Tricks on How to Lower Your Chances on Getting Cancer

The article below will give you about these techniques.

Cancer is a tumultuous time for both the patient and his or her family. There are a number of cancer treatments in existence, so consult with a doctor regularly.

Detecting cancer early is important in the beginning stages is the best way to increase the chances of survival. For cancers like breast cancer and testicle cancer, you can do self-examinations on a monthly basis to check for anything that might not seem right.

Immediately quit smoking if your doctor tells you that you have cancer. Some people who have cancer mistakenly reason that there is no point in quitting since they're already done. The cigarettes' carcinogens contained in cigarettes could decrease your body's chance of fully recovering.

Be aware of certain changes that could occur from the cancer treatments. Your doctor will let you the effects of drugs and treatments may have. If hair loss is possible, you might want to buy a wig or if your complexion gets pale, then consider wigs and makeup.

Be cautious about chemical contamination on fresh fruits and vegetables that you buy at the store are possibly contaminated. Pesticides are used on these crops to guard against diseases and other issues from causing destruction to the crops.

If you want to catch cancer early, know what symptoms to look for. Things like unexplained weight loss, unexplained weight loss, cramping and thinning stools can be symptoms of colon cancer. Visit your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.

If you are a smoker, you should know that your habit increases your risk of developing emphysema, but it also protects you against colon cancer. The carcinogens produced by smoking can damage the colon and cause polyps to grow. These facts just a few of the reasons you need to quit smoking.

Many people are aware of the fact that wild salmon is a great addition to their diet.

Don't take cancer on.This is not the time to back down and roll over, so there's nothing to lose by giving every last bit of effort to survive.

Never take information for granted. When you're well informed on a subject, you'll be better prepared to deal with it, and will be more likely to come out of a difficult situation on top. Cancer is a very severe disease, but there is hope. Take in all the information in this article, and use it to help fight this horrendous disease.

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Decline in Use of Menopausal Hormones Linked with Lower Breast Cancer Rates

According to the results of a study conducted in Canada, the sharp drop in use of combined (estrogen plus progestin) hormone therapy that occurred between 2002 and 2004 was accompanied by a decrease in breast cancer incidence. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

As women reach menopause and beyond, more than 80% will experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, and vaginal dryness. Estrogen, with or without progestin, is an effective treatment for many of these symptoms. Over the last several years, however, studies have raised important concerns about the health effects of menopausal hormone therapy.

In 2002, a report from the Women’s Health Initiative indicated that combined hormone therapy increased the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.? Use of combined hormone therapy decreased the risk of fractures and colorectal cancer, but these benefits were thought to be outweighed by the risks for most women.

After this report, use of combined hormone therapy declined markedly. Studies from several countries—including the United States—suggest that this decline in hormone use was followed by a decline in breast cancer incidence rates.

To evaluate trends in hormone use and breast cancer in Canada, researchers collected information about women between the ages of 50 and 69 who participated in the National Population Health Survey between 1996 and 2006.

Between 2002 and 2004, the percent of women who used combined hormone therapy decreased from 12.7% to 4.9%. During this same period, the rate of breast cancer declined.Since 2005 there has been some rebound in breast cancer rates. This suggests that avoidance of hormone therapy may act primarily by slowing the growth of breast cancer (rather than preventing breast cancer). Mammography rates remained stable throughout the study period.The study did not have information about the hormone receptor status of the breast cancers that were diagnosed, nor was information available about duration of hormone use.

The researchers conclude that between 2002 and 2004, a decline in hormone therapy use in Canada was accompanied by a decline in breast cancer incidence.

Additional research is warranted to determine the biologic link between hormone therapy and breast cancer. The results of the current study suggest that combined hormone therapy may speed the growth of breast cancers.

Reference: De P, Neutel I, Olivotto I, Morrison H. Breast cancer incidence and hormone replacement therapy in Canada. Journal of the National Cancer Institute [early online publication]. September 23, 2010.

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Mediterranean Diet May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Postmenopausal women who consume a traditional Mediterranean diet may have a lower risk for breast cancer, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

A traditional Mediterranean diet—one that is rich in fish, olive oil, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes and lower in red meat and dairy—has been associated with a lower rate of heart disease and cancer, including breast cancer. This recent study was the first to evaluate the purported benefits of the Mediterranean diet within a Mediterranean country—in this case, Greece.

Researchers followed approximately 15,000 women in Greece for almost 10 years. Participants’ diets were assessed by questionnaire, and a score ranging from 0 to 9 was given based on the extent to which the women followed a traditional Mediterranean diet. A higher score indicated greater adherence to the diet.? During this time, 240 women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Postmenopausal women with greater adherence to the diet (a score between 6 and 9) had a reduced risk of breast cancer of 22%. Among premenopausal women, greater adherence to the diet was not associated with a lower risk for breast cancer.

The researchers concluded postmenopausal women who follow a traditional Mediterranean diet may have a decreased risk of breast cancer. There is a lower incidence of breast cancer in Mediterranean countries, which may be partially explained by the traditional diet.

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Femara Results in Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Than Tamoxifen

Among postmenopausal women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, five years of hormonal therapy with FemaraR (letrozole) results in a lower risk of cancer recurrence than five years of tamoxifen. These results were published in Lancet Oncology.?

The majority of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive. These cancers are stimulated to grow by the circulating female hormones estrogen and/or progesterone. Treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer often involves hormonal therapies that suppress or block the action of estrogen. These therapies include tamoxifen as well as drugs known as aromatase inhibitors, such as Femara. Tamoxifen acts by blocking estrogen receptors, whereas aromatase inhibitors suppress the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women.?

The Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Trial is a Phase III clinical trial involving over 8,000 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. The women were assigned one of four different approaches to hormonal therapy:??

Five years of tamoxifen?Five years of Femara?Two years of Femara followed by three years of tamoxifen?Two years of tamoxifen followed by three years of Femara?

Previous results from this study showed that five years of Femara resulted in a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence than five years of tamoxifen, and that sequential treatment with the two drugs (Femara followed by tamoxifen or tamoxifen followed by Femara) did not appear to be superior to Femara alone.??

Study participants continue to be followed in order to assess longer-term outcomes. The women have now been followed for a median of just over eight years.?

At eight years, the percentage of women alive and free of cancer was 73.8% among women assigned to five years of Femara and 70.4% among women assigned to five years of tamoxifen.?Overall survival was 83.4% among women assigned to five years of Femara and 81.2% among women assigned to five years of tamoxifen.?Sequential treatment with Femara and tamoxifen did not appear to be more effective than Femara alone.?

For postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, these results continue to suggest that five years of Femara is more effective against breast cancer recurrence than five years of tamoxifen. Sequential treatment with the two drugs may be a useful strategy for some women.?

Reference: Regan MM, Neven P, Giobbie-Hurder A et al. Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 randomised clinical trial at 8.1 years median follow-up. Lancet Oncology. 2011;12:1101-1108.?

Posted November 9, 2011

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