Breast Cancer More Common In The Overweight

By: Michael Russell

The cancer that affects more women than any other is, of course, breast cancer. What may surprise you is that breast cancer is increasing among both women and men in the United States. Many feel that our national weight problem is the cause.

This is a good news/bad news scenario. The bad news is that it appears being overweight is a risk factor for cancer, and two-thirds of all Americans are overweight. The good news is that this risk factor is one we can do something about. We not only have some control over our weight, but this is a risk factor we can prevent altogether. Even so, most people have a very hard time losing weight, even when their life depends on it.

Incidents of breast cancer have gone up 52 percent in the 25 years between 1973 and 1998. Many attribute this to the use of estrogen supplements routinely taken by women during menopause throughout that period. However, that reasoning doesn’t account for the 26 percent increase in incidents of breast cancer in men during the same time frame. Obesity is probably the underlying cause.

Obesity DOES have a proven relationship to some cancers, but not all. There is no obvious connection between being overweight and prostate cancer, for example. Even when there IS a connection, we’re not always sure why. Today experiments are taking place to find out if acid reflux, more common and routine in the overweight, may play a role in the beginnings of breast and other cancers.

With breast cancer, however, we can point to a definite culprit – estrogen. The cause/effect relationship between estrogen and breast cancer has been proven. This is why estrogen supplements during menopause are no longer as widely recommended as they once were. Estrogen is produced naturally in fatty tissues. This occurs in both men and women. In men and post-menopausal women there could be as much as 100 percent more estrogen than in normal-weight people. Therefore, overweight people have more natural estrogen and are therefore at greater risk for breast cancer.

For men, breast cancer is a growing concern; but it still falls under heart disease, prostate cancer and colon cancer as primary concerns. Therefore there simply aren’t enough studies on breast cancer in men. For women, however, good estimates exist that suggest 11 to 18 thousand deaths due to breast cancer could be avoided if post-menopausal women could control their weight.

This sounds so much easier than it is. It’s hard to lose weight, especially for the elderly. Most breast cancer is detected after the age of 60 in both men and women. People try diet after diet, exercise programs and gyms - all without any real success.

But for those who are already breast cancer survivors AND are overweight, losing those extra pounds is crucial to their health. The most effective method of weigh loss is individual counseling along with attendance at weekly meetings. Even this takes time. Most individuals will need professional guidance that is reliable and consistent. It’s a race between losing weight and cancer getting hold again. With proper help, this is a race that can be won by both men and women.

Article Source: Breast Cancer Guide

Prevent Breast Cancer By Eating Right!

By: Michael Russell

For a long time, women around the world have feared breast cancer. And why shouldn’t it be? Being afflicted with breast cancer in the past has been as sure as signing one’s own death contract! Breast cancer patients simply do not have any preventive measures with which they can protect themselves. Knowing this, can you imagine how vulnerable and powerless women have been against this disease?

Breast cancer causes a significant number of deaths among women worldwide. In fact, studies show that out of 100,000 women in the US, 30 to 40 are expected to die of breast cancer! However, it is interesting to note that in some Asian countries like Thailand and Sri Lanka, breast cancer is only expected to be the cause of death of 2 to 5 women out of 100,000! What could have made such an astonishing difference? Brace yourself for this – the secret is in the diet!

But how can foods help in the fight against breast cancer? We have always used foods for our daily sustenance and we sometimes tend to underestimate their healing powers. However, research shows that certain foods can really help in the fight against this deadly disease. They were proven to have the power to disrupt the hormonal pathways that cause cancer, repair damaged DNA, inhibit the actions of harmful chemicals and enzymes and destroy mutant cells as well as tumor growth.

Indeed, eating the right kinds of foods decreases your risk of developing breast cancer. It can also increase the fighting chances of those who are already afflicted with the disease. How? By inhibiting the estrogen effect in the body! Estrogen is known as the primary hormone involved in the development of breast cancer. Although estrogen has many uses in the body, any excess can be extremely harmful. Likewise, just a small reduction in the estrogen level in your body can dramatically reduce your chances of developing the disease. Now, that is some good news!

To effectively prevent breast cancer, women should adopt a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Throw in some regular exercise routines and limit your alcohol intake and you can almost be sure that you can escape the vicious grip of breast cancer!

Go Easy on the Fats - Evidence shows that there is a lower incidence of breast cancer in countries where women are used to eating a low-fat diet compared to countries where women eat a predominantly high-fat diet. A high-fat diet was shown to increase the level of estradiol (the most important and most powerful natural estrogen) by as much as 30%. Consequently, this increased level of estradiol in the body also increases the risk of breast cancer!

Feast on Fiber! - To get the most out of your breast cancer prevention diet, you should complement your low-fat diet with high-fiber intake. In several studies made by the American Health Foundation, the estradiol levels in the patients’ bodies were dramatically reduced after taking a daily wheat bran supplement for just 2 months! Now, that’s great results if you ask me!

Limit Your Alcohol Intake - Alcohol is known to increase your body’s estrogen levels so it would be much sensible to try to limit your alcohol intake. Remember, it’s all for your own good!

Take Care of Your Figure! - Make it a conscious effort to avoid putting on too much excess fat in your body. Body fat acts as a 24-hour estrogen factory so the more fat you have, the more estrogen your body will produce! It was also established that women who gain much body fat on their breasts and upper abdomens are of higher risks than those who gain excess fat elsewhere in their bodies. So, to increase your fighting chances against breast cancer, it would be best to maintain a healthy weight!


Article Source: Breast Cancer Guide

Breast Cancer Survival

By: Michael Russell

Approximately 1.2 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Only about 2000 of these will be men. The primary risk factor for getting breast cancer is being a woman! But no matter who the victim, there is a simple way to increase your chances of surviving this horrible disease – get on the move!

Regular exercise has long been one of the recommended ways of preventing some types of cancer, as well as other diseases. Now studies have proved that regular physical activity has a beneficial effect of the breast cancer survival rates for those who’ve already been diagnosed.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released some surprising study results recently. No matter what stage of cancer the patient was in, they achieved a 50% increase in survival rate by sticking to regular physical activity, which amounted to a little less than 1 hour of walking per week.

So whether you’ve been diagnosed or you just don’t like your own risk factors with regard to breast cancer, the answer may be to get walking! It’s easy, it’s fun, and it can be done anywhere. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes. Walk outside in good weather, indoors in bad. Many shopping malls open their doors for indoor walkers before the stores themselves are open. That’s a great place to go when snow, ice, rain, and sleet keep you inside. You’ll probably meet other regular walkers and find new friends.

And walking can be done by almost anyone. The elderly, who are at much greater risk for breast cancer and need the exercise, can walk - barring any pre-existing injuries. It is the lease injury-prone aerobic exercise of all. If it sounds boring, make it fun. Walk with a friend. Walk with your dog. Walk with a neighbor’s dog – they’ll appreciate it! On those days you don’t have a walking partner, 2 or 4-legged, wear headsets with your favorite music. (Ask your grandchildren – they’ll be able to make up an MP3 player with your favorites recorded on it!) Make it something up tempo that will keep you moving faster. Just make sure, especially if you’re out walking on a street, that you don’t let the music distract you from the traffic.

As you begin your health walks, or any other exercise regimen, speak with your doctor first. He or she will give you some advice concerning your own personal physical limitations. Then start slowly, especially if it’s been many years since you’ve enjoyed any regular exercise. Start with 5 minutes at a careful pace. Slowly increase your time and distance, but always keep that first five minutes slow to warm up your muscles. Then increase speed. Aim for a speed of about 2 to 3 miles per hour. This is about 75-95 steps per minute. After your walk, do some gentle stretches for 5 to 10 minutes while your muscles are still warm. You might surprise yourself with your own flexibility!

Think about your posture and avoid looking at your feet except when necessary to avoid obstacles in your path. Let your arms swing naturally back and forth. They should not swing in front of you. The first thing that hits the pavement is your heel, then the foot rolls forward onto the ball, and pushes off with the toes. Concentrate on that repeated motion.

If you’ve never exercised regularly, and now want to start to help avoid breast cancer and other ailments, walking is an excellent way to start. The only equipment you’ll need is a good pair of walking shoes. These you can get just about anywhere these days. Go to a store with a wide selection. Generally you always want to buy shoes closer to the end of the day than the beginning. The reason is that your feet are actually bigger at the end of the day, so your shoes will pinch less if you try them on at the end of the day rather than the beginning.

There are so many walking shoes that the selection may be daunting. But all you really need is cushioned, supportive shoes. Do this test. Hold the shoe upside down, one hand at the toe, the other at the heel. Try to bend the shoe. If it folds in the middle, where the arch of your foot would be, it is probably not supportive enough. It should only bend where your foot bends, near the toes.

The size is correct when the distance between your longest toe and the toe of the shoe is about ½ inch.

Breast cancer statistics and those for many other diseases as well, scream out for us to enjoy regular, aerobic exercise. Walking is the perfect solution for those past their physical prime who still want to stay active. The benefits of regular exercise are many. If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, regular exercise will assist you in surviving the dreaded disease. If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, it’s a good preventative. Don’t ignore your risk factors – get walking!

Article Source: Breast Cancer Guide

How To Prevent Breast Cancer

By: Michael Russell

Incidents of breast cancer are at an all time high, affecting as many as one in eight women. About a third of those will die from it. It is second only to lung cancer in death-causing cancers. Given these dire statistics, you’d think there’d be a ton of research, all kinds of information, and a fairly well-documented theory of its methodology in the body. Unfortunately this is not the case. Much about breast cancer remains shrouded in mystery.

Breast cancer always starts as an abnormal, but benign, growth in the breast or nearby tissues. The growth, or tumor, can often be felt from the outside of the breast, and is harmless at this stage. The trick is finding while it remains harmless. At this stage it can usually be removed cleanly and easily without further cause for concern. At some point, however, it becomes malignant and starts multiplying. It is then much harder to defeat, because it’s almost impossible to be sure it has all been removed in surgery. Once cancerous cells have entered the bloodstream, the battle is lost and death will surely result. Modern science has no knowledge of why or when a tumor changes from benign to malignant.

Therefore, it’s important to get rid of breast cancer at least by the time it has become that benign tumor and, hopefully, well before it has turned malignant. There are ways you can lower your risk of getting breast cancer. Since this cancer can hit almost anyone, it’s important to do all you can, no matter what your risk status, to stave off this deadly disease. Here are some precautions you can take to prevent breast cancer from starting:

If you are overweight, see your doctor about losing some weight. Overweight weight women (and men!) are at significantly higher risk of breast cancer than normal and lean people.

Don’t take hormone supplements, especially estrogen, which has been linked to breast cancer in excess amounts. Any upset in the hormonal balance of the body should be done only with great caution.

Get on a stop smoking program and give it the serious effort it deserves. Women who smoke and/or drink alcohol are at special risk, as any alteration in the female chemical balances can cause diseases; breast cancer among them.

Get moving! Walking is a good exercise to stave off breast cancer. The blood circulation is stimulated in the smallest blood vessels, yet the walker remains un-winded. Any other regular aerobic exercise will have the same benefits.

Obviously there’s nothing you can do about your age but once you’re past 40, your risk factor goes up. Compensate by living a healthier lifestyle than you did when you were younger. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; and less fat. Make sure you don’t fall into a sedentary lifestyle.

There is a correlation between a high-fat diet and breast cancer. Minimize fats in the diet. The current trend of low-carb diet tends to have a lot of fat in it so use it carefully, making some meat substitutions.

Breast cancer prevention is always better than breast cancer treatment! Take these simple steps today to avoid some very complicated and uncomfortable ones later.

Article Source:Breast Cancer Guide

Wine, Beer, Spirits Boost Breast Cancer Risk Equally

Sept. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Three or more drinks a day boosts a woman's risk for breast cancer by 30 percent. And it doesn't seem to matter which form of alcohol -- wine, beer, or spirits -- is consumed, researchers report.

"The majority of previous studies have found an association between alcohol and elevated breast cancer risk," said lead researcher Dr. Yan Li, an oncologist at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif.

What hasn't been as clear, she said, is how much alcohol raises the risk and whether one type of alcohol boosts that risk more than another.


Li tackled those questions with Dr. Arthur Klatsky, an investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland and a long-time researcher on the health benefits and risks of alcoholic beverages. Klatsky is due to present the team's findings Sept. 27 at the European Cancer Conference in Barcelona, Spain.

The researchers first evaluated the drinking habits of more than 70,000 women, all members of the Kaiser Permanente HMO. The women had undergone health exams during the years 1978 to 1985. By 2004, more than 2,800 women had experienced a breast cancer diagnosis.

Comparing the women's drinking habits to the incidence of breast cancer, the team found that women who drank between one and two alcoholic drinks a day increased their risk of breast cancer by 10 percent compared to light drinkers -- defined as those who drank less than one drink a day.

That risk rose as drinking rates increased. "The risk of breast cancer increased by 30 percent in women who drank three or more drinks per day" compared to light drinkers, Li said.

"What we are saying is, whatever your baseline risk is of getting breast cancer, by consuming alcohol you have this increment," Li said.

The risk of breast cancer in individual women varies greatly, Li said, depending on their family history and whether they are genetically predisposed due to mutations of the so-called breast cancer genes, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2.

In the general population, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is one in eight women, Li said. Based on the study findings, however, "if you drink three or more drinks a day, that risk -- rather than one in eight -- will be one in six," she said.

The increase in risk was similar no matter which type of beverage was typically consumed. "It makes no difference whether women drink wine, beer or liquor in terms of their risk of breast cancer," Li said. "It's the alcohol itself. And it's the quantity consumed that increases breast cancer risk."

The researchers didn't find any difference in risk between red and white wine, although some previous research has found red wine more heart-protective than white. That cardiovascular benefit has been linked to the presence of antioxidant flavonoids in red wine, especially one flavonoid called resveratrol.

Another expert familiar with the new study said the research adds some valuable information to what is known about breast cancer risk. Especially valuable -- because it is new -- is the information about all types of alcohol seeming to raise risk equally, said Coral Lamartiniere, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He has researched resveratrol, which has shown both antioxidant and anticancer properties. In a study published in August in the journal Carcinogenesis, Lamartiniere found that animals fed resveratrol had an 87 percent reduced risk of getting prostate tumors.

How do his findings that the resveratrol in wine protected against prostate cancer -- at least in animals -- square with the new findings that neither red nor white wine seem protective against breast cancer in women? At least at first glance, "the alcohol is obviously a more potent carcinogen than resveratrol is protective against cancer," Lamartiniere said.

But, he said, "different red wines have different potencies of resveratrol. Cabernet sauvignon has the highest." What isn't clear, he added, is how much resveratrol was in the red wine typically consumed by the women in the Kaiser study.

So, what's the best advice for women interested in minimizing their breast cancer risk? "Modest consumption of anything is the way to go," Lamartiniere said.

Li emphasized that alcohol consumption is just one of the factors that could raise breast cancer risk. To reduce overall breast cancer risk, she advises women to follow a healthy lifestyle by eating a good diet, exercising, not smoking and not drinking heavily.

SOURCES: Yan Li, M.D., oncologist, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, Calif; Coral Lamartiniere, Ph.D., professor, pharmacology and toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Sept. 27, 2007, presentation, European Cancer Conference, Barcelona, Spain
Publish Date: September 27, 2007

The Basics Of Breast Cancer

It's a fact that every day, cells in your body divide, grow and die. Most of the time they do it in an orderly manner. But sometimes they grow out of control. This type of cell growth forms a mass or lump called a tumor. Tumors can either benign or malignant.Benign tumors are not cancerous. But left untreated, some can pose a health risk, so they are often removed. When these tumors are removed, they typically do not reappear. Most importantly, the cells of a benign tumor do not spread to other parts of the body or invade nearby tissue.Malignant tumors are made of abnormal cells. Malignant tumor cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor that develops in the breast is called breast cancer.To continue growing, malignant breast tumors need to be fed. They get nourishment by developing new blood vessels in a process called angiogenesis. The new blood vessels supply the tumor with nutrients that promote growth. As the malignant breast tumor grows, it can expand into nearby tissue. This process is called invasion. Cells can also break away from the primary, or main, tumor and spread to other parts of the body. The cells spread by traveling through the blood stream and lymphatic system. This process is called metastasis. When malignant breast cells appear in a new location, they begin to divide and grow out of control again as they create another tumor. Even though the new tumor is growing in another part of the body, it is still called breast cancer. The most common locations of breast cancer metastases are the lymph nodes, liver, brain, bones and lungs.There are genes that control the way our cells divide and grow. When these genes don't work like they should, a genetic error, or mutation, has occurred. Mutations may be inherited or spontaneous. Inherited mutations are ones you were born with - an abnormal gene that one of your parents passed on to you at birth. Inherited mutations of specific genes, such as the BRCAI and BRCA2 genes, increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Spontaneous mutations can occur within your body during your lifetime. The actual cause or causes of mutations still remains unknown. Researchers have identified two types of genes that are important to cell growth. Errors in these genes turn normal cells into cancerous ones. You need to be aware that cells may be growing out of control before any symptoms of the disease appear. That is why breast screening to find any early changes is so important. The sooner a problem is found, the better a your chance is for survival. Experts recommend that women 40 years and older have a mammogram every year. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about risk assessment, when to start getting mammograms and how often to have them. If your mother or sister had breast cancer before menopause, you may need to start getting mammograms and yearly clinical breast exams before age 40. It is important for all women to have clinical breast exams done by a health care provider at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year after age 40 and to do breast self-exams once every month starting by age 20.

The Truth About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast or a tumor, grow out of control and damages nearby tissue. In women, the most common and fatal type of cancer is breast cancer.

Detection
There are often no symptoms in the early stages. Women should be aware of the screening recommendations and follow them. There are varieties of symptoms that may appear as the tumor grows such as:

• The breast changing in size or shape
• Breast skin becomes pitted or ridged
• Thickening or lump in the underarm or breast
• Discharge from nipple or the nipple turns inward
• Skin on the breast becomes red or scales

If you have any of these symptoms, have yourself examined by a medical professional. This does not mean you have cancer but you defiantly want to have this checked.

Before the age of twenty, is very rare to get it and not often diagnosed in women less than twenty-five years old. The chances of contacting climbs steadily after 25 and peaks around menopause age in women. It increases less after menopause but as they age, the risk to older women gradually increases.

Risk FactorsNobody really knows what causes this cancer. Some of the elements that are thought to increase the risk are:

Gender: There are more cases of women than menWeight: Overweight women are at higher risk Age: From 25 to menopause, the chances increases.Children: If a woman has not had a child, or had a child after 30Family History: Women that have a family member that have or had it are at risk.

Male Breast CancerYes, it really does happen. It is certainly not as common as in women but approximately one to 1.5% happens to men. Older men most often diagnosed with it and are between sixty and seventy years old. If a man has had previous exposure to radiation, such as for cancer treatment, their risk increases. Approximately 20% of men with a mother, sister or other close female relatives with breast cancer are certainly at higher risk. Some of the symptoms in men includes swelling or a breast lump, retracted nipple or discharge and scaling or redness of the breast skin or nipple.

StatisticsThe statistics are frightening. Each and ever year, over 182,000 women and 16,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. Over 400 men and 43,300 women will die from this terrible disease. During their lifetime, one woman out of eight has or will get breast cancer. Most people have family or friends that have or had breast cancer. Always give them your support and encouragement.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Mammograms

Mammograms are probably the most important tool doctors have to help them diagnose, evaluate, and follow women who've had breast cancer. Safe and highly accurate, a mammogram is an X-ray photograph of the breast. The technique has been in use for about thirty years.

Mammograms don't prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. For example, mammograms have been shown to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 35% in women over the age of 50; studies suggest for women between 40 and 50 they may lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 25–35%.

Leading experts, the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Radiology now recommend annual mammograms for women over 40.

Finding breast cancers early with mammography has also meant that many more women being treated for breast cancer are able to keep their breasts. When caught early, localized cancers can be removed without resorting to breast removal (mastectomy).

Mammograms aren't perfect. Normal breast tissue can hide a breast cancer, so that it doesn't show up on the mammogram. This is called a false negative. And mammography can identify an abnormality that looks like a cancer, but turns out to be normal. This "false alarm" is called a false positive. To make up for these limitations, more than mammography is needed. Women also need to practice breast self-examination, get regular breast examination by an experienced health care professional, and, in some cases, also get another form of breast imaging, like ultrasound or MRI scanning.

4 Important Things to Know About Mammograms

1. They can save your life. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25 - 30% or more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they're at high risk.

2. Don't be afraid. It's a fast procedure (about 5 - 10 minutes), and discomfort is minimal. The procedure is safe: there's only a very tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram. To relieve the anxiety of waiting for results, go to a center that will give you results before you leave.

3. Get the best quality you can.

• If you have dense breasts or are under age 50, try to get a digital mammogram.


• Bring your old mammogram films with you for comparison.


• Have more than one radiologist read your study.


• Ask if your center has CAD—computer aided detection—which calls the radiologist's attention to any possible areas of concern.


• Make sure the doctor who referred you for the mammogram includes an explicit note when ordering the study (providing clinical correlations—e.g. "palpable mass in the upper outer quadrant, rule out abnormality").


• Correlate your results with other tests you've had done, like ultrasound or MRI.


• Discuss your family history of breast and other cancers—from both your mother's AND father's side—with your doctor.

4. It is our most powerful breast cancer detection tool. However, mammograms can still miss 15—20% of breast cancers that are simply not visible using this technique. Other important tools—such as breast self-exam, clinical breast examination, ultrasound, and MRI—can and should be used as complementary tools, but there are no substitutes or replacements for a mammogram.

When to get a mammogram

There's a lot of confusion out there about when and how often to get a mammogram. For now, the recommendation is that women get a mammogram once a year, beginning at age 40. If you're at high risk for breast cancer, with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or have had radiation treatment to the chest in the past, it's recommended that you start having annual mammograms at a younger age (often beginning around age 30). This, however, is something that you should discuss with your healthcare provider.

breast anatomy

Breast Cancer - Detect It Sooner Rather Than Later

By: Allison Thompson

There are various different kinds of cancer that people are now being diagnosed with and of all of these breast cancer is actually one of the more easily treatable. However it is vital that if a woman wants to get her breast cancer treated then it is best if it is detected during its early stages of growth. The reason why this form of cancer is so easily treatable is because of the methods of detection of that are employed. These methods have now made this form of cancer one of the more favorable for not only being treated easily but is more likely to provide the sufferer with a cure.When it comes to detecting cancer of the breast in its early stages is by doing a breast examination or using a mammography as these are the more favored methods. In fact in studies carried out the smaller the breast cancer once it has been detected then there is a much higher chance the person with it will survive.Today women are being advised and told that it is vitally important that they learn how to carry out examinations of their own breasts on a regular basis. The reason for this being that they will be more aware and notice any slight changes to the formation of their breasts that were not there before. Also it is now being highlighted that having a regular mammograph is important as well especially for women where there is a history of breast cancer in their family. Certainly using this form of examination will help to ensure that the cancer is detected at the earliest stage possible. As you will soon find out both these forms of examination are used as the basis in helping to detect breast cancer in women today.But a lot of women will be wondering just how often they should under go a breast examination or mammogram in order to help to see if they have this form of cancer or not. Certainly with breast examinations a woman could carry out this for herself each month and the best place to do this is when you are having a shower.In the USA today the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that once a woman reaches the age of 40 she should have a first mammography and then another annually. It is the first mammography that a woman has which will be used as a base reading for all future tests that take place. However the American Cancer Society are suggesting for women where there is a history of breast cancer in their family should actually have their first mammography at the age of 35. They also feel that women who suffer from any other type of breast problems should also have a mammography at the age of 35.The mammography is carried out using an x ray machine which is able to detect most forms of breast cancer in its very early stages, and can be used for detecting it in both women and men. Also the main advantage to using this way for detecting breast cancer is that it can detect when it is so small that using the more traditional type of breast examination would not.Today around 85 to 90% of all the breast cancer now be detected and treated have been found using the mammogram test. This in turn has helped to reduce the number of women dying from this form of cancer by up to 30% especially in women over the age of 50 who are found to have it.Although mammography does help to detect breast cancer in most women, there is a small percentage (10-15%) whose form of breast can not be detected using this method. Yet upon carrying out a physical examination it can so it is vital that all women learn the correct way of examining their own breasts for signs of breast cancer. Certainly it is best that a woman does carry out an examination of her own breasts on a monthly basis and if she feels that there may be a problem can as her doctor to then carry out a physical examination as well.

Mammograms offer no health benefits whatsoever, doctors conclude

(NewsTarget) An increasing number of doctors are contesting the claim that annual mammograms decrease women's risk of dying from breast cancer.
Danish researcher Dr. Peter Gotzsche first made this claim in a study published in "The Lancet" in October 2006. Gotzsche had re-analyzed the studies originally done on the benefits of mammograms and found them unconvincing.
Since then, other doctors have begun to assert that in addition to failing to offer protection, mammograms — which involve exposing patients to radiation —may actually increase women's risk of cancer.
"The latest evidence shifts the balance towards harm and away from benefits," said Dr. Michael Baum of University College in London.
According to Canadian columnist Dr. W. Gifford -Jones, women between the ages of 40 and 49 who have regular mammograms are twice as likely to die from breast cancer as women who are not screened.
"Experts say you have to screen 2,000 women for 10 years for one benefit," he wrote recently.
Gifford-Jones also points to other risks, from the physical to the psychological. According to some authorities, the squeezing of women's breasts during mammograms may rupture blood vessels, causing cancer to spread to other parts of the body and actually increasing a patient's risk of death.
He also pointed to the trauma suffered by women who receive false positives from their mammograms, and to the dangerous sense of security felt by those who receive false negatives.
Studies show that mammograms fail to detect cancer 30 percent of the time in women aged 40 to 49. In addition, it can take eight years before a breast tumor is large enough to detect, by which time the cancer could have spread to other parts of the body.
"Mammograms actually harm far more women than they help," said Mike Adams, author of "The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D," a free report that teaches prevention strategies for breast and prostate cancer. "They are used more as a recruiting tool to ensnare women into a system of medical control based on false diagnosis and fear tactics. Most women then give in to chemotherapy, surgery or radiation treatments that may ultimately harm them or even kill them."

Mammograms cause breast cancer (and other cancer facts you probably never knew)

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among American women between the ages of 44 and 55. Dr. Gofinan, in his book, Preventing Breast Cancer, cites this startling statistic along with an in-depth look at mammographic screening, an early-detection practice that agencies like the American Cancer Society recommend to women of all age groups. According to most health experts, catching a tumor in its early stages increases a woman's chances of survival by at least 17 percent.
The most common method for early detection is mammography. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of your breast that can reveal tumor growths otherwise undetectable in a physical exam. Like all x-rays, mammograms use doses of ionizing radiation to create this image. Radiologists then analyze the image for any abnormal growths. Despite continuous improvements and innovations, mammography has garnered a sizable opposition in the medical community because of an error rate that is still high and the amount of harmful radiation used in the procedure.
Effectiveness of MammographyIs mammography an effective tool for detecting tumors? Some critics say no. In a Swedish study of 60,000 women, 70 percent of the mammographically detected tumors weren't tumors at all. These "false positives" aren't just financial and emotional strains, they may also lead to many unnecessary and invasive biopsies. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of all positive mammograms do not, upon biopsy, show any presence of cancer.
At the same time, mammograms also have a high rate of missed tumors, or "false negatives." Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, in his book, The Politics Of Cancer, claims that in women ages 40 to 49, one in four instances of cancer is missed at each mammography. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) puts the false negative rate even higher at 40 percent among women ages 40-49. National Institutes of Health spokespeople also admit that mammograms miss 10 percent of malignant tumors in women over 50. Researchers have found that breast tissue is denser among younger women, making it difficult to detect tumors. For this reason, false negatives are twice as likely to occur in premenopausal mammograms.
Radiation RisksMany critics of mammography cite the hazardous health effects of radiation. In 1976, the controversy over radiation and mammography reached a saturation point. At that time mammographic technology delivered five to 10 rads (radiation-absorbed doses) per screening, as compared to 1 rad in current screening methods. In women between the ages of 35 and 50, each rad of exposure increased the risk of breast cancer by one percent, according to Dr. Frank Rauscher, then-director of the NCI.
According to Russell L. Blaylock, MD, one estimate is that annual radiological breast exams increase the risk of breast cancer by two percent a year. So over 10 years the risk will have increased 20 percent. In the 1960s and 70s, women, even those who received 10 screenings a year, were never told the risk they faced from exposure. In the midst of the 1976 radiation debate, Kodak, a major manufacturer of mammography film, took out full-page ads in scientific journals entitled About breast cancer and X-rays: A hopeful message from industry on a sober topic.
Despite better technology and decreased doses of radiation, scientists still claim mammography is a substantial risk. Dr. John W. Gofman, an authority on the health effects of ionizing radiation, estimates that 75 percent of breast cancer could be prevented by avoiding or minimizing exposure to the ionizing radiation. This includes mammography, x-rays and other medical and dental sources.
Since mammographic screening was introduced, the incidence of a form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has increased by 328 percent. Two hundred percent of this increase is allegedly due to mammography. In addition to harmful radiation, mammography may also help spread existing cancer cells due to the considerable pressure placed on the woman's breast during the procedure. According to some health practitioners, this compression could cause existing cancer cells to metastasize from the breast tissue.
Cancer research has also found a gene, called oncogene AC, that is extremely sensitive to even small doses of radiation. A significant percentage of women in the United States have this gene, which could increase their risk of mammography-induced cancer. They estimate that 10,000 A-T carriers will die of breast cancer this year due to mammography.
The risk of radiation is apparently higher among younger women. The NCI released evidence that, among women under 35, mammography could cause 75 cases of breast cancer for every 15 it identifies. Another Canadian study found a 52 percent increase in breast cancer mortality in young women given annual mammograms. Dr. Samuel Epstein also claims that pregnant women exposed to radiation could endanger their fetus. He advises against mammography during pregnancy because "the future risks of leukemia to your unborn child, not to mention birth defects, are just not worth it." Similarly, studies reveal that children exposed to radiation are more likely to develop breast cancer as adults.
Navigating the StatisticsWhile the number of deaths caused by breast cancer has decreased, the incidence of breast cancer is still rising. Since 1940, the incidence of breast cancer has risen by one to two percent every year. Between 1973 and 1991, the incidence of breast cancer in females over 65 rose nearly 40 percent in the United States.
Some researchers attribute this increase to better detection technologies; i.e., as the number of women screened for breast cancer rises, so does the number of reported cases. Other analysts say the correlation between mammographic screening and increases in breast cancer is much more ominous, suggesting radiation exposure is responsible for the growing number of cases. While the matter is still being debated, Professor Sandra Steingraber offers ways to navigate these statistics. According to Steingraber, the rise in breast cancer predates the introduction of mammograms as a common diagnostic tool. In addition, the groups of women in whom breast cancer incidence is ascending most swiftly – blacks and the elderly – are also least likely to get regular mammograms.
The majority of health experts agree that the risk of breast cancer for women under 35 is not high enough to warrant the risk of radiation exposure. Similarly, the risk of breast cancer to women over 55 justifies the risk of mammograms. The statistics about mammography and women between the ages of 40 and 55 are the most contentious. A 1992 Canadian National Breast Cancer Study showed that mammography had no positive effect on mortality for women between the ages of 40 and 50. In fact, the study seemed to suggest that women in that age group are more likely to die of breast cancer when screened regularly.
Burton Goldberg, in his book, Alternative Medicine, recommends that women under 50 avoid screening mammograms, although the American Cancer Society encourages mammograms every two years for women ages 40 to 49. Trying to settle this debate, a 1997 consensus panel appointed by the NIH ruled that there was no evidence that mammograms for this age group save lives; they may even do more harm than good. The panel advises women to weigh the risks with their doctors and decide for themselves.
New Screening TechnologiesWhile screening is an important step in fighting breast cancer, many researchers are looking for alternatives to mammography. Burton Goldberg totes the safety and accuracy of new thermography technologies. Able to detect cancers at a minute physical stage of development, thermography does not use x-rays, nor is there any compression of the breast. Also important, new thermography technologies do not lose effectiveness with dense breast tissue, decreasing the chances of false-negative results.
Some doctors are now offering digital mammograms. Digital mammography is a mammography system in which x-ray film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electric signals. Though radiation is still used, digital mammography requires a much smaller dose. The electrical signals are used to produce images that can be electronically manipulated; a physician can zoom in, magnify and optimize different parts of breast tissue without having to take an additional image.
The experts speak on mammograms and breast cancer:Regular mammography of younger women increases their cancer risks. Analysis of controlled trials over the last decade has shown consistent increases in breast cancer mortality within a few years of commencing screening. This confirms evidence of the high sensitivity of the premenopausal breast, and on cumulative carcinogenic effects of radiation. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 539
In his book, "Preventing Breast Cancer," Dr. Gofinan says that breast cancer is the leading cause of death among American women between the ages of forty-four and fifty-five. Because breast tissue is highly radiation-sensitive, mammograms can cause cancer. The danger can be heightened by a woman's genetic makeup, preexisting benign breast disease, artificial menopause, obesity, and hormonal imbalance. Death By Medicine by Gary Null PhD, page 23
"The risk of radiation-induced breast cancer has long been a concern to mammographers and has driven the efforts to minimize radiation dose per examination," the panel explained. "Radiation can cause breast cancer in women, and the risk is proportional to dose. The younger the woman at the time of exposure, the greater her lifetime risk for breast cancer. Under The Influence Modern Medicine by Terry A Rondberg DC, page 122
Furthermore, there is clear evidence that the breast, particularly in premenopausal women, is highly sensitive to radiation, with estimates of increased risk of breast cancer of up to 1% for every rad (radiation absorbed dose) unit of X-ray exposure. This projects up to a 20% increased cancer risk for a woman who, in the 1970s, received 10 annual mammograms of an average two rads each. In spite of this, up to 40% of women over 40 have had mammograms since the mid-1960s, some annually and some with exposures of 5 to 10 rads in a single screening from older, high-dose equipment. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 537
No less questionable—or controversial—has been the use of X rays to detect breast cancer: mammography. The American Cancer Society initially promoted the procedure as a safe and simple way to detect breast tumors early and thus allow women to undergo mastectomies before their cancers had metastasized. The Cancer Industry by Ralph W Moss, page 23
The American Cancer Society, together with the American College of Radiologists, has insisted on pursuing largescale mammography screening programs for breast cancer, including its use in younger women, even though the NCI and other experts are now agreed that these are likely to cause more cancers than could possibly be detected. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 291
A number of "cancer societies" argued, saying the tests — which cost between $50-200 each - - are a necessity for all women over 40, despite the fact that radiation from yearly mammograms during ages 40-49 has been estimated to cause one additional breast cancer death per 10,000 women. Under The Influence Modern Medicine by Terry A Rondberg DC, page 21
Mammograms Add to Cancer Risk—mammography exposes the breast to damaging ionizing radiation. John W. Gofman, M.D., Ph.D., an authority on the health effects of ionizing radiation, spent 30 years studying the effects of low-dose radiation on humans. He estimates that 75% of breast cancer could be prevented by avoiding or minimizing exposure to the ionizing radiation from mammography, X rays, and other medical sources. Other research has shown that, since mammographic screening was introduced in 1983, the incidence of a form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which represents 12% of all breast cancer cases, has increased by 328%, and 200% of this increase is due to the use of mammography.69 In addition to exposing a woman to harmful radiation, the mammography procedure may help spread an existing mass of cancer cells. During a mammogram, considerable pressure must be placed on the woman's breast, as the breast is squeezed between two flat plastic surfaces. According to some health practitioners, this compression could cause existing cancer cells to metastasize from the breast tissue. Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 588
In fact the benefits of annual screening to women age 40 to 50, who are now being aggressively recruited, are at best controversial. In this age group, one in four cancers is missed at each mammography. Over a decade of pre-menopausal screening, as many as three in 10 women will be mistakenly diagnosed with breast cancer. Moreover, international studies have shown that routine premenopausal mammography is associated with increased breast cancer death rates at older ages. Factors involved include: the high sensitivity of the premenopausal breast to the cumulative carcinogenic effects of mammographic X-radiation; the still higher sensitivity to radiation of women who carry the A-T gene; and the danger that forceful and often painful compression of the breast during mammography may rupture small blood vessels and encourage distant spread of undetected cancers. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 540
Since a mammogram is basically an x-ray (radiation) of the breast, I do not recommend mammograms to my patients for two reasons: 1) Few radiologists are able to read mammogams correctly, therefore limiting their effectiveness. Even the man who developed this technique stated on national television that only about six radiologists in the United States could read them correctly. 2) In addition, each time the breasts are exposed to an x-ray, the risk of breast cancer increases by 2 percent. The Hope of Living Cancer Free by Francisco Contreras MD, page 104
Mammography itself is radiation: an X-ray picture of the breast to detect a potential tumor. Each woman must weigh for herself the risks and benefits of mammography. As with most carcinogens, there is a latency period or delay between the time of irradiation and the occurrence of breast cancer. This delay can vary up to decades for different people. Response to radiation is especially dramatic in children. Women who received X-rays of the breast area as children have shown increased rates of breast cancer as adults. The first increase is reflected in women younger than thirty-five, who have early onset breast cancer. But for this exposed group, flourishing breast cancer rates continue for another forty years or longer. Eat To Beat Cancer by J Robert Hatherill, page 132
The use of women as guinea pigs is familiar. There is revealing consistency between the tamoxifen trial and the 1970s trial by the NCI and American Cancer Society involving high-dose mammography of some 300,000 women. Not only is there little evidence of effectiveness of mammography in premeno-pausal women, despite NCI's assurances no warnings were given of the known high risks of breast cancer from the excessive X-ray doses then used. There has been no investigation of the incidence of breast cancer in these high-risk women. Of related concern is the NCI's continuing insistence on premeno-pausal mammography, in spite of contrary warnings by the American College of Physicians and the Canadian Breast Cancer Task Force and in spite of persisting questions about hazards even at current low-dose exposures. These problems are compounded by the NCI's failure to explore safe alternatives, especially transillumination with infrared light scanning. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 544
High Rate of False Positives—mammography's high rate of false-positive test results wastes money and creates unnecessary emotional trauma. A Swedish study of 60,000 women, aged 40-64, who were screened for breast cancer revealed that of the 726 actually referred to oncologists for treatment, 70% were found to be cancer free. According to The Lancet, of the 5% of mammograms that suggest further testing, up to 93% are false positives. The Lancet report further noted that because the great majority of positive screenings are false positives, these inaccurate results lead to many unnecessary biopsies and other invasive surgical procedures. In fact, 70% to 80% of all positive mammograms do not, on biopsy, show any presence of cancer.71 According to some estimates, 90% of these "callbacks" result from unclear readings due to dense overlying breast tissue.72 Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 588
"Radiation-related breast cancers occur at least 10 years after exposure," continued the panel. "Radiation from yearly mammograms during ages 40-49 has been estimated to cause one additional breast cancer death per 10,000 women." Under The Influence Modern Medicine by Terry A Rondberg DC, page 122
According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a high rate of missed tumors in women ages 40-49 which results in 40% false negative test results. Breast tissue in younger women is denser, which makes it more difficult to detect tumours, so tumours grow more quickly in younger women, and tumours may develop between screenings. Because there is no reduction in mortality from breast cancer as a direct result of early mammogram, it is recommended that women under fifty avoid screening mammograms although the American Cancer Society still recommends a mammogram every two years for women age 40-49. Dr. Love states, "We know that mammography works and will be a lifesaving tool for at least 30%." Treating Cancer With Herbs by Michael Tierra ND, page 467
Equivocal mammogram results lead to unnecessary surgery, and the accuracy rate of mammograms is poor. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), in women ages 40-49, there is a high rate of "missed tumors," resulting in 40% false-negative mammogram results. Breast tissue in younger women is denser, which makes it more difficult to detect tumors, and tumors grow more quickly in younger women, so cancer may develop between screenings. Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 973
Even worse, spokespeople for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) admit that mammograms miss 25 percent of malignant tumors in women in their 40s (and 10 percent in older women). In fact, one Australian study found that more than half of the breast cancers in younger women are not detectable by mammograms. Underground Cures by Health Sciences Institute, page 42
Whatever you may be told, refuse routine mammograms to detect early breast cancer, especially if you are premenopausal. The X-rays may actually increase your chances of getting cancer. If you are older, and there are strong reasons to suspect that you may have breast cancer, the risks may be worthwhile. Very few circumstances, if any, should persuade you to have X-rays taken if you are pregnant. The future risks of leukaemia to your unborn child, not to mention birth defects, are just not worth it. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 305
Other medical research has shown that the incidence of a form of breast cancer known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which accounts for 12% of all breast cancer cases, increased by 328% — and 200% of this increase is due to the use of mammography! Under The Influence Modern Medicine by Terry A Rondberg DC, page 123
As the controversy heated up in 1976, it was revealed that the hundreds of thousands of women enrolled in the program were never told the risk they faced from the procedure (ibid.). Young women faced the greatest danger. In the thirty-five- to fifty-year-old age group, each mammogram increased the subject's chance of contracting breast cancer by 1 percent, according to Dr. Frank Rauscher, then director of the National Cancer Institute (New York Times, August 23, 1976). The Cancer Industry by Ralph W Moss, page 24
Because there is no reduction in mortality from breast cancer as a direct result of early mammograms, it is recommended that women under 50 avoid screening mammograms, although the American Cancer Society is still recommending a mammogram every two years for women ages 40-49. The NCI recommends that, after age 35, women perform monthly breast self-exams. For women over 50, many doctors still advocate mammograms. However, breast self-exams and safer, more accurate technologies such as thermography should be strongly considered as options to mammography. Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 973
In the midst of the debate, Kodak took out full-page ads in scientific journals entitled "About breast cancer and X-rays: A hopeful message from industry on a sober topic" (see Science, July 2, 1976). Kodak is a major manufacturer of mammography film. The Cancer Industry by Ralph W Moss, page 24
The largest and most credible study ever done to evaluate the impact of routine mammography on survival has concluded that routine mammograms do significantly reduce deaths from breast cancer. Scientists in the United States, Sweden, Britain, and Taiwan compared the number of deaths from breast cancer diagnosed in the 20 years before mammogram screening became available with the number in the 20 years after its introduction. The research was based on the histories and treatment of 210,000 Swedish women ages 20 to 69. The researchers found that death from breast cancer dropped 44 percent in women who had routine mammography. Among those who refused mammograms during this time period there was only a 16 percent reduction in death from this disease (presumably the decrease was due to better treatment of the malignancy). Dr Isadore Rosenfeld's Breakthrough Health By Isadore Rosenfeld MD, page 47
In 1993—seventeen years after the first pilot study—the biochemist Mary Wolff and her colleagues conducted the first carefully designed, major study on this issue. They analyzed DDE and PCB levels in the stored blood specimens of 14,290 New York City women who had attended a mammography screening clinic. Within six months, fifty-eight of these women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Wolff matched each of these fifty-eight women to control subjects—women without cancer but of the same age, same menstrual status, and so on—who had also visited the clinic. The blood samples of the women with breast cancer were then compared to their cancer-free counterparts. Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraber PhD, page 12
One reason may be that mammograms actually increase mortality. In fact numerous studies to date have shown that among the under-50s, more women die from breast cancer among screened groups than among those not given mammograms. The results of the Canadian National Breast Cancer Screening Trial published in 1993, after a screen of 50,000 women between 40-49, showed that more tumors were detected in the screened group, but not only were no lives saved but 36 percent more women died from The Cancer Handbook by Lynne McTaggart, page 57
One Canadian study found a 52 percent increase in breast cancer mortality in young women given annual mammograms, a procedure whose stated purpose is to prevent cancer. Despite evidence of the link between cancer and radiation exposure to women from mammography, the American Cancer Society has promoted the practice without reservation. Five radiologists have served as ACS presidents.53 When Healing Becomes A Crime by Kenny Ausubel, page 233
Premenopausal women carrying the A-T gene, about 1.5 percent of women, are more radiation sensitive and at higher cancer risk from mammography. It has been estimated that up to 10,000 breast cancer cases each year are due to mammography of A-T carriers. The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 539
A study reported that mammography combined with physical exams found 3,500 cancers, 42 percent of which could not be detected by physical exam. However, 31 percent of the tumors were noninfiltrating cancer. Since the course of breast cancer is long, the time difference in cancer detected through mammography may not be a benefit in terms of survival. Woman's Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Dr Gary Null, page 86
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also has called for more mammograms among women over 50. However, constant screening still can miss breast cancer. mammograms are at their poorest in detecting breast cancer when the woman is under 50. The Cancer Handbook by Lynne McTaggart, page 53
Despite its shortcomings, every woman between the ages of fifty and sixty-nine should have one every year. I also recommend them annually for women over seventy, even though early detection isn't as important for the slow-growing form of breast cancer they tend to get. One mammogram should probably be taken at age forty to establish a baseline, but how often women should have them after that is debatable. Some authorities favor annual screening. Others feel there's not enough evidence to support screening at all before fifty. Still others believe that every two years is sufficient. I lean toward having individual women and their doctors go over the pros and cons and make their own decisions. Finally, a mammogram is appropriate at any age if a lump has been detected. The Longevity Code By Zorba Paster MD, page 234 For breast cancer, thermography offers a very early warning system, often able to pinpoint a cancer process five years before it would be detectable by mammography. Most breast tumors have been growing slowly for up to 20 years before they are found by typical diagnostic techniques. Thermography can detect cancers when they are at a minute physical stage of development, when it is still relatively easy to halt and reverse the progression of the cancer. No rays of any kind enter the patient's body; there is no pain or compressing of the breasts as in a mammogram. While mammography tends to lose effectiveness with dense breast tissue, thermography is not dependent upon tissue densities. Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 587

American College of Physicians warns women in their 40s about dangers of mammograms

Monday, May 14, 2007 by: Staff writer Printable version Key concepts: cancer, mammography and breast cancer.
The American College of Physicians has recommended women in their 40s consult with their doctors before undergoing routine annual mammography screening. An expert panel from the American College of Physicians (ACP), which represents 120,000 internists, made this recommendation in the April 3rd issue of the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.After reviewing 117 studies conducted between 1966 and 2005, the panel found the data on mammography screening for women in their 40s are so unclear that the effectiveness of reducing breast cancer death could be either 15 percent or "...nearly zero."The panel pointed out that benefits must be weighed against the harmful effects of mammograms, including exposure to radiation and unnecessary biopsies, surgery, and chemotherapy.Dr. Amir Qaseem, lead author of the ACP guidelines, stated "It is important to tailor the decision of screening mammography by discussing the benefits and risks with a woman, addressing her concerns, and making it a joint decision between her and her physician." The ACP noted cancer risk varies from woman to woman, and decisions about annual mammography screenings are best made on a case-by-case basis. The ACP pointed out for women who have a known high risk of breast cancer (family history or early menarche, for example) annual screenings are appropriate. The group is not opposed to mammography, but rather questions the efficacy of annual mammography exams commencing at age 40. "We agree that mammography can save lives," said Douglas K. Owens of Stanford University, who chaired the committee that wrote the guidelines, "But there are also potential harms. We don't think the evidence supports a blanket recommendation."The dangers of mammography are recognized in the medical field. According to Dr. Samuel Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, "Screening mammography poses significant and cumulative risks of breast cancer for pre-menopausal women. The routine practice of taking four films of each breast annually results in approximately 1 rad (radiation absorbed dose) exposure, about 1,000 times greater than that from a chest x-ray. The pre-menopausal breast is highly sensitive to radiation, each 1 rad exposure increasing breast cancer risk by about 1 percent, with a cumulative 10 percent increased risk for each breast over a decade's screening. These risks are even greater for younger women subject to 'baseline screening.'" The coalition reports women who carry the A-T gene are especially prone to risk from early mammography screening: "Radiation risks are some four-fold greater for the 1 to 2 percent of women who are silent carriers of the A-T (ataxia-telangiectasia) gene; by some estimates this accounts for up to 20 percent of all breast cancers diagnosed annually.""Mammography is used primarily as a tool to recruit new patients into conventional cancer treatments, regardless of whether they would actually benefit from such treatments," said Mike Adams, author of Natural Health Solutions and the Conspiracy to Keep You From Knowing About Them. "The breast cancer industry harms ten women for every one it helps. It is an industry of greed, profits, and scare tactics," Adams added.At the heart of the current blanket recommendations to begin annual mammography exams at age 40 is the American Cancer Society (ACS). Robert A. Smith, director of cancer screening at the ACS, responded to the new recommendations stating, "The danger here is that some women will elect not to get screened. Mammography is the single most effective way of finding breast cancer early, and when we find breast cancer early, women have the greatest chance of successful treatment." Just last month the ACS advised women who are at a perceived "high risk" of breast cancer to also undergo annual MRIs. Resources: http://www.preventcancer.com/patients/mammography/dangers.htm

Cancer Vaccine Based On Listeria Aims To Stop And Eradicate Breast Cancers

September 10, 2007
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Researchers continue to search for a treatment to eradicate cancer, one of the mankind's greatest afflictions and although a "cure" remains elusive, a vaccine to treat and prevent it may just be on the horizon.
Yvonne Paterson, Ph.D., a scientist who is also a breast cancer survivor, and her team of researchers appear to have taken a giant step forward by developing of a series of cancer-fighting vaccines that appear to be able to stop and even reverse cancer growth.
Central to this discovery is the microbe Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium found in milk, cheese and other dairy products. This common microorganism apparently aids in fighting cancer by activating many simultaneous mechanisms of immunity, including the body's own killer cells creating a strong immune response to the presence of cancer cells.
"The ability of Listeria vaccines to stimulate the body's immune responses has been known for some time," says Dr. John Rothman, VP of Clinical Development at Advaxis, a biotechnology company. "The science has now allowed us to create a series of vaccines, that may prove lethal to cancer, and yet, be safe in humans."
In a scientific studies published in peer reviewed journals this year, Dr. Paterson, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania and scientific director at Advaxis, presented evidence of the cancer-fighting properties of a live modified Listeria cancer vaccines. These vaccines successfully eradicated several types of rapidly growing cancers in mice.
When Listeria is introduced in the body, it has an extremely powerful effect, essentially, the Listeria in the vaccine harness the power of the immune system against the microbe, then proceeds to direct it to successfully attack cancer cells. The vaccines teach the immune system to mount a specialized, targeted response that is lethal to cancer cells.
Advaxis is now preparing for clinical trials of Lovaxin B, their cancer-fighting vaccine for the treatment of breast cancer. The goal is to treat women who have pre-existing breast cancer with Lovaxin B by invoking an immune system response that will prevent the reoccurrence of the cancer.
"While it may be a few years before we complete the studies, the promise of a cancer vaccine is truly a milestone that we hope may be attainable," adds Rothman.
Copyright Business Wire 2007

Drop In Breast Cancer Incidence Linked To Hormone Use, Not Mammograms

A recent decline in breast cancer incidence is unlikely to be caused by a decrease in mammography screening, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. It is more likely due to the drop in postmenopausal hormone use.
There has been a recent, rapid decline in postmenopausal hormone therapy use since 2002 when the Women s Health Initiative study found that hormone therapy was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Recent data has linked a decrease in breast cancer incidence over the last few years to this drop in hormone use, but this explanation remains controversial. Some researchers have said it is unclear whether the drop was related to the decline in hormone therapy use or a decrease in mammography screening over the same period.
Karla Kerlikowske, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium addressed this question by examining breast cancer rates in a population of women collected from seven mammography registries located in the U.S. who had received screening mammograms between 1997 and 2003. They collected data on over 600,000 mammograms performed on women ages 50 to 69. This is the first study to investigate breast cancer incidence and hormone therapy use in a population of women undergoing routine mammograms.
Between 2000 and 2003, use of hormone therapy among the study population declined by 7 percent a year between 2000 and 2002, then by 34 percent a year between 2002 and 2003. Over the same period, breast cancer incidence rates declined annually by 5 percent. Estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer rates fell by 13 percent each year from 2001 to 2003.
Our results suggest that a decline in postmenopausal hormone therapy use has contributed to the decline in breast cancer incidence in the United States and that the small decline in screening mammography observed in the United States is unlikely to explain the national declines in breast cancer incidence, the authors write.
Copyright 2007, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com

Free Mammograms Available for Women

Free mammograms are available for women who qualify between the ages of 40 and 64 who live in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Carroll Counties.
The American Cancer Society B.E.S.T. (Breast Education Screening Together) Program has extended the age guidelines to better serve the needs of women who are underinsured or who have no insurance coverage. Under the BEST program, screening and diagnostic mammograms are paid with no co-payment or out of pocket expense.
"We recently received the news from The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Northeast Ohio Affiliate to extend the cut off age from age 49, to age 64," said Debbie Moore, Health Promotions Coordinator for the American Cancer Society. "This allows hundreds of women in the four counties who can't afford a mammogram the opportunity to get screened for free for breast cancer."
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Northeast Ohio Affiliate funds the BEST program. The ACS received a grant for BEST in the amount of $71,000. This grant will pay for 400 mammograms. Medicare covers mammograms for women 65 and older.
A determination on who qualifies depends on the income of the woman, according to the 2003 federal poverty guidelines – the most recent data available.
The American Cancer Society recommends every woman follow a three-step approach to protect herself against breast cancer. This includes:
Mammography
Annual mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early.
Have a mammogram annually if you are age 40 and older.
If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, discuss a personal mammography-screening schedule with a health care provider.
Clinical Breast Examination
After age 40, get a clinical breast exam by a health care provider every year.
Between the ages of 20 and 39, have a clinical breast exam by a health care provider at least once every three years.
Breast Self Exam
Ask a health care provider to teach you the proper way to perform a thorough breast self-exam.
Beginning at age 20, examine your breasts monthly. If there are any lumps, thickenings or changes, report them to your doctor immediately. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but further tests may be necessary to determine your situation.