Breast Cancer - 01

Breast Cancer is a growth of abnormal cells within the breast. Breast cancer is not a single disease but rather a group of diseases that can develop in the ducts (which carry milk to the nipple), the lobules (milk producing areas) or other parts of the breast.

After non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. For 2007, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that more than 178,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed, adding to the 2 million women who have been diagnosed and treated previously for this disease. In addition, the ACS estimates that nearly 40,500 women are expected to die from breast cancer in 2007, making it the second leading cause of cancer death among women (surpassed only by lung cancer).

Although rare, men can also develop breast cancer. In the United States, about 2,000 men are expected to develop breast cancer in 2007, and about 450 men will die from the disease, according to the ACS. However, breast cancer primarily affects women.

Common ways to screen for breast cancer include monthly breast self-examination, clinical breast examination performed by a physician and screening mammography. However, to confirm a diagnosis of breast cancer, a biopsy is performed in which all or part of the mass is removed and then analyzed by a pathologist who views the specimen under a microscope.

Based on the findings by the pathologist, if the tumor is cancerous (malignant) then additional tests, such as an MRI, ultrasound or PET scan may be ordered. All these tests provide the physician with additional information as to the location and stage (extent of spread) of the cancer and other information about the tumor and how it may respond to treatment.

There are several options for breast surgery ranging from the breast-sparing lumpectomy to the now rarely used Halsted radical mastectomy, which removes the breast, the chest muscles and nearby lymph nodes.

In addition to surgery, a patient may receive additional treatment based on the type of breast cancer, its size and other important factors. The size of the tumor, the possible spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes and any possible spread to other organs or tissues helps the oncologist (cancer physician) determine the stage of the cancer. This information, in turn, gives the physician the necessary input to select the best treatment options for the patient. These options can include a wide variety of combinations of treatment, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or biological therapy.

A major study released in 2006 indicated that the number of new cases of breast cancer dropped significantly in the reporting period of 2002 to 2003. The ACS has reported a leveling off of new cases from 2001 to 2003, after 20 years of increases.

Overall survival rates for breast cancer are quite high when the disease is detected and treated in its earliest stages. When breast cancer progresses undetected to later stages, the survival rates drop. The 5-year survival rate for cancer that is localized (not spread to the lymph nodes or areas outside of the breast) is 98 percent. If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, the 5-year survival rate is 83 percent.

According the ACS, large gains in survival rates for several cancers, including breast cancer, have been recorded over the past two decades. The overall survival rate for all stages of cancer at 5 years is 89 percent and at 10 years is 80 percent.

What about the kids (Joke)

There was a couple that had been married for 20 years. Every time they made love the husband always insisted on shutting off the light.
Well, after 20 years the wife felt this was ridiculous. She figured she would break him out of this crazy habit. So one night, while they were in the middle of a wild, screaming, romantic session, she turned on the lights.
She looked down. and saw her husband was holding a battery-operated leisure device...
A vibrator!
Soft, wonderful and larger than a real one.
She went completely ballistic - "You impotent bastard," She screamed at him, "how could you be lying to me all of these years? You better explain yourself!"
The husband looks her straight in the eyes and says calmly: "I'll explain the toy . . . you explain the kids.

Speeding (joke)

A police officer pulls a man over for speeding. As the officer approaches the car he can see that the man is very anxious about something.
"Good afternoon Sir. Do you know why I stopped you?"
"Yes, officer... I know I was speeding -- but it is a matter of life or death."
"Oh, really? How's that?"
"There's a naked woman waiting for me at home."
"I don't see how that is a matter of life or death."
"If I don't get home before my wife does, I'm a dead man."

Home Remedies For Cough

• Lemon quarter sprinkled with black pepper powder and salt

• Extracted juice of ginger and honey can be mixed and taked daily

• Boil basil leaves, peppercorns and lemon juice with water till the mix becomes half, add honey to this and have it as often as you can.

• Soak almonds overnight, grind to a paste and use it with butter and sugar in case of a dry cough.

• Hot milk with honey works very well

• Chewing a piece of cardamom or a clove is very helpful

• Turmeric powder dissolved in hot milk or eve hot water is very effective for coughs

• Heat some coconut oil with powdered camphor and allow it to cool down to a lukewarm state. Once there, apply the oil to the chest, back, nose, throat and forehead. The cold usually subsides after continuous application twice a day for about 2 days.

• Use a humidifier as it really helps in diluting the mucous.

• Boil 5 garlic cloves in 2 cups of water; take the cloves out and drink up the warm water.

• Have a hot chicken soup with lots of ginger and peppercorns especially if one has a wet cough for it is a natural decongestant.
  

Home Remedies For Fever

Fever is an elevation in body temperature. It's the body's protective mechanism against infection. The elevation in temperature happens when our immune system is fighting off bacteria and viruses that could harm our body. Fever is our strongest weapon in the fight against infections or diseases.

Normal body temperature ranges from 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit, but varies throughout the day. Usually is lower in the early morning and higher in late afternoon. A fever is consider to be any temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. One should get concern when temperature raises above 102 degrees Fahrenheit for an adult and 103 degrees Fahrenheit for children. Often, having high temperature is helpful for the body; it's the way the body acts to destroyharmful microbes. In an adult temperatures under 103 degrees fahrenheit encourage the body to create more immune cells. A fever of 104 or higher can be a risk for people with cardiac problems, since it accelerates the heart beat and makes it work harder, and can cause irregular rhythms, chest pain or even hard attack. When a person has had a fever over 106 degrees for a long period of time, can cause dehydration andbrain damage.

Although vigorous exercise, in which the muscles generate heat faster than the body can dissipate it, can cause a temporary rise in temperature.

Recommended home remedies for Fever:

Home remedies for fever #1: Drink as much water as you can in order to replace fluid loss. It will also help to bring down body temperature.

Home remedies for fever #2:Rest as much as possible.

Home remedies for fever #3:Avoid suddenly changes in atmospheric temperatures.

Home remedies for fever #4:Avoid eating solid foods until the fever is gone. You can replace the foods by drinking plenty of distilled water and/or juices.

Home remedies for fever #5:when you have fever do not take any supplement containing either iron or zinc. Taking iron causes great tension in a body that is fighting infection; and zinc is not absorbed by the body when you have fever.

Home remedies for fever #6:Take cool bathes, fill a bath tub, submerge and lay down for 5' approximately. Repeat as needed until the fever is down.

Home remedies for fever #7:If the fever does not exceed 102 degrees let it run its course. It helps the body to fight infection and eliminate toxins.

Home remedies for fever #8:When a child has fever do not give them aspirin, instead try to reduce the fever with cold baths.