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All about breast cancer While there are things every woman can do to help her body stay as healthy as possible (such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, minimizing stress, and exercising regularly), breast cancer is never anyone's fault. Keeping the same in mind, there is a need for active participation to enlighten the women about this killer disease. It is surprising but true that in every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, which is the second most common form of cancer amongst women. As per the World Health Organization, more than 1.2 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the world in the year 2004. Like in all parts of body, the cells in the breasts also grow and then rest in cycles which are controlled by genes in the cell?s nucleus. When the genes are in good working order, they keep cell growth under control but if the genes develop an abnormality and lose their ability to control the cycle of cell growth and rest, cause cancer. So breast cancer is nothing but uncontrolled growth of breast cells.
Who?s at risk? The exact causes of breast cancer are still not known but studies show that the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. But there are certain conditions which increase a woman?s chance of getting breast cancer. The most important is personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer face an increased risk of getting this cancer on the other breast. Family history: The risk for developing breast cancer increases if mother, sister, and first blood relation aunts had breast cancer, especially at a young age. Late child bearing: Women who deliver the first child after the age of thirty have the greater chance of developing breast cancer than women who have child at younger age. Estrogen: Evidence suggests that the longer a woman is exposed to estrogen (estrogen made by the body, taken as a drug, or delivered by a patch), the more likely she is to develop breast cancer. For example, the risk is somewhat increased among women who began menstruation at an early age (before age 12), experienced menopause late (after age 55), never had children, or took hormone replacement therapy for long periods of time. Each of these factors increases the amount of time a woman's body is exposed to estrogen. Certain breast changes: Having a diagnosis of a typical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) may increase a woman's risk for developing cancer. Breast density: Breasts that have a high proportion of lobular and ductal tissue appear dense on mammograms. Breast cancers nearly always develop in lobular or ductal tissue (not fatty tissue). That's why cancer is more likely to occur in breasts that have a lot of lobular and ductal tissue (that is, dense tissue) than in breasts with a lot of fatty tissue. In addition, when breasts are dense, it is more difficult for doctors to see abnormal areas on a mammogram. Radiation therapy: Women whose breasts were exposed to radiation during radiation therapy before the age of 30, especially those who were treated with radiation for Hodgkin's disease, are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received her treatment, the higher her risk for developing breast cancer later in life. Alcohol: Some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of breast cancer among women who drink alcohol. Most women who develop breast cancer have none of the risk factors listed above, other than the risk that comes with growing older. Scientists are conducting research into the causes of breast cancer to learn more about risk factors and ways of preventing this disease. In India, various NGOs are working for fighting cancer and one among them is Krishna Breast Cancer Care Charitable Trust (KBCCT). From organising free cancer detection camp to counseling patients and providing them with adequate treatment, KBCCT has been doing it all from past two years. Till date, they have organised 11 camps in various places and treated 25 patients. KBCCT was formed by Sanjeev Arora, managing director of Ritesh Properties & Industries Ltd., in the memory of his mother late Krishna Arora who left this world due to this deadly disease. KBCCT is one trust, that?s working towards eradicating this disease right from its roots. Like them there is a need that we all should come forward and give our helping hand in order to spread awareness and work towards this noble cause. Symptoms detection Generally, early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms of breast cancer at all. But as the cancer grows, it can cause changes that women should watch for: >> A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area >> A change in the size or shape of the breast >> Nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast >> Ridges or pitting of the breast (the skin looks like the skin of an orange) >> A change in the way the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels (for example, warm, swollen, red, or scaly) A woman should see her doctor about any symptoms like these. Most often, they are not cancer, but it's important to check with the doctor so that any problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Diagnosing breast cancer Clinical breast exam: The doctor can tell a lot about a lump by carefully feeling it and the tissue around it. Benign lumps often feel different from cancerous ones. The doctor can examine the size and texture of the lump and determine whether the lump moves easily. Mammography: X-rays of the breast can give the doctor important information about a breast lump. Ultrasonography: Using high-frequency sound waves, ultrasonography can often show whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst (not cancer) or a solid mass (which may or may not be cancer).This exam may be used along with mammography. Treatment options Surgery: Surgery is usually the first line of attack against breast cancer. There are two types of surgeries involved in breast cancer i.e. Mastectomy which is the removal of all the breast tissues and Lumpectomy also known as breast conserving surgery is the removal of only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissues. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy;this means it affects the whole body by going through the bloodstream. The purpose of chemotherapy and other systemic treatments is to get rid of any cancer cells that may have spread from where the cancer started to another part of the body. The side effects of chemotherapy come about because cancer cells aren't the only rapidly dividing cells in your body. The cells in your blood, mouth, intestinal tract, nose, nails, vagina, and hair are also undergoing constant, rapid division. This means that the chemotherapy is going to affect them, too. Radiation therapy: It is also called radiotherapy ? is a highly targeted, highly effective way to destroy cancer cells in the breast that may stick around after surgery.Radiation can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by 50% to 66%. Despite what many people fear,radiation therapy is relatively easy to tolerate and its side effects are limited to the treated area. A Ray of Hope
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 WHEN MIGRAINE STRIKES... It?s World Headache Awareness Month.
We clear some myths about migraine and tell you about its treatment
Two decades ago, specialists would have defined migraines as a vascular disorder, that is, a disorder which is the result of dilatation and contraction of the blood vessels of the brain. The last two decades, however, have brought about a greater understanding and awareness of migraines. And today, migraines are known to be a neuro-vascular disorder. In layman?s language, it translates to a dysfunction that first occurs in the brain and the vascular (nerve) changes are merely secondary.
THE MYTHS
Despite the fact that migraines are the most common cause of headaches, they often go misdiagnosed because of the myths surrounding the disorder. Most patients, when they initially suffer from migraines think of it as:
Refractive error:
Both adults and children put the consistent headaches down to eye-related problems. Many times, they may even don spectacles; however, the headache persists.
Sinus:
So much so that patients may even have their sinus punctured with no avail.
Emotional stress:
With stress levels constantly on the rise, patients wrongly assume that they need counselling to get rid of their headaches.
It?s just a headache:
Perhaps the most common folly is to not take recurring headaches seriously. However, research has shown that migraines, when untreated, worsen over time. They can be debilitating enough to bring one?s routine to a complete halt. If you find yourself thinking: ?I can no longer pursue this career due to the intense suffering? or ?I have often contemplated suicide to rid myself of the pain? etc., you need urgent treatment.
DIAGNOSIS
Arriving at the right diagnosis is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks and migraines can be correctly diagnosed even by you! This is because diagnosis depends largely on pattern recognition rather than on a battery of tests. As far as CT scans, Xrays or any other medical tests are concerned, they merely rule out other sinister causes. But to zero down on migraines, one has to recognise patterns such as:
Genetic predisposition:
Migraines are passed down through generations, especially the tendency to develop a headache in response to certain triggers in the environment.
Hormones:
Due to hormonal influences, more often than not, its women who suffer from migraines than men.
The peak productive years:
Past researches have also shown that migraines are more likely to strike those in the age group of 15-40 years.
Shifting scenario:
This is where migraines differ from other headaches. Migraines typically start on one side of the head and spread to both sides. Along with a pulsating, throbbing feeling in the head, symptoms such as vomiting, intolerance to light and sound also manifest over time.
Children: Due to increasing education stress, migraines in children are on the rise. However, the manifestations are different with children in that they may not have the same pattern as the adults do. Also, their headaches are usually briefer and tend to lessen considerably or disappear with sleep alone.
TYPES OF MIGRAINE
Migraines without aura:
This occurs in 80 per cent of the migraine sufferers. The symptoms are best described in terms of a progressive sequence of events.
Migraines with aura:
Ten per cent of patients will experience visual blurring, coloured flashes or a temporary loss of vision which may last from a few minutes up to an hour, just prior to the onset of the headache. Pungent smells too can trigger migraines.
Pure menstrual migraines:
Fourteen per cent of women suffer from migraines about two days prior to menstruation.
Abdominal migraines:
Children are most likely to suffer from this type wherein in addition to headaches, they will also manifest abdominal pains.
BREAKTHROUGH IN TREATMENTS
Triptans:
These are designer drugs that are aimed specifically at acute attacks of migraine. In the past, sufferers often used pain killers to deal with the symptoms. There are seven triptan drugs available now. (However, only two of these can be found in India but the others may make an entry in the future.) These drugs can only be administered under a physician?s guidance.
Botox:
In the case of intractable migraines (migraines that are non-responsive to any kind of drugs), botox has been effective in reducing pain.
Mechanical stimulation:
Here, a mechanical device stimulates the occipital nerve. However, worldwide only 16 patients have so far undergone clinical trial of this method and the results thus far have been encouraging.
Traditional methods:
Prescribing paracetamol, NSAIDs, etc, continue to be common practices. Apart from these, alternative treatments such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, homeopathy and ayurveda are also advised. However, these are effective largely in the case of mild to moderate migraines.
Controlling triggers:
The simplest methods of treatment involve controlling triggers. The most common triggers are foods (caffeine, alcohol, etc), disturbing lights, computer screens, and cigarette smoke. Metro residents also complain of triggers like inadequate sleep, long intervals between meals, commuting stress, fast foods and night shift jobs. TNN
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Warning over MP3 volume levels 
Listening to an MP3 player at its highest volume for one hour a day is enough to seriously damage people's hearing, according to a study for European politicians.
It claims being exposed to loud music could lead to people getting tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.
The condition already affects more than 3 million people in the UK and it's feared a million more are at risk.
In the gym when you are on the treadmill and your favourite song comes on I'd turn it up as loud as it goes
David Brinn has tinnitus after listening to loud music
Studies by charities working with deaf people estimate that two thirds of 16 to 34-year-olds listen to music at very high volumes without knowing the risks.
David Brinn is 33 and from Chippenham in Wiltshire.
Until a few years ago he loved listening to music on his MP3 players and would use his for around three hours a day.
He admits he would turn his up high.
"In the gym when you are on the treadmill and your favourite song comes on I'd turn it up as loud as it goes," he said.
David owned half a dozen MP3 players, buying new ones hoping they would be louder.
Three years ago doctors diagnosed him with tinnitus.
He describes his condition as a "whistle blowing" in his ear constantly, when he's eating, sleeping and working.
Hearing loss
Crystal Rolf is an ear specialist for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID).
She explains that tinnitus happens when small sensory cells in the ears get damaged after exposure to loud music over long periods of time.
At first the ringing sensation may be temporary but the damage can become permanent over time.
iPod
Tinnitus is described as a "whistle blowing" in the ear constantly
They are investigating if personal players should be forced to manufacture lower volume settings.
The study in Europe suggests one in 10 MP3 users risk permanent hearing loss, if they listen to a personal music player for more than one hour every day at high volume settings over a long period of time.
Two boys who regularly listen to music on MP3 players but didn't want to be named told Newsbeat they don't pay attention to these warnings.
One said: "It's your own body, if you wish to do that you should be allowed to. It's like smoking or drinking."
Another said: "I don't worry too much about it."
Since being diagnosed with tinnitus in his left ear David struggles to relax.
He distracts himself with background noise or music.
When he goes to bed he has to have the radio or music on all night to help him sleep.
There are steps people can take to stop music getting too loud.
Apple, who make the iPod, has software which can act as a volume limiter.
Crystal Rolf recommends investing in sound-isolating headphones which drown out background noise preventing the user from turning up the volume.
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Green tea and pregnancy is a tricky subject. We now know that green tea is something of a miracle beverage. Hundreds of studies show the many benefits of drinking green tea on a daily basis. But during pregnancy, the rules of health and nutrition can change dramatically. Caffeine and Pregnancy In the past, it was thought that the caffeine found in tea and coffee might contribute to low birth weight, and thus should be avoided. Studies have shown, however, that it would take about 8 cups of coffee per day to affect birth weight or lead to miscarriage. Since green tea has about half the amount of caffeine contained than coffee, this drink is unlikely to affect pregnancy. This aspect of green tea and pregnancy is one you don't have to worry about. Folate and EGCG It turns out, however, that pregnant women probably should limit their intake of green tea. This beverage is full of antioxidants, which are generally very good for us. One of them, however, may cause problems during pregnancy. Folic acid is one of the supplements pregnant women are encouraged to take. A lack of folate has been associated with neural birth tube defects in babies. Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is present in high levels in green tea. The molecules that make up this antioxidant compound are similar in structure to methotrexate, another compound found naturally in our bodies. Methotrexate helps us by bonding with an enzyme called dihydrofo
late reductase. Once bonded, these two together can kill cancer cells. If, however, EGCG bonds with dihydrofolate reductase, it deactivates the enzyme. This in turn affects the way our body uses folate. In short, EGCG could reduce folic acid and increase the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. New green tea and pregnancy studies should help us understand how great these risks are. How Much Is Too Much? Although drinking some green tea is probably fine during pregnancy, it is not yet clear just what that amount might be. Most health professionals think that drinking a moderate amount of tea is fine. As with anything that has yet to be studied thoroughly, abstinence is the only way to absolutely ensure avoiding the problem. However, you may want to balance that with the many health benefits of drinking even a little bit of green tea!
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One more medical hoax, this time is really cute. For decades, metal has played an important role in the medical field. Whether it be used for artifical hips, steel rods, braces, or surgical screws, doctors and surgeons have used implanted metal, to help mend and repair our broken bodies.
A few years ago, something very strange and bizzare occurred. The very metal implanted in our bodies can actually start to grow out of control. As the bone, muscle and tissue start to recede, it is replaced by this growing metal. The result is a grotesquely disfigured, part human, part mechanical form. This medical condition is referred to as Metalosis Maligna.
Humans are not the only victims of Metalosis Maligna. This disease can attack animals who have had metal surgical implants as well. Doctors and scientist world wide are racing to find a cure, before it reaches epidemic stages.
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Mesothelioma litigation is usually brought forth after a victim's exposure to asbestos years earlier, but these lawsuits are often coupled with mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits. A mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit occur when a plantiff or claimant, such as a victim or family member of a mesothelioma cancer victim, brings forth legal action in a civil court. 
Why File A Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit? The death of a loved one as a result of any disease is always terrible for the family of the victim, however that pain can be made even more difficult to bear when the disease and death come as a result of the negligence or action of a third party. Luckily, family and friends of a victim can find comfort with an experienced and knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer who can offer assitance as well as ease suffering. Victims of mesothelioma cancer, which is incurable, have often been exposed to asbestos fibers that are breathed in and attach to the lung. This exposure usually occurs at a place of employment. Because of the fact that mesothelioma is so serious a form of lung cancer, the ultimately outcome of the disease if often the death of the patient. Families of mesothelioma victims therefore should consider speaking with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer about the possibility of filing a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit, even in the case that the mesothelioma victim has not yet succumbed to this serious lung disease. What Are Expectations and Potential Outcomes Concerning Those Filing A Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit? Beginning in the twentieth century, there is a long history of mesothelioma litigation, with a lengthy precedence of the negligence and responsibility for those companies that manufactured asbestos or placed their employees in direct contact with it. Therefore, the family of any individual who has died as a result of mesothelioma cause by exposure to asbestos can expect some compensation in a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit. To fully comprehend the details of a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit, it is advisable to seek council in a lawyer with experience in these types of lawsuits. A mesothelioma wrongful death lawyer can answer questions and deliver details of expected compensation to those suffering.
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