Preventing Brest Cancer

Breast cancer is most common cancer among women in the United States. Each year, 192,370 new cases of breast cancer occur, and over 40,000 individuals lose their battle. There is no 100% guaranteed prevention, but their are some very easy, preventive steps, which can aid being one less.

1. Healthy Weight: The risk of breast cancer is almost doubled when a women is overweight. On top of that, an overweight women’s survival rate of surviving breast cancer is, in fact, less. In order to gauge the proper weight for the current height, women should use the BMI (Body Mass Index) as a resource. However, this chart is not completely accurate for all individuals, so it is best to contact your local physician.

2. Exercise: Get out there and break a sweat. The recommended amount of exercise a week is 45 to an hour, five days a week. If making it to the gym is not an option, try at home workouts, runs outside, or eliminating short drives and replacing them with walks. This practice will strengthen your immune system, while lowering the levels of estrogen and insulin in your body.

3. Less Alcohol: One glass of red wine is a great source of antioxidants; not a bottle. Research has recently shown that drinking two or more drinks a day can raise the risk of breast cancer by 21%. Instead of indulging in wine, eat their developers; grapes. Grape skin, actually reduces the risk of breast cancer.

4. Vegatable: You better eat your vegetables. A low fat diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Vegetables such as, broccoli and kale, contain sulforaphane, which is believed to help prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

5. Family History: You may know the health of your mother, grandmother, and perhaps great grandmother, but to truly know your family history is important to breast cancer prevention. In 15% of breast cancer cases, there is a history of the disease in the family history.

6. Doctor Visits: The most important form of prevention is regular check ups at your local physician. Clinical breast exams and mammograms are a must at least every three years.

Papilloma virus

At this very moment, 20 million people are currently infected. 50% of all individuals who engage in sexual activity in some time in their life, will become infected. Not to worry, there are actually 100 types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in this group; most of which can not harm you.

1. The HPV live in the body’s epithelial cells. These flat and thin cells are are found on the skin’s surface; predominately around orifices. 60 of the 100 types of HPV, cause small reaction warts on the hands and feet, but the other 40 are sexually transmitted.

2. If an individual contracts one of the 60 HPV strands which is not sexually transmitted, they will experience, warts on their hands and feet. On the other hand if an individual contracts, one of the 40 sexually transmitted HPV strands, it can lie within a human’s body without notice, until irritation. Once the indvidual irritates the infection it can cause irreprable damage to cervix, penile, or anal cells.

3. The 40 sexually transmitted HPV strands are contracted through infected genital skin, mucous membranes, or bodily fluids; during intercourse or oral sex.

4. The initial symptoms of HPV will be scattered warts around the infected area. If this symptom goes without treating, an individual can experience severe internal damage, to their cervix, penile, or anal cells.

5. There is no current cure for HPV, but it will normally go away on its own. If the infection does not dissapear on its own, an individual can take one of the several HPV vaccinations.

Yeast Infections

Most every infection can be shared by men and women. There is no infection that is distinct to male or females. Even the yeast infection. That’s right, the yeast infection can be contracted by males and females. The yeast infection is contracted through a variety of ways , but it always enters the body in the same fashion; through the urethra. This area of the body must not only be properly washed daily, but must be surrounded with the correct surroundings. Along with the clothing you wear, it is suggested to implement certain food items in your diet. Such as, yogurt, garlic, or cranberry juice. No matter which variety of preventions you choose, they should always remain organic. The body can easily digest organic foods, and begin incorporating the nutrients immediately.

1. Yogurt: Yogurt is plentiful in the bacteria lactobacillus acidophilu. This bacteria enhances your immune system and balances the chemicals in the body. Although non-flavored yogurt does not taste the best, it is reccomended to have atleast one cup every two days, in order to keep a balanced system.

2. Garlic: Do not worry, it is not reccomended to chew raw garlic, but a bit of chopped garlic in a daily meal is. This food product contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which stave off yeast infections.

3. Tea Tree Oil: This prevention is hands down, the most relaxing. Take three drops of tea tree oil, place in a full bath, and relax. Although three drops sounds miniscule, it is an extremely strong anti-septic, which aids in the prevention of yeast infections.

4. Camomille: The herb of camomille is a natural dietretic, which enhances the abillity to flush all toxins and chemicals through your system. This herb can be supplemented in a tea or in a soup.

5. Cranberries: While cranberry juice is a natural dietretic, your chances at any infections, especially yeast, are severly diminished when digesting the actual berry. The berry itself not only bolsters your immune system, but it actually strengthens your urinary tract.

6. Black Walnut: The best source of protein are from the simple walnuts and almonds at your local grocery store. None of these though, actually gives us as much nutrients as the black walnut. Along with enhancing your immune system, the high amount of protein strengthens your muscular system. The muscular system may seem non exsistent during a yeast infection, but a strong muscular system can actually aid in the prevention.

7. Foods to Cut Down: It may be easy to add additional items to your grocery list, but the hardest part is cutting back on a few; especially some of the best tasting. Although carbohydrates should be half of your daily intact, it should not be high in yeast. That means all Italian breads, most pastas, and snacks, must be cut down. When you continually add the precise ingrediants into your body that you are trying to avoid, it can become a problem.

Winter Skin

Thanksgiving has just come to end, the winter months are right around the corner, and you can already feel your skin drying out. This skin crippling dry air can not only age you quicker, but will permanently effect the skin. In order to remain young throughout this holiday season, take this advice.

1. Serum: Instead ditching your face cream, just apply a moisturizing serum first. Each serum is light weight in consistency, and penetrates the skin deeply with nutrients.

2. Foundation: Each women should alter their foundation’s finish with the change in the season. Instead of the normal foundations, try ones with water and glycerin as main ingredients, in order to replenish the skin.

3. Sun Screen: UV Rays are just as dangerous in the winter as they are in the summer. In some cases, such as, glare from snow or building, actually produces shorter, more dangerous UV Rays.

4. Indoor Heat: Indoor Heat is one of the main culprits for a flaky complexion. If the individual actually turned down the heat by a few degrees, the bone dry air would not flake out an individuals skin.

5. Liquid Nutrients: Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. During the winter months it is fairly easy to unconsciously dehydrate your skin. If an individual drinks the recommended 8 eight ounce glasses, it will aid in the individual’s complexion.

6. Light Lotion: Just because the weather is colder, does not mean you should apply a thick facial cream. Actually the light weight lotions can make the skin look vibrant. If an individual applies too much cream on their face, it can block out the hydration.

7. Shaving: It is a myth, that shaving is one of the main proponents to flaky skin. In actuality, shaving can rid the skin of any existing flakes or sand-papery skin.

8. Hot Bathes: More soaking does not equal more moisture. If an individual is craving a warm/hot bath, limit the time down to five minutes. If an individual soaks in the bath any longer, it can dehydrate the skin.

9. Exfoliate: It is a common mistake to apply moisturizer during the winter months. The true solution is to exfoliate. The best time for this procedure is right after a shower, when the skin is soft.

10. Licking Lips: Licking lips is the main culprit to dried out lips. In essence saliva, is acidic, in order to break down food, which in turn will dry out lips on contact.

Fight PMS With Food

Are you suffering with premenstrual symptoms?  Forty percent of women deal with PMS so severe that it affects their daily routine.  PMS symptoms can include water retention, bloating as well as tender and/or slightly enlarged breasts.  PMS can even be so severe that they have been used as a legal defense in murder cases!  You can fight PMS by making small changes in your diet.  It is a double win because these foods help other areas of your health as well as ridding yourself of those troublesome PMS symptoms.

Marvelous Magnesium

Add magnesium to your menu.  In addition to reducing PMS symptoms, it helps reduce water retention and helps to regulate serotonin, a mood balancer found in the brain.  Many food choices with magnesium are probably already in your diet: peanut butter, brown rice and whole grain bread.  Add beans, sunflower seeds, spinach, wild salmon and cashews to knock out PMS.

Calming Calcium

PMS symptoms can include irritability.  Most women know that calcium is important for bone health, but has been founded to lessen the symptoms of PMS.  The recommended dosage is 1000 to 1200 milligram of calcium supplements on a daily basis.  Supplements are perfect for those with lactose intolerance.  Most women don’t.  Remember, calcium is not only found in milk, cheese and yogurt.  It is also in broccoli, kale and white beans.  Take control of your PMS symptoms instead of it controlling you.

Give me an A

Vitamin A, that is.  So instrumental for your vision health, skin health and immune function, Vitamin A is also a warrior against PMS symptoms.  Add a wide variety of foods rich in this needed vitamin:  sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe melons, eggs, apricots, mangos, peas, and broccoli.   Eating healthy has never been so good for you and your PMS!

Health-boosting B

Sometimes vitamins are overlooked as a way to lessen PMS.  Whether you take supplements or eat foods rich in B6, your health will be improved.  You can decrease PMS symptoms simply by eating some of the following foods: breakfast cereals that are fortified and are whole-grain, garbanzo beans, extra lean beef, white potatoes with skin, bananas, chicken breast and unsalted pistachio nuts.  Boost your health while working to alleviate your PMS.

Essential E

Vitamin E truly is an essential vitamin for your health, including PMS.  In addition to reducing PMS symptoms, it offers your body so many other benefits.  It has been shown to be effective in decreasing the risk of coronary artery disease and contributes to an overall healthy circulatory system.  So many pollutants and processed foods leave residue of toxins in your body.  Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes those toxins.  Delicious food choices such as asparagus, avocado, egg, milk, almonds, hazelnuts, seeds and wholegrain products are loaded with Vitamin E.  Vitamin E provides a one-two punch against coronary disease and PMS symptoms.
PMS can be alleviated through dietary changes.  The foods mentioned are so healthful and delicious.  Fight the battle against PMS symptoms and come out the winner.

Will Lee
Physician Network Writer

Breast Examination

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer found in women. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.  In 2008, there were 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed.  During that same year, over 67,600 new cases of in situ breast cancer were diagnosed.   A total of 40,480 women in the United States died from breast cancer.  You also need to know that breast cancer can also affect the men in your life.  In 2008 1,990 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed. With a self examination, it is also a cancer that can be found early. By performing a monthly exam, you increase your chances of detection and survival.

Instructions

Step1

The first step in breast self examination is to lie down on your back.  The most natural place to conduct a breast exam is on your bed.  Position a pillow underneath your right shoulder.

Step 2

Begin your self examination by using the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to conduct a breast exam on your right breast.

Step 3

Use alternating touch while doing your self examination.  Use alternate light, medium and firm pressure as you conduct your breast exam.  Press in a circular pattern.  Keep your fingers in continuous contact with your right breast during the self examination.  This will ensure that the entire breast area is thoroughly examined.
Step 4

While conducting the self examination, follow an up and down pattern.  This has been found to be the most effective way to do a breast exam.
Step 5

During the breast exam, feel for any changes to your right breast, your armpit and to the area above and below the collarbone.  A thorough self examination should be completed in all of these areas.

Step 6

Repeat the self examination instructions for the right breast exam.  It should be noted that it is not necessary to conduct a breast exam while lying on a bed.  A self examination can also be completed while showering or bathing.

Step 7

In addition to the breast self examination by lying down, you can also do a breast exam while positioned in front of a mirror.  It is recommended that both types of examinations should be done because it doubles the likelihood that any breast changes can be detected.  It is true that early detection can save lives.

Step 8

Begin the breast exam by holding your arms at your side.  Look for any changes to the breast or collarbone area.

Step 9

Continue the self examination by holding your arms over your head.  Again look for any changes to the breasts, collarbone area as well as to your armpits.

Step 10

Place your hands on your hips and constrict your chest muscle.  Notice any areas that appear different.

Step 11

Conclude by bending forward with your hands on your hips.  This type of breast exam using a mirror may show a lump that perhaps you did not feel while lying down.

Will Lee
Physician Network Writer

Ovarian Cancer

This form of cancer strikes women at any age though research has found certain pre-existing conditions that predict the possibility of ovarian cancer. The body may throw up signals that allow for effective cancer prevention or family history may increase the risk of developing this type of cancer. Regular screenings and pelvic examinations are required after menopause. Ovarian cancer is an elusive disease that can strike women at any age. The reasons for this form of cancer are unknown though there are some steps towards cancer prevention.

Family history

If you or your parent, sibling or child has been a patient of ovarian cancer, your chances of developing the disease are higher. The presence of breast, uterus or intestinal cancer in the family can also be a factor to increase your chances of developing this. Cancer prevention can be done with effective communication with your doctor and a strong sense that your body’s health is in your hands.

Repeated miscarriage

Repeated miscarriages may predispose you to ovarian cancer. If your doctor gives you a diagnosis of ‘molar pregnancy’, check whether it is advisable to try for natural conception. Understand the nature of this tendency and a realistic view can aid cancer prevention while allowing you to consider the options to exercise. If you find yourself pregnant, undergo an ultrasound in the third month to ascertain child health. It is important to get a second opinion if your doctor writes off the possibility of ovarian cancer despite your family history and pregnancy history. Cancer prevention is in your hands and demands your conscious involvement in the face of medical perceptions.

Symptoms

Ovarian cancer shows few overt symptoms that allow for cancer prevention. If you have unusual bleeding during menstruation or after menopause, ask your doctor to check for the presence of ovarian cancer. Be aware that a normal Pap smear will check for the presence of cervical cancer. Regular blood tests can help your doctor to keep track of certain hormones that increase beyond acceptable limits and aid cancer prevention.

Regular checks

If you have never been pregnant, have had unsuccessful pregnancies, feel an unusual shortness of breath and swelling in the abdomen, get yourself checked on a regular basis. The tests for ovarian cancer are normally recommended to be carried out on a half-yearly basis. If you develop any new symptoms in the interim, take charge of cancer prevention and approach your doctor immediately.

Enjoy life

You have only this moment to live and the possibility of ovarian cancer or any other disease is about as high as that of getting killed in an accident or natural calamity. An effective method of cancer prevention is the adoption of a positive mental frame. Positivity is the key to intra-cellular health. If your history shows that you might have a tendency towards the disease, communicate with others who have gone through the disease and survived. Find out alternative methods of treatment that allow you to try overcoming ovarian cancer without invasive options. Cancer prevention by right food and lifestyle choices must be supported by right thinking habits as well.

Will Lee
Physician Network Writer

Strong Bones

When you were a child, most likely you remember being told to drink milk and eat dairy products for bone health. For women this was even truer than it may have been for men. And you may have been asking yourself why this was so important. Now, as you age, you are more than likely well aware of the dangers of osteoporosis and why bone health is such a critical issue for women to deal with.

As a child, you were able to build up bone mass and form bones that were thick and strong. But as a woman ages, her bone health naturally begins to deteriorate. Osteoporosis is a disease which can have devastating effects on a woman’s quality of life. Poor bone health can be more terrible than you might think. Imagine sustaining a simple fall and being told that you have broken your hip or your spine because your bones are so brittle. Osteoporosis can rob a woman of her independence and longevity as it robs her bones of calcium.

Before there was any information about why it was important to have good bone health, women often found that as they aged, they fell more easily, broke bones more easily and may even have formed a hump on their back. A dowager’s hump is often a result of repeated spinal fractures due to osteoporosis. Repeated fractures from poor bone health can also lead to loss of mobility, severe chronic pain, and a loss of independence as a woman with osteoporosis becomes increasingly unable to look after herself.

There are a few things which can lead to poor bone health and puts you at risk of developing osteoporosis. Risk factors for osteoporosis include low body weight, being of Caucasian ancestry, low levels of blood estrogen, and a lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet. Smoking and a sedentary lifestyle can also severely impact bone health and lead to the development of osteoporosis. A woman who does not ingest enough calcium during pregnancy is also at risk since the developing baby can leach calcium from her bones, making them weaker.

But there are things that you can do to increase bone density, improve your bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. They include weight bearing exercises that improve bone health by increasing bone density, eating calcium and vitamin D rich foods such as dairy products, and taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Because low levels of estrogen in the blood can lead to the development of osteoporosis, women who are post-menopausal are urged to take hormone supplements to keep their levels of estrogen up and maintain as high a level of bone health as possible.

There are medications which can help even after a woman has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. They involve introducing calcium into the system so that the density of bones is maintained. If bones are thick and strong, bone health is considered good, since strong bones are less likely to fracture if they are stressed. Drug therapy for osteoporosis includes calcium supplementation as well as medications which stimulate cells called osteoblasts. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis you should speak to your doctor about what medicines will be best suited to you and your system.

Bone health is something that can have a massive impact on your life. Don’t neglect it and let osteoporosis destroy your middle and old age. Acting now to protect your bones can have a major impact down the road.

Will Lee
Physician Network Writer

Mom

If you are a woman who is getting older, you may be looking for ways to turn back the biological clock and increase fertility. This is because a woman’s chances of getting pregnant drop from about 20 percent at age 30 to about 5 percent after the age of 40. As you can see, it is important to turn back the biological clock so that you have a chance to increase fertility levels. Diet can be one of the easiest and most pleasant ways to do this.

Your biological clock refers to the way that the cells in your body are changing. A woman’s fertility chances decrease as the number and quality of her eggs shrinks over time. In order to increase fertility you need to ensure that your body is functioning as efficiently as possible and that your systems are in as good a condition as it can be. An increase fertility-wise can be found if the body is being properly fed with the correct nutrients and its cardiovascular and endocrine systems are working at peak efficiency. This overall health improvement can benefit your biological clock.

There are different ways that you can affect your biological clock but the diet you are eating can have a direct, powerful and measurable effect on your fertility levels. Diet can influence body weight and supply important nutrients that can help boost all of the systems of the body, including the endocrine system. It is the endocrine system which controls the production of hormones and these can help slow the advancement of your biological clock making it easier to increase fertility.

Eating a balanced diet can help increase fertility by ensuring that you are getting the right amounts of different nutrients. Recently studies have shown that different nutrients and anti-oxidants. There are other dietary changes that you should make as well. A good pregnancy diet should be full of a variety of fruits and vegetables. To increase fertility it should be low in trans fats, since they have shown to accelerate your biological clock by interfering with the body’s functioning on a cellular level.

There is one nutrient complex that is considered to be essential to improving the time showing on your biological clock. Omega fatty acids are excellent for all systems of the body. They have been proven to benefit the immune and reproductive systems and contribute to the healthy development of cells throughout the body. Omega fatty acids allow hormones to bond more easily with receptor cells in the reproductive system and this can increase fertility. They are one of the best ways to turn back your biological clock.

To increase fertility using Omega fatty acids, it is important to get a high quality source of them. Salmon and other cold water fish have been found to contain high levels. Increase fertility and improve your biological clock by eating at least two to three servings of fish weekly. If you don’t want to eat fish, there are other sources of omega fatty acids that can slow the advancement of your biological clock and overall health. One safe and effective way to get the levels you need to increase fertility is through the consumption of flax seed oil.

If you want to increase fertility you will need to fight your biological clock. The tricky thing is that women age at different rates and some women will need to work harder to increase fertility. Try using a varied diet and the inclusion of supplements like flax seed oil in order to do this and stop your biological clock from ticking quite so loudly.

Tim Du
Physician Network Writer

There are so many women out there who are dieting and exercising to excess. And why are they doing this? They are doing this because they have a distorted body image and misconceptions about what men find attractive. Did you know that there is a huge difference between what men find attractive and what women think men find attractive? The idea that a size two body is attractive to men is one of many damaging misconceptions women are prone to and it can have harmful effects on a woman’s body image and her health.

There is an image portrayed in the media that a smaller dress size can make us more successful and bring us love. The fashion and beauty industry plays havoc with a woman’s body image and a woman may have misconceptions that what the fashion industry says is attractive is something that men enjoy.

If you are having body image issues, it can be hard to realize that these misconceptions exist. It is interesting that some of the base ideas of beauty are actually the opposite of what society is pushing. A huge part of attraction and the idea of beauty is based on selecting a healthy mate and there are a few things that you need to do so that go against what fashion is telling us.

In order to conceive, carry and nurture a healthy baby, a woman needs breasts and hips. She also needs some body fat. These are things that are very deeply ingrained in a man’s psyche and while some men may deviate from this norm, the idea that all men do is one of the most harmful misconceptions around.

At its worst, misconceptions that a woman has about her body can lead to body dysmorphic disorder. This is a disease that amplifies a woman’s misconceptions and gives her a distorted view of her own body image. It can actually affect both males and females. If a person with body dysmorphic disorder looks in the mirror, their body image is so distorted that they may see themselves as being grossly overweight when in fact they may be dangerously underweight.

Men often tend to look at the entire woman when they are assessing her attractiveness. Common misconceptions are that men want someone who is very slender, often with large breasts and a slender waist. But these ideals are just that, misconceptions. A woman’s body image can be negatively affected if she feels that she does not look like a lingerie model. But what a woman thinks a man wants and what a man wants are two different things.

Although a man does want a woman who is physically attractive, following generalizations can create misconceptions. It is a disservice to men to generalize them as being only interested in a slender, big breasted physique. Men are also interested in being with women who seem very confident and comfortable in their skin. In fact, a woman who is comfortable with her own body image can be tremendously attractive to a man if she shows that she knows what she wants, and what she wants is him.

Body image can be a tricky thing to deal with. A woman’s body image is often established when she is quite young and a number of external factors can influence it positively and negatively. If you take the time to examine your own body image and focus on health rather than a dress size, you can begin to live a happier and healthier life.

Tim Du
Physician Network Writer