Discover Your DNA

The move by Pathway Genomics, San Diego, a trendy bio-tech company to sell a genetic test kit through retail outlets that can assess users’ predisposition to various diseases has sparked off a furious debate in America over its ethical and moral dimensions. The company had announced that it would start selling the ‘Spit Kit’ through the nation’s 7,500 Walgreen stores. Packaged in a box with “Discover Your DNA” imprint, with a stamped envelope enclosed. Spit kit can be mailed back to company. Customers can then go to the Pathways website to order specific tests and pay the required fees. They can also get the results via the Web.

Using the $20-$30 ‘Spit Kit’, customers can mail a dab of their sputum to labs for tests that will examine DNA variations to determine their risk of getting heart disease, diabetes, various forms of cancer, besides their reaction to common drugs. Depending on the range and depth of information, the tests will cost up to $300. This idea of Pathway Genomics is not a new one. Personal genomics companies have been around for around three years. But by going retail Pathway hope to become the front-runners in this field.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has not approved or validated the test kit and ethicists are also concerned. They say learning about predisposed diseases will raise moral issues relating to marriage, childbirth, inheritance, and even business and professional decisions. Medical insurance companies and the clergy are yet to pitch in. Pathway, on its part, says FDA clearance is not necessary to sell the Spit Kit, because, it insists, the tests are not intended for use in diagnosis, treatment or for the mitigation or cure of a disease. Anyway let’s wait some days to evaluate the actual result and feedback to Pathway’s revolutionary initiative.

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery

Are you worried of your belly fat? Worried of your shape? Then Tummy tuck is a good choice, especially for women. Many women who have had one or more deliveries feel unhappy because of the loss of their pre-pregnancy shape. Though a wonderful experience, pregnancy adversely affects skin elasticity and muscle tone and causes stretch marks. A tummy tuck would correct sagging skin and tighten the stretched areas, thereby restoring the patient’s body shape.

Tummy tuck

The tummy tuck is an ideal solution for stubborn surplus fat that is unresponsive to exercise and a controlled diet. The doctors’ name for tummy tuck is abdominoplasty surgery. Tummy tucks are meant to take fat from your stomach and also take the flabby skin from around your abdomen. Your stomach muscles will also be tightened and this may make them stronger. The tummy tuck should not be considered as a procedure for losing weight. Candidates for the treatment are either already in their normal weight or quite close to it.

A tummy tuck can be done under local anesthesia or a general anesthesia, but most people opt for a general anesthesia for this procedure. It involves an incision from one hip to the other. A second incision will then be made to remove your navel. A final step in the tummy tuck procedure is to remove the skin and fat from the wall of your abdomen and tighten the muscles there. Afterwards the skin is stretched over the abdomen again and any excess is removed as you are stitched up again. A drainage tube will be inserted to aid the draining away of fluids from the wound and this will be removed after a few days when everything is drained.

Endoscopic tummy tuck

An endoscopic tummy tuck is the same operation which is carried out in a slightly different procedure, which needs a much smaller abdominal incision. Here a camera and tools are inserted through the small incision to drain the fat. One problem with this method of carrying out a tummy tuck is that it does not allow for the muscles to be tightened, nor the excess skin to b e removed. It is purely a method of fat removal.

Either of these methods of performing a tummy tuck will leave you sore and swollen for a few days, but you should be given painkillers. You can also find yourself numb in that area for as long as six months, but you can help yourself recover more quickly by doing a few light exercises.

All these sound great but it should also be telling you that tummy tuck is major surgery. Further, it is important that the patient discusses not just the advantages and cost but also the side effects and risks of the procedure with the concerned practitioner before deciding to go for it. It’s a big deal and not something you can take lightly or agree to without a lot of thought. You need to think seriously about the advantages and disadvantages of a tummy tuck.

Yoga for weight loss

-YOGASANAM-

I know some people  struggling hard due to over body weight. They put themselves into agony by making severe fasting and vigorous exercises. But all these works without a proper guidance or a systematic approach do any good I think. So if you are looking for a new and effective way of losing weight or tired of sweating for hours on a treadmill without seeing any appreciable results, believe me , there is a way to lose weight in a healthy manner….. YOGA.

I hope some of you may be very familiar with Yoga. Anyway I shall give a very brief description to it, for those who are unfamiliar with the word. “Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice. It is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and is a form of a spiritual practice in India.”  It’s true that people normally don’t consider yoga for weight loss, but take a moment to think about it. You will invariably find that people who have been practicing yoga regularly are fit and lean, never fat.

Yoga is one of the very effective exercises for weight loss because it works on many different levels at the same time. At the end of the day, yoga aims to bring your body and mind to a natural state, where your entire being functions as one, with full efficiency, and in perfect harmony with the rest of the universe. Let’s take a look at some of the yoga poses for weight loss.

Surya Namaskara: The Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation is a series of 12 exercises that are performed in a sequential manner. These 12 exercises not only strengthen your body, they also help to boost your metabolism and make your body burn fat faster than ever.

Dwichkrika Asana: The Dwichkrika Asana or Prone Cycling Pose helps to strengthen your abdominal regions and also helps in burning fat. Just a couple of minutes of performing this yoga exercise for weight loss can work wonders on your midsection.

Ardha Hala Asana: The Ardha Hala Asana or Half Plough Pose is one of the best yoga asanas for weight loss. This asana helps to stimulate the digestive system and boosts your metabolism. It is also one of the best exercises to lose that stubborn fat that accumulates on the lower abdomen.

Pawan Mukta Asana: This is also an excellent exercise to stimulate the digestive system and one of the more popular yoga poses for weight loss. This amazing exercise not only tones your midsection, but also helps to dispel any gas that is trapped in the intestines.

Chocolates…. chocolates….

It’s commonly said that children like chocolates but i think most of the adults too like chocolates and if given a permit for “unlimited consumption, without obesity and other health risk”, many would consume lots and lots of chocolate daily. In a recent study it was found that 99% of all women love chocolate and that they may actually prefer chocolate more to than to sex. Well, in fact it is not just the women who love it  but almost everybody would love it too. It always feels so nice to have it melted in your mouth, delivering its wonderful taste right through your tongue …. whh !!!!!!

Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants,  the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system.  They are thought to help prevent stroke, heart disease and cancer. And if that wasn’t enough many more health benefits are contributed to antioxidants including slowing  the aging process & the visible signs of aging. The darker and more pure forms of chocolate contain the most antioxidants.

Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine  as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.chocolate is a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium too. The benefits of each are well documented. Magnesium helps to maintain muscle  and nerve function, is good for strong bones, and supports a healthy immune system and more. Phosphorus is important for bone and teeth formation in children and for works with calcium to keep bones strong and healthy for us throughout our lives.Some ingredients in chocolate can even trigger happy feelings in our brain.  A study reported by the BBC indicated that melting chocolate in one’s mouth produced an increase in brain activity and heart rate that was more intense than that associated with passionate kissing, and also lasted four times as long after the activity had ended.

How chocolate is made?

The first step is the harvesting of the cocoa pods containing the cocoa beans.The Pods are crushed and the beans and surrounding pulp extracted and fermented naturally for about six days in either open heaps or boxes after which the beans are dried.The finest chocolate is produced when the drying process is done naturally by the sun for 7 days or more. Accelerated or artificial drying is quicker, but produces inferior quality chocolate, mainly used in mass produced products and cake coverings.The next process is shared with coffee in that the beans are first graded, then roasted. Roasting times depend on the type and size of the beans, like coffee this can also affect the final flavour of the chocolate. Light Crushing separates the kernel or ‘Nib’ from the shell or husk , the husk is then separated or ‘winnowed’ out and discarded. At this stage most manufacturers put the Cocoa Nibs through an alkalisation process to help develop flavour and colour.

However, some purists producing the finest chocolate prefer to rely on the quality of the beans and natural processing to produce the best colour and flavour. The nibs, which are very high in fat or cocoa butter, are then finely milled and liquefy in the heat produced by the milling process to produce cocoa liquor. When cocoa liquor, otherwise known as cocoa mass, is allowed to cool and solidify. At this point the manufacturing process splits according to the final product. If the end product is chocolate, some of the cocoa liquor is reserved, the rest is pressed to extract the cocoa butter leaving a solid residue called press cake. Press cake is usually kibbled or finely ground to produce the product known to consumers as Cocoa Powder.

H1N1

H1N1 flu ?? Relax, don’t be panic. Though very dangerous it’s curable and preventable with necessary precautions. According to the latest news 18  casualities were there for the last 24 hours in my country.  Whole the nation is really worried and it’s heard that Prime Minister’s office itself directly take notice of the situation and monitoring the actions being taken by the concerned ministry and state governments.

What is H1N1 ?

H1N1, referred to as “swine flu”  is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, India  have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.  Like seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine) flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.  A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

The signs and symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people

The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1  flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Emergency warning signs in Children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Emergency warning signs in Adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 (swine) flu. (I mean the right vaccine) There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Eat in Colour.

Colour is the key to food nutrition. The natural pigments that make fruits and vegetables so colorful can also help protect your body from common diseases and illnesses as you age. Here’s just a sampling of the health benefits of eating colorful fruits and vegetables.

When you add deep reds or bright pinks to your daily diet, you are also adding a powerful antioxidant is found in tomatoes, red and pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and guava. The red in tomatoes helps reduce the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, and other types of cancers.

Bright yellows have many of the same perks as the orange groups: high in essential vitamins. Pineapple, is rich with Vitamin C and manganese. The yellow in corn protects against macular degeneration, the number-one cause of blindness in the elderly. Yellow fruits and vegetables belong to many different families, but they all share the common bond of being health enhancing with great taste.

Orange, the color of a blazing sun, is a must have in your daily diet. Orange vegetables and fruits like sweet potatoes, mangos, carrots, and apricots, contain beta-carotene. In addition to being touted as a powerful health-protector, the orange group is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B. The orange in carrots and sweet potatoes helps prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of stroke.

Green vegetables look great and taste wonderful, leafy greens helps prevent cancer and keep you healthy. And protect your eyes by keeping your retina strong. Also, research is being done on cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and turnips to see if they may reduce the risk of cancerous tumors! Greens are also loaded with essential vitamins minerals, and fiber.

The blue in blueberries helps protect memory and motor function as you age, and helps fight cancer and heart disease. Blues and purples not only add beautiful shades of your plate, they help prevent heart disease. Blueberries, in particular, are rich in Vitamin C and folic acid and high in fiber and potassium.

These 15 tips helps to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in your diet

• Keep cleaned fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator — ready to eat.
• Have vegetables with low-fat dip for a snack.
• Try commercial prepackaged salads and stir-fry mixes to save prep time.
• Add vegetables to casseroles, stews and soups.
• Drink 100% fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks or soda pop.
• Have fruit for dessert.
• Keep a bowl of apples, bananas and/or oranges on the table.
• Choose a side salad made with a variety of leafy greens.
• Bake with raisin, date or prune puree to reduce fat and increase fiber.
• Add lettuce, onions, peppers and/or tomatoes to sandwiches.
• Order veggie toppings on your pizza.
• Enjoy fruit smoothies for breakfast or snacks.
• Pack fresh or dried fruits for quick snacks.
• Limit peeling to preserve fiber content.
• Steam, broil, microwave or cook in small amount of water, avoid boiling.

So when you’re adding color to your plate may add years to your life, think color!

A cup of Green Tea

Green tea is a wonderful beverage with potential health benefits. Green tea is a type of tea made solely with the leaves and leaf buds, which has undergone minimal Oxidation during processing. Green tea leaves steamed and dried without fermenting. Green tea leaves are picked and then immediately fired, a tea processing term which means the leaves are either steamed or heated. The tea leaves are then dried and prepared for either sale or further processing. High quality green tea is pale yellowish-green in color and has a delicate taste.

Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. Green tea is naturally rich in antioxidants. These antioxidant properties and help our body to fight various disease conditions. The antioxidants acts as free radical scavengers and keeps our system free of damaging free radicals. Green tea is good for your teeth, hair, and now an effective preventive thing against cancer! Drinking green tea reduced the risk of cancer by nearly sixty percent.

Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat. One study confirmed that the combination of green tea and caffeine improved weight loss and maintenance in overweight and moderately obese individuals. Green tea may also be useful in inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. Green tea may also be effective in treating genital warts and preventing symptoms of colds and influenza.

My most enjoyed green tea is Kahwah. It is a traditional and popular refreshing beverage, originates from Kashmir. Kahwa is a popular refreshing beverage. It provides instant relief from headache. And another favorite Tea is Iced Green Tea. It provides me with immense energy and how my day takes off. I prepared like this. Remove tea bag and cool in refrigerator. Add a fruit juice of your choice; sweeten with honey or sugar desired and mix well. And serve in cocktail glasses over ice and garnish with a spring of mint on the top.

The only negative side effect from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee. There are no known scientific reports on the pediatric use of green tea, so it is not recommended for children. For adults, maximum two to three cups of green tea per day is recommended. People with heart problems, kidney disorders should not take green tea. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should also avoid green tea.

Coffee and Health.

Some people awaken, the first thing they grab is a hot cup of coffee. Personally I’m a fan of coffee and prefer to spend time in coffee bars with my friends. coffee has many benefits for our health and well being.

Caffeine Protects Brain.

Coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body, research suggests. Coffee may have an antioxidant effect on the bloodstream by reducing vascular risk factors for dementia. Further, people who drank regular caffeinated coffee, were reported to have 30 percent lower risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr Jonathan Geiger (University of North Dakota) says, “Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug and its ability to stabilize the blood brain barrier means it could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders”


Coffee Help You Get in Shape.

In a study recently released, researchers at the University of Georgia in Athens found that the amount of caffeine in two cups of coffee cut exercise-induced muscle pain in half. Caffeine boost short-term metabolic activity to burn an additional 100 calories a day. It helps Weight control.

Coffee Aid Mental Health.

A team of Swedish and Danish researchers observed a group of 1,409 middle-aged men and women for a period of 21 years. Those who reported drinking three to five cups of coffee per day were 65% less likely to have developed dementia than those who reported drinking two cups or less. Other health factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and socioeconomics were controlled in the study.


Coffee Helps Prevent Cancers.

Coffee is linked to lower rates of liver , mouth and gullet cancer. In a recent study conducted by the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida , consuming three cups of coffee a day was found to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women under the age of 50 by 37 percent. The researchers concluded that coffee consumption was associated with a low risk of mouth and gullet cancers, even in the high-risk group.

Coffee Help Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Coffee drinkers have a substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who abstain from the beverage, a new study shows. Chlorogenic acid is a major component of coffee that may provide more of an explanation for coffee’s effect on risk for type 2 diabetes.

For Pregnant Women.

Drinking more than two cups of coffee or three to four cups of tea could prove to be harmful, as it increases the risk of miscarriage by 25 percent. Coffee consumption can lead to iron deficiency anemia in mothers and infants. Coffee also interferes with the absorption of supplemental iron,and coffee causes staining of the teeth.

TEN best FOODS for FITNESS

Here are your best foods for eating well. These 10 health foods are some of the healthiest because they are a good or excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients; are high in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds, such as vitamins A and E and beta carotene; may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health conditions ; are low in calorie density, meaning you get a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories and they are readily available too.

Almonds

These tear-shaped nuts are packed with nutrients — fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium. In fact, almonds have more calcium than any other nut — 75 milligrams (mg) in one serving (about 23 almonds). Also, one serving of almonds provides half of your body’s Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E. Like all nuts, almonds provide one of the best plant sources of protein. And they’re good for your heart. Most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated fat — a healthier type of fat that may help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Apples

Apples are an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Fresh apples are also good sources of vitamin C — an antioxidant that protects your body’s cells from damage. Vitamin C also helps form the connective tissue collagen, keeps your capillaries and blood vessels healthy, and aids in the absorption of iron.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a rich source of plant compounds (phytonutrients). As with cranberries, phytonutrients in blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections. Blueberries may also improve short-term memory and promote healthy aging. Blueberries are also a low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C — 1 cup of fresh blueberries has 84 calories, 3.6 grams of fiber and 14 mg of vitamin C.

Broccoli

Besides being a good source of calcium, potassium, folate and fiber, broccoli contains phytonutrients — a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins A and C — antioxidants that protect your body’s cells from damage.

Red beans

Red beans — including small red beans and dark red kidney beans — are good sources of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and thiamin. They’re also an excellent low-fat, low-calorie source of protein and dietary fiber. Red beans also contain phytonutrients that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids — a type of fat that makes your blood less likely to form clots that may cause heart attacks. Omega-3s may also protect against irregular heartbeats that may cause sudden cardiac death, decrease triglyceride levels, decrease the growth of artery-clogging plaques, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. In addition to being an excellent source of omega-3s, salmon is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is a good source of protein.

Spinach

Spinach is high in vitamins A and C and folate. It’s also a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, calcium, iron and magnesium. The plant compounds in spinach may boost your immune system and may help keep your hair and skin healthy.

sweet potatoes

The deep orange-yellow color of sweet potatoes tells you that they’re high in the antioxidant beta carotene. Food sources of beta carotene, which are converted to vitamin A in your body, may help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of some cancers. Sweet potatoes are also good sources of fiber, vitamins B-6, C and E, folate and potassium. And like all vegetables, they’re fat-free and relatively low in calories — one small sweet potato has just 54 calories.

vegetable juice

Vegetable juice has most of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients found in the original vegetables and is an easy way to include vegetables in your diet. Tomato juice and vegetable juices that include tomatoes are good sources of lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce the risk of heart attack, prostate cancer and possibly other types of cancer. Some vegetable and tomato juices are very high in sodium, so be sure to select the low-sodium varieties.

Wheat Germ

At the center of a grain of wheat is the wheat germ — the part of the seed that’s responsible for the development and growth of the new plant sprout. Though only a small part of the wheat seed, the germ is a highly concentrated source of nutrients, including niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. The germ also contains protein, fiber and some fat.

Breast Cancer?? don’t be panic…

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in men and women. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer   and the fifth most common cause of cancer death.   However breast cancer mortality worldwide is just 25% greater than that of lung cancer in women.  In 2005, breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide . The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on modern lifestyles in the Western world.

Because the breast is composed of identical tissues in males and females, breast cancer also occurs in males.  Incidences of breast cancer in men are approximately 100 times less common than in women, but men with breast cancer are considered to have the same statistical survival rates as women.

Signs and Symptoms

The first symptom, or subjective sign, of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different than the surrounding breast tissue. According to the Merck Manual, greater than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered as a lump by the woman herself.   According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the first medical sign, or objective indication of breast cancer as detected by a physician, is discovered by mammogram.

Indications of breast cancer other than a lump may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge. Pain is an unreliable tool in determining the presence of breast cancer, but may be indicative of other breast-related health issues such as mastodynia.

When breast cancer cells invade the dermal lymphatics, small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, its presentation can resemble skin inflammation and thus is known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d’orange.

Another reported symptom complex of breast cancer is Paget’s disease of the breast. This syndrome presents as eczematoid skin changes such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. As Paget’s advances, symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be discharge from the nipple. Approximately half of women diagnosed with Paget’s also have a lump in the breast.

Occasionally, breast cancer presents as metastatic disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ. Metastatic breast cancer will cause symptoms that depend on the location of metastasis. More common sites of metastasis include bone, liver, lung and brain. Unexplained weight loss can occasionally herald an occult breast cancer, as can symptoms of fevers or chills. Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms. These symptoms are “non-specific,” meaning they can also be manifestations of many other illnesses.

Most symptoms of breast disorder do not turn out to represent underlying breast cancer. Benign breast diseases such as mastitis and fibroadenoma of the breast are more common causes of breast disorder symptoms. The appearance of a new symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors, because of the possibility of an underlying breast cancer at almost any age.

Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer

1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life. Weight gain in midlife, independent of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk. Additionally, and elevated BMI has been conclusively shown to increase the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.

2. Minimize or avoid alcohol. Alcohol use is the most well established dietary risk factor for breast cancer. The Harvard Nurses’ Health study, along with several others, has shown consuming more than one alcoholic beverage a day can increase breast cancer risk by as much as 20-25 percent.

3. Consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Eat seven or more servings daily. The superstars for breast cancer protection include all cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower) ; dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach) ; carrots and tomatoes. The superstar fruits include citrus, berries and cherries. Note: it is best to eat cruciferous vegetables raw or lightly cooked, as some of the phytochemicals believed to offer protection against breast cancer are destroyed by heat.

4. Exercise regularly the rest of your life. Many studies have shown that regular exercise provides powerful protection against breast cancer. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) five or more days a week. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are key!

5. Do your fats right! The type of fat in your diet can affect your breast cancer risk. Minimize consumption of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils), saturated fats and trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and herring). Consume monounsaturated oils (canola, olive oil, nuts/seeds, avocados) as your primary fat source, as these foods have potential anticancer properties. Specifically, canola oil is a good source of omega-3 fats; extra virgin olive oil is a potent source of antioxidant polyphenols, including squalene; and nuts and seeds provide you with the cancer protective mineral, selenium.

6. Do your carbs right! Minimize consumption of the high glycemic index, “Great White Hazards” – white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and products containing them. These foods trigger hormonal changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue. Replace these “wrong” carbs with whole grains and beans/legumes. Beans/legumes because of their high fiber and lignan content are especially special.

7. Consume whole food soy products regularly, such as tofu, tempeh, edamame, roasted soy nuts, soy milk and miso. Only consume organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) soy. Epidemiologic studies have shown a positive association between soy consumption and reduced breast cancer risk.

8. Minimize exposure to pharmacologic estrogens and xeno-estrogens. Do not take prescription estrogens unless medically indicated. Lifetime exposure to estrogen plays a fundamental role in the development of breast cancer. Also avoid estrogen-like compounds found in environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals. Buy organic produce if you can afford it; otherwise, thoroughly wash all non-organic produce. Minimize exposure to residual hormones found in non-organic dairy products, meat and poultry.

9. Take your supplements daily. A multivitamin, 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C in divided doses, 200-400 IUs of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Also take 200 mcg of the mineral selenium or eat one to two Brazil nuts as an alternative. If you have a chronic medical condition or take prescription drugs, consult your physician first.

10. Maintain a positive mental outlook. Engage in self-nurturing behaviors regularly. Develop rich, warm and mutually beneficial relationships with family and friends. Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night). The mind-body associations with breast cancer are significant.

After a breast cancer diagnosis, you and your doctors will put together a treatment plan specific to your situation, based on your pathology report. Your treatment plan will be made up of one or more specific treatments that are intended to target the cancer cells in different ways and reduce the risk of future breast cancer recurrence. You and your doctor will base your treatment decisions on YOUR unique situation, including consideration of your overall medical condition and your personal style of making decisions. You may have to re-evaluate your decisions periodically. Your medical team will be your guide.

Treatment of Breast Cancer

There are two methods of treatment – local and systemic.

Local treatments are used to remove or destroy the cancer cells in a specific area. Surgery and Radiation therapy are examples of local treatments.

Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells all over the body. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy examples of systemic treatments.

The right treatment method, however, depends on the size and location of the breast tumor; the results of the pathologist’ s review of the tumor specimen, the woman’s age, menopausal status, and general health; and the stage of the disease.

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