Category Archives: Cancer risks

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Invasive lobular carcinoma

January 18, 2018

Invasive lobular carcinoma risks: The attributed risk factors

Invasive lobular carcinoma risks

Invasive lobular carcinoma risks. Women are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Men are equally vulnerable, but the risk is more in women

Like with all other diseases, invasive lobular carcinoma risks are many and natural in most cases. The following are some of the known factors that are likely to increase an individual risk of invasive lobular carcinoma:

The female gender – Women are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Men are equally vulnerable, but the risk is more in women.

Old age – As one ages, the risk of contracting breast cancer increases. Women with invasive lobular carcinoma appears to look a few years older than women diagnosed with other types of breast cancer.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – If you’ve been diagnosed with LCIS abnormal cells confined within breast lobules, your risk of developing invasive cancer in either breast is increased. In this case, LCIS isn’t cancer, but is an indication of increased risk of breast cancer of any type.

Postmenopausal hormone use – Using female hormones estrogen and progesterone during and after menopause increases the risk of invasive lobular carcinoma. From various studies, it is believed that the hormones may stimulate tumor growth making it more difficult to see on mammograms. It’s however, not clear whether newer hormone regimens, including lower dose combinations, could also increase the risk of invasive lobular carcinoma.

Inherited genetic cancer syndromes – Women with a rare inherited condition called hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome have an increased risk of both stomach (gastric) cancer and invasive lobular carcinoma. Such women may have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Invasive lobular carcinoma risks: The prevention options

Prevention is better than cure and therefore, experts at AWAREmed wellness resource center recommends the following in reducing risk of breast cancer:

Discuss the benefits and risks of hormone therapy with your doctor. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.

Drink alcohol in moderation, if you have to. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to less than one drink a day. But it would be better if you quit drinking completely.

Physical activities. Desire to spend more time exercising for at least 30 minutes if not daily it should be more than 4 days weekly. Exercise needs to be done gradually if you haven’t been active. Ask your doctor for direction before you start.

Obesity and overweight. Work on your weight and always maintain a healthy weight. Doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center will be of great help to you make this a reality. In the meantime you can start by reducing the amount of calories you take daily by burning it out through exercises.

Invasive lobular carcinoma risks: The attributed risk factors

 

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Their Health is Your wealth

Inflammatory breast cancer

January 18, 2018

Inflammatory breast cancer cure: Major treatment approach

Inflammatory breast cancer cure

Inflammatory breast cancer cure using various treatment approaches

The best inflammatory breast cancer cure arises from the major treatment approaches beginning with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center is going to help us understand the significance of these treatment approach as follows.

Chemotherapy – this uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. The patient is given chemotherapy drugs through a vein (intravenously), in pill form or both. Chemotherapy normally precedes surgery for inflammatory breast cancer through a process known as neoadjuvant therapy. Its aims to shrink the cancer before the surgery. Chemotherapy can also be used after surgery.

Surgery – after a successful chemotherapy, the patient goes through an operation to remove the affected breast (mastectomy). A modified radical mastectomy is used in removing the breast completely and other nearby lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are tested for signs of cancer.

Radiation therapy – this uses high-powered energy beams like X-rays and protons to kill cancer cells. The patient is laid on a table while the radiating machine moves around the patient directing the energy beams to cancer cells. This approach can be applies either before or after both chemotherapy and surgery to kill any remnants of cancer cells in the breast and under the arm. Besides the three, there are other treatments that may be used if tests reveals that they may be beneficial. Like for instance

Inflammatory breast cancer cure: Other treatments approaches

Targeted therapy ­-The therapy kills cancer by focusing on the cancer cells’ vulnerabilities. However, where inflammatory breast cancer has a genetic mutation, medications like trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta) may be administered. These medications target a protein called HER2 that helps some inflammatory breast cancer cells grow and rapidly. When the HER2 are produced in large numbers, these medications will block HER2 killing the cancer cells. These medications can be combined with chemotherapy.

Hormone therapy ­– where the inflammatory breast cancer is penetrating the hormones, hormonal therapy may be recommended. The following are some of the hormone therapy treatments:

  • A medication that blocks hormones from attaching to cancer cells. Tamoxifen is a type of drug called a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). SERMs act by blocking any estrogen present in the body from attaching to the estrogen receptor on the cancer cells, slowing the growth of tumors and killing tumor cells.
  • Medications that stop the body from making estrogen after menopause. Aromatase inhibitors are drugs blocking the action of an enzyme that converts androgens in the body into estrogen. They are effective only in postmenopausal women.

Inflammatory breast cancer cure: Palliative care

Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care specialists work with the patient and their loved ones alongside their specialist to provide an extra layer of support to complements the ongoing care. Palliative care can be used while undergoing other aggressive treatments like surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. According to the expert opinion of doctor Akoury, palliative care is essential and when implemented together with all the relevant treatments, cancer patients will feel a shy of relief and live longer. As professionals, we want to be part of your healing process. You can call us for more care and professional input.

Inflammatory breast cancer cure: Major treatment approach

 

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DCIS treatment readiness

January 17, 2018

DCIS treatment readiness: Preparing for your appointment

DCIS treatment readiness

DCIS treatment readiness is very essential. For timely treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients must seek timely solutions

Like with all other cancer, DCIS treatment readiness is very essential. For timely treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients need to schedule an appointment with their specialist immediately they notice a lump or any other unusual changes on the breast. Speaking to doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center, it is important that if you’re seeking for second opinion, you must submit to your new doctor all the tests results of all the previous tests done. Submit all the original diagnostic mammogram images and biopsy results to your new appointment. These should include your mammography images, ultrasound CD and glass slides from your breast biopsy. As you make that move, the following pieces of information will prepare you for your new appointment including what to expect from your doctor:

DCIS treatment readiness: What you can do

Document your medical history, be honest and detailed stating any benign breast conditions you may have been diagnosed with and any radiotherapy you may have received before.

Family history of breast cancer, especially among the nuclear and very close members of the family.

List of both current and past medications. This should include all prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Never forget to mention hormonal replacement therapy where applicable.

Be in company of a family member or friend during the appointment. The pain that come with cancer diagnosis can make you lose focus. A second ear is important for accuracy of information.

Write down questions to ask your doctor. In your state of mind it may be easy to forget what you wanted to ask. Listing prior questions is going to help you benefit fully. The following are some questions you may want to ask your doctor about DCIS:

  • What treatment approach is appropriate?
  • What tests would reveal the type and stage of cancer?
  • Do I need to change my lifestyle to help reduce my risk of a DCIS recurrence?
  • Are there any side effects or complications during treatment?
  • Is seeing a genetic counselor necessary?
  • How effective is this treatment approach effective in women with a similar diagnosis?
  • How will recurrence of DCIS be handled?
  • For how long will I need follow-up visits upon completing treatment?
  • Is a second opinion necessary?
  • Do I have breast cancer?

These are just guide lines. You can use to make your own. Always remember to ask without holding. It is very important for you and the doctor.

DCIS treatment readiness: What to expect from your doctor

Besides your own question, the doctor will also have some questions for you. Such will be to help him/her give an informed professional opinion. It is likely that your doctor will ask some of the following:

  • What is your daily diet like, do you take alcohol?
  • Have you in the past or your close female relatives been tested for the BRCA gene mutations?
  • Have you had other breast biopsies or operations?
  • Have you gone through menopause?
  • Have you ever had radiation therapy?
  • Besides this, have you been diagnosed with any breast conditions?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
  • In your family history, has anyone had breast cancer?
  • Are you using or have you used any medications or supplements to relieve the symptoms of menopause?
  • How active are you physically?

Try your best to give honest responses and feel free to explain all you can. This is not a very good time for anyone but as experts at AWAREmed health center, we will always be there for you to help you go through this. You can call us for any further professional advice.

DCIS treatment readiness: Preparing for your appointment

 

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DCIS treatment

January 17, 2018

DCIS treatment: Lumpectomy and radiation

DCIS treatment

DCIS treatment is one with high hopes of giving positive outcome

Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is one with high hopes of giving positive outcome. The success rate of removing the tumor and preventing any reoccurrence is almost guaranteed says doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. In most cases, DCIS treatment options includes lumpectomy and radiation therapy as well as a simple mastectomy.

DCIS treatment: Surgery

Any patient diagnose with DCIS will have to make a decision between treating the disease using breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or breast-removing surgery (mastectomy).

Lumpectomy – this type of surgery is essential in removing the area of DCIS alongside a margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it. The advantage of the procedure is that it allows the patient to sparingly remove portions of the affected breast thereby limiting the need for breast reconstruction

Mastectomy – a simple mastectomy is essential for treating DCIS by removing the breast tissue, skin, areola and nipple, and possibly the underarm lymph nodes (sentinel node biopsy) is one option. In most instance, this treatment will be followed by breast reconstruction if the patient wishes to do so. Doctor Akoury reiterates that, most women with DCIS are direct candidates for lumpectomy. However, mastectomy may be recommended if:

You have a large area of DCIS – In the event that the area is big compared with the size of the breast, a lumpectomy may not produce acceptable cosmetic results.

There’s more than one area of DCIS (multifocal or multicentric disease). It’s difficult to remove multiple areas of DCIS with a lumpectomy. This is true if DCIS is found in different sections of the breast.

Tissue samples taken for biopsy show abnormal cells at or near the edge of the tissue specimen – where the DCIS is more than what was anticipated, in that case a lumpectomy may be inadequate to remove all areas of DCIS. Therefore, additional tissue may be excised. This may require removing the breast (mastectomy) if the area of DCIS involvement is larger relative to the size of the breast.

You’re not a candidate for radiation therapy. Radiation is usually given after a lumpectomy. You may not be a candidate if you’re diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy, you’ve received prior radiation to your chest or breast, or you have a condition that makes you more sensitive to the side effects of radiation therapy, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

DCIS treatment: Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill abnormal cells. Radiation therapy after lumpectomy reduces the chance that DCIS will come back (recur) or that it will progress to invasive cancer.

A type of radiation therapy called external beam radiation is most commonly used to treat DCIS.

Radiation is typically used after lumpectomy. But for some women, radiation may not be necessary. This might include those with only a small area of DCIS that is considered low grade and was completely removed during surgery.

DCIS treatment: Tamoxifen

The drug tamoxifen blocks the action of estrogen — a hormone that fuels some breast cancer cells and promotes tumor growth — to reduce your risk of developing invasive breast cancer.

Tamoxifen is effective only against cancers that grow in response to hormones Tamoxifen isn’t a treatment for DCIS in and of itself, but it can be considered as additional (adjuvant) therapy after surgery or radiation in an attempt to decrease your chance of developing a recurrence of DCIS or invasive breast cancer in either breast in the future.

DCIS treatment: Lumpectomy and radiation

 

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Angiosarcoma diagnosis

January 16, 2018

Angiosarcoma diagnosis: Treatment

Angiosarcoma diagnosis

Angiosarcoma diagnosis. The best treatment procedure for angiosarcoma cancer will depend on the cancer’s location, size

Tests and procedures used in angiosarcoma diagnosis include physical examination to understand the patient’s condition, carrying out a biopsy primarily to determine any characteristics of cancer cells to help in the treatment. Imaging testing can also be done to give the extent of the cancer level or stage. This may include MRI, CT and position emission tomography (PET).

Treatment

The best treatment procedure for angiosarcoma cancer will depend on the cancer’s location, size and whether it has spread to other areas of the body. Treatment options may include:

Surgery – surgery is used to remove the angiosarcoma completely. However, where the cancer has spread so much to other areas of the body, surgery may not be appropriate.

Radiation therapy – this uses high-energy beams like X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. It can sometimes be applied after surgery to kill any remnants of cancer cells.

Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs or chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be an option if your angiosarcoma has spread to other areas of your body. In certain situations, it may be combined with radiation therapy if you can’t undergo surgery.

Angiosarcoma diagnosis: Preparing for your appointment

Like is the case with any other health problem, when you notice some disturbing signs and symptoms, you will need to seek for medical attention immediately. You physician may refer you to the right specialist like a dermatologist or oncologist. And as you visit your doctor’s office, doctor Akoury advices that you need to have some documentations to help you get all the information you need. You could list down some questions of great concerns to you. And for this problem, the following questions could be relevant:

  • With my other health problems. How will I handle them together?
  • Will I be able to work and do my usual activities during angiosarcoma treatment?
  • What treatments is recommended?
  • What are the benefits and risks of each treatment option?
  • Should I see a doctor who specializes in cancer treatment?
  • Is seek a second opinion necessary?
  • How advanced is my angiosarcoma?
  • Has my angiosarcoma spread to other organs?
  • Can take some time before making a decision on treatment option?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

It is important that you get all the answers. And remember, very question you have is relevant so don’t hold any, ask even when you think it is not necessary.

Angiosarcoma diagnosis: Expectations from your doctor

Finally with such concerns, your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions too. Be ready to answer them appropriately and honestly because they will help your doctor to give his/her professional opinion about your disease appropriately. So you doctor may ask:

  • When did you start experiencing these symptoms?
  • Are you on any medications currently whether vitamins or supplements?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions before?
  • Is there anything that make your symptoms to worse or improve?
  • Do you experience these symptoms occasionally or continuously?

Angiosarcoma diagnosis: Treatment

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