Cancer is a disease which can affect cells from all organs. The colon cancer affects the cells of the colon, determining them to proliferate in an uncontrollable way. This mass of abnormal cells will form a tumor inside the colon. The cancer of the intestine is quite frequent and two thirds of this type of cancer is situated in the colon.

2. Who can develop colon cancer?

You are at risk of developing colon cancer if you drink a lot of alcohol and you are obese. Also if other members of your family had colon cancer or breast cancer you could inherit some genes that make you more sensible to cancer. If you have polyps on your intestine and you leave them untreated for a long time, they can transform into malign polyps, meaning that cancer had occurred.

3. Is my diet involved in cancer development?

Following a diet which is rich in fats and proteins could expose you to cancer. If you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and high fiber foods you can prevent colon cancer from occurring.

4. Does colon cancer come with any symptoms?

There are some symptoms which could announce that cancer is installing, but they also appear in other diseases. Some of the symptoms are: seeing blood in your bowels, alternation of diarrhea with constipation, and low abdominal pains.

5. How does the doctor know that I have cancer?

The doctor will perform a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy to examine the insides of the colon. Also x-rays of the colon will be performed. These methods will see if tumors are present inside the colon. In order to stage colon cancer CT and ultrasound will be used.

6. Can colon cancer be treated?

Generally the most indicated procedure in trying to treat colon cancer is surgery. By surgery the doctors will remove the tumor from the colon. If the cancer spread, giving metastasis, the doctors will recommend you chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These are hard bearable due to their side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of hair, fever, and tiredness.

7. Is the treatment effective or not?

If the colon cancer was diagnosed in its early stages and it has not spread to other organs the treatment will be 90% effective and patients will survive even five years after. If the cancer has given metastasis the treatment will not be so effective any more and half of the diagnosed patients will live less that five years.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about colon cancer symptoms please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/colon-cancer-symptoms.htm

Q. What are some myths about breast-feeding?

There are many myths about breast feeding such, as you cannot take any medication while breastfeeding. Most medications are safe for you but you should check with your doctor first. A breast-feeding mother with an infection should not be breast-feeding. Actually she should continue because her milk provides the baby with help to resist infections. If s/he does become ill, it will not be severe.

Q. What are some problems that can occur with breast-feeding?

Some women may not be able to produce enough milk. Others produce too much milk, too quickly and this can cause engorgement. Expressing some of the milk may relieve some of the pain.

Q. Are there things I should avoid while breastfeeding?

You should avoid alcoholic drinks as the alcohol does pass through to the baby and it can affect the baby?s weight and central nervous system. If you drink only occasionally, make sure you do it after you nurse. This means that alcohol level will be lower or gone before the next feeding. Avoid spicy or gassy foods as these can upset your baby?s delicate tummy.

Q. What is Thrush?

Thrush is a yeast infection in the baby?s mouth that looks like little white patches on their tongue and the inside of the cheeks. Mom can continue to breast feed as long as both she and the baby are treated with a medication.

Q. Can I breast-feed while taking medication?

Yes you can breast feed while taking medication. Be sure before you take anything that you check with your doctor first to be on the safe side. Most medications are safe but it?s better to err on the side of caution.

Q. Can just any woman breast-feed?

Yes any woman can breast feed provided that she hasn?t had breast surgery that has affected the milk ducts. The size of her breasts does not affect breast-feeding.

Q. What is Milk Fever?

This is an outdated term that referred to plugged milk ducts. In fact, if you have a fever you have Mastitis not Milk Fever that is a misnomer.

Q. Can my baby be allergic to my breast milk?

It is highly unlikely that your baby can become allergic to breast milk. Talk to your pediatrician to see what he might suggest. You might need to take your baby to a gastro-enterologist for testing but continue breast-feeding unless you are told to stop.

Q. Can breast feeding mother drink caffeinated beverages?

Yes coffees, teas, and soda are okay but in limited amounts. The caffeine does pass through your milk to the baby. It can make your baby restless and fussy.

Q. Can I drink carbonated beverages while breast-feeding?

In moderation carbonated beverages are okay in limited amounts. Two a day should not affect your baby. The concern is the large amounts of phosphorous that are in carbonated beverage and this is for all women it may decrease the amount of calcium you will be able to absorb.

Q. What can I do if my baby refuses to breast-feed?

If your baby refuses to breast feed you can try feeding him while he?s asleep or very sleepy. You can try varying positions while you are feeding. You could also try breast feeding your baby while in motion, for example rocking, walking, or riding in the car.

Q. Can I lose weight safely while I am breast-feeding?

While you are breast-feeding don?t worry too much about losing weight. It is important that you east a very healthy diet in order to maintain your milk supply. Check with your doctor as s/he might have helpful hints for you.

Q. Can Diabetic mothers breast-feed their babies?

Yes, Diabetic mothers can breast feed. After birth babies of Diabetic mothers must be monitored for low blood sugar, a high hematocrit, and possibly low calcium. Pumping their breasts as soon after birth as possible to help bring in their milk supply. This will make it easier for their babies to learn how to nurse.

Q. What are some of the benefits of breastfeeding for my baby and me?

The benefits of breast feeding for women is that the risk of breast and ovarian cancer is reduced, it helps you to lose some of the pregnancy weight and may lower the risk of osteoporosis. Another benefit is it saves money on formula and bottles.The benefits of breast feeding for babies is that their mothers milk protects them from allergens and eczema, reduces stomach upset, and lessens the incidence of SIDS. It also protects the baby from such diseases as Spinal Meningitis, Type I Diabetes, and Hodgkin's Lymphoma. There is also some suggestion it may help prevent obesity later in life.

In Conclusion

The information given here is just a fraction of what is available out there. You search the Internet or talk to your doctor and/or hospital for more specific information regarding breast-feeding and options that may be unique for you. The choice is up to you and you know what would be right for you and your baby.

(c) www.1st-babies.com

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About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Nursery Bedding which includes Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Unlike the European Union, which passed a cosmetics safety law in 2005, and a chemical safety law in 2006, the U.S. Government continues to allow known and potentially carcinogenic ingredients to be added to our food supply, our air and water, our cosmetics, our body care products, our dry cleaning process, and our home and garden supplies.

As a result of the European Union?s Safe Cosmetics Act, most of the shampoos, body lotions, hair dyes and lipsticks now in our American bathrooms, are considered unsafe and banned from sale in Europe. Imported non-organic meat and dairy products from the US are also banned. This is because most meat and dairy now sold in US supermarkets, contain added animal growth hormones, which research shows contribute to breast and other type of cancers.

Meanwhile, U.S., breast cancer rates are the highest in the world. In the 1950?s, only 1 in 20 American women could expect a breast diagnosis in her lifetime. Today, in some EU countries, that number is one out of 15, in Great Britain it is 1 out of 9 and in the U.S. it is now 1 out of 7.

The European Union?s government believes it has the responsibility and the ability to protect its citizens from this breast cancer epidemic that has gained momentum in both the US and Europe for the past fifty years. So why hasn?t the US passed similar prevention laws?

?It?s the cancer economy stupid.?… to paraphrase a well-known political truism.

Environmental and nutritional science, along with medical research, is now showing us that 90% of breast cancer is preventable. This is not good news for companies within the American Cancer Industry such business entities do not promote prevention as they must always find ways to increase surgery numbers, drug sales and radiation procedures to meet their quarterly profit goals.

Neither the US corporate media, nor our politicians have yet to talk about this huge disconnect between the industry?s need for more cancer patients and our growing international body of scientific research that understands how to stop breast cancer before it starts. The result? American women are now living with an unnecessary breast cancer epidemic.

Maybe it?s time to haul in the pink ribbons and raise some red flags.

Susan Wadia-Ells is the director of The Women, Weight and Breast Cancer Project or WWBC. This national organization offers free workshops to women's community, religious and business groups around the country, educating women about personal and public ways we can each prevent breast cancer. The project also offers women support in losing extra body fat, in order to lower one's breast cancer risk. The project's growing group of paid workshop leaders hopes to offer workshops in all fifty states by the end of 2007.

To learn more about the project, to schedule a free workshop for your group or for information on how to earn income as a WWBC workshop leader, visit the project at http://www.womenwbc.org

Thus, breast enlargement is an effective way for women to obtain a brighter angle on life. An unattractive breast can at times be a mental drain for a person. Breast enlargement is a safe and efficient procedure that has a minimal recuperation period - many women are beginning to consider this treatment as a way to maintain their youth.

Breast enlargement through implants come in many sizes and shapes. The type of breast implant that you choose for surgery should be based on your desired change in profile and cleavage.

Why women go in for breast enlargement:

? To give breasts and the body a more proportional and fuller look.

? To balance a difference in breast size or shape - they might make you look or feel more sexually desirable.

? Breast enlargement might make clothes fit better

? They might help avoid embarrassment in social areas especially those who have had a surgery, or women with very small breasts.

? To reshape and enlarge breasts as a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.

? To reshape and enlarge breasts that have been reduced following pregnancy and lactation.

Keep in mind, however, that there is no guarantee that your results will match your expectations. Results depend on many individual factors, such as overall health, chest structure and body shape, healing abilities, any prior breast surgery, infection, and, the type and size of implant.

Types of breast implants used for enlargement:-

Currently three types of breast implants are in use:

1. Silicon gel filled implants

2. Saline filled implants

3. Double lumen implants ? silicon gel filled core with saline periphery.

Risks related to breast enlargement:-

Breast implants used for enlargement are not permanent devices whether the purpose is reconstruction or augmentation. At some point, the implants will have to be removed and replaced with new ones.

In addition, complications include leak or rupture of the implant requiring additional surgery to replace the previous one, pain, seroma (fluid retention), infections and a condition called capsular contracture.

Another thing to consider before you make up your mind is pregnancy. Pregnancy might force you to opt for a breast implant revision, although breast implants most often do not interfere with childbearing or breastfeeding.

Breast implants often cause the nipples to become more or less sensitive than normal. While lactating, the patient may have increased breast enlargement and experience pain, fever. However, there is no evidence that silicon from silicon gel implants can leak into breast milk and endanger the baby.

Some women believe that breast implants may cause autoimmune disease or connective tissue disease, but there is no definite proof to justify this.

Who should go in for a breast enlargement surgery?

Enlargement definitely enhances the breasts' appearance, and improves self-image and self-confidence for some women. The best person to go for it is a healthy adult with a positive self-image and who is well informed about the outcomes and risks of getting breast implants. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the woman should also have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery.

A person contemplating implants should try to find as much information possible before making a final decision. Discussing breast enlargement with a well-known experienced plastic surgeon is the best way to resolve any of your queries or concerns.

When breast enlargement surgery is required?

Breast enlargement surgery is mostly undertaken in two cases:

# Breast augmentation - Breast augmentations use saline-filled implants because of their safety and natural look.

# Breast reconstruction ? usually done after a masectomy.

Breast enlargement, through implants is not a permanent feature. Due to various risks involved, in most of the cases they have to be removed after few years and replaced by a new one.

How to decide on a breast enlargement surgeon?

Anyone contemplating breast enlargement surgery should thoroughly research on this subject, learn about the advantages and disadvantages and familiarize oneself with all the available options. Deciding on a plastic surgeon is difficult because you are putting one of your valuable body parts at risk.

Be clear about the fact that breast enhancement is a treatment that will only enhance your attractiveness it will not give you perfection. Weigh the pros and cons thoroughly before you give the green signal.

Read more about Natural Breast Enlargement techniques and other breast care issues at http://www.mysecrethealth.com

Also Know How Breast Enlargement Products work? Read Complete Breast Care Guide

There are various types of cancer treatment available but chemotherapy is the most result oriented treatment for breast cancer. Treatment totally depends on the tumor node that is negative or positive, HER2-positive or negative and hormone receptor-positive or negative.

Chemotherapy drugs are taken orally or intravenously, that is direct into a vein. When the drug enters blood, it travels to all parts of the body and reach the cancer cells spread outside breast. It is considered that chemotherapy is the complete form of cancer treatment for breast cancer.

There are different types of chemotherapy drugs that kill cancer cells in different ways, also combination of drugs used to maximize the effect of treatment. For early breast cancer you can use more than one drug to end several months of treatment.

Chemotherapy gives best results but also gives some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, low number of red blood cells, mouth souring, hair loss, poor appetite, bleeding and most important early menopause. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent menopause and it is very serious for young women.

Duration of chemotherapy depends on the type, stage, your current health and the combination of drugs used for treatment. For breast cancer it is given as a series of treatments for two to four weeks or over period of four to six months.

Your care giver or doctor use to keep gap between courses of treatment that can help to recover your body. Treatment can be given in clinic, at hospital or at home as well but in some type of chemotherapy you need to stay in hospital overnight.

Chemotherapy may reduce the chance of reappearance of cancer by small amount and it is found in women chance of cancer coming back is very high and thus chemotherapy treatment helps to reduce the chance of reappearance. Your doctor may give information about the right treatment and possible side effects for you.

For treating Breast cancer the Breast cancer chemotherapy is mostly used and to get more information about cancer and chemotherapy types click here.

According to Lothar Hirneise, world renowned cancer researcher, cancer cannot exist without stress. And there are a number of reasons for this.

1. When the mind is under constant stress the body produces high levels of the stress hormone Cortisol. Consistent high levels of Cortisol in the body suppress the immune system. The immune system is responsible for destroying rogue cancer cells in the body.

2. When the mind is under constant stress the body releases and is eventually depleted of Adrenaline. People with cancer possess virtually no adrenaline in their cells. Instead, the cells of cancer patients are overloaded with insulin and too much sugar.

When bombarded by stress, which requires a constant pumping out of adrenaline, the body ultimately becomes exhausted and is unable to process adrenaline. This causes the cells to fill up with sugar, which, in turn, results in four outcomes: (1) fermentation, (2) very rapid cell division, resulting in the formation of tumour sites, (3) the mutation of normal cells into cancer cells, due to insufficient oxygen in the cell caused by high levels of sugar, and (4) a low oxygen / sugar-rich environment, in which cancer cells are able to further multiply.

3. When the mind is under constant stress the body cannot produce enough Melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for inhibiting cancer cell growth in the body. Melatonin is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain during deep sleep between 1am-3am in the morning. Constant stress means little or disrupted sleep during this important Melatonin-producing period, meaning cancer is then able to spread in the body.

4. Nearly all cancer patients have experienced a psycho-emotional conflict shock a few years prior to the onset of their cancer. This may be the loss of a loved one for example, and is most often a highly stressful event or conflict, where the person feels there is no way out of the emotional pain, stress or inner turmoil they are feeling. Dr Ryke-Geerd Hamer, a leading German cancer researcher, studied the records of 20,000 cancer patients, and found a direct correlation between this psycho-emotional conflict occurring between 1-3 years prior to cancer diagnosis, and cancer forming in the body.

There are three important ways a person diagnosed with cancer can heal their body using their mind.

1. The first and most important way is to express and release internal emotional stress caused by the mind. This includes anger, hurt, resentment, grief, and hate - all of which are repressed feelings commonly found in those with cancer. When you are able to deal with these repressed feelings, by expressing them and releasing them, just like a valve released on a pressure cooker, these stress levels immediately reduce. This means Cortisol levels, Adrenaline levels, and Melatonin levels can begin to return to normal levels. The Mind-Body Self Hypnosis Cancer CD is an excellent tool for expressing and releasing repressed emotions in the comfort of your own home, as well as accessing someone skilled in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).

2. A fighting spirit is also another important factor to cure breast cancer naturally using the mind. Your immune system is controlled by your subconscious feeling mind. When you are feeling up-beat and full of hope, you send your immune system the green light to go ahead and work hard for you, to begin multiplying and producing more immune system cells in your body. Guided imagery cancer CD’s are excellent for this purpose, as well as a strong spiritual belief or support group.

3. Laughter is another important factor in overcoming cancer. Inner joy and laughter is a great antidote for internal stress. There have been many cases of people overcoming cancer by watching comedy movies every day after their diagnosis, and refusing to allow any stress or conflict into their lives. And this includes stress from their partners.

For further information on Stress & Cancer, the Cancer Personality and the Mind-Body Self Hypnosis Cancer CD, go to alternative-cancer-care.com

Cancer is only a physical symptom of underlying emotional stress on the body and the body’s cells. But how does emotional stress cause cancer in the body? And why does emotional stress only cause cancer in some people, while not in others?

For the majority of people, coping with stress and highly stressful or traumatic events or conflicts is dealt with, with relative ease. Although those in this larger group feel the devastating effects of stress, stressful events, trauma, and conflicts, including grief and loss - stressful events are seen as part of life’s challenges, life’s ups and downs, and they are for they most part anticipated and not completely unexpected. These people are able to move on with their lives quickly afterwards.

Those susceptible to cancer, are highly vulnerable to life’s stresses and trauma, and feel unable to cope when life throws a curve-ball their way. These people are perfectionists and live in fear of conflict, stress, trauma and loss and are deeply frightened of negative events “happening” to them. And when faced with a highly stressful or traumatic event they have not anticipated, which inevitably happens during their life, react adversely and are unable to cope.

They experience Inescapable Shock and remain deeply affected by the experience. They have difficulty in expressing their inner grief, their inner pain, their inner anger or resentment, and genuinely feel there is no way out of the pain they are feeling inside. And because their mind cannot fathom what has happened, and remains in a state of disbelief or denial, these inner painful feelings are continually perpetuated, shooting up stress hormone levels, lowering melatonin and adrenaline levels, causing a slow breakdown of the emotional reflex centre in the brain, and creating the beginning of cancer progression in the body.

When faced with a major trauma, the cancer personality feels trapped and unable to escape from the memory of the traumatic experience and the painful feelings of the experience. Stress hormone cortisol levels skyrocket and remain at high levels, directly suppressing the immune system, whose job it is to destroy cancer cells that exist in every human being. High stress levels generally means a person cannot sleep well, and cannot produce enough Melatonin during deep sleep. Melatonin is responsible for inhibiting cancer cell growth. This means cancer cells are now free to multiply. Adrenaline levels also skyrocket initially, but are then drained and depleted over time. This is especially bad news for the cancer personality.

Adrenaline is responsible for transporting sugar away from cells. And when there is too much sugar in cells of the body, the body becomes acidic. This means normal body cells cannot breathe properly because of low oxygen. Cancer cells thrive in a low oxygen state, as demonstrated by Nobel Prize winner Otto Warburg. Cancer cells also thrive on sugar to keep them alive. Put simply, too much internal stress causes a depletion of adrenalin, leads to too much sugar in the body, resulting in the perfect environment for cancer cells to thrive in the body.

For the cancer personality, the news of being diagnosed with cancer and the fear and uncertainty of death represents another Inescapable Shock, creating another spike in stress hormone cortisol levels, and a further drop in melatonin and adrenalin levels. There is also a further breakdown of the emotional reflex centre in the brain that causes cells in the corresponding organ to slowly breakdown and become cancerous.

Learned helplessness is a key aspect of the cancer personality when facing a perceived inescapable shock, and is a strong developmental factor of cancer. Researcher Madelon Visintainer took three groups of rats, one receiving mild escapable shock, another group receiving mild in-escapable shock, and the third no shock at all. She then implanted each rat with cancer cells that would normally result in 50% of the rats developing a tumour. Her results were astonishing.

Within a month, 50% of the rats not shocked at all had rejected the tumour; this was the normal ratio. As for the rats that mastered shock by pressing a bar to turn it off, 70% had rejected the tumour. But only 27% of the helpless rats, the rats that had experienced in-escapable shock, rejected the tumour. This study demonstrates those who feel there is no way out of their shock / loss are less likely to be able to reject tumours forming within their body, due to high levels of stress weakening the immune system. [Seligman, 1998, p.170]

Cancer occurs at the cellular level. And there are a number of factors that create stress on the body’s cells, causing them to become (1) depleted of adrenaline, (2) high in sugar and (3) low in oxygen, where they are more prone to mutate and become cancerous. The higher the sugar content of the cell caused by a depletion of adrenaline, and the lower the oxygen content, the greater the likelihood of normal cells mutating and becoming cancerous.

There are a number of factors that contribute to a normal cell becoming depleted of adrenaline, high in sugar and low in oxygen. Physiological stresses include (and are not limited to): Poor nutrition, Chemicals, Toxins, EMF Radiation, Parasites, Liver / Colon / Kidney disease, Lack of Exercise, etc. Psychological stresses include (and are not limited to): Inescapable Shock, Repressed Feelings, Depression, Isolation, Poor Sleep, Emotional Trauma, External Conflict, etc.

In the vast majority of those with cancer, there exists both a combination of psychological as well as physiological stresses that have contributed to the body’s cells becoming depleted of adrenaline, high in sugar and low in oxygen, causing them to mutate and become cancerous.

For further information on Stress & Cancer, the Cancer Personality and the Cancer Chain of Events, go to http://www.alternative-cancer-care.com/Causes_Of_Cancer.html GLEN RUSSELL, CERT.HYP.HYPCA.CNSL

Glen Russell is a certified counsellor and hypnotherapist and graduated from the Alpha Hypnosis Training School having studied a Diploma in Advanced Hypnotherapy & Neural Linguistic Programming.

It was during this time that Glen decided to specialize in working with cancer patients. Glen embarked on an ambitious training regime further to his training at Alpha Hypnosis Training School to ready himself for the challenge of working with cancer patients in the specialized field of ’hypnosis for cancer’. After reading Stephen J Parkhill’s internationally acclaimed book “Answer Cancer: The Healing of a Nation”, Glen undertook training with Stephen to learn the art of healing illnesses created by the mind using hypnotherapy as a tool to access deep core emotions.

Having completed his training with Stephen, Glen undertook further training with the prestigious Omni Hypnosis Training Center in DeLand, Florida and after completing his final examination, received certification as a ’Hypnosis for Cancer Specialist’.

First of all, stand up in front of a mirror with your arms down by your sides. Make sure that the room has good lighting as it is very important for you to see clearly. Then, look for any changes in the basic appearance of your breasts, such as puckering of the skin, in-drawing of the nipple, or enlargement of one breast. Those changes could be the early signs of breast cancer so you need to look carefully. Afterward, repeat this with your arms rose above your head - this will make certain abnormalities more obvious than when you have your arms down by your side. Once you have done all that, lie flat on your back on a firm, comfortable surface, such as a bed. Using the flat parts (pads) of your fingers to feel your breasts, begin with the right hand examining the left breast, and the left hand examining the right breast.

Any lump that persists through a menstrual cycle is best assessed by a specialist. Any patient with a breast lump should be subjected to rapid “triple assessment”. Your GP can initially assess you or if you prefer to be seen in a “one-stop” clinic setting, breast clinics and breast cancer surgeon can provide expert assessment and management of all breast conditions. The majority of biopsies will actually only be benign and you will be strongly reassured after having seen a specialist.

The triple assessment actually involves the following: You will get a detailed history and physical examination, an imaging of the breast using mammography, ultrasound and MRI scanning if required. Finally you will get a needle biopsy of any specific area of concern.

Obviously, you can still go to see an oncoplastic breast surgeon or any private breast cancer surgeon that will give you more information and help you do the right thing.

The author is working as a private breast cancer surgeon and is an oncoplastic breast surgeon providing breast cancer treatment.

This cancer grows rapidly your symptoms will appear in a matter of days or weeks. Women with inflammatory breast cancer often have no idea that they have breast cancer because IBC does not usually form a lump in the breast. Instead, this cancer forms 'sheets' of cancer cells making your breast feel thicker or heavier than usual. Other symptoms of IBC include swelling and tenderness of the breast, discoloration (usually red to purple) of the breast, itching or pain in the breast, dimpled or rough looking skin on the breast, swelling or crusting of the skin on the nipple and flattening or retraction of the nipple. Many of these symptoms mimic those of a breast infection, or mastitis. Mastitis usually causes a fever and usually occurs in younger breast-feeding mothers. Mastitis will respond to antibiotics. IBC, which has been documented in breast-feeding women, does not cause a fever nor respond to antibiotics.

Because the symptoms of IBC are so similar to mastitis and because inflammatory breast cancer is so rare, many doctors misdiagnose this cancer as mastitis. Patients are often prescribed multiple rounds of antibiotics because it doesn't clear up after the first round. If you have these symptoms and your doctor wants you to take more than one round of antibiotics, ask for a biopsy or referral to a breast specialist. You may have to be very aggressive to get the proper diagnosis. This is vital because the earlier this is diagnosed, the sooner you can begin treatment and the better your survival chances.

A proper cancer diagnosis usually results from elimination of mastitis as a culprit, with the symptoms still present and possibly getting worse. Your doctor may schedule you for a mammogram or a breast sonogram to confirm the diagnosis, but these are not very reliable with this cancer because the affected area may not show up. A biopsy is the most effective way to confirm diagnosis of this cancer, however it may still be wrong if your doctor biopsies the wrong area of your breast. Because this cancer does grow very rapidly, your doctor may also schedule other tests to determine if your cancer has spread to other organs in your body. This will affect your course of treatment.

Your treatment depends largely upon whether your cancer has spread to other organs of your body. You will most likely have a team of doctors talking with you, trying to determine the best course of treatment for you. You will receive aggressive treatment because inflammatory breast cancer is a late stage cancer. This means you will most likely receive chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. You will most likely receive chemotherapy first because this cancer makes performing surgery first risky due to the skin changes it causes. Chemotherapy also works to shrink the size of the cancer, making it more likely that surgery will remove all of it. The surgery that most women choose with this cancer is a mastectomy, or complete removal of the affected breast. This is because the cancer is often widespread throughout the breast, making a surgery that preserves breast tissue highly unlikely.

During surgery, your surgeon will probably remove the lymph nodes under your arm to examine them for cancer. After surgery, you will most likely receive radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to kill any cancer cells that the surgeon may have missed and to help prevent the cancer from returning. Inflammatory breast cancer has a high incidence of recurrence, so your doctor may prescribe additional rounds of chemotherapy if you responded well to the previous rounds or hormone therapy if your cancer was the type that grew in the presence of estrogen.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy is done with the intention of reducing the spread of the cancer. Therefore, if you have cancer in one breast and if you go for radiation therapy for it, the chance of it spreading to the other breast does not exist. However, teenage girls who receive chest radiation for Hodgkin's disease do run the risk of developing breast cancer because newly developing breasts are vulnerable to damage by radiation.

Myth: A mammogram will prevent breast cancer.

Mammograms are only used as a means of detection whether or not you have a malignancy, it will in no way prevent you from getting one. If the malignancy is detected at an early stage by mammography, the chances of it being cured are very good. Mammography is the only possible means of detecting a malignancy in women who do not have an evident physical signs, that is, a lump in the breast. It is recommended that women over 40 years of age have a mammogram every year.

Myth: Breast feeding gives rise to breast cancer.

This is not so. Studies have shown that breast feeding may actually decrease the chances of a woman getting breast cancer. This is not confirmed data however. Women who breast feed can certainly get breast cancer but breast feeding is definitely not a cause of getting it.

Myth: Mammograms are dangerous and breast cancer can spread by having one done.

Mammograms are actually x-rays of the breast using very low levels of radiation of about 0.1 to 0.2 rad dose per x-ray. It is best if you speak with your physician who will answer all the question you will need to ask.

Myth: Wearing bras with under-wire can cause breast cancer.

What is suggested is that by wearing bras with the under-wire it can cause constriction of the body's lymph node system and thereby resulting in breast cancer. This is completely false.

Myth: An injury to the breast can be the cause of breast cancer.

As a result of an injury, you will not develop breast cancer you can however develop a non cancerous lump owing to an injury.

Myth: Nipple discharge indicates breast cancer.

Most of the nipple discharges are not an indication of a cancerous condition.

A watery or a bloody nipple discharge is said to be abnormal, of which, only about 10 percent are considered cancerous. Most of the bloody discharges are owing to papillomas, which are non-cancerous. If the discharge is milky, green, yellow or clear it is not cancerous. However if a woman has a nipple discharge about which she is concerned then she should consult her physician who will then probably do a clinical examination. Some nipple discharges that should be further examined are if they are persistent, if it appears without even having to squeeze the nipple, if it is some other fluid other than breast milk, if it is from one breast only, bloody or watery with a brown, red or pink coloration and if it is sticky and clear in color or black or brown.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Breast Cancer