After Cancer: Are You Prepared for What Happens?

 

Cancer is a major health concern, which is why beating it is such a boost to your wellbeing. But what happens after you defeat cancer? In 2012, Kathryn McPeake noticed a lump in her chest—again. ‘I had just gotten my hair back and was feeling pretty,’ she recalls, but her doctor confirmed she had relapsed.

 

Wellness writer Nina Strochlic details, ‘It was a nightmare scenario—a realisation of a nagging fear that occupies the thoughts of most post-treatment survivors for the rest of their lives. Overshadowed by a focus on recovery through the months or years of chemotherapy and medical procedures, the aftermath of being declared cancer-free can be unexpectedly harsh. In the year following treatment, survivors say they’re unprepared for the reality that dawns instead of the expected bounce back into “normal” life. There are the long-lasting side effects, dismissal and isolation from family and friends, financial burden, and constant anxiety that sickness could return. Finishing treatment, they find, is just the beginning of lifestyle adjustments and reevaluated priorities that fall into place in the post-chemo year.’

 

McPeake explains, ‘It’s almost like you’re holding your breath through treatment and then, after, you breathe and everything else comes to the surface. I was almost bothered when people were like, “Congratulations, you’re done.”’ Traci Brundage, a 29-year-old mother of two who finished treatment for triple-negative breast cancer in February 2013, confirms, ‘Once you hit the “you’re-cancer-free” mark, you’re kind of forgotten about. People say, “Move on…why do you keep bringing it up?” I can’t snap my fingers and be back to who I was.’ Brundage started an online survivor’s support group one month after finishing her last treatment, to battle the isolation and find the help she felt she needed. She points out, ‘It’s a club you don’t wanna join, but the bond is unbreakable.’

 

McPeake is quick to note that the lack of preparation for these after-affects isn’t the doctors’ fault: ‘They’re just there to cure cancer, and once the cancer’s cured you almost don’t want to tell them about problems you’re having.’ After her second remission, McPeake – who once eschewed support groups – joined two on Facebook. ‘A big thing we talk about is how stupid we are,’ she comments of her fried mental capacity known as “chemo brain.” Brundage suggests that it’s especially hard for younger victims of breast cancer, as the diagnosis is traditionally associated with a later generation. She outlines, ‘I think there’s a lot more support for older women than for us. I think they think we think we’re invincible, but cancer brings us to our knees.’

 

Daniel Bachove, who got married one month after he finished his last dose of chemotherapy for stage 4 small bowel cancer, asserts, ‘We don’t know how much time we have or what kind of time we have, that’s why every moment is so important.’ Unexpected donations meant Bachove didn’t have to cut corners for his fiancé Mindy, which would otherwise have been a certainty due to the financial strain that the cancer put on their finances. He recalls thinking, ‘I want her to have a real wedding, not something to look back on and say, “Because I had cancer we couldn’t do this and couldn’t do that.”’ Now the wedding is over, Bachove needs to figure out the next chapter of his life. ‘I got used to a life of treatments every other week,’ he says. ‘It’s kind of like being released from jail. You are incarcerated when you have chemo, everything stops.’ Brundage adds, ‘Every day means a little more—you don’t take life for granted, you just take every moment and treasure it.’

Categories: breast cancer, brundage, cancer, cancer free, life, nbsp, nbsp mcpeake, remission, support group, treatment, treatment survivors

Breast Cancer: Do You Know How To Test For It?

Breast cancer is a condition which is becoming more common, which experts say could be attributed to the fact that women don’t catch it early enough to treat it effectively. There are a number of things to be aware of in order to catch breast cancer as early as possible, from screening tests and knowing who to go to when you get tested.

Get a mammogram when you are younger, rather than when you are older

If you’re over 40, it’s time to start getting regular mammograms According to the American Cancer Society, women should get annual mammograms from the age of 40 as this is the best way to spot breast cancer early – an early detection offers the best chance of curing the disease.

Choose the right man for the job!

You can get a mammography at any hospital, but getting the right diagnosis after the test is incredibly useful in increasing your chance of detection when needed. Be sure to choose a doctor who is experienced in reading mammography and has worked with a number of patients previously, as their experience provides them with an added advantage of identifying any problems in your reports. This is where an inexperienced physician may fail.

Pick digital over conventional

A digital mammography is far more accurate when it comes to detecting any problems in women with dense breast tissue This is especially the case when found in women below the age of 40. Furthermore, digital scans do a better job of detecting cancers when compared to the traditional film mammography. – so always choose digital!

Schedule the date for your test carefully

Many women are put off by the idea of getting a mammography because they think it will be painful – but it’s important to remember that this test shouldn’t be painful in any way . In order to reduce the risk of pain, try to schedule your test after your period so that the breast tissue is less sensitive. During the test, if you do experience pain and discomfort, be sure to tell the technician about it so that they can help you feel more comfortable. If the test has really gone really badly, you could try taking medication available at a pharmacy to help relieve some of the pain and inflammation. If you’re worried about the level of pain you’re experiencing during your test, speak to your GP or technician about your worries and they will be able to find a way to make the test less uncomfortable for you.

Don’t let the fear of cancer stop you

Everyone getting a test regarding their health is scared by the result; that much is expected and perfectly natural. But a large number of women fear what the results may be so much that they don’t get tested at all – this is not a reason to avoid testing. If your test is abnormal in any way, you may be called to repeat the test but this doesn’t automatically mean that you have cancer. There are a number of reasons why  your test results may have been out of the ordinary, so there’s no reason to worry – your technician will discuss the results with you and explain what they mean. But not all abnormalities mean you have cancer.If you have any worries about your risk of breast cancer and think you may have symptoms, speak to your GP as soon as possible.

Categories: Breast, breast cancer, breast tissue, cancer, mammography, Test, tests, Women

Could a Test Determine Your Risk of Prostate Cancer?

While prostate cancer can be so slow to develop in some men that it never affects their wellbeing at all, for others the health concern can be a real killer. Up to now, there is no way to identify those whose wellness is at a high risk of dying from the disease, but scientists believe they have come one step closer. This breakthrough, which comes from the Institute of Cancer Research in London, means that we could soon have genetic tests that can identify high-risk men with prostate cancer – enabling them to be monitored throughout their lives – and other men who can avoid unnecessary treatment.

 

Award-winning wellness writer Sarah Boseley explains, ‘In some men, prostate cancer is so slow-growing that it will not cause them any harm in their lifetime – they will die with it, rather than of it. But in others, it is aggressive and a killer. Because side-effects of treatment can include impotence and incontinence, it has long been recognised that there is a need for tests to establish which men are in real danger and which are not.’ The researchers screened men from families with a history of prostate cancer, and, as a result have established that 14 mutations in known cancer genes can predict life-threatening disease. The investigators, who published their findings in the British Journal of Cancer, also found that men with these mutations were likely to have more aggressive disease.

 

Study co-leader Ros Eeles, professor of oncogenics at the Institute of Cancer Research and honorary consultant at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, commented, ‘Our study shows the potential benefit of putting prostate cancer on a par with cancers such as breast cancer when it comes to genetic testing. Although ours was a small, first-stage study, we proved that testing for known cancer mutations can pick out men who are destined to have a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. We already have the technical capabilities to assess men for multiple mutations at once, so all that remains is for us to do further work to prove that picking up dangerous mutations early can save lives. If so, then in the future, genetic testing may be needed as part of the prostate cancer care pathway.’

 

As a result of these findings, doctors could screen men with prostate cancer in the family for their risk, much in the same way that doctors can now screen women for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which gives them a 50% chance of developing breast cancer. The 14 mutations which predict aggressive prostate cancer are in eight genes, which include BRCA1 and BRCA2. The others are ATM, CHEK2, BRIP1, MUTYH, PALB2 and PMS2. According to Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, ‘The minefield of prostate cancer diagnosis is one of the biggest hurdles facing treatment of the disease today. Current tests fail to differentiate between aggressive cancers that could go on to kill, and cancers that may never cause any harm.’

 

He continues, ‘This lack of clarity means that too often men and their doctors are left having to make incredibly difficult decisions on whether to treat the disease or not. We urgently need to understand more about which men are at risk of developing prostate cancer and in particular aggressive forms of the disease. Genetic testing to predict risk could revolutionise how we treat the 40,000 men diagnosed with the disease every year in the UK. These results are exciting as they add to the growing weight of evidence that men with a family history of prostate cancer who possess certain genes may be at higher risk, providing us with another crucial piece of the jigsaw.’

Categories: breast cancer, cancer, cancer research, Disease, genetic testing, high risk, prostate, prostate cancer, Research, risk, risk assessment

8 Drugs that Don’t Do What They Were Intended For

These days we take all kinds of drugs and medicines, but where exactly do they come from? Here’s a run down of the different drugs we use today, and their accidental histories:

 

1. Novocain: This drug is used to numb a local area, such as while having a dental procedure, but how did we get this bright idea? According to wellness expert Lauren Gelman, ‘The commonly used anaesthetic is actually named for the drug cocaine. Cocaine was first introduced as a local anaesthetic in 1884, but it caused a number of addictions and deaths. A few years later, German chemist Alfred Einhorn began to look for a safer substitute; in 1905, he discovered the injectable local anaesthetic procaine, which became Novocain.’

 

2. Lithium: We use this drug for managing bipolar disorder and other issues related to mental wellbeing. However, Gelman notes, ‘Before it received FDA approval in 1970, the metal was first used in the 1840s to treat bladder stones and gout. A century later, Australian psychiatrist John Cade observed that guinea pigs injected with a form of lithium became sedated rather than excited; subsequent large-scale clinical studies confirmed lithium’s effectiveness for preventing mania.’

 

3. Cortisone: Gelman details, ‘Cortisone (and subsequent forms, such as hydrocortisone) was created out of a WWII rumour that German pilots were injecting steroid hormones to help counteract high-altitude stress. The myth spurred the US military to research their own comparable drug.’ Now the drug is used for a variety of ailments, including inflammation, pain, allergies, skin disorders, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus and psoriasis.

 

4. Warfarin: This life-saving drug is used to stop blood clotting. Gelman describes, ‘In 1921, veterinarians in Canada and North Dakota observed that when certain cattle had a minor injury or surgery, they bled excessively and sometimes fatally. The doctors concluded that the cows had been eating spoiled clover, which contained a substance that caused the bleeding. In 1940, a University of Wisconsin-Madison biochemist isolated a pure form of the compound, and later it was introduced to the market as Warfarin.’

 

5. Rogaine: Gelman outlines, ‘Minoxidil first appeared on the market in 1979 as a breakthrough drug for high blood pressure. However, it increased body hair growth for 80% of patients who took the drug orally; within three to six weeks, patients would grow dark hair on the face and then on the back, chest, arms, and legs. Upjohn began marketing the drug as a solution to apply to the scalp in 1988.’

 

6. Viagra: This erectile dysfunction drug is also known by the generic name of Sidenafil. Gelman comments, ‘Sidenafil (the generic name) was first tested in the 1980s to treat high blood pressure and improve blood flow in patients with chest pain. In trials, it didn’t have much of an impact on angina, but it did lead to erections. In 1998 Sidenafil became the first oral drug approved to treat impotence, replacing injected medications.’

 

7. Tamoxifen: Gelman points out, ‘Tamoxifen was originally intended as an anti-fertility drug when it was synthesized in 1962, but it turned out that it stimulated ovulation instead of suppressing it.’ Now, we use Tamoxifen to treat oestrogen-positive breast cancer, which accounts for 50 to 70% of cases. Moreover, the drug may also prevent the development of breast cancer in high-risk patients.

 

8. AZT: ‘Jerome Horwitz, of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, first synthesized AZT as a potential anti-leukemia drug in 1964, but it didn’t work,’ says Gelman. ‘In the 1970s, AZT was found to be active against a retrovirus, which led government researchers to consider it as an HIV fighter. The FDA approved the drug in 1987.’

Categories: Blood, blood pressure, breast cancer, Drug, gelman, high, high blood, lithium, local anaesthetic, nbsp, novocain, Viagra

The Facts That Everyone Ought to Know About Breast Cancer

Most people think they know all there is to know about breast cancer. It is one of the best publicized health concerns, as it is one that affects the wellness and wellbeing of millions of women around the world. Yet there are actually a large number of misconceptions about breast cancer.

 

One of the biggest myths is that this disease only affects women over the age of 40. This is entirely false, and in fact believing this myth can be dangerous as it causes younger women to become complacent about checking their breasts, as they feel they are not at risk. Breast cancer can actually affect anyone at any age. It is most common in post-menopausal women, but around 20 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women who are under the age of 40. Regular breast examination is, therefore, essential for women of all ages, and women who are older should also attend their regular mammographic screening.

 

If you do find a lump when checking your own breasts, try not to panic. Most of the growths that women find turn out to be non-cancerous, but of course it is vital to go to your doctor and make sure that this is the case for you.

 

Another commonly held myth is that men can’t get breast cancer. This is entirely untrue, as men can develop breast cancer. Around 1,600 men in the US alone will develop breast cancer this year. Although women do develop breast cancer at a much higher rate, men are at increased risk of mortality from the disease as they do not have the same awareness of the disease (and there is a stigma around it for men, too). The symptoms and treatment are the same in men or women, however, so it is important that men are ‘breast aware’ too.

Categories: Breast, breast cancer, cancer, develop, develop breast, Facts, nbsp, Women

Could Fatty Fish Help You to Fight Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a health concern that affects the wellbeing of men and women alike, albeit occurring more often in females. According to wellness experts, maintaining a healthy body weight and following a healthy diet is essential for keeping breast cancer at bay, especially when that diet contains high amounts of fatty fish, fruits and vegetables.

 

According to Zone Diet founder Dr Barry Sears, a leading authority on the effects of diet on hormonal response, ‘A recent study found that women who gained 55 pounds or more after age 18 had almost 1.5 times the risk of breast cancer compared to those who maintained their weight, and a gain of 22 pounds or more is an increased risk of 18%.’ And the primary reason for this development, as well as multiple chronic diseases? Inflammation. ‘Increased inflammation causes the production of a wide variety of inflammatory mediators (hormones and proteins) to be released at the cellular level that lead to a depression of the immune system,’ says Dr Sears. ‘Excess weight gain is also driven by inflammation. The more obese a person is, the greater the levels of inflammation in the body that can depress the immune system.’

 

However, even if you’re one of the lucky ones who can eat whatever they want and stay stick-thin, you may not be so lucky after all. Even for people of a healthy weight, a diet high in unhealthy fat, sugar, calories and processed foods can lead to breast cancer. Dr Sears explains, ‘A poor diet can be defined as one that increases inflammation and it is inflammation that is the driving force behind breast cancer as well as most other chronic diseases.’ So not only is a healthy diet – high in fresh fruits and vegetables and fatty fish – helpful for weight loss, it will also aid in mediating inflammation throughout your body.

 

So that’s why you need to fight inflammation through your diet, but how do you go about it? Like Dr Sears’ Zone Diet, anti-inflammatory diets reduce your glycaemic load by making fruits and vegetables your primary source of carbohydrates. These diets also include adequate amounts of low-fat protein sources such as chicken and fish, and primary use of olive oil. All these factors have been clinically demonstrated to have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, and, at the other end of the scale, vegetable oils rich in omega-6-fats can, when consumed in excess, have been shown to increase inflammation. This is why Dr Sears strongly recommends the exclusion of omega-6-fats from your diet, wherever possible.

 

Unlike omega-6s, omega-3s are vastly beneficial to your wellness, being long extolled as a source of heart-healthy fat, as well as inflammation reduction. According to one of many studies, published June 2009 in the medical journal BMC Cancer, both pre- and post-menopausal women can greatly reduce their risks of breast cancer by eating a high amount of omega-3 fatty fish. Moreover, omega-3s can even improve your breast cancer treatment efficacy. This is the finding of an April 2009 study, reported in the peer-reviewed online journal Cell Division, which showed that an omega-3 fatty acid reduced systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and leukocytosis, and also augmented the effects of chemotherapy drug cisplatin.

 

So why are omega-3s so beneficial for fighting breast cancer? Whether they are found in oily fish or fish oils, omega-3s dilute the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid, which is the primary mediator of inflammation in the cell membrane. Dr Sears comments, ‘Increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the cellular membrane make it more difficult to produce inflammatory hormones derived from toxic omega-6 fat. Omega-3 fatty acids can also suppress overactive cellular inflammatory responses that are also important in the development of breast cancer.’

Categories: anti-inflammatory, breast cancer, Chronic Diseases, diet high, dr sears, fatty acid, fatty acids, fatty fish, omega 3s

Ask The Expert: Taking Herbs for Your Menopause Symptoms

In the West, menopause seems to signal the end of your sexual health and wellness. However, in many traditional cultures, menopause is celebrated menopause as a rite of passage, a coming into wisdom. Similarly, such cultures have their own remedies for tackling the symptoms of menopause, but how do you know if they will work for your wellbeing? We asked Dr. Mary Hardy, head of the Integrative Medicine Group at Cedars Sinai Medical Group in Los Angeles, to explain how herbal therapies can ease the transition of menopause.

 

1. Why choose herbs? According to Dr. Hardy, ‘Many women choose herbs either because HRT is not recommended for them because of the increased risk of breast cancer, or because they just don’t feel comfortable using HRT.’

 

2. Which herbs are available for treating menopausal symptoms? ‘Eating soy can be very helpful for relief of menopausal symptoms.’ Dr. Hardy notes. ‘Among herbal remedies, black cohosh is an herb we learned about from the Native Americans and is now widely used in Europe. We don’t know exactly why, but it’s good at relieving some symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. Study has started on red clover for its effects on hot flashes as well. This herb contains some of the same chemicals as soybeans, called isoflavones, often referred to as plant estrogens or phytoestrogens.’

 

3. Can you combine herbs with HRT? Dr. Hardy allows, ‘Combining herbs like black cohosh or red clover, or soy with conventional hormone replacement therapy is mostly okay. But HRTs are powerful drugs, so your physician needs to be involved in your decision.’

 

4. Is it safe to replace your HRT with herbs? This is ‘a question that every woman should ask her doctor,’ says Dr. Hardy. ‘As the answer depends on the individual’s indication for oestrogen. If you’ve been using HRT for symptom control, and not for significant medical issues that require oestrogen replacement, herbal treatments can be used safely. But if you are taking HRT for heart disease, severe osteoporosis, intractable hot flashing, or chronic vaginal infections, it may not be advisable. The more significant your medical issues, the more you need to involve your physician in this discussion.’

 

5. Can you take phytoestrogens, like soy, if you have breast cancer? Dr. Hardy admits, ‘It’s a very controversial issue right now, and you’ll find more than one opinion without definitive answers. If you want to take phytoestrogens, do so under doctor’s supervision. I also feel that eating soy foods is safer than taking high-dose soy extractions. Generally, most of the safety data comes from observing Japanese women and their diets, so we should try to approximate what they do.’ When it comes to taking black cohosh when you have breast cancer, Dr. Hardy is a bit more confident: ‘While the results are far from conclusive, researchers in a couple of in-vitro studies found black cohosh inhibited the growth of cancer cells. They also tested for interactions between black cohosh and Tamoxifen (an estrogen-blocking drug used in the treatment of breast cancer) and found the black cohosh did not weaken the Tamoxifen. There’s a far jump from a test tube to a person, but in low doses, we feel it’s safe.’

 

6. What about dong quai? Not all herbs are beneficial on their own, Dr. Hardy comments. ‘Customarily in Chinese medicine, dong quai is never used alone but rather as part of a formula,’ she explains. ‘And depending on the specific symptoms, may not be at all appropriate. Unless it’s part of a formula recommended by a certified practitioner of Chinese medicine, I’d say skip it.’

Categories: black cohosh, breast cancer, dong quai, dr hardy, eating soy, herbal remedies, hot flashes, medical issues, menopausal symptoms, Menopause, red clover, Symptoms

Is There Such a Thing as the Male Birth Control Pill?

There are so many myths when it comes to sexual health that it can be difficult to know what to do for the best, to protect your wellness and wellbeing. The pill is one area where there are a lot of misconceptions (if you’ll pardon the pun!)

 

For example, some people believe that brand-name and generic pills are totally interchangeable. Whilst it is true that the quality of the drug between a brand name and generic pill will be equal, the dose variant is much larger in generic pills, with around 10 percent variation as opposed to 3 percent in brand name pills. For that reason, if you are sensitive to the hormones in the pill, you should always stick to a brand name variety.

 

Another recent scare has been that the pill may cause breast cancer. At the time of writing, there is no evidence to support this whatsoever. Women who have had breast cancer are advised not to take the pill, but there is nothing to say that it actually increases your risk. What’s more, studies have shown that women who took the pill for five years or more had a significant reduction in ovarian cancer and a smaller, but still significant, reduction in uterine cancer, so it may actually be beneficial.

 

One thing about the pill that is true, however, is that it can interact with other medications. Antibiotics such as rifampin, doxycycline and amoxicillin can all make the pill less effective so you should employ additional methods of contraception whilst on these drugs.

 

You also don’t really have to take your pill at the same time every day – that is a myth. It’s a good idea to take it at a set time purely because you will be more likely to remember. You can tie it in with an activity such as brushing your teeth, to help it become part of your routine. As long as you take it within a 12 hour window each day, however, it should be effective.

Categories: brand, breast cancer, cancer, contraception, generic pills, Myths, nbsp, Pill, Pills, significant reduction

Is There Such a Thing as the Male Birth Control Pill?

There are so many myths when it comes to sexual health that it can be difficult to know what to do for the best, to protect your wellness and wellbeing. The pill is one area where there are a lot of misconceptions (if you’ll pardon the pun!)

 

For example, some people believe that brand-name and generic pills are totally interchangeable. Whilst it is true that the quality of the drug between a brand name and generic pill will be equal, the dose variant is much larger in generic pills, with around 10 percent variation as opposed to 3 percent in brand name pills. For that reason, if you are sensitive to the hormones in the pill, you should always stick to a brand name variety.

 

Another recent scare has been that the pill may cause breast cancer. At the time of writing, there is no evidence to support this whatsoever. Women who have had breast cancer are advised not to take the pill, but there is nothing to say that it actually increases your risk. What’s more, studies have shown that women who took the pill for five years or more had a significant reduction in ovarian cancer and a smaller, but still significant, reduction in uterine cancer, so it may actually be beneficial.

 

One thing about the pill that is true, however, is that it can interact with other medications. Antibiotics such as rifampin, doxycycline and amoxicillin can all make the pill less effective so you should employ additional methods of contraception whilst on these drugs.

 

You also don’t really have to take your pill at the same time every day – that is a myth. It’s a good idea to take it at a set time purely because you will be more likely to remember. You can tie it in with an activity such as brushing your teeth, to help it become part of your routine. As long as you take it within a 12 hour window each day, however, it should be effective.

Categories: brand, breast cancer, cancer, contraception, generic pills, Myths, nbsp, Pill, Pills, significant reduction

The Sexy Six: How Does Sex Benefit Your Overall Health?

You don’t need a sexual health expert to tell you that sex feels good and puts you in an amazing mood, but did you know that sex also benefits your wellness in a number of not-so-obvious ways? Scientists have found that, during lovemaking, your body products a cascade of hormones and other biological changes that can lower your risk of cancer, boost your immunity, ease your pain and even offset the symptoms of menopause – taking care of your wellbeing has never been so much fun!

 

1. Lowers chronic pain: While having a headache is a go-to excuse for not getting down in the bedroom department, having sex may make that headache disappear. When your clitoris and vaginal walls are stimulated, your body triggers the release of natural painkillers like endorphins and corticosteroids. According to Barry Komisaruk, PhD, a Rutgers University psychology professor and co-author of The Science of Orgasm, this relieves headache pain and muscle soreness from before orgasm to up to two days later. In fact, he reports that self-stimulation through the front wall of your vagina increases your pain tolerance and pain detection thresholds by up to 50%.

 

2. Lessens breast cancer risk: As arousal and orgasm raises your “happiness” hormone level, you have more oxytocin and DHEA in your body, which may help keep breast cancer at bay. Research has demonstrated that having sex more than once a month makes you less likely to develop breast cancer than women who are less sexually active. Another study from Greek researchers showed that men were significantly less likely to develop breast cancer if they had at least seven orgasms a month in their 50s.

 

3. Exercises your heart: For a mild-to-moderate cardio workout you’ll actually enjoy, get busy between the sheets! The more vigorous you are, the more you benefit your heart. However, the cardio health benefits also somewhat depend on the positions you try. As being on top requires more effort, it’s more cardiac-friendly. Plus, at the peak moment of orgasm, your heart rate may hit 110 beats per minute, which is comparable to what walking quickly or jogging might achieve.

 

4. Protects your partner’s prostate: Scientists surmise that the reason why Catholic priests have an elevated chance of dying of prostate cancer is that they aren’t getting any. A 2003 study, this time undertaken on middle-aged Australian men, found that having at least four ejaculations a week gives your partner a one-third lower chance of developing prostate cancer than those who have fewer. Irwin Goldstein, MD, head of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital, explains, ‘”When you drain the pipes, as it were, you have less clogging.’

 

5. Reduces stress: In 2005, researchers showed that men and women who had sex in the two weeks before a stressful day had an easier time while doing public speaking and some verbal arithmetic. Having sex beforehand prevented their systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood-pressure reading) from increasing as much as those who had no sexual relations or had other forms of sex, including non-coital interactions or masturbation. Having sex also caused the participants’ blood pressure to drop back to its normal level at a faster rate. The researchers put forth the theory that having sex requires more complex brain activity, or it stimulates a number of important nerves not triggered during other kinds of sexual activity.

 

6. Amps up your immune system: According to research from Wilkes University, college students who engaged in sex once or twice a week had 30% higher levels of infection-fighting antibodies than did their abstinent classmates. This is not the only study that shows sex bolsters your immune system; in 2004, German scientists produced similar results.

Categories: blood pressure, Breast, breast cancer, cancer, develop breast, immunity, nbsp, orgasm, Pain, Pain Relief, prostate cancer, stress reduction

How Birth Control Pills Affect Your Health?

Over 150 million women around the world use birth control pills, yet while they are convenient there are also health risks attached to them. These side effects can be fluctuating weight, breast cancer, irregular periods and mood swings. What’s more, the longer you use the pills, the higher this risk is. Knowing about the risks is important so that you’re prepared and can be better equipped to make a decision about whether birth control pills are right for you.

 

Cancer issues

Studies suggest that birth control pills could lead to serious conditions such as cancer. It’s thought that this form of contraceptive could lead to breast, cervical or liver cancer. If you have a family history of cancer, this can increase the risk even higher. This is because women who have a history of the disease could carry an 11 percent higher risk of breast cancer – you should check with your GP before taking these pills if this is the case.

 

Disturbed mensuration

Regular menstruation is important, but birth control pills can affect this – some face disturbed periods and others suffer with no periods at all, or spotting for months. It can take around tow to six months for your periods to resume normality when you stop taking this form of contraception. You should consult your gynaecologist if your menstruation hasn’t started returning as normal after two months. They may be able to suggest a way to solve this issue.

 

Mood swings

Based on your hormones, its no surprise that these pills can cause mood swings – this means irritability, anxiety, sleepless nights, excessive sweating and restlessness. These side effects can even lead to depression in some women. It’s vital that you speak to your GP about this before you take these pills, particularly if you already suffer with these problems.

 

Heart at risk

Your risk of pregnancy may be lowered, but these pills also affect your heart. If you use birth control pills for a long time, you may face a higher risk of heart related diseases, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure. This is because these pills form a type of plaque in the arteries, which hardens and makes it more difficult for blood to travel through. To avoid this happening, you should use safe alternatives to these contraceptives such as condoms, so that you don’t need to use the pills all the time.

 

Loss of interest in sex  

Birth control pills have another way of avoiding unwanted pregnancies, by making you less interested in sex. The hormones present in the pills can lead to you losing interest in the act itself, as it can bar the exposure to the male hormone testosterone, prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens your cervical mucus to stop sperm entering the vagina. The longer you use them, the less sexually active you feel.

Weighty issues

As with many hormonal treatments, weight gain or loss is a risk of these contraceptives. It may be the case that you lose your appetite because of them, or that you become very restless. The alteration in your weight is most likely when you stop taking the pills, as your body tries to adjust to a normal routine. If your weight doesn’t return to normal, speak to your GP who may be able to advise of a way to resolve this. Other side effects that women complain of include a swelling or heaviness in the breasts, headaches in the morning, change in the hair structure such as it becoming more brittle, vomiting or dizziness, vaginal infections and acne.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, breast cancer, control, control pills, higher risk, Mood Swings, Pills, risk, Women

Gay Men and Women: Are You Skipping Vital Screenings?

According to a wealth of research, gay men and lesbians are less likely to protect their wellness with routine screening tests than heterosexuals. Whether you’re gay or straight, illnesses can affect your wellbeing, so why aren’t you having screening or testing done to check your risk? And we’re not just talking about sexual health here, but other health concerns like cancer. Gay men and women often fear discrimination, or simply don’t think they’re at risk, and so they don’t get tested but the screening process may save your life. It’s vital that certain conditions are detected early, and some, such as breast cancer, may actually be more common in gay people.

 

For Women Only:

 

• Cervical cancer screening: If you have sex with other women, you should have cervical smears every three to five years. Early detection of cervical abnormalities is vital to prevent cervical cancer, which is currently diagnosed in around 2,800 women each year. There’s an urban myth floating around that lesbians can’t get cervical cancer, but in reality your risk is just thought to be lower than straight women. You can still develop cervical cancer, but according to charity Stonewall, 15% of lesbians and bisexual women have never had a cervical smear test compared with 7% of women in general. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme encourages every 25- to 49-year-old woman to have a screening every three years, and women aged 50-64 are invited every five years. Your GP gives the programme your details and sends you a reminder letter when your test is due, so it’s vital to register with a local surgery.

 

• Breast cancer screening: Stonewall’s survey of more than 6,000 women found that lesbians are more prone to breast cancer than straight women. This may be linked to other factors that lesbians are more prone to, such as being overweight, drinking more alcohol and being less likely to have children. Compared to one in 20 of women in general, more than one in 12 lesbian and bisexual women aged between 50 and 79 had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and yet lesbians and bisexual women are less likely to attend routine breast screening tests. As the NHS Breast Screening Programme automatically invites 50- to 70-year-old women for screening every three years, and encourages the over 70s to make their own screening appointment every three years, there’s no reason not to get tested.

 

For Men Only:

 

• HIV Testing: As a gay man, you’re more at risk of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea, than straight men. This is certainly the case with HIV, as gay men in the UK are the most commonly affected group even though it can affect anyone’s wellbeing. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) notes over a quarter (27%) of people with HIV don’t know they have it, and the number of people with HIV continues to rise. The most common way to spread HIV is through penetrative sex, and so prevention using a condom is key. However, if you do have unprotected sex or think you might be at risk of HIV, your nearest genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic can give you a free, confidential and anonymous sexual health check.

 

For Men and Women:

 

• General health checks: You’re eligible for NHS bowel cancer screening from the age of 60 and for a blood pressure check every five years or so from the age of 40, although you should be screened more often if you have high blood pressure.

 

• Chlamydia screening: As one of the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK, chlamydia can affect men and women, gay or straight, and often doesn’t present any symptoms. You can get a free chlamydia test if you’re under the age of 25, but screening is important at any age as chlamydia can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Categories: Bisexual Women, blood pressure, breast cancer, breast screening, cancer screening, cervical cancer, gay men, Lesbians, Screening and Testing, screening programme, women aged

What is the Difference Between a Mastectomy and Lumpectomy?

Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer can not only be devastating, emotionally, it can also lead to a variety of other physical health concerns. Being in control of what is going to happen to your body following a diagnosis of breast cancer is vital for your emotional wellness and wellbeing, and so it is important to read up on your treatment and understand as much as you possibly can.

 

When a tumour is diagnosed, doctors will generally decide that it has to be removed. What doctors have to decide, however, is whether to remove the entire breast, or just a small amount of tissue. When a tumour and small amount of surrounding tissue is removed, this is known as a lumpectomy. When the entire breast is removed, this is known as a mastectomy.

 

Research has shown that with stage one or two breast cancer, the outcomes for lumpectomy and mastectomy surgery (plus radiation) are the same, so the choice may well be up to you.

 

When a lumpectomy is performed, the surgeon only removes the tumour plus a margin of surrounding tissue. The aim is to create something called ‘clean margins’ – meaning that when tested, the tissue around the removed area shows up as being clear of cancer. If this does not occur, further surgery will then be required to remove more tissue or to do a mastectomy.

 

Following a lumpectomy, patients are almost always given several weeks of radiation therapy, in order to kill any remaining cells. There may also be chemotherapy after the surgery, which is known as adjuvant chemotherapy. Sometimes chemo is given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemo) in order to reduce the size of the tumour before going in for a surgical removal.

 

Both lumpectomy and mastectomy surgery has some risks, and your doctor will be able to advise you on issues such as pain medication and surgical dressings.

Categories: Breast, breast cancer, entire breast, lumpectomy, mastectomy, mastectomy nbsp, mastectomy surgery, nbsp, surrounding tissue

The Truth About Why Angelina Jolie Had a Double Mastectomy

A few months ago, the world was rocked by revelations about the health of actress Angelina Jolie. The actress revealed that she had opted to improve her wellness and wellbeing by undergoing a double mastectomy. This was due to the fact that she had tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene, following the death of her mother, and this meant that preemptive surgery gave her the best chance of staying healthy.

 

BRCA1 is a gene that makes people more susceptible to breast or ovarian cancer. It is a very dangerous gene to be in possession of, as it makes your chances of getting cancer extremely high (and the chances of a cure much lower than for the average person who contracts these types of cancer.

 

Breast cancer is a very common disease; statistics show that around 12 percent of women will develop the disease at some point during their lives. If women have a positive test for the BRCA mutation, their chances are much higher.

 

Jolie’s mother Marcheline Bertrand died in 2007 of ovarian cancer, and her aunt died recently of breast cancer, leading Jolie to suspect that there may be a higher risk of her possessing the gene. If you have a number of close relatives who have this disease, it can be an indicator that you are a carrier of the gene.

 

To that end, if you are adopted or have become estranged from your family, it’s a really good idea to do some background research and find out about any family history, so that you can take any precautions necessary.

 

Since the surgery, Jolie has revealed that her children were a major reason for her decision to go ahead with the surgery; the actress did not want her children to have to fear losing her to cancer. Her chances of the disease, following the surgery, have dropped from a scary 86 percent to just under five percent.

Categories: angelina, angelina jolie, breast cancer, cancer, double mastectomy, gene, jolie, mastectomy, nbsp, ovarian cancer, surgery

Which Medical Tests Do You Need to Book Now?

When it comes to your health early detection of any disease or ailment is advisable, yet most people don’t take advantage of the various health checks and tests available to them. Such tests could prove to be life-saving, and the majority of them are quick and easy to undertake. These are the top tests which could help to keep you healthy and highlight any potential problems early on, which could make treatment far more effective.

 

Mammogram

The American Cancer Society has always claimed that women should begin annual breast cancer screening at the age of 40 with mammograms, but the new thought on the matter is that women should wait until their 50. This is because younger and denser breasts are more likely to develop benign cysts, which means that aggressive testing on innocent lumps in the tissue is unnecessary. However, most doctors stand by the early tests in order to be on the safe side – get tested every year from 40, or earlier if there is a history of breast cancer in your family. if this is the case, you should start screenings 10 years earlier than the age your relative was when she was diagnosed. So, if your mum was diagnosed at the age of 42, you need to be getting annual screenings from the age of 32.

 

Breast examinations

Breast exams are very quick, painless and free – self exams have been proven to reduce the number of cancer-related deaths. Women often discover their own cancers through noticing the symptoms early, so as long as you don’t worry about every lump and bump you find (menstruating will mean you’ll find some lumps which are harmless) then there is no harm in doing regular breast checks. Being familiar with your breasts and knowing what is right for you makes this a lot more effective, and regular checks are one of the best ways to do this.

 

Pap smears

Cervical smears are advised from the age of 21, with follow-up tests every other year until the age of 30, when it becomes every three years if the results are normal. It depends on your risk factor – if you’re healthy and HPV negative, and either not sexually active or have just one partner, you can be screened every three years. If you have other risks, such as smoking or sleeping with multiple partners, then your risks increase and you should be screened annually.

 

High cholesterol

If you’re over the age of 20, a total cholesterol exam which is carried out with a simple blood test could assess your risk of heart disease. This is done every year if your LDL, which is referred to as the ‘bad’ cholesterol, measures over 130. If your result is lower, then you only need to be tested every five years.

 

Under or overactive thyroid

This is also tested with a blood test, and the condition itself can lead to symptoms of weight gain or indicate an autoimmune disease. If you’re over the age of 35, you should get tested every two years – however, if you’re showing symptoms you should speak to your GP earlier to see if you have the condition.

 

Chlamydia or other STDs

Regular sexual health screenings are advised to anyone who is sexually active, regardless of their age. In particular, tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea can help reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease – the tests are quick, relatively painless and offer peace of mind that you’re not spreading infection. If you’re sleeping with multiple partners and are under 25, this is especially important.

Categories: Blood Test, breast cancer, health, medical tests, multiple partners, sexually active, Symptoms, tests

Why are GPs Increasingly Using Complementary Therapies?

Studies show that around half of the GPs in the UK are now providing access to different forms of therapy to their patients outside of the conventional routes of medicine and it seems that complementary therapies have soared in popularity in the past 10 years. The terms ‘alternative’ and ‘complementary’ medicine have long been associated with different forms of treatment, but the two offer varying methods – complementary treatments are used alongside conventional medicines, whereas alternative therapies refer to such treatments as Chinese medicine, and these replace conventional medicine.

GPs are now opting to include complementary therapies as part of their treatment for a variety of ailments. It seems that as many as one in three patients request these types of therapies when speaking to their GP. When used properly, these therapies can heighten the effectiveness of traditional methods – these include hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, acupuncture and osteotherapy. Many people don’t realise that there is a difference though, or the effect these methods can have.

GPs claim that there has been a high demand for therapies such as osteotherapy, chiropractors and acupuncture, but now nutritional therapies are also increasing in popularity. More GPs are also training in some of these therapies so that they can be offered within the surgery – for breast cancer patients, for example, nutrition, aromatherapy and shiatsu therapies are popular forms of treatment when used alongside more conventional medicines. Studies show that integrative medicines do bring a more positive effect to those using them, with the Haven Breast Cancer charity claiming that as many as 89 percent of patients said they felt better after receiving complementary therapies alongside their regular treatment. And because of the efficiency they offer, GPs are increasingly recommending them more and more.

The NHS and medical centres may begin offering more varied complementary therapies to patients. The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, which is the leading centre for complementary medicine in the NHS, offers treatments which include acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, massage, clinical hypnotherapy and osteotherapy to help deal with the symptoms of a host of ailments and diseases. Your GP will only be able to recommend certain therapies depending on the area you live in though. Speak to your GP for advice on the therapies you’re able to receive, depending on your postcode and budget.

The five integrated therapies which are most popular amongst GPs include osteopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and art therapy. Osteopathy is ideal for back pain and can be use to detect, treat and prevent health problems. Chiropractic care is also used for back problems and can help alleviate issues with the spine and joints. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, particularly in Chinese medicine, and uses fine needles which are inserted into pressure points in the body to help treat a variety of health concerns, from migraines to assisting with childbirth. Hypnotherapy involves putting patients into a trance-like state which can improve their well-being and control various symptoms. It is often associated with phobias, anxiety, fear, panic attacks and sleep problems. Finally, art therapy can help patients with mental health problems, as creating paintings and music can help people deal with their inner conflict and emotional turmoil.

 

Your GP will be able to advise you of the best treatments for your condition as there are many more besides these which could help you. Depending on what your budget and location is, as well as your symptoms, your GP can offer a selection of possible therapies which could help to work with your medicine for quicker or more effective treatments.

Categories: art therapy, breast cancer, Chinese medicine, chiropractic care, complementary medicine, complementary therapies, conventional medicines, GP, health problems, Therapies, Treatments

Why Two Tuna Sandwiches a Week Could Prevent Breast Cancer

Oily fish can prevent a variety of health concerns, the most commonly cited one being heart disease. However, a new study, published in British Medical Journal, found that oily fish can protect your wellbeing against breast cancer. Based in China, the researchers found that women eating two helpings a week of oily fish, such as salmon, cut their breast cancer risk by up to 14%.

The researchers looked at the results of 26 studies from the United States, Europe and Asia. Put together, the data included over 800,000 participants and over 20,000 cases of breast cancer. In Asian populations, where fish intake is much higher, the risk of breast cancer was lowest. The results of the analysis also revealed that for every extra 0.1g or 0.1% of energy per day derived from omega-3 fatty acids in fish, breast cancer risk was reduced by 5%. To achieve this, you need to eat two portions of salmon, tuna, sardines or other oily fish twice a week.

According to Katherine Woods, Research Information Manager at Breast Cancer Campaign, ‘While this research reported a reduction in breast cancer risk of 14% for women consuming the highest levels of a particular type of fatty acid, it is important to note that body mass index (BMI) was not factored into the findings which could go some way to explaining this link. Further research is needed in order to understand any links between BMI, fatty acids found in fish and breast cancer risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercise and reducing alcohol intake can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and other diseases.’

Sally Greenbrook, Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Senior Policy Officer, commented, ‘It’s difficult to say with any certainty which foods or dietary factors have an impact on breast cancer risk, since we all eat a variety of different foods, and our diet changes over our lifetime. The study found that fatty acids found in fish could be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, but there’s not enough evidence yet to suggest eating fish will reduce a person’s individual risk. However, we do recommend that all people eat a healthy balanced diet for their general health and wellbeing, of which fish can certainly form a part.’

 

Categories: breast cancer, oily fish, Research

Student Device Could Revolutionise Breast Cancer Surgery

Students in America have developed a pioneering device that could slash the amount of lumpectomies in half. When your wellness is affected by breast cancer, you may need to undergo a lumpectomy so that the doctors can remove your cancer cells. However, because of the high fat content of the samples, your doctor won’t be able to scan tissue to check that all cancerous cells have been removed, but the new device is set to change this.

Designed by Johns Hopkins University, the device attaches an adhesive film to your breast tissue, so that pathologists can scan samples within 20 minutes of surgery. This means that,  if you do indeed still have cancerous cells, your doctor can remove them while you’re still on the table, and so you won’t need to put your wellbeing through second or third follow-up operations. As it stands, it can take days for samples to be scanned, which can also cause delays in other treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

With most tumours, a pathologist can flash-freeze the tissue and slice off paper-thin samples for microscopic examination. Then, if cancer cells are seen to extend to the outer edge or margin of a sample, the surgeon can remove more tissue from the patient. Because of breast tissue’s high fat content, it does not freeze well and this causes the samples to smear, form gaps and become unsuitable for a quick review. However, by applying a film before the tissue is sliced, the new device holds the delicate tissue together and prevents damage to the samples during the slicing process.

According to student inventor Hector Neira from Maryland, ‘We spoke to breast cancer surgeons. They told us that they are desperate for something that will allow them to remove the tumour in its entirety the first time, so that the patient doesn’t have to come back for a second surgery.’ So the device was born, which has now been tested on animal tissue and human breast samples from a tissue bank. While the device is still in its prototype stage, and it is yet to be used on patients, the students hope to give breast cancer patients the same rapid review that commonly occurs when other tumours are removed.

One of the inventors Anjana Sinha of Princeton, New Jersey, commented, ‘We’re not doing it for the money. We want to improve healthcare practices and raise the standard of care for these breast cancer patients. Why can’t they get the same type of quick results that people with other types of cancer receive?’ Melissa Camp, a Johns Hopkins assistant professor of surgery who worked with the team, added, ‘I think the students…are addressing a very real need in the field of breast cancer surgery. Accurate assessment of margin status during the initial operation will lead to fewer re-operations, and this will be beneficial for patients in many respects. I look forward to their continued work!’

Categories: breast cancer, Device, lumpectomy

Why Is Breast Cancer on the Rise in British Asian Women?

Researchers from the University of Sheffield have found a wellness threat to British Asian women; an increased risk of breast cancer. Historically, women from this ethnic group have had a lower risk of the disease than white British women, but lifestyle factors such as obesity, or more coming forward for screening could explain the change.

The research, which was presented to the National Cancer Intelligence Network Conference in Brighton last week, looked at census and cancer data for 135,000 women from different ethnic backgrounds from 2000-2009. During the first five years, South Asian women were found to have a 45% cent lower rate of breast cancer compared with white women. However, from 2005 to 2009 white women’s rates of breast cancer had not significantly changed, but rates of breast cancer among South Asian women had increased considerably to be 8% higher than white women.

According to study leader Dr Matthew Day, of the University of Sheffield, ‘Historically South Asian women, and women in lower socio-economic groups, have been considered at lower risk of developing breast cancer. Based on our study in Leicester, this should no longer be considered the case.’ He continued, ‘The exact causes behind this change are not clear cut, they could relate to increases in screening uptake among these groups of women, which have in the past been shown to be lower than in other groups. Or they could be due to changes in lifestyle factors, like having fewer children and having them later in life, increased use of oral contraceptives, and increased smoking and alcohol intake – factors linked to increased breast cancer risk across the board.’

Dr Mick Peake, clinical lead at Public Health England’s National Cancer Intelligence Network, commented, ‘The results of the Leicester study should assist public health services to both plan for, and respond to, the changing risk profile of breast cancer in the population, particularly with regards to Asian women who for a long time have been another group whose attendance rate for screening has been low. At the individual level, if women are concerned about breast cancer, they should speak to their GP.’ Dr Hannah Bridges, of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, added, ‘More research needs to be done to see if this trend is also true for South Asian women across the UK and to understand the reasons behind this potential change.’

Categories: breast cancer, British Asian Women, Research

Breast Cancer Enzyme Alerts Your Immune System to Fight

Cancer has got a bad wellness reputation – and rightly so – but you shouldn’t be too quick to judge the enzymes that cancerous cells release. This is according to researchers from the University of East Anglia, who say that enzymes released by cancerous cells have a protective function and are not one of the ‘bad guys’.

So why shouldn’t you tar the enzymes with the same brush? The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, found the MMP-8 enzyme sent a signal to the immune system to attack the tumour. This stands to reason, as the wellbeing of patients whose breast tumours have more of this enzyme seems to improve the most. In fact, Cancer Research UK praised the research for providing ‘very early clues’ as to how the enzyme might recruit cells to fight breast cancer.

Working with clinicians at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, scientists from UEA examined the patterns of MMPs in breast tumours from patients. Up until now, health experts thought that the production of MMPs by breast cancer cells helped to promote cancer growth, and lead researcher Professor Dylan Edwards, from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences, explained that this is because MMP-8-producing breast cancer cells also produce two other inflammatory factors (IL-6 and IL-8) that have previously been shown to promote cancer.

According to Professor Edwards, ‘They were once thought to act like ‘molecular scissors’ to snip away at the scaffolding structures outside cells and clear a path for the cancer cells to invade and spread to other organs. However, breast tumour cells that over-produce MMP-8 don’t survive long-term – the enzyme stops them growing. We now think that in tumours, MMP-8 acts as a sort of ‘find me’ signal to the immune system, which then becomes activated to attack the tumour, which may help to explain its protective function.’

Dr Emma Smith, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, noted, ‘This study provides very early clues as to how the MMP-8 protein might actually play the role of a ‘good cop’ and recruit immune cells to fight breast cancer. And, rather than seeing the MMP-8 protein as a ‘bad cop’ in breast cancer, recent research has shown that levels of this protein are raised in women who do relatively well. Yet, until now, we haven’t known why this should be the case. But these are early findings from cells grown in a lab, and more research is needed to see if the molecules found by the scientists alert immune cells to cancers in women.’

Categories: breast cancer, MMP-8 enzyme, Research