Breast Cancer

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It’s Okay To Not Know What To Say…

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Dec
29
2010
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Priding myself on finding the right thing to say, I would spend hours composing what I thought would be the most comforting notes/emails/letters to those I needed to send condolences to for whatever the reason may be. I am also the type of person who spends a lot of time of picking out the perfect birthday/greeting/holiday card, even though I know the recipient will most likely dispose of it soon after it's received. My thinking was that the perfect phrase, quote or card would somehow magically transform the person reading it and bring them the joy, peace or encouragement they were seeking. Having experienced my own health crisis-a breast cancer diagnosis this past May- I now know that it doesn't matter what is said. There are too many things happening to even notice what is said to you. Of course, receiving thoughtful messages is appreciated. In my case, what I did notice was those who didn't acknowledge my direct message informing them of my situation. In full disclosure, I informed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breast Cancer

Does Drinking Coffee Increase Risk For Breast Cancer?

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Nov
30
2010
Does Coffee Increase Cancer Risk?

Making too many trips to Starbucks could be both hazardous and beneficial to your health at the same time. Researchers have uncovered a link between coffee drinking and a compound that could increase the risk of cancer of the breast. In an unexpected twist, though, this same compound found in coffee that makes breast cancer cells grow faster could also slow down growth of colon cancer cells. Coffee Drinking and Health: Does It Increase the Risk of Cancer? Researchers at Texas AgriLife Research Center have discovered a natural compound in coffee called trigonelline which mimics the effects of estrogen in the body. Most breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive meaning that their growth is stimulated by estrogen and substances with estrogen-like properties like trigonelline. The researchers say that this component found in coffee behaves like estrogen at even low levels – although they stopped short of saying that drinking coffee actually increases the risk of breast … [Read more...]

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Dealing with the Holiday Season

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Nov
24
2010
Breast Cancer Holidays

Feeling a little bah humbug about the holidays this year? The expectation to deck the halls and be jolly is overwhelming, especially when you're going through breast cancer treatment or have just finished treatment.  The last thing you feel like doing is being jolly, and it may seem like others don't understand why you can't be joyous during this time of year.  It's OKAY to feel this way. Everyone has the right to their own feelings, but it's important to express them by telling others how you feel or by writing them down in a journal.  Here are some tips from Cancer Care and The American Cancer Society on how to cope during the holidays: *It's okay to feel sad: You may feel sad about the year gone by and that's okay. Express those feelings. Tears can bring a sense of relief. It is common to experience a mixture of anticipation, disappointment, and apprehension about the future. Try not to suppress your feelings. Instead, talk them over with a loved one, a friend, or … [Read more...]

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Oct
18
2010
Pink Ribbon

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast cancer knows no season or month for that matter, but it’s that time of year when breast cancer awareness programs get full attention. The color pink is everywhere you turn. From pink yogurt lids to pink soup cans to pink potato chip bags on store shelves to professional athletes decked out in pink uniforms from head to toe, there’s no escaping it. As a brand new breast cancer survivor, I appreciate these efforts although they used to annoy me. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so these programs, or cause marketing as it’s called, which is a partnership between a for-profit company and a non--profit company are important. It could save your life by making you aware of risk factors for breast cancer that you may not have known about, or simply remind you to get a mammogram or give you a push to see a doctor about a lump you have. Wondering about the origins of how October turned pink? A little history: Breast Cancer … [Read more...]

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Is a Mammogram or MRI Best For Breast Cancer Testing?

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Sep
25
2010
Mammogram or MRI For Breast Cancer Detection

Mammography is the most widely used screening test for breast cancer; but in the last few years more interest has focused on using breast MRI for breast cancer screening – particularly for women at high risk for breast tumors. Why the enthusiasm about using breast MRI to screen for tumors of the breast? Breast MRI studies offer two main advantages over mammography. MRI doesn’t involve exposure to radiation, and it’s more sensitive – meaning it can pick up breast cancers that mammograms miss. Still, not all doctors are enthusiastic about using breast MRI as a screening test for breast cancer. MRI Breast Cancer Screening: Is Using Breast MRI to Diagnose Breast Cancer Better? Previous studies looking at MRI for breast cancer screening showed MRI to be very sensitive for picking up breast tumors, even ones that mammography missed. The problem lies with its specificity. Breast MRI’s often picks up breast changes that are not actually cancer. This can lead to unnecessary … [Read more...]

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The Different Types of Breast Cancer

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Sep
16
2010
Anatomy of the breast

Cancer isn’t black and white, especially when it comes to breast cancer. There are several different types that have different categories and it can be confusing. The following is a general guideline to help you sort through it all. Non Invasive Carcinoma Category: Non invasive carcinoma means that the cancer is in the ducts or lobules and has not spread to another part of the breast or body. This is also called "in situ", which is the Latin phrase for “in the place”. This type of cancer is typically caught in the early stage and is also not normally found during a self breast exam or a clinical breast exam.  The best detection for this kind of cancer is a digital mammogram, so be sure to keep up on your annual screenings if you are over the age of 40 and have a baseline mammogram starting around the age of 35. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to have a baseline mammogram earlier than age 35, but talk to your doctor. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ … [Read more...]

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Early Detection Can Save Your Life!

by 34 Comments
Aug
12
2010
Analog Mammogram vs Digital Mammogram View 1

Many of you may have heard at some point about how early detection of breast cancer (or of any cancer) can save your life. It may seem like smoke and mirrors,  but I am proof positive that early detection can save your life. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common form of breast cancer, at the end of May.  I am 36 years old.  Since many organizations recommend that a woman have a baseline mammogram around age 35 and because I work in a radiology clinic, where I could get one done for free, I decided to go ahead and get one.  I have no family history of breast cancer and no risk factors.  In fact, had I not worked at my current job, I wouldn't have had a mammogram until age 40, as I was completely unaware that one should have a baseline mammogram.  Being honest, breast cancer is not something that I ever thought I would personally get or that anyone in my family would be afflicted with.  Even with that line of thinking, my decision to have a mammogram … [Read more...]

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