This Information Could Save Your Life!

As many of you know I like to wander around the Mom-Blogosphere fairly regularly to see what's going on with everyone and to meet other moms! Usually I read about other moms' lives that are similar to mine - going through the daily motions of motherhood and enjoying (usually) watching our children grow.

Every once in a while though I stumble upon something much more serious! I've talked in the past about Heather and Parker and their needs, and now I have another family to add - WhyMommy over at Toddler Planet has recently discovered that she has breast cancer! She is the mother of two young children - in fact she was still breastfeeding the littlest one and had to wean him in order to begin her cancer treatments! She has written a poignant blog entry about it and has asked for other bloggers to share her story - I am doing so below. So take a moment and read it - this knowledge can save a woman's life!

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

P.S. Feel free to steal this post too. I’d be happy for anyone in the blogosphere to take it and put it on their site, no questions asked. Dress it up, dress it down, let it run around the place barefoot. I don’t care. But I want the word to get out. I don’t want another young mom — or old man — or anyone in between — to have to stare at this thing on their chest and wonder, is it mastitis? Is it a rash? Am I overreacting? This cancer moves FAST, and early detection and treatment is critical for survival.

Remember this information as it could save your life or the life of a woman you know!

The Link Between Tanning and Skin Cancer

The link between tanning and skin cancer is well known. Skin cancer is caused by sunburn, which is inflammation of the skin and the tissues beneath it caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. These ultraviolet rays, when exposed over a long term, can cause basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. However, the most serious of all skin cancers is malignant melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. The cells just below the surface of the skin become cancerous and a tumor develops. Due to long-term exposure to sunlight, an ulcer may form and destroy the tissue.

Squamous cell carcinoma causes the underlying skin cells to become damaged and this leads to the development of a life-threatening tumor or lump. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, where there is no spreading of the tumor, the squamous cell carcinoma can spread throughout the entire body.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious of all types of skin cancer. This type of melanoma metastasizes throughout the body.

So too, there is a misnomer to think that cloud overage or wintry days will keep your skin safe from the UV rays that are ever present. To prevent any of these types of skin cancers to develop, it is important to use SPF 15 or higher when out in the sun. In addition, wear light protective clothing when exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

Always check your body for any unusual moles or firm, fleshy, hard-surfaced lumps which seem to grow at a steady rate. The basal cell carcinoma will appear as a small, flesh colored lump, usually on the face, next to the eye, or on the side of the nose. The squamous cell will particularly show itself on that part of the skin which is constantly exposed to sunlight. The malignant melanoma may appear on any skin surface as a flat spot or bump accompanied by black or brown pigment.

While we know that direct sunlight is a major cause of skin cancer, there is another link to skin cancer as well. The use of tanning beds causes as much malignant melanoma as sunlight. Moreover, the UVA light used in sun beds can be responsible for all types of cancer.

While you can develop sunburn without sitting under the sun, the ultraviolet rays can still penetrate your skin. So too, if you are on the water or sand, the sun’s rays reflect off those surfaces and burn parts of your skin that you think are protected.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary on your skin, see your doctor to determine what it is by having a biopsy done to ascertain if it falls under any of the above categories. There is a link between tanning and skin cancer and the more you are aware, the better chance you will have of recognizing the signs of skin cancer before it can spread.

Curcumin as an Aid in Prostate Cancer Treatment

While you may have used turmeric as a spice in your cooking, it is actually ground from the root of a plant Curcuma longa L, of the ginger family. Thus, curcumin as an aid in prostate cancer treatment has become the source of studies and lively discussion in the scientific world.

It is well-known that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. While the exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, studies suggest that diet is a risk factor in the development of prostate cancer, specifically, a high fat diet.

Curcumin has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has the ability to rid the body of free radicals. Research has shown that curcumin “inhibited the induction of cancers of skin, fore stomach, duodenum, tongue, colon, and mammary glands in mice and rats.” Curcumin has also been effective against human prostate cancer in mice, as well.

The results of these studies indicate that curcumin could potentially increase the anti-tumor activity in humans. It has been shown to decrease cell proliferation and has been touted as a potential anti-cancer agent due to the fact it has significantly inhibited prostate cancer growth. Moreover, it also has the potential to prevent the progression of this type of cancer.

While research is still on-going, the news is good. Scientists have tested curcumin in combination with PEITC, which is a substance found in certain vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, and other leafy green vegetables. Studies with mice indicated that injecting them with this combination significantly reduced tumor growth.

Due to the results of these studies, many patients with prostate cancer are now combining conventional therapies with curcumin and PEITC. Studies are continuing in an effort to prevent and treat prostate cancer.

Can Green Vegetables Really Help Prevent Skin Cancer?

According to researchers who studied over 1,000 adults over an 11-year period, it was determined that increasing their intake of green leafy vegetables decreased the incidence of skin cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma, by 41 percent. Can green vegetables really help prevent skin cancer? As the above study indicates, the answer is yes.

Vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens could decrease skin cancer. Moreover, these vegetables contain a variety of vitamins and minerals such as: vitamins C and E, flavonoids, folic acid (especially high in leafy green vegetables), and lutein, all of which have been effective in the prevention of skin cancer.

Greens that belong to the cabbage family have also been known to help prevent cancer. These greens are also antioxidants which prevent dangerous substances from entering the body.

In another study, people who previously had skin cancer had a 55 percent decrease in squamous cell carcinoma with increased intakes of green leafy vegetables.

Along with green vegetables, fruits also play a vital role in reducing tumors in the body. One of the fruits which is currently being studied is pomegranate fruit extract. The antioxidant component is higher in pomegranate than in red wine and green tea. Researchers further claim that pomegranate extract possesses anti-skin tumor promoting effects.

A similar study found that tannic acid and ellagic acid, which are polyphenols found in dark red and purple fruits such as pomegranates, as well as raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries, may slow skin's aging process. Various other studies have shown that pomegranates possess skin cancer prevention capabilities and can reduce the damage done by the sun's UVB rays.

In addition, grapes contain a chemical known as resveratrol, which is also an antioxidant and may prevent cell damage before it begins. In fact, red and purple grapes are the richest sources of resveratrol.

Tomatoes have the anti-cancer compound known as lycopene. Studies have shown that lycopene prevents prostate cancer. In addition, lycopene also has been evaluated as an effective component in the protection against breast, lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancer.

Skin Cancer

There are several forms of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and the worst form of skin cancer known as Malignant Melanoma. Let’s discuss what to look for, symptoms, and when you should contact your doctor.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: This is a common form of skin cancer usually caused by over-exposure to the sun. This type of skin cancer grows slowly, rarely spreads, and is seldom life-threatening. While it may vary in appearance, it is usually characterized by a small, flat module which gradually may turn into an open sore with raised edges. It appears frequently on the face, usually around the eyes, near the nose or on the nose, as well as on other sun-exposed areas including the back, chest, arms, and legs. For proper diagnosis and treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma, see your doctor.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is also a common form of skin cancer which is rarely life-threatening. It starts as a small, firm, painless lump or patch, and resembles a wart or an open sore. It is also associated with over-exposure to the sun and can occur anywhere on the body. It is most common on the back of the hands or on the lips. If you have a lump on your skin that does not heal within three weeks, check with your doctor.

Malignant Melanoma: This is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It is sometimes associated with exposure to the sun, but can occur anywhere on the body including parts of the body not exposed to the sun. It most often appears on the face, upper chest or legs, and usually grows from existing moles. Malignant moles may bleed and can resemble sores that do not heal. If you think you have a melanoma, contact your doctor immediately.

Identifying skin cancers can be difficult. However, there are ways in which you can determine if you have any of the above three skin cancers.

Cancerous moles are often asymmetrical, that is, one half of the mole looks different from the other half. The outline of a cancerous mole can be uneven or have poor defined edges and may change over time. Melanomas can be very dark in color and contain shades of tan, brown, white, red, or blue. Moles that grow larger than a half inch across may be a sign of malignant melanomas, although smaller moles can also indicate malignancy as well.