Healthy Tips

If you are a woman, there is one kind of cancer that you always have to be on the look out for, and that is breast cancer. No matter what age you are, you can still get breast cancer. Although it is more common in women that are 40 years of age or older, you should start doing breast exams as soon as you can. This is because you can actually help to prevent breast cancer with early detection. If you are not able to prevent it, you are going to be able to have a better chance of getting rid of it the sooner that you do find it.

They recommended doing breast cancer exams every 3 years. This is after you reach your late 20’s and 30’s. However, keep in mind that breast cancer is something that you are able to detect yourself. It is always good to keep a close watch on your breasts. Every few days, you should feel them while you are in the shower to check for lumps. These lumps could be signs of breast cancer. The lumps will usually be hard and noticeable.

When it comes to doing breast self-examination, there are a few times of the month that are the best time to check for breast cancer. This is a good way to do early breast screening detection to help you prevent getting it. Although some people still think that you should check for breast cancer every few days, you are really only suppose to check it about once a month. However, do keep in mind that doing it more than once a month is not bad.

The best time a month to check for breast cancer is the day after your period. This is the best time to perform a self-examination, because your breasts are likely to be less tender and sore. If you are a person that has irregular periods, then you can check your beast any time of the month. You will still get the same effect. Just remember, try to do a self-examination when your breasts are not sore. This way you can do a much better job examining without worrying about your breasts being too sore to touch.

If you do not think that self-examinations are the best way to go, for early detection of breast cancer you can always go in and have mammograms. This is a breast X-ray that is able to see the smallest breast tumors. Now the question is, when and how often should you go in for a mammogram? The truth is, it is really going to depend on your age. Not only that, but it is going to have a lot to do with your family history as well. If breast cancer is something that runs in your family, then you are going to want to do mammograms more often than other people. Breast cancer is something that kind of runs in families. Although it is unknown why it does this, it does not change the fact that it does run in family trees.

As you can see, there are a few things that you can do to help you with early detection of breast cancer. Early detection is, of course, the best shot you have at getting rid of breast cancer before it starts and spreads to the rest of your body. Also, breast cancer is not that common in men, but it can happen, thus, men should check themselves as well from time to time with a self-examination. However, they should do this far less often than women.

With 49 000 new cases and 11 000 deaths per year, breast cancer has experienced a doubling of cases during the past 25 years. And yet, we can prevent this cancer by some simple habits. The risk of breast cancer may be lowered, so play your part!

Just like it is for lung cancer, the causes of breat cancer are easily identified, Only recently a number of these factors have been formally recognized by the light of specific studies. So lets take a look at what you can to to prevent breast vancer and live a healthy life.

Eat less and better.

Again, food is central to the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, but also breast cancer, Food is also responsible in the occurrence of a second cancer. Regardless of overweight, trans fats (pastries, pizza, etc.) are increasing by more than double the risk of breast cancer. If it adds an overweight (especially in case of breakdown “android” fat, in short a big belly), the fatty tissue acts like a gland secretory estrogen promoters of cancer, especially after menopause.

Keep Moving!

Thirty minutes of real physical activity (not just vacuuming and ironing!)
would reduce the risk of breast cancer by 30 to 40%. Keeping your body in shape is one of the best weapon against all form of cancers. It may be difficult at first to get out and doing some physical activities but the rewards are fantastic. A simple bicycle ride every day is enough to stay in shape. So let’s move!

Drink less than one glass of alcohol per day.

Once the equivalent of 10 grams (one glass), the rate of circulating hormones (estrogen always) grows, as does the risk of tumor growth, especially breast. The risk increase by 9% every 10 grams of alcohol ingested. Alcool is one of the worst enemy for pregnant women.

Make your first baby around 25 years old.

This factor is the “heavy” in terms of risk … At least 20% of cancers would be redundant due to the increasingly late age of the first full-term pregnancy, which is nearly 30 years today.

Nurse your baby ideally for 6 months.

The risk decreases with the number of children and especially if they were breastfed: endogène secretion of estrogen are dropping considerably during pregnancy and weaning.

Protect yourself against xenoestrogens.

A xenophobic estrogen is a chemical compound, which is recognized by a living organism as an estrogen.

You must especially avoid periods where your body is changing and more vulnerable to hormonal changes, ie when you are pregnant of a baby girl (for him to avoid breast cancer later.

Breast cancer accounts for one third of new cancers in women. If it is detected early, it is better supported. Women with breast cancer benefit from treatment tailored to their pathology. Four technologies are mainly used. In order of importance: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Since the year 2000 medical advance has been made on all fronts in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection and treatment are essential to defeat the disease.

Good Luck!

Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Tumors develop primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. Contrary to popular conception, skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions.

The three main types of skin cancer are: basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; and malignant melanoma. All three are detrimental to one’s health, though two out of the three can be cured if caught early enough. This sort of skin cancer is responsible for 90 percent of all skin cancers within the United States. Basal cell carcinoma hardly ever seeps into other parts of the body, though it can reach the bone if it is not eradicated right away.

The most common of all the three types of skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma is often referred to as non-melanoma skin cancer. It is easily detected and it first appears as a small lump on those areas that are exposed to the sun and the air, such as the head, neck and hands. This form of cancer rarely spreads to the other parts of the body and it has a very high cure rate.

Melanomas are usually noticed by detecting a change in skin moles. If there is any change to the mole, this might mean that a melanoma is present. Individuals should check their moles to see if the size, color or shape has changed. They should also alert their doctor if a mole becomes itchy or starts to bleed. If a patient has a family history of melanoma, they should be examined by a doctor at least once a year as part of a preventative plan.

The second type, one that is more serious than basal cell carcinoma, is squamous cell carcinoma. This slow-growing cancer is not as inert as basal cell carcinoma, meaning that, if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Yet, though there are risks involved, squamous cell carcinoma is one of the easier skin cancers to treat, often requiring a simple removal via liquid nitrogen blast or hot knife incision.

The final type is most serious. Melanoma is a cancer that originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin. The amount of melanin present in skin tissue determines the lightness or darkness of the skin’s color. Malignant melanoma can spread rapidly and invade vital organs and other body tissues. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial to a successful cure.

The simplest way to avoid skin cancer is to reduce the exposure of you skin to the sun’s cancer causing rays. Protect you skin by limiting your time in the sun and wear full clothing, those parts of the skin that are still exposed apply a good quality sunscreen to. The chemical composition of sunscreens block most of the sun’s harmful rays.

Prevention and control for skin cancer is actually very easy and just requires getting used to using sun-protective practices on a daily basis. It is very easy and here are a few things that medical professionals and governmental organizations recommend for safe outdoor protection from UV rays

A complex mix of factors related to environment, lifestyle, and heredity plays a role in the causation of cancer. For example, 80 percent of all cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, to what we eat and drink, and to our exposure to radiation, asbestos, and some of the other cancer-causing agents. There’s not much you can do about your genes, but several other key risk factors are under your control. If you identify them and make the necessary changes in your lifestyle early enough, you can substantially decrease your chances of developing a malignancy. Here are some of the risk factors you can do something about:

1. Tobacco

Tobacco is the most preventable cause of mortality in this country. Regardless of whether you chew it, snuff it, smoke it, or inhale someone else’s exhaust, tobacco is a killer. In the United States, it is responsible for 85 to 90 percent of all lung cancers, and for one-third of all deaths related to other cancers. The magnitude of the risk depends on the number and kind of cigarettes you have smoked and for how long. A pack-a-day smoker is ten times more vulnerable than a non-smoker. It is never too late to quit. After you do, your cancer risk declines gradually each year.

2. Chronic alcohol abuse

This type of abuse can cause cancer of the liver, as well as of the mouth, throat, and larynx, especially in combination with tobacco. It may also raise the risk of breast cancer. If you are going to imbibe, limit yourself to the equivalent of two drinks a day – and stop smoking.

3. Diet

People who shun fruits and vegetables have roughly twice the incidence of most types of cancer – lung, larynx, oral cavity, stomach, colon, and rectum, bladder, pancreas, cervix, and ovary – than those with the highest intake. Yet only 9 percent of Americans heed the recommendations of the National Cancer Institute and the National Research Council to eat two servings of fruit and three portions of vegetables a day. Seventh-Day Adventists, who don’t drink or eat much meat but do consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, have the lowest incidence of cancer in the U.S. population. This protective effect is probably due to the antioxidants and folic acid present in fruits and vegetables, which neutralize damage to chromosomal DNA caused by oxygen-free radicals.

4. A high-fat diet

This type of diet is associated with cancer of the breast, uterus, and prostate. The guilty foods are eggs, fatty meat, high-fat salad dressings and cooking oils, and diary products such as whole milk, butter, and most cheeses.

Blueberries have a higher antioxidant capacity than any other fruit or vegetable. They are said to protect against cancer by virtue of their anthocyanins and other natural phytochemicals.

5. A high consumption of soy-based food

Soy-based food such as tofu, may also protect against cancer because of the genistein content. Genistein suppresses the production of proteins that cancer cells need in order to keep growing. In China and Japan, where people eat lots of soy, there is much less cancer of the breast, colon, and prostate than in this country. Since men with prostate cancer generally have lower blood levels of selenium than their normal counterparts, selenium supplements may protect against this malignancy.

6. Some supplements

Some supplements seem to protect against certain cancers. For instance, colon polyps and cancer do not recur as often in persons who regularly take multivitamins, calcium supplements, and vitamin E. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is protective against cancer, presumably because of the beta-carotene content. So take your mother’s advice: Eat all the fruits and vegetables you can – and forget the pills.

7. Don’t have X-rays

Don’t have X-rays any more frequently than is absolutely necessary. I no longer take annual routine chest films on myself. Some dentists are too enthusiastic about X rays. Make sure you really need them before acquiescing.

Not only is breast cancer a nasty word to hear it is a painful condition and frightening, it gets even nastier sounding if your doctor has diagnosed you with the disease. Sadly, although scary, women still choose to avoid initiating a self breast examination on them self. Why do women ignore cancer awareness alerts which point out the vital concerns of catching cancer in its early stage when they know breast cancer can be a fatal condition?

There can only be one reason why decisions of denial that they are cancer free are made and that is because they are too scared that they may actually detect a lump in the process. Is it not best to find a lump the size of pea than that of one which has developed greater in size? Not all breast lumps are cancerous, breast abnormalities should be checked out sooner than later. “Later is a death sentence”. Some women in their seventies said they don’t have much road ahead so why the need for a self breast examination. Hey blue rinse gals it is very important for your grand kids have you stick around longer and what of your happy birthday 100th telegram off the Queen. Breast screening regardless of age saves lives (70 years plus). Dutch research of over 860,000 women voiced breast screening decreased the number of deaths by 30% after the upper age limit was extended. Cancer risks increase with age so they say; medical experts have been at odds over whether the over-70s should be checked. UK plans involve raising the upper age limit for routine screening from 70 to 73 by 2012. The Netherlands extended its programme to cover women up to 75 in 1998.

Researchers are continuously and tirelessly looking for answers, e.g. Is breast cancer a hereditary issue or an actual cancer having a specific associated link? (Like Lung cancer in relation to smoking) Overcome your panic thoughts of resistance in finding a lump and it may well save your life.

If you are afraid of the unknown as to what is involved with breast screening then there is nothing to worry over. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breasts. The NHS in the United Kingdom breast screen women aged between 50 and 70. A mammogram will be requested if you have breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump. What you can expect when a mammogram is performed is having a radiographer present. He/she will help you to position one breast at a time on a small flat plate, with an X-ray plate under it. Another flat plate will be placed over the breast. Once the machine is activated, the breast is slightly compressed between the two. Compression of the breast makes it easier for the doctor to see things more clearly. A Mammogram in the UK consists of two snapshots: one from above and one from the side. This is a precaution method to ascertain that nothing is missed. Research opinion says taking a 2 view mammogram can increase breast screening cancer detection rate by 25% or more. Simple explained means every 100 cancers picked up with single view mammograms doubles that to 125 with the double view.

Do mammograms cause pain, well uncomfortable is more the word to depict, however this will depend on breast size and pain threshold of the patient. A mammogram will only take a couple of minutes, so any discomfort will not have to endured for long, unlike the pain caused by breast cancer (physical and mental).

Once a mammogram test is complete the doctor will check for any signs of cancer. Results of the mammogram are normally delivered a week or two later, sometimes longer. Developed breast cancers will more times show up clearly on mammograms. However it is not rare for one to go unnoticed because the x-ray showed no sign. Infancy breast cancer may not involve having a lump, patterns yes, which on a mammogram may suggest breast cancer. The medical term calcification means tiny regions of calcium within the breast tissue. Cancer can be detected through the calcium which creates spots and patterns which suggest disease presence. Breast changes are normal but only your doctor is in the position to say these changes are of the non-cancerous pattern type.

As the pet owner, the dog health will be your main responsibility. That is why it is very important that you can perfectly manage it. This way, you will be able to extend the life of your pet. You will also be able to provide him with a sound mind and body, allowing him to be your most perfect company and source of entertainment.

Generally, the kind of care and treatment that you are going to give will be dependent on their dog health problems. Nevertheless, just to make sure that he remains healthy all throughout his life, here are some pointers:

1. Get him some exercise. Though there are dogs that are normally inactive, they still need to be exercised in order to strengthen their stamina, as well as to prevent them from getting obese because of constant eating. You can ask some assistance with your vet regarding which type of exercise is perfect for your breed.

2. Provide him with dog health supplements. Your dog needs nourishment, but you can further improve his overall health condition through dog health supplements. You just need to make sure, however, that these are well-trusted brands. Otherwise, they may have some negative effects to your dog.

3. Prepare a vaccination schedule. Just like those of humans, there are also dog health vaccinations. They can help prevent infections and viruses from damaging the health of your puppy. You have to maintain a vaccination schedule since some of them may require a follow-up either few months or years, while your dog is growing up.

4. Annually take him to the vet. The vets are the most ideal persons to answer dog health questions, though you can find some good information in the World Wide Web these days. Their experience and knowledge will help you understand dog health a lot better.

The number one tip that I can give you is to educate yourself on dog health. Different dog breeds have different health problems. Some dog breeds have problems with the seizures. While other dog breeds can have problems with their joints and bones. Getting an information resource on dog health is something that every responsible dog owner should do. Not only can they help you with the major problems associated with some dog breeds. They can also help you with the every day, minor ailments that every dog owner will face from time to time.

Educating yourself on dog health with the good information found on the World Wide Web will help you from taking unnecessary trips to the vet. This equals into saving you a lot of money from unnecessary vet bills.