Have you read about this recently, studies concerning curcumin and breast cancer prevention and treatment are in the very early stages? Scientists are still looking at the effect it has on cells and laboratory animals. So far, they have seen positive effects on cancers of the neck, head, pancreas, prostate, lung, liver and cervix, basically every part of the body. But, when it comes to suggesting it as a dietary supplement, there are problems.

Making it Work for You:

Curcumin is the compound that makes the roots or rhizomes of the turmeric plant yellowish orange. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health problems. In some countries, it is regularly taken to promote digestive health.

Scientific studies have proven that the curcuminoids in turmeric have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, supporting turmeric's traditional use as natural medicine. The problem, when it comes to curcumin and breast cancer prevention is that taking it orally does not increase blood serum levels. Researchers refer to this by saying that the compound has low bioavailability.

In order to enhance absorption into the bloodstream, the compound must be protected from stomach acid. So, an enteric coating is the solution to that problem. It has also been shown that piperine, a compound found in black pepper, increases the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000%. So, that should take care of the problem.

But, most health supplement manufacturers fail to mention any of these things. The supplements are promoted because of the scientific studies, but most manufacturers ignore the studies concerning bioavailability. The average consumer has no idea.

The only thing that a single ingredient turmeric supplement might be good for is digestive ailments. When it comes to curcumin and breast cancer prevention or inflammation reduction, it must enter the bloodstream.

Making the Right Choice:

Most health supplements do not work as promised, because they are poorly designed. Either the company uses the wrong form of a nutrient or the wrong delivery method. The single ingredient turmeric supplements on the market are veggie caps containing the powder. The ones that include piperine are better. But, the best are those that include an enteric coating.

In addition to the studies concerning curcumin and breast cancer, scientists have looked at the benefit of many other plants. Green tea may help prevent cancers of the prostate, breast, colon, throat and stomach. Black cumin is an anti-cancer agent. So is resveratrol, a compound present in red grapes and wine. There are some excellent supplements on the market that contain extracts from all of them.

Poor nutrition plays a role in nearly every disease. Low levels of vitamin D, for example, are associated with all types of cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. Low levels of SAM-e, a nutrient produced by the body, are associated with depression. To be your healthiest, you need to strive for optimal nutritional intake.

So there you have it, studies concerning curcumin and breast cancer will continue as time goes by. In years to come, there may be many powerful anti-cancer drugs, developed through the courtesy of Mother Nature. Those of us that are interested in prevention don't need to wait. We just have to find the right supplement.



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Perhaps if you're already experiencing some of the symptoms of breast cancer, you're more concerned in determining the type of cancer you have. So, what are the different types of breast cancer?

About 5-10% of breast cancer incidents are due to hereditary factors. Individuals with genetic defects in the BRCA1 (breast bane gene1) and BRCA2 (breast sarcoma gene2) are more prone to developing ovarian bane and breast cancer.

Breast tumors can also come from inherited mutations especially with CHEK-2 gene, p53 gene (growth suppressor), and ataxia-telangiectasia gene. If these genes are present in your family, you're at high risk of developing the disease.

The inflammatory breast cancer primarily involves the skin areas of the breast. About 4% of the total numbers of patients are diagnosed with inflammatory breast every year. Oftentimes, it is characterized by general boils or rosiness of the breast skin. Lumps may also be present in some cases.

Here are the different types of breast cancer:

1. Tumor grade - this is assigned by the pathologist and it is based on the typeface of the melanoma; through the use of the microscope, the pathologist can see how the cells resemble with the breast bandanna. Through the given grading info, the doctor can determine the best handling options

2. Metaplastic carcinoma - the lesion localizes and you can find different cell types which are not usually present in other forms of breast cancer. The diagnosis and treatment are similar to the dangerous ductal carcinoma.

3. Tubular carcinoma - the name was derived from the plague appearance as seen from the microscope; this is an insidious type of cancer as compared to the lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma.

4. Lobular carcinoma (in situ) - this is not sarcoma. However, this would mean that the individual is at high risk of developing melanoma. Even if you don't have lobular carcinoma but your sister and mother has it, you will also be at high risk.

There are also times when an individual develops fibrocystic changes. These refer to cysts and fibrosis. Cysts are crammed fluid sacs while fibrosis is fibrous, or hankie or wound-like formation. Fibrosis and cysts often develop first prior to the breast cancer stage.

If you feel a lump on your breast and you see a slightly dull or filmy nipple discharge, this may already be a symptom of the deadly disease. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose if you have breast cancer or not. Several tests are performed before accurate diagnosis can be given. After that, you can choose among the different treatment options available.

Some patients go for the conventional treatments but there are also those who forgo with the conventional medicines and instead choose the alternative medications. Well, it is up to you to choose the best treatment option to employ. If you can't afford the conventional medications, you can always choose the alternative medications but oftentimes, you need to consider the stage of the cancer you are in.

The treatments vary and it depends greatly on the types of breast cancer. There is an appropriate treatment for a particular type of cancer. Only the doctor can give you the proper treatment. Don't attempt to use any other medications unless your doctor tells you so. Breast cancer is a serious matter and it can be life threatening when left untreated. Do some self examinations and if you discover a lump or mass, consult a doctor at once.


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The reason why many breast cancer patients detect their health condition too late is because they can't feel any pain. As it becomes worse, some of the symptoms of breast cancer become apparent. If the symptoms are too obvious, you need to consult a doctor right away. Several tests are conducted to determine if a certain individual has the illness.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer are the following:

1. Very evident change in the size and shape of the breasts

2. Mass or lump found in armpits

3. The lump or mass is generally painless and firm but with no distinct borders; when touched, the lump or mass feels hard

4. Abnormal nipple discharge; the discharge appears like pus, yellow fluid, bloody, or greenish

5. The nipple changes in appearance, there are itchy sensations, or the nipple becomes retracted

6. Breast pain or discomfort and enlargement but usually on one side of the breast only

7. The nipple's skin, the breast, or areola changes in color or feel; the veins are more accentuated and there is redness or scaly appearance; the breast is puckered or dimpled

8. The late stages include symptoms like bone pain, weight loss, arm swelling, and skin ulceration

Some people hardly even know that they are already experiencing the breast cancer symptoms. A breast that itches frequently or feels hot/warm when touched are considered dangerous and rare symptoms of the disease.

Inflammatory breast cancer is dangerous and many individuals discover this disease too late. Mammogram or self exams usually don't detect this condition. Check if your breast is reddish in appearance because this is the very evident symptom of inflammatory cancer of the breast.

There are also women who mistake the orange peel appearance around their breast as cellulites and they are quite embarrassed to consult a doctor. If this is the case, you should not hesitate to visit your doctor right away.

The breasts usually become tender and increase a bit in size during menstruation. However, if the change in size happened in between menstruation periods, a visit to the hospital or clinic will do you good.

Women are not the only ones at risk but also men. Every year, more than 1600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. The symptoms experienced by men include a lump, breast swelling and that of the nipples or chest wall, nipple discharge, the nipple becomes inverted, puckering or dimpling of the breast skin, and the breast skin appears dry, scaly, and reddish.

The ones mentioned above are the common symptoms of the disease. Again, take note that some of the symptoms are not evident especially during the early stages. It is advised that both men and women conduct self exams to determine if there are mass or lumps around the breast area. This is one of the best ways to detect the possibility of having the disease.

A great number of breast cancer patients die every year because they detected the condition during the late stages. There are various treatments available for breast cancer today. If you suspect you have breast cancer or you're experiencing any of the symptoms of breast cancer, you must consult your doctor immediately so that the necessary tests can be performed to get accurate diagnosis. Once the right diagnosis is given, the doctor will now inform you about the treatment options that you can employ.


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How dangerous is breast cancer? Well, breast cancer is really dangerous but there are now lots of treatments available. You're free to choose between conventional treatments and alternative treatments. Through accurate diagnosis, the doctor can provide you with the proper treatment plan that can cure your illness.

If you were diagnosed with breast cancer many years ago, it would have been a hopeless case. Thanks to the developments in the medical industry, the cancer treatments today are very effective and the survival rates are also high.

Most cancer patients are women but there are also men who develop the disease. In the US alone, more than 200,000 people are diagnosed breast cancer. It is also the leading cause of deaths among women and it is also the highest so far as compared to other types of cancer. Women who are already in their menopause stage are prone to it; not only that, women taking HRTs and pills are also susceptible to the disease. Excessive alcohol intake and being overweight can also lead to this ailment. Certain genes cause breast cancer and if one of these genes is present in your family, you're at high risk.

When you have breast cancer, the tissues in your breast are already cancerous. It usually appears like a lump or tumor in the breast area. Not all lumps are cancerous because some of them are just normal lumps but you need to be sure.

Some of the symptoms of breast cancer are swelling or lump in the breast, increased breast size, change in color or dimpling of the skin, and unusual nipple discharge. In order to cure it, early detection is vital. When the cancer has reached the advanced stage or Stage 4, it will be a bit difficult to treat.

There are different ways to detect breast cancer. Every year, you can undergo a medical exam conducted by a doctor. Women over 40 years can undergo mammogram or ultrasound. Doctors usually employ biopsy to determine if the lump or mass is cancerous. Some individuals also conduct BSE wherein they examine their breasts for any abnormality.

Some of the treatments available for treating breast cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, hormone treatment, and radiation therapy. If you find these treatments quite costly, you can opt for alternative treatments like natural medicines and homeopathy.

Since breast cancer is considered a dangerous disease, prevention is the key to stop its development. Some of the treatments can damage the body and so the patients often feel exhausted and stressed. For those who want to feel relaxed instead of tired, they can undergo a massage therapy or any other alternative treatment. Prevention is still better than cure and this applies to all kinds of health problem. If it runs in your genes and if you're already aging, you need to be more aware if there are any changes in your breasts. Keep in mind that this disease does not discriminate.

So what are you waiting for? Have your breasts examined if you're suspicious of any lump or mass in your breast. How dangerous is breast cancer? It can cause you your life so don't take it lightly. Many people die of breast cancer and if you don't want to end up like them, examine your breast area regularly.



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