Mastectomy Not First Choice for Most Breast Cancer Patients

Written by Serena Gordon, HealthDay News

TUESDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Contrary to common belief, most women diagnosed with breast cancer are not turning to mastectomy as their first choice for treatment but are first trying more conservative approaches, such as lumpectomy, a new survey has found.

The survey, reported in the Oct. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, also found that U.S. doctors are doing a good job of presenting newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with a range of treatment options.

The researchers found that those women who did opt for mastectomy instead of breast-conserving surgery often did so because of their own preference and probably because of the perception that mastectomy offered better odds against the cancer coming back.

However, "the chances of surviving breast cancer are the same whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy," noted the study's lead author, Dr. Monica Morrow, chief of the breast service and chairwoman of clinical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

"There's an overwhelming feeling that somehow 'bigger' surgery is better surgery," Morrow said. "It's something I hear over and over again: 'I want to be safe so I will have the mastectomy.' "

The researchers wrote in their report that they undertook the study because there's been a perception that women have been given mastectomies unnecessarily, when breast-conserving surgery might have been an option.

The team reviewed data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries in Los Angeles and Detroit. They included data on 1,984 women with intraductal, stage 1 or stage 2 breast cancer who completed a telephone survey about their experience with cancer surgery.

The women, 20 to 79 years old, included 953 women who listed their race as white or other, 502 Hispanic women and 529 black women.

Most of the women -- 75 percent -- chose breast-conserving surgery initially. According to Morrow, some women who chose breast-conserving surgery eventually had a mastectomy, and these were typically women with larger, stage 2 tumors. The choice did not appear to be affected by race, education or where a woman was treated, Morrow noted.

Of those who initially underwent mastectomy, many could identify the reason that mastectomy was the best option for them, suggesting that it was something discussed in detail with their doctor.

Almost 9 percent of the women chose to have a mastectomy because of personal preference.

Nearly one in five women sought a second opinion, and women with higher education levels were more likely to do so. But, regardless of education level, the researchers found that getting a second opinion was rarely a deciding factor in choosing the type of treatment.

"Most of the time, a second opinion didn't make a difference in the recommendations that a woman is offered," she said. "So if you feel comfortable with your surgeon, don't feel obligated to seek a second opinion."

Additional surgery was required in about 38 percent of women who first underwent a lumpectomy, according to the survey.

"This study addresses the concern that mastectomy is overused, and I really don't think it's being overused," said Dr. Nora Jaskowiak, an associate professor of surgery and the surgical head of the University of Chicago Breast Center. "Surgeons definitely try to save as many breasts as is reasonable to do."

"Patients and surgeons can discuss the options, and together they will make the best decision for that woman," she said.

Mackay introduces breast cancer detection kit

Written by By Riza T. Olchondra, Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- Mackay Holdings Inc., which has green energy, health and real estate ventures is introducing its portable breast-cancer detection technology in the Philippines.

Company chair and founder James Mackay said the Biofield Diagnostic System was “painless and non-invasive.” The cancer detection process would take only 15 minutes and could be done anywhere, he added.

Even young women, who would not normally qualify for a mammogram because of breast tissue density, can be examined using MacKay’s technology, according to the firm.

More importantly, he said, the patented technology has been proven to be more cost-efficient and its results were more accurate than those of mammogram screening machines.

This is because the portable breast-cancer detection machine generates color-coded imagery that readily shows a patient’s levels of risk for breast cancer.

“The computer itself will interpret the data, so all that’s needed is a technician. The patient gets a printout that can be taken to the doctor. Those at risk can change diet or take other preventive measures, and those potentially with cancer can get a biopsy,” MacKay said.

Traditionally, hospitals have been spending so much money on expensive technology, but only a few women could afford to undertake the test, Mackay said.

With his company’s portable, cost-effective technology, more patients can avail themselves of testing since it is easy on the pocket and the testing centers can be located closer to those who need them.

This, MacKay said, would result in savings for the patient, their employer, whether a private firm or the government.

“It is actually cheaper for a company or a government agency to provide free testing than it is to pay for insurance and other benefits, provide other forms of support, and deal with lost productivity. You cut down the burden on government and on insurance companies,” MacKay said.

MacKay Holdings CEO Terry Macdonald said the company was not directly competing with hospitals since the machines were also offered to such institutions.

However, the larger markets for the technology are the rural areas and companies with many women employees.

Another possible market is clinics in urban areas where patients do not have ready access to hospitals or cannot afford traditional screening.

In this case, the machine also offers recurring income for doctors since they can charge patients for the sensors.

Soursop/Guyabano for Cancer Therapy?

Im back.  I travel from Mid-east to South-East so im out of the circulation for how many days.

When I got home, my mother hand me 3 pages photo copied article from Health and Home March-April 2010 magazine issue.  What struck me most was the title of it, and in my mind  was owh! i can share this to others... By using my blog...actually my mother didn’t know that im blogging about cancer. Hope she will be happy.

Ill share with you the cancer related issue in the article...

Sop up With Soursop

soursop/guyabano

Research Studies on Soursop for Cancer Therapy

•   Studies are being done by leading medical institutes, universities and pharmaceutical companies of the healing properties of soursop against cancers. Initial findings show that certain compounds and chemicals extracted from soursop leaves, seeds, fruit and bark appear to kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells remain unaffected.
• A Purdue University study showed that soursop leaves killed cancer cells among six human cells lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers.
• A study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea, and published in the Journal of Natural Products,stated  that soursop has one chemical found selectively kill colon cancer cells at "10,000 times potency of Adriamycin (The commonly used chemotherapy drug).", but left healthy cells untouched. Chemotherapy ,on the other hand, targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells) causing nausea and hair loss.

Getting the best from medicinal plants

• If possible, use organically grown ones
• Harvest the needed parts on sunny mornings not during or after heavy rainfalls.
• Use mature parts. The young ones have less medicinal substances
• If drying, is required , dry the plants parts either in the oven or air -dry on screens above ground but never on floors.
• Store dried plants parts in sealed plastic or brown bottles in a cool dry place without sunlight and preferably with a moisture-absorbent material like charcoal. When properly prepared, well-dried and stored, the plant parts can be used up to six months.

Preparation

• Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts
• Do not use stainless steel utensils when boiling decoctions. Instead use earthen, enamelled, glass or alike utensils.
• As a rule of thumb, do not cover the pot and boil in low flame when boiling plant parts.
• Decoctions lose potency after some time, so dispose of decoctions after a day. Keep decoction lukewarm in a flask or thermos to keep it fresh during the day.
• Always consult a doctor if symptoms persist or if any sign of allergic reaction develops.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration

                  Soursop is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.

From Health and Home March-April 2010 issue

by: Arlene May G. Corpus, RND, MBA is a

therapeutic dietitian at Manila Adventist

Medical Center in Pasay City

Facts about Soursop/ Guyabano http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/guyabano.htm

Guyabano/Soursop Fruit Nutrition

Guyabano belongs to the family of Annonaceae, (A. muricata L.). The flesh of the fruit consist of a white edible pulp that is high in carbohydrates and considerable amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Potassium and dietary fiber. Guyabano is low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. No only is guyabano a good health food, it also taste delicious. The tree and fruit is known in various names: Guyabano in Filipino, Soursop in English, Graviola in Brazil, and Guanabana in Spanish.

About the Guyabano

The heart shaped / oblong guyabano fruit has a dark green, leathery and spike-like skin that measures from 8 to 12 inches long and can weigh up to 2.5 kilos. The creamy and delectable flesh contains from 60 to 100 black-brown seeds that are indigestible and non-edible.

The guyabano tree is relatively small. It usually grows from 8 to less than 20 feet high and is sensitive to very cold temperatures. The guyabano tree requires a lot of water, warmth and humidity and is usually grown in the tropics. It is cultivated commercially in Central & South America, West Africa, Asia and South Florida in limited numbers.

Products made from Guyabano fruit:

Aside from being eaten raw, the guyabano fruit is processed into candies, tarts, shakes, ice-cream, sherbets and other beverages.

Medicinal Uses of Guyabano

Guyabano has been used as folkloric herbal medicine in many regions thought the world. It is considered to be antispasmodic, sudorific and emetic. A decoction (boiling in water) of guyabano leaves is used to kill bedbugs and head lice.

To reduce fever, a decoction of leaves can be taken internally or the leaves added to bathing water also has the same effect. The crushed fresh leaves are also applied on skin eruptions for faster healing. A poultice of young guyabano leaves is applied on the skin to alleviate rheumatism and other skin infections like eczema. Applied during the healing of wounds, this can result in less or no skin scars. The decoction can also be used as a wet compress on swollen feet and other inflammations.

The juice of the fruit is taken orally as a herbal remedy for urethritis, haematuria and liver ailments.

Studies are underway by leading medical institutes, universities and pharmaceutical companies of the healing properties of guyabano against cancers. Initial findings show that certain compounds and chemicals extracted from guyabano leaves, seeds, fruit and bark appear to kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells remain unaffected.

Other uses of Guyabano

Pulverizing the guyabano seeds and mixing it with soap & water is used as effective spray against caterpillars, armyworms and leafhoppers on plants.

The guyabano leaves are believed to have a tranquilizing and sedative properties. In the Netherlands Antilles, the leaves are placed inside pillows or placed on top of the mattress to induce a good night's sleep.

Still Miracles can do happen to those who believe...

Lets stand up to cancer 

Stand Up and Fight Against Cancer

October is the month for Cancer Awareness –

 I’m a daughter of Breast Cancer Victim. And, it’s not easy when the person you loved most having it. My experienced and the others would probably nearly the same.

I was starting making a blog just few days ago, so as a starter I applied the random blogging. I don’t know what to blog and what to focus on. Upon searching what to blog in the net, I end up on the site of  www.standuptocancer.org . I register myself and receives some updates and latest discovery in the field of cancer. In that, I decided that I’ll make another blog and focus solely about cancer and I’m hoping I can share more.

One of my dream or part of my wish list is to be a volunteer and sponsor a cancer victim, you asked why? Because money in cancer victim is needed and I don’t want that person to mind on where to get money coz it will just give stress...( I experienced that)... i’m so glad when my mom needs something, the people who are concerns to my mom came and shared their blessings to us. God is so good.

On the coming days’ ill share to you the latest about cancer, the foods that are right for our body, the local cancer group near in your place and more. Please share your ideas and thoughts trough comment and ill surely respond you ASAP.

Cancer can be prevented. Listen to our body, because our body will tell us what is happening inside.

Have a nice day and happy reading...

Be happy and enjoy life by inspiring others...