Child Organics

Laura Cass
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/organic-and-all-natural-personal-care-products-why-707896.html

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090422/tuk-breast-cancer-deaths-at-record-low-dba1618.html

The number of women dying from breast cancer has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1971, new figures show. Skip related content
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Have your say: Cancer

Heavy alcohol consumption, obesity and women having children later in life have contributed to the steep rise in cancer cases - more than 50 per cent - over the last 25 years.

I think you will find that Labour has done its best to hinder charities in some instances:
VAT charges are one.
Bringing in so many layers of administration that charities that rely on PCT funding are having to wait much longer
and worst of all, the Olympics are denying many charities, not only cancer ones, money they relied on.
And the credit crunch that Gordon Brown etc. instigated has meant a big drop in charity donations, especially from companies that now, instead of donating large sums, are going bust.

No, the reason why cancer stats are improving is funding for research by hard-earned cash donated by people like us - and the fact that big business is searching for the 'Holy Grail' of a cancer cure - but in the meantime is getting a good return IF their research comes in with a workable drug.

Politics should be kept out of medicine. Turn the NHS back to the Matrons and Consultants who knew what patients wanted and needed - and get rid of the massive layer of Administration that Labour has thrust on our health service.

Verite R

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okay so i noticed that someone else had written their speech about abortion of yahoo answers and i noticed they got good feedback. I was wondering if people could please help me proofread,and revise it tell me if im missing any components things like that. PLease do not give rude feedback thanks A LOT

Have you ever thought about death, either your life or someone you know and love? How about your own child? This question may seem absurd but in reality it strikes many pregnant worldwide. What if you were the one being chosen upon whether you should live before you were even born. This is referred to as abortion.

Today im here to talk to you about this issue which concerns many, yet is chosen by many pregnant women each day.

SOme people believe abortion is acceptable in certain circumstances.Such as rape and incest. Pregnant women who choose abortions because of rape is only 1 % of the large overall number. Another circumstance may be if it had been an unplanned pregnancy. The women had been irresponsible in the first place and chose to have unprotected sex.

Abortion has a high impact on peoples lives. SOme women think after having an abortion they no longer have to worry and all theyre problems are gone. As if it never happened. They are wrong having an abortion causes them to have many long term effects. After the abortion process the physical effects can range from having defects while trying to have a baby to they may not even be able to have children. You would also have a greater risk of having breast cancer. There are emotional effects such as Depression which plays a main role folled by guilt, flashbacks of abortion, and alcohol and drug abuse.

Fetus comes from the latin word young one. It means when a baby/animal is a baby in the process of developing.
SOme say a fetus is not human but does this mean babies born around 5-6 months old are not human? I believe this is not true and that a fetus is very much human as any other baby would be( usually around the time of the abortion the baby has gotten its heart which some believe is a main symbol of life and other organs.

I hope my speech has opened your eyes about this issue and i hope other people will realize that this is wrong. Thank you

I think it is good but it could use a bit more authority. Speak as if you are telling people exactly how it is and if they think otherwise they are totally wrong. Also when you are giving facts about the effects of abortion maybe you could explain them more fully? I would like to know why women who have an abortion may be unable to have children in the future or why they have a greater risk of breast cancer. Don't go way in depth because you want to keep concise and on topic but it does help to back up what you say with evidence and explanation. Otherwise i would say it is great. It flows well and it is powerful and to the point. Good luck!

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I know that the pink ribbon represents the breast cancer. well, i want to know is it proper to send a pink ribbon pendants as mother's day presents?

Many thanks for your help.

I would if your mother is a breast cancer survivor or has a very close friend or relative who is a survivor or has passed from breast cancer. Or if your mother is a supporter of the cause and search for a cure. The pendant would be a very nice gift if these were the case. If not, I would find something else to give to your mom on her special day.

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Are thermographies for real? If so, what do they determine?

Thermography is nothing more than a different type of imaging technique. It relies on differential production of heat from increased metabolism of cancer, infections, so on. In this respect, it is a less effective imaging modality than mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and PET scan for breast lesions.

This is not to be confused, however, with using heat as a therapy. This is done with some intra-abdominal malignancies and with isolated tumors of the arms or legs. These are, however, experimental approaches and should be regarded with caution until more detailed studies are done documenting its safety and efficacy.

With the established therapies of surgery, chemotherapy/hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy available, your sister has every reason to expect for a long, cancer-free life.

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My sister in law (65) is in stage 4 breast cancer. She had to have had the symptoms for 9 months or more. She won't answer " when did you start noticeing this" from the doctor or the family. Her mother had a full mastectomy in the 1960's. My sister in law had not had a mammogram for 40 years. It has spread to lungs and vertebrea. Why would someone ignore this?

Maybe she just didn't want all the people around her continually fussing over her and worrying about her. Perhaps she felt that it would disrupt not only her life but the lives of those around her and didn't want to burden others with her problems. It is entirely possible that she was fully aware of what was happening to her, having witnessed it before, and decided to ignore it and live her life in peace until it's over. If that's what she wants then why not grant her a little peace in her final days?

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My nan (60ish yrs) was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last week, I basically need some info on the actual cancer itself, statistics, survival rates, anything anyone knows really!

I am a breast cancer survivor. Your nan should have a mastectomy. I hope they suggested that. However, at stage 3, it could have spread to other areas, I pray I'm wrong, Cancer is the nastiest virus or disease there is in my opinion. They will most likely have her get chemo or radiation. I would expect chemo at stage 3 It all depends on where the tumors are. If she has a mastectomy, they will definitely remove her lymph nodes under her arm because that's the first place breast cancer attacks. I had mine removed. If you want more info, Please, please contact me. I have so much to offer you and I want to help in any way I can. God bless your nan.

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i live in pennsylvania & was just diagnosed with breast cancer. my finances are very limited & i live alone. does the cancer society help out with doctor co pays & rx co pays? i also have to get a wig. do they help with that? any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

www.cityofhope.com will help with treatment.
also check out www.clinicaltrials.com to get the latest medicines BEFORE they are even on the market, for free if you fit their criteria.

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