Female Care

One of the most impressive natural agents that has been shown to combat aging, reduce risk of degenerative disease and help optimize health and well-being is the daily ingestion of ground flaxseed.

Flaxseeds are the richest source of a wondrous bioactive substance known as SLD (secoisolariciresinol diglycoside) that provides the body with a multitude of benefits. In fact, flaxseeds contain 800 times more SLD and related compounds (mammalian lignan precursors) than any other food on earth. Ingesting the equivalent of two heaping tablespoons of ground flaxseed (flaxseed powder) or approximately 40-50 gm of flaxseed is of great value in protecting female reproductive organs, and the male prostate gland from disease processes, keeping cholesterol within a safe range, supporting liver and gallbladder function, improving large bowel health, reversing fibrocystic breast disease, possibly supporting bone density and improving the texture and smoothness of the skin (an effect that almost everyone notices within the first few weeks of use). Here’s how and why flaxseed should be part of your daily wellness plan whether you are a woman or man.

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About 80 percent of breast cancer patients have no family history of breast cancer. Their cancers are called “sporadic” breast cancers. Another 15 to 20 percent of breast cancer patients have some family history of breast cancer, called “familial” breast cancer, that may indicate a genetic susceptibility.

Between 5 and 10 percent of breast cancer patients have a very strong family history of breast cancer. Their cancers are considered “hereditary.” This term could apply to the occurrence of breast cancer in closely related family members on one side of the family across generations: for example, breast cancer in a combination of one’s mother, aunt, daughter, grandmother, and great aunt. It could also apply to more than one occurrence of early-onset (under age 50) breast cancer or the incidence of cancer in both breasts in an individual family member; or to the presence of male breast cancer in the family.

Mutations in two particular genes — named BRCA1 and BRCA2 — account for most hereditary breast cancers. To illustrate the power of these mutations, consider these statistics: The general population has a 7 percent chance of getting breast cancer; those with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a 55 to 87 percent chance. Risks for some other types of cancer also increase for those with either gene mutation, male or female.

Although genetic, or gene, testing can be done on a sample of blood obtained the same way as for the diagnosis of illness or for routine blood work-ups, much thought and discussion with one’s oncologist and a genetic counselor on his or her professional team should precede testing because of the complicated DNA testing process that is done only at specialized medical laboratories and its resulting high cost.

Testing results are considered very reliable. A genetic counselor is specially trained to understand and explain the statistical probabilities that can be derived from testing and clarify the result obtained, because it isn’t as simple as “you have it” or “you don’t have it.” It is one of four possibilities: positive, ambiguous, or one of two types of negative. Along with a personal consultation, the genetic counselor uses simple graphs, charts, and layman’s terms to make the process understandable.

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Breast cancer survivors who are obese have an increased risk of lymphedema according to a study by the University of Missouri. In a news release dated December 16, 2008, the MU researcher reported that the risk of lymphedema is 40 to 60 percent higher in women with a body mass index, or BMI, that is classified as overweight or obese.

Worldwide, there are 10 million breast cancer survivors who have a lifetime risk of developing lymphedema. The chronic condition is the swelling of limbs. In the case of a breast cancer survivor the swelling would most likely affect the arms.

The abnormal swelling of the limbs is an emotionally upsetting side effect of cancer treatment. Lymph glands carry fluids throughout the system. Surgery and radiation damages the lymph system, so that the fluid is not carried through the system as it should be. This causes an abnormal swelling in the extremities

Any woman can get lymphedema, but women who are overweight are at a higher risk of the uncomfortable condition. According to information on the Sinclair School of Nursing website, as estimated two million women in the US are at risk of developing the abnormal swelling. This new report indicates that women who are obese have a much higher risk of lymphedema compared two women of normal weight.

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Women are notorious for looking after everyone except themselves. It is a dangerous habit to fall into, since many health problems are completely preventable or at least treatable when caught early enough. Since women often avoid the doctor and don’t seek medical help until their symptoms are a real problem, it is often too late for a good prognosis.

Going in for regular exams is vital to staying healthy, for women around the world. So is getting the recommended tests and exams such as a mammogram or Pap smear. These are valuable tools that can help save lives, yet too many women don’t have them done because they feel uncomfortable with the procedure. It might be a good idea to remember that a little discomfort is nothing compared to months of radiation or chemotherapy!

Finding the Right Doctor is Key

One of the most common issues with health problems for women is the old-fashioned approach of many doctors. It was taught, not so long ago, in medical schools, that the majority of women’s “health issues” were really all in the head. Many doctors still feel this way and are more likely to dismiss potentially risky symptoms in women than they would in men.

To avoid being short-changed in the health department, look for a doctor that will listen to you and take you seriously. If you aren’t comfortable talking with your general practitioner or gynecologist, find a new one. When you are comfortable with your doctor, you are more likely to see her for any concerns, instead of waiting until the problem gets worse.

A good doctor will listen to you without jumping to conclusions or rushing you. If you feel that your gynecologist is only interested in getting you out the door so her next patient can come in and she can earn a bit more, start looking for a new doctor. Talk to friends about doctors they trust and don’t feel bad about going in for a checkup, just to meet the doctor and see if you like him.

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By Susan M. Keenan

Digital mammography is more successful than traditional film mammography in detecting breast cancer. Initially, digital mammography was only more effective in detecting breast cancer in women with smaller size breasts. However, advances in its technology have made it possible for digital mammography to be just as effective with breasts of all sizes.

No longer are hospitals forced to use both types of screening due to variations in breast sizes. The initial digital imaging machines contained image receptors that were too small to be effective in capturing a full image of large size breasts. Large breasts for this discussion are classified as any breast that reaches a “D” cup or larger.

The superior diagnostic techniques that are needed to detect breast cancer in its earlier stages are now provided with the advanced digital imaging capabilities of digital mammography. Original mammography methods were much slower since film had to be developed before any diagnosis could be made.

With this newer process, the images of breasts are captured electronically. This leads to faster results and quicker diagnosis. Additionally, this type of mammography provides an improved contrast between non-dense and dense areas of breast tissue.  This allows for a better diagnostic determination.

In fact, the digital images can be searched for signs of mass or calcifications using special software. If anything shows such as an abnormality, the area is marked for further consideration by the radiologist. One of the benefits for hospitals using digital mammography is that the results are easier to store and retrieve.

Introductory blurb: Fortunately, advances in technology have made it possible for hospitals to offer digital mammography to all women. This means a better opportunity to discover breast cancer sooner.

For breast cancer survivors, the idea of taking estrogen pills is almost a taboo.

In fact, their doctors give them drugs to get rid of the hormone because it can fuel the growth of breast cancer.

So these women would probably be surprised by the approach taken by breast cancer physician Matthew Ellis, M.B., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis — he has demonstrated that estrogen therapy can help control metastatic breast cancer.

In a study presented at the 31st annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, he showed that for about a third of the 66 participants — women with metastatic breast cancer that had developed resistance to standard estrogen-lowering therapy — a daily dose of estrogen could stop the growth of their tumors or even cause them to shrink.

Ellis believes that estrogen therapy offers an appealing alternative to chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer that has become resistant to estrogen-lowering agents called aromatase inhibitors, such as exemestane, anastrazole and letrozole.

These drugs deplete the body of estrogen and are standard treatments for hormone-receptor positive breast cancers, which account for about 75 percent of breast cancer cases.
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!Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that occurs when cells in the breast becomes so over-active that they won’t stop multiplying.

All women are at risk for getting breast cancer.

So, it is better to have breast cancer information for right treatment. Breast cancer refers to a wide variety of cancers that occurs in the breast.

The most common types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma (occur in milk ducts of the breasts) and Lobular carcinoma (occur in the lobules where breast milk is made).

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