Articles Index
Estrogen, Bone Loss, and Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can cause loss of bone density. Learn how this is related to estrogen, and what you may need to do about it.
Mammogram Views for Routine and Diagnostic Screening
A mammogram is the most important screening tool for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that women 40 years old and over have an annual mammogram. What are the most common views taken during a routine mammogram? Why is more than one view needed? How does that compression help with the image? Read more to find out why you have to get squeezed more than once.
Breast Cancer Support - Volunteering to Fight Breast Cancer All Year Long
October is breast cancer awareness month, but the fight against this disease goes on all year. Learn how you can offer support for breast cancer patients and their families all year long. Here are several opportunities for breast cancer support.
Cruciferous Vegetables - Crammed With Anticancer Power
Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and several types of greens - are full of compounds that help prevent and fight cancer all through your body. Learn how these vegetables boost your health and why they are anticancer foods.
Coffee and Tea Do Not Increase Your Breast Cancer Risk
Moderate amounts of coffee and tea do not increase your risk for developing breast cancer. Caffeine in coffee and tea will cause fibrocystic breast lumps to swell, but that will not lead to breast cancer, either. Learn more about coffee and breast cancer.
Breast Pain And Your Menstrual Period
Breast pain may be linked to your menstrual period.
Exercise Lowers Breast Cancer Risk
You don't have to start running triathlons or training for a boxing match to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Doing regular exercise will cut down your risk of developing the disease, as well as preventing its return, if you're a survivor. Learn how exercise lowers your risk and improves your health.
Advice From Teresa Van Hoy (Part 1, Personal)
Teresa Miriam Van Hoy is an assistant professor of History, mother, wife, and breast cancer survivor. She tells her breast cancer survivor story here. This is her advice for women who are facing breast cancer.
Estrogen Types - Female Hormones - Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol
Estrogen is a group of hormones that are made in your body and that change a girl into a women capable of carrying children. Estrogen also helps regulate your menstrual cycle, protects bones from thinning, and keeps cholesterol levels low to protect your heart. Overexposure to estrogen can result in breast cancer, but normal levels are healthy. Estrogen is made within your body, and also in nature, and in a synthetic form in medications.
Peter Devereaux – Male Breast Cancer Survivor
Peter Devereaux woke up one day and found a bump in his chest. He wasted no time in visiting his doctor, and his diagnosis came swiftly: it was male breast cancer. Currently in a clinical trial, Peter is intent on raising awareness and educating people about male breast cancer and early detection.
Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Herb Wagner was shocked when his doctor diagnosed him with male breast cancer. He actually visited a different doctor and was told not to worry. Six months later, his family doctor examined him, and in a week, he had a diagnosis, played a gold tournament and had a mastectomy. Now he raises awareness for male breast cancer. Here's his story.
Decline in New Breast Cancer Cases
The greatest decline in new breast cancer cases in the U.S. occurred in 2003; this drop appears to be the result of a 50 percent decrease in the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). New cases of breast cancer fell by 7 percent overall, and fell by 12 percent for women over 50 years old, the group most likely to use HRT.
Learning More About Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Your biopsy results were positive for cancer, but that isn't your complete breast cancer diagnosis. In order to make the best treatment decisions, you need the complete picture of your cancer. Your final breast cancer diagnosis covers tumor size, grade, hormone status, and many other things. Learn more about your breast cancer diagnosis here.
It's Not Cancer - Benign Breast Conditions That Are Not Breast Cancer
While doing your breast self-exam, you find an irregularity. Is it benign or malignant? Fortunately, most breast lumps and bumps are not cancer. Learn more about when it's not cancer, known as benign breast conditions.
Caphosol – Artificial Saliva – Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis
Caphosol is a mouth rinse that is used to prevent and treat oral mucositis. This solution combines a phosphate solution with a calcium solution and purified water to form a fluid that is rich in calcium and phosphate ions. Caphosol is not a pain-killer (analgesic) but may reduce pain by softening and cleansing dry mouth tissues. Read more to learn about Caphosol solution.
Breast Cancer Treatment - Taxol (Paclitaxel) - Chemotherapy Drug Profile
Taxol (Paclitaxel) is a chemotherapy drug made from yew trees. It fights cancer by interfering with cancer cell division. Taxol can be used to treat any stage of breast cancer; as well as ovarian, lung, and AIDS- related Kaposi’s sarcoma. When given in low doses it has mild side effects and is well-tolerated.
Michele: Fighting Breast Cancer and Surviving
Michele is in treatment for breast cancer. As a young, single mom raising a school-age daughter, she works and keeps a close watch on her attitude. She is on her way to living as a breast cancer survivor.
Hope Lodge, Joe's House, and Hospital Hospitality Houses
Looking for free lodging while staying away from home during cancer treatments? Hope Lodge, Joe's House, and Hospital Hospitality Houses provide free lodging and hotel discounts to help you. Learn how to find a Hope Lodge or other free or low-cost lodging when you need to travel for cancer treatments.
Breastfeeding Helps Prevent Breast Cancer, Lowers Your Risk
You can lower your risk of developing breast cancer by breastfeeding your baby. And if your baby is a girl, her risk can also be reduced. Learn how long to breastfeed to lower your risk, whether or not you can breastfeed after you've had treatment for breast cancer, and more.
Mammograms – Benefits, Drawbacks, and Myths
Your annual screening mammogram comes with some discomfort, but also gives you medical benefits. Learn about the benefits, drawbacks, and some myths about mammograms.
Breast Cancer Surgery Options
Breast cancer can be treated with surgery, which removes part or all of the breast. The standard surgeries for breast cancer include lumpectomy, quandrantectomy, and mastetectomy. Read an overview of three kinds of therapeutic breast cancer surgery here.
Free Cancer Support Services For Breast Cancer Patients
Free cancer support services are available to you during treatment for breast cancer. Since you're already paying for treatment, spending extra on food, travel, and comforts to help you through, it's great to know that some things are still free! Here are some places where you can get free support services to help you and your family.
Some Antidepressants Interact with Tamoxifen
Here is a list of antidepressants that inhibit the benefits of tamoxifen in women with breast cancer.
Whole Grains – Cancer-Fighting Foods That Come In a Small Package
Whole grains are a great way to protect your health and lower your risk for developing cancer. Whole grains give the complete benefit from bran, germ, and endosperm -- all three parts of the grain, which contain many vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Learn how whole grains benefit your health and are easy to add to your diet.
Weight, Menopause, Genes and Breast Cancer Risk
Many factors affect your risk of developing breast cancer, some of which you can control. Having a healthy weight, eating sensibly, and being active can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. However, if you carry a BRCA mutation, your risk can still be reduced by watching your weight. Learn how weight control affects your risk of breast cancer.