Common Myths about Breast Cancer

1. It is all down to genes, so no point managing the risk
2. Certain foods like red meat increases breast cancer risk
3. A lump or pain in the breast is the sign of breast cancer
4. Hormone Replacement Theory does no harm
5. Only masses of excerise reduce breast cancer risk

Nicotine feeds growth of breast cancer tumors

Nicotine is not just addictive, but may actually promote the development of breast cancer, according to a study conducted by researchers from Taipei Medical University and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Tobacco products are known to contain at least 60 chemicals that cause cancer, but up until now nicotine had not been classified as one of them. Nicotine, the chemical that makes tobacco products addictive, is produced by plants as a natural insecticide.

"Every time a person smokes, he or she inhales more than 4,000 different chemicals, including nicotine," writes Phyllis A. Balch in the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition.

"Nicotine, which is extremely addictive, increases levels of the pleasure-inducing brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. ... Nicotine acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. When nicotine is ingested, adrenaline production increases, raising the blood pressure and heart rate."

The new study "suggests ... that nicotine could directly contribute to the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in addition to indirectly contributing by promoting addiction to smoking," wrote Ilona Linnoila of the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute in an accompanying editorial.

The researchers exposed both healthy and cancerous breast tissue to nicotine. They found that cancerous cells had more receptors for the chemical than healthy cells did, and that nicotine exposure increased the risk that normal cells would turn cancerous.

The study raises concerns over the safety of nicotine-based smoking cessation aids such as nicotine gum, patches and inhalers.

Smoking is considered the foremost avoidable cause of disability, disease and death in the United States. In addition to causing 90 percent of lung cancer cases, cigarette smoke increases the risk of birth defects, miscarriage, lung disorders and cardiovascular disease. Secondhand smoke alone kills 38,000 people per year.

More Facts about Breast Cancer

An estimated 182,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2000.
Approximately 42,200 deaths will occur in women from breast cancer in 2000.
One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.

Signs

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines:

• Women between the ages of 50 to 69 have a mammogram every two years.

o If you are between the ages of 40 and 49, discuss your risk of breast cancer and the benefits and risks of mammography with your doctor.
o If you are 70 or older, talk to your doctor about a screening program for you.

• Have a clinical breast examination by a trained health professional at least every two years if you are over the age of 40.
• Get to know your breasts. Talk to your doctors about any changes.

Breast Cancer Trends

This is a breast cancer trend for 1984-1994. I know it is a little old but it shows you how much people are affected by breast cancer

1 a Minute- The Breast Cancer survivor movie

1 a minute reflects the horrific fact that breast cancer takes the life of a woman every 69 minutes. The docudrama is directed by Indo-American actress Namrata Singh Gujral who is a breast cancer survivor. The film reflects Gujral's life as she is diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.