Over the past decade, the incidence of breast cancer has risen to alarming levels.  In women, it is the most common form of cancer and is the number two cause of cancer-related deaths.  In the United States alone, it is estimated that 1 out of 25 women die due to breast cancer.

For many, breast cancer is a condition that is hard to recognize, especially when it is still on its early stages. Even the presence of a lump in an area of the breast, detected during a routine breast self-examination after a shower, does not always mean that it is cancerous. However, medical experts agree that it is better to have it examined by a medical professional – mainly because the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better is one’s prognosis and chance for recovery.

Being Aware of the Warning Signs

There are some unique warning signs that you can refer to in able to detect the early signs of breast cancer. One logical difference is that you know that the changes your breasts are undergoing are normal if it is visible in both breasts. But if somehow you are unraveling some negative changes in just one of your breasts, then it is about time to have it checked by a specialist.

Here are some other symptoms of breast cancer which you can take good note of:

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the immediate area
• Nipple discharge
• Lumps and swelling found in the breast section
• Nipple becomes inverted all of a sudden
• Pain felt in the nipples
• Frequent feeling of tenderness in the breast
• Veins suddenly get overly prominent in the area

If you happen to be experiencing any of these signs, then they are not to be ignored. Majority of the symptoms can be apparent to the naked eye and hence, it can help if you would research more about it and more importantly, learn how to self-examine your own breasts. Even if many studies have shown that it cannot be prevented, there is still a chance of a more successful treatment if it would be detected early, even by you.

Lessen Risk by Preventing High Fat and High Cholesterol

Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University recently discovered that high levels of fat and cholesterol in the average American meal can greatly affect those who are suffering from breast cancer. The study, which used mice as model, was published in The American Journal of Pathology, January 2011 issue.

The mice were fed with Western diet containing 0.2 percent cholesterol and 21.2 percent fat. This resulted to the development of much larger tumors that tend to grow faster compared to those other animals that were held under strict and balanced diet. The team who did the research study was led by the assistant professor in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Philippe G. Frank, Ph.D.

The same research team also found out the same link between prostate cancer growth and cholesterol in mice.  The results of their study were published in The American Journal of Pathology in its December issue. According to Dr. Frank, the results of both studies indicate that cholesterol seem to be an essential factor tumor formation regulation.  Such a discovery, he believes, can lead to fresh avenues of prevention, identification and treatment of the disease.

Natural Tips to Lower your Risk of Breast Cancer

With just several healthy options that you can apply in your daily routine and diet, you can have the power to create and maintain the ideal health for your breasts. Arm yourself with natural ways to help you succeed in your fight against breast cancer.

Drink Green Tea. Numerous studies have been conducted regarding the health benefit that green tea brings.  It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which help enhance your capability to treat and prevent various cancers. To achieve its therapeutic effects, you can take in an average of five cups a day.

Avoid Hanging Out With Smokers. A team of researchers from the Public Health Agency of Canada discovered that women who are in their pre-menopausal stages, and who are passive smokers, have about 68% chances of having breast cancer. So smoking poses health threats, not only to those who actually smoke, but also to the people around them.

Eat Lots of Cruciferous Vegetables. Examples of these are broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. All these are rich in indole-3 carbinol which serves as important protectors against breast and other types of cancer. The recommended servings to make it truly helpful would be to have about four servings in every week.

Load up on Fruits.  There are a lot of fruits that contain important antioxidants that help prevent cancer.  Some fruits that must be included in your diet include tomatoes, raspberries, papaya, oranges, lemons, red grapes, grapefruits and avocadoes.

Avoid Alcohol. Moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages each night in a week can truly bring in a few benefits to your health. But one information taken from the Nurses’ Health Study show that this habit can expose you to greater risks of breast cancer, especially if you happen to be in your post-menopausal stage.

Get More Sleep. Those who work at night are more exposed to the risk of breast cancer due to the troubled cycles of cortisol and melatonin. Melatonin slows down the production of estrogen and cortisol is the one that regulates anti-cancer cells. Hence, the sleeping pattern that you must start getting used to should be from 10 pm to 6 am.

Many health studies focused on cancer prevention and treatment recommend that people stay away from commercial beauty products that can harm your body. Examples of these would be a variety of body care products, hair color, and cosmetics. Many household cleansers also have harmful chemicals that can be easily absorbed by the skin and get easily into your bloodstream. This can greatly increase the chances of breast cancer.

Sources
healthtree.com
sciencedaily.com
transformyourhealth.com
cancure.org