Taking aspirin daily reduces breast cancer

Science Daily published a study done by the US research team who conducted a study on 127,000 womens and found that aspirin can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with estrogen receptor positive cancer (ERP+). The study showed that Aspirin reduced the risk of cancer by 16%.

It is feasible, in theory, that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could lower the total risk of breast cancer. They block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, an activity that could disrupt breast cancer development in a number of ways -- for example, by reducing the amount of estrogen produced in the body.

Overall the results were not astonishing, but it appeared that aspirin offered some protection for estrogen eeceptor positive breast cancer.

Congress gets hit with breast-cancer surgery bill

On May 22, 2008, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has brought forward bill regarding hospital stay for women with breast cancer surgery. Bringing attention to the inconsistencies each state has regarding the hopital stays for women recovering from breast surgery. She has been presenting this to congress for about twelve years now. Dr. Kristen A. Zarfos a director of the Comprehensive Breast Health Center at St. Francis Hospital and a cancer survivor Alva Williams joined in the hearing.

Inside the hearing room, after a full day of dealing with other breast-cancer issues, the subcommittee started on DeLauro's bill. At the witness table were Connecticut's Dr. Kristen Zarfos and Alva Williams, a woman from North Carolina who had gone through what some call a "drive-through mastectomy" and endured a serious infection.

Since the early 1990's hospitals require women to leave immediately after breast surgery.

The issue: Insurance companies have required that women leave hospitals very soon after mastectomy or lumpectomy operations.

Connecticut and nineteen other states have agreed with her bill and are writing their own laws.

Woman gets misdiagnosed

Woman in Toronto gets misdiagnosed after a double mastectomy, 11 lymph nodes removed and six months of chemotheraphy. She was not aware of the mistake doctors made until seven years later. She advises all women to always get a second opinion before undergoing any type of treatment for cancer. She states the following,

I've told everyone I've talked to: 'Don't take the risk,"' Lewis said from her home in Roddickton, on Newfoundland's northern peninsula. "I know a lady, 84, diagnosed last week with (cancer in) both breasts. I had to say to her, 'Listen, make sure you get a second opinion on this before you go and have anything done.

She is one of 400 women who have been misdiagnosed in Newfoundland and Labrador. All she recieved from the the Eastern Health Authority is an apology letter. She is working on filing a class action lawsuit.

Reduce Breast Cancer with Exercise

Young women are encourged to exercise to significantly reduce their chances of getting breast cancer. Researchers from the University of Washington stated,

“We don’t have a lot of prevention strategies for premenopausal breast cancer, but our findings clearly show that physical activity during adolescence and young adulthood can pay off in the long run by reducing a woman’s risk of early breast cancer,” says lead investigator Graham Colditz, M.D., Dr.P.H., the Niess-Gain Professor and associate director of Prevention and Control at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “This is just one more reason to encourage young girls and women to exercise regularly.”


Studies conducted showed a 23 percent lower risk in women who are physically active compared to those who are not. Regular exercise is especially more effective in reducing breast cancer in girls between the ages of 12 to 22.

New Hair Test Detects Breast Cancer

New research conducted by Sydney company, finds an effective test that can detect breast cancer by hair x-ray. The test proved to be about 75 percent accurate, but the aim was for a 95 percent accuracy. Inaccuracy of the test is being linked to hair damage. According to managing director David Young,

the results were still "comparatively accurate" vis-a-vis the mammogram, the gold standard test, and plans were afoot to run an Adelaide pilot study before rolling it out nationwide.

Approval is still required to make the test available to women without referral at the cost of 250 dollars in Australia.

MLB Turns Pink

On Sunday May 11, 2008, Major League Baseball will celebrate Mother's Day and also bring breast cancer awarness to help people get involved. Signed bats will be auctioned, the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen foundation for the cure for breast cancer.

Vitamin D Research

Research findings have shown how high levels of vitamin D in women helps reduce the chances of getting cancer by 50 to 70 percent. Staying in the sun helps you naturally produce vitamin D. Marketing research does not wish to contribute because sunlight is free. Funding for D-Feat cancer, has been supported by patrons of a local tanning community. I personally think it can be a bit controversial, as some research says how the sun can also cause cancer.

Breast Cancer and Young Women

Did you know that breast cancer can occur in women of all ages? Women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 35 have a more aggressive cancer than women over the age of 50. Often times, young women are misdiagnosed because of their age. In fact, once they are diagnosed, the cancer is often at a more advanced stage than it would be if it were correctly diagnosed at the outset.

Risk Factors

Being a woman is the single greatest risk for developing breast cancer.
Age Getting older increases a woman's risk for breast cancer, especially women over age 50.
Having a family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter.)
No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. It is known that bumping, bruising or touching your breasts does not cause cancer; but, there are things you can do to change your risk of getting breast cancer.

Preventive Measures

Stay at a healthy weight. Research has shown excess weight can increase your risk of getting breast cancer.
Remain active. Dedicate at least 30 minutes of your time to doing something physical.
Eat fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain minerals that can help protect you against cancer.
Limit alcohol. Studies have shown a link between drinking alcohol (any kind of alcohol - beer, wine, liquor) and breast cancer. If you do drink have no more than one drink a day or don't drink at all.
Don't smoke. One study showed that women who smoked 20 or more cigarettes a day for 40 years increased their risk for getting breast cancer to 83%!
Smoking increases your risk for other cancers and heart disease.

Inspirational Stories

Inspirational woman competes in a triathlon after undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. Her message to others dealing with breast cancer,
"I would say to anyone that's enduring cancer right now, you will feel normal again, you can feel normal again and set goals."

Resources

Supportive information for women living with breast cancer.