What to do before You Have Breast Cancer Symptoms

Breast cancer is a major health concern and you need to know if you have breast cancer symptoms or signs. Women including men have breast cancer as I wrote in my last newsletter. According to the recent survey worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world.
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women. The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on the way that we eat and the pollution that exists in the water, air, and food.

The other big factor in cancer is the thoughts that we have. Toxins and chemical pollution cause acid and free radicals in our body and so do negative thoughts. It is these acids and free radicals that change your body’s pH and that depletes the oxygen in your cells allowing cancer to form freely and to multiple.

To protect yourself against cancer, you need to know the signs of breast cancer so you can take action against it right away and to learn good nutritional habits.
Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Recommended screening methods include breast self-examination and mammogram. This test has been estimated to reduce breast cancer-related mortality by 20-30%. Routine and annual mammography of women older than age 40 or 50 is recommended.
Mammograms do not detect all possible cancer tissue. They can detect micro calcification of calcium, which might indicate the presents of cancer. Calcium can deposit in tissue and this is caused by an acid body. To stay in solution, calcium must have enough sodium in the surrounding liquid. In an alkaline body, there is plenty of sodium to keep calcium in solution, but in an acid body, calcium will precipate out and form crystals.

Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer are usually not painful. This may be the reason why most women don’t know they have breast cancer until after several breast cancer signs and symptoms start to appear. You should see your health care provider, if you notice the following:

· Lump in the armpit or above the collarbone that does not go away in two weeks or so. Although most breast lumps are not cancerous, it always best to check them out

· Breast discharge is a common problem and is rarely a symptom of cancer, but if it is from only one breast or if it is bloody, then check with your doctor

· Nipple inversion is a common in normal nipples, but nipple inversion that has developed recently can be of concern

· Changes in the breast skin including redness, changes in texture, and puckering. These changes are usually caused by skin diseases but occasionally can be associated with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a condition where you lack oxygen in your cells and when you have an acid body. To prevent cancer from forming, you need to learn how to make your body more alkaline. In my new nutrition course, I concentrate on how you can make your body more alkaline. An alkaline body not only stops cancer but also stops and prevents most diseases from forming in your body.
Don’t wait until you have symptoms of breast cancer or any other disease before you start improving your health habits. Start now learning what good nutrition is and how you can be free from illness.

About the Author: Rudy Silva is a natural nutritionist that has a nutrition course that will help you prevent, stop, or eliminate illness. To find out more about how you can do this, go to: Using Nutrition to Stop Illness

Read more »

Dr Arati Bhatia describes her own humbling experience with cancer and chemotherapy

The drainage tube and the negative pressure bag were my constant companions for sixteen days. I was not always respectful of them, even bouncing them around occasionally. I had an intense sense of relief when we were finally parted. They had served their function well. The wound had healed, and there was no collection or infection. Cosmetically, it was a job well done.
Post-mastectomy the strangest sensation was the lack of it. My elbow was numb. I had been unaware of the importance of my elbow to my wellbeing. Now I am reminded every day of what has happened. The operated arm must enter the shirtsleeve or blouse before the normal one. Earlier I had never given much thought to this. Suddenly you are more aware of your own body and its vulnerability.
I had always been proud both of my physique and looks, even though I had contributed little towards then. My tailor affirmed my arrogance. In his years of tailoring experience, I was the only woman whose size had remained so constant for the better part of thirty years.
I am blessed with thick, glossy, low maintenance hair. A shampoo and a brush is all they ever needed to spring into place. Sleep or gusty winds couldn’t disturb them. Suddenly I was terrified of touching my hair, leave alone combing them. Each hair hurt, yelling its impending doom. I procured a wig made from someone else’s hair. But I hesitated to run my comb through it. It was not my hair; however, this made-to-order wig was my only escape from chemotherapy-induced baldness.
I joined work after the winter break. Medical leave for the next round of chemotherapy had to be routed through the department office, forcing me to disclose my health status to my colleagues. My friends in the department already knew I had breast cancer, and were fighting their own battle, a bit like my family. The reactions I observed in the department got me thinking.
Many of my colleagues were about the same age as my self, give or take two to three years. Also, a department dominated by women is emotional! Crying is a common phenomenon. Disclosure to two senior colleagues was accompanied by weeping and hugging, an emotion I had never encountered in the department before. Were the tears for me or for themselves — a realization of their own susceptibility? I think the latter. As the news spread, many headed for the radiology department.
There were those who stood silently, some with tears in their eyes. Others reassuringly gave me the latest outcome for this type of cancer from the literature. They had done their homework well; these were mainly postgraduate students.
A third lot – the vast majority – failed to make eye contact. Either they could not handle it, or for them I had already passed on. Strangely, one person who had fallen out with me some years ago came to make amends. This was difficult to handle. It left me confused. He is highly religious and I felt he was looking for redemption, ensuring that I did not interfere with his karma.
Although it has been two years now, and I have moved on, coping with the immediate effects of chemotherapy had a permanent humbling effect.
Dr Arati Bhatia
Professor of Pathology
University College of Medical Sciences
Delhi-95
India
aratibhatia@yahoo.co.in

Read more »