Conditions

Breast Cancer

Cancer of the breast is the most common cancer among women and is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States.

Cancerous tumors can arise in virtually any part of the breast and are most often detected when a woman feels a lump. In general, cancerous lumps are firm, permanent, and usually pain-free. The vast majority of the breast lumps are not cancerous, but there is no way to tell without a professional's examination. A lump that seems to be growing or does not move when pushed may be cancerous or may simply be caused by normal fibrocystic changes during the menstrual cycle.

There are different types of breast cancer, including the following:

• Adenoid cystic carcinoma, malignant cytosarcoma phylliodes, medullary carcinoma, and tumbular carcinoma. These tend to be less aggressive than other forms.
• Ductal carcinoma in situ. This is a condition that most doctors consider to be breast cancer at its earliest stage. DCIS is a cancer contained within the milk ducts. Survival rate for DCIS is nearly 100%.
• Infiltrating ductal carcinoms. This is a cancer that arises in the lining of the milk ducts and invades the surrounding breast tissue.
• Inflammatory carcinoma. In this type, a tumor arises in the lining of the milk ducts, and, as it grows, it plugs the lymphatic and blood vessels. The skin thickens and turns red, and the breast becomes extremely tender and looks infected.
• Intraductal carcinoma in situ is a localized type of cancer in which cancerous cells grow within the ducts. This type of cancer may not invade other tissues.
• Lobular carcinoma is a less common form of breast cancer in which the cancer arises in the lobes.
• Paget's disease of the nipple. This form of cancer occurs when cells from and underlying cancerous tumor migrate to the nipple.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Palpable lump
• Dimpled skin
• Striae and erythema
• Increased vascularity
• Enlarged axillary lymph nodes
• Yellow, clear, or bloody discharge from the nipple
• Breast pain and soreness (rare except in very advanced cases)

Diagnosis:

A biopsy is required to identify the lump.

Treatment Options:

The primary treatment continues to be surgery to remove the tumor.

Traditional Treatments:

Surgery is the primary treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery likely to be recommended depends on the size, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor. The least drastic technique is the lumpectomy (aka: breast-conserving surgery). This involves removal of the tumor itself, plus a margin of healthy tissue. However, in most cases some lymph nodes are surgically removed as well and examined to determine whether the disease has spread. A doctor may also recommend radiation therapy of the breast following lumpectomy to kill any cancer cells that may still be present. The other most common surgical approach is mastectomy, in which the entire breast and lymph nodes are removed.

For cancers that are considered curable, chemotherapy is often advised after surgery. Chemotherapy involves administration of highly toxic drugs to kill any cancer cells that may have metastasized while they are tiny growths, and theoretically most susceptible to these agents.

Hormone therapy may be recommended, especially for premenopausal women and women with tumors found to be sensitive to stimulation by the sex hormone estrogen.

It is possible to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy using an implant.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Herbs and nutrients support cancer treatment and aid in preventing recurrence, as well as minimizing side effects and reducing anxiety.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Take a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement (without iron) daily.
• Antioxidant nutrients are very important. Take 25,000 IU of vitamin A twice daily for two months, then cut back to 25,000 IU daily. In addition, take 25,000 IU of a multiple carotene complex twice daily; 500mg of vitamin C with bioflavonoids four times daily; 400 IU of vitamin E twice daily, in morning and evening; and 200 mcg of selenium daily. Also take 50 mg of alpha-lipoic acid three times daily. Warning: If you are pregnant, intend to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A. If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E.
• Coenzyme Q10 is a strong antioxidant that assists in minimizing side effects from chemotherapy.
• Proteolytic enzymes are free radical scavengers. Follow the label directions.
• Soy isoflavones help to metabolize estrogen and have anticancer properties. Take 500 mg twice daily.
• Superoxid dismutase is a strong antioxidant often used to help prevent and treat cancer. Follow the label directions.
• Thymus extract helps to stimulate immune function. Take 500 mg twice daily.
• Shark cartilage may inhibit tumor growth and stimulate the immune system. Take 1gm per 2 lbs of body weight daily, divided into 3 doses.

Alternative Therapies:

• Astragalus root and echinacea enhance immune function.
• Black cohosh, chasteberry, red clover, and tumeric are herbs that may help.
• Burdock root, dandelion root, milk thistle, and red clover all aid in cleansing the blood.
• Garlic is known to be a cancer-preventing nutrient.
• Chaste tree berry, ginseng, and soy extracts may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells
• Ginger root can help minimize nausea associated with chemotherapy.
• Siberian ginseng can help if you are experiencing fatigue.

General Recommendations:

• Become familiar with the way your breasts normally feel, and examine them regularly.
• Some doctors recommend that all women have a mammogram at around age forty.
• Do not smoke.
• Regular exercise improves tissue oxygenation and aids recovery. Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program ­ especially if you are recovering from breast cancer.

Warnings:

• If you are pregnant, intend to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A.
• If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E.