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What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast. Today, a diagnosis of breast cancer is not always a sentence of death. It is a different disease in different women, different age groups and can have different cell populations within the tumor itself. In general, it is a disease that is much more aggressive in younger women.
Studies show women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. It is second to lung cancer as a cause of death in women. However, breast cancer is not exclusive to women. Men can also develop breast cancer. The evaluation of men with breast masses is similar to that in women, and includes the mammography.
Risk Factors
Researchers and Breast Cancer Specialists, "noone" knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop the disease. Below is a list of some of those risk factors:
- Older age - usually over age sixty-five
- Early onset of menses or late menopause
- Diets high in saturated fat
- Older age at birth of first child or never having given birth
- A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
- A family history, particularly a mother or sister
- Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest
- Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram
- Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone
- Obesity
- Moderate alcoholic intake - more than 2 drinks per day
The understanding of breast cancer, how to live with and fight it is one of the first and biggest steps you can take toward wellness. If you are a patient, a loved one, a care giver, or just someone wanting to better understand breast cancer disease, this web site can provide you with a resource toward that goal. Our authors are from all around the world sharing their knowledge, experiences and expertise about breast cancer disease. It is our hope the contents is helpful and that you will visit our pages often as there will be new content added continually.
The internet provides a wonderful resource for anyone looking for information. Learn about the treatment options available, screening and prevention methods and the different types of breast cancer. We come across many articles relating to "Breast Cancer" and when we feel it is appropriate we like to republish these on the "Breast Cancer Articles" web site.
Important Disclaimer: The articles are for educational purposes only. They are not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use the information in the articles to diagnose or treat any health problem or illness. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding any kind of a health problem.
Breast Cancer Statistics – How Breast Cancer Survival Rates Increased 50% By Olinda Rola
Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year, according to the World Health Organization. For breast cancer and prevention, it has long been known that regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the likelihood of having breast cancer. What has not been known or studied has been the effect of regular physical activity on the breast cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women that already have breast cancer. That is, until now.
The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported by the American Medical Associations Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in May 2005 were astounding! Certain participants in the study of women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved a 50% reduction in the death rate from breast cancer.
Here are these breast cancer statistics: the journal reported that in the study 2,987 female registered nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during the years 1984-1998. What the study found was that the women who had physical activity equivalent to walking at a steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% of the death rate of women who had physical activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a week. The conclusion of the breast cancer statistics in the study was that physical activity after breast cancer has been diagnosed may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer. The study found that there was little evidence of any relation between increased physical activity and increased benefit.
It’s time to dust off those walking shoes!
As a physical activity, walking can be done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. All that is needed is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has the lowest injury rate of all the various kinds of exercise.
You can walk with a partner, friend, family member or dog, maybe even a neighbors dog. Or you can walk with your favorite headset and music. If you are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear open to hear the sounds around you.
As for basic walking tips:
· As you begin regular walking, take it easy. Standard advice is to check with your physician before starting any exercise program. If it has been years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly increase your time and distance.
· Walking at a pace of 75–95 steps a minute will have you walking at a speed of about 2-3 miles per hour.
· Walk with your head up, looking out in front of you. Do not walk looking down right in front of you except to navigate any obstacles.
· Really take it easy the first 5 minutes of walking to warm up. Afterwards, gently stretch for 5–10 minutes while your muscles are warm.
· Practice good walking form. Your arms should swing naturally in the direction you are walking, not from side to side across your body. Your foot should strike the ground on your heel, then a rolling motion forward toward the ball of your foot, then pushing off with your toes.
And here are some basic walking shoes tips:
· Buy your walking shoes from a sporting shoes store with large selections. Doing so will give you plenty of choices. And buy your walking shoes later in the day when your feet will be larger.
· Buy cushioned, supportive walking shoes. To see if a shoe is supportive, do this test: take a shoe and turn it upside down. Holding each end of the shoe, try to fold it. If you find the shoe bends in the middle, then that shoe is not a supportive shoe. A supportive shoe should bend where your foot normally bends, near your toes.
· You should allow the width of your index finger between the end of your shoe and the end of your longest toe, or about one-half inch.
· Buy two pairs of walking shoes, one for home and one for the car or workplace. And if one pair gets wet, you can use the other pair that day.
Walking is the closest thing to the perfect exercise. In today’s fast-paced society, regular walking can be a welcomed break from the stress of the day. Maybe you will get to know your neighborhood or neighbors better. There may be walking trails you have never seen but wanted to.
Wherever and however you choose to walk, not only can the experience be fun, you will know you are being good to your body in a variety of ways. Besides the incredible breast cancer statistics and findings of the breast cancer study, walking helps with weight control and bone strength, elevates mood, helps build and maintain healthy muscles, joints and heart. With so many great health benefits, why not get started walking today!
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About the Author: Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural treatments for a variety of health problems. For information about preventing breast cancer, breast cancer treatment and related articles, visit the website to read more.
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