Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

March 2, 2015

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment: Not everyone is Eligible for Endocrine Therapy

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment is one of the best treatment methods available today.

The treatment of cancer is one that makes so many people to panic in fear. Owing to the dangers associated with this disease people are often very worried of the outcomes of the treatment even as they hope for the best. We enquired from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and doctor Dalal Akoury shared with us very useful information about endocrine therapy as a treatment option. Doctor Akoury who is also the CEO of this facility says that in applying endocrine therapy for breast cancer treatment careful attention should be taken not to confuse the hormones. There are certain hormones that can attach to breast cancer cells and affect their ability to multiply. The purpose of endocrine therapy, formerly called hormone therapy, is to add, block, or remove hormones. Doctor Akoury continues that with breast cancer, the female hormones estrogen and progesterone can promote the growth of some breast cancer cells. Therefore in some patients, endocrine therapy is given to block the body’s naturally occurring estrogen to slow or stop the cancer’s growth. There are two types of hormone therapy for breast cancer.

Drugs that prevent estrogen and progesterone from promoting breast cancer cell growth.
Drugs or surgery to turn off the production of hormones from the ovaries.

Take note, not to be confused between the hormone therapies applicable in treating women with breast cancer to that hormone replacement therapy that is typically used by postmenopausal women.

Hormone therapy for cancer treatment also known as endocrine therapy stops hormones from getting to breast cancer cells.
Hormone therapy for postmenopausal women without cancer called which is known as hormone replacement therapy adds more hormones to your body to counter the effects of menopause.

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment: Who can Get Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer

As part of the diagnosis process, tests are done to determine if the breast cancer cells have estrogen or progesterone receptors. If so, that means that growth of the cancer can be stimulated with these hormones. If a cancer is found to have these receptors, endocrine therapy is recommended as part of the treatment plan.

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment: Hormone Therapy Drugs Used for Breast Cancer

We have several common hormone therapy drugs used for breast cancer and they may include the following:

Tamoxifen
Arimidex
Aromasin
Femara
Zoladex/Lupron
Megace

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment: Breast Cancer and Tamoxifen

This pill has been used for over three decades now in treating breast cancer. Originally it was first used in metastatic breast cancer (cancer that spread) because it decelerate the development of cancer cells in the body. Tamoxifen also decreases the chance that some early-stage breast cancers will recur in premenopausal or post-menopausal women and it can reduce the risk of cancer developing in the unaffected breast. Besides that, it may offer an alternative to watchful waiting or prophylactic (preventative) mastectomy for women at high risk for developing breast cancer.

Tamoxifen is a type of drug called a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM). At the breast, it functions as an anti-estrogen. Estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from attaching to estrogen receptors on these cells. By doing this, it is believed that the growth of the breast cancer cells will be halted. Tamoxifen can also be considered as an option for the following cases:

Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) along with breast-sparing surgery or mastectomy.
Adjuvant treatment of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) to reduce the risk of developing more advanced breast cancer.
Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer in men and women whose cancers are estrogen-receptor positive.
Treatment of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer.
To prevent breast cancer in women at high risk for developing the disease.

Even though Tamoxifen is useful in cancer treatment, it is not applicable to everyone. The following people should not use tamoxifen:

Pregnant women
Women planning to become pregnant
Men or women with a history of blood clots or stroke

If the three points describe you then before considering this treatment mode, you will need to talk to your doctor to see if tamoxifen is right for you. Nevertheless as for women, the side effects of tamoxifen are similar to some of the symptoms of menopause. Two of the most common side effects are hot flashes and vaginal discharge. Other tamoxifen side effects in women may include:

Vaginal dryness or itching
Irregular menstrual periods
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Skin rash
Fatigue
Fluid retention or weight gain

While some of its side effects are similar to menopausal symptoms, tamoxifen does not trigger or cause menopause in women. It’s (Tamoxifen) side effects in men may include:

Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Skin rash
Sexual side effects including impotence or decrease in sexual interest

While applying endocrine therapy for breast cancer treatment the question that many would be asking would be, “are there some risks involve for those people taking tamoxifen for treatment?” this is a valid concern, doctor Dalal Akoury agrees. In her response she gives a resounding YES. Therefore the following are some of the known risks involved when taking tamoxifen:

Fertility – Tamoxifen may affect fertility, so it is important to use some form of barrier birth control while you are taking it. However, do not use oral contraceptives like the pill since they may change the effects of tamoxifen and affect the breast cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you think you may have become pregnant while taking this medication.
Increased blood clots – Women taking tamoxifen may have a slightly increased risk of developing blood clots in the lungs or large veins. This risk is increased in smokers.
Increased risk of stroke
Uterine cancer/sarcoma – Tamoxifen may increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) or uterine sarcoma. However, this risk is very small and needs to be balanced against the significant benefits of taking tamoxifen for breast cancer.
Cataracts – Taking tamoxifen appears to put some women at increased risk for developing cataracts, a clouding of the lens inside the eye. People have also reported eye problems such as corneal scarring or retinal changes.
Medications – Tamoxifen may affect the metabolism of other drugs.

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment: Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer Prevention

Over the years efforts has been made by different researchers with an objective of establishing whether tamoxifen would reduce the occurrence of breast cancer in healthy women known to be at high risk. The outcome of the trials indicated a 50% reduction in both invasive and non-invasive breast cancer in the women treated with tamoxifen. Besides that, tamoxifen has also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in women who have had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We may not be able to exhaust everything in this article and I want to introduce you to the expert for further consultation. You can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for all the concerns you may have about applying endocrine therapy for breast cancer treatment.

Applying Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment: Not everyone is Eligible for Endocrine Therapy

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts

February 22, 2015

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts: It is Possible to get the beauty back

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts is available at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center

The breast of a woman is one of the center of attraction for many ladies. This center of beauty is under serious threats from all manner of things including environmental factors and natural force of gravity. When you see a lady with a well composes breast, a lot has been done to keep that beauty. We are therefore keen in establishing the best treatment for sagging breast which is one of the major results accruing from the threats the ladies are facing. When dealing with causes of breast sagging, it will not just involve the use of a well-made bra. Yes the best bra will confuse the appearance by giving it a good and attractive look, however if the breast is already looping or sagging then this is not a lasting solution. Our objective as AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is to find lasting treatment solutions.

As a matter of facts Dr. Akoury decision to create this medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) was to primarily add value and reinstate lost hope by medically transforming people’s lives through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. It is in the practice of Dr. Akoury to offer the best treatment for sagging breast and other treatment relating to restoration of beauty by way of administering personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. Because establishing the best treatment for sagging breast is one of our strength at this facility, we encourage you to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today for any concerns relating to breast sagging and your life will never be the same again. Meanwhile let us consider the following treatment guidelines together:

Exercise
Posture
Implants
Surgery

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts: Exercises to offer solution

Of all the treatment remedies physical activities are particularly the best in helping you get the shape you want. This is not just for the breast alone but for the whole body. If you were to compare the complexions and shapes of those who are engaging in exercise regularly to those who do not, you will realize that the difference will speak for itself. That is to say that nothing firms and tones up slack muscles when compared to regular exercises. The chest muscles are no exception. If you want to lift your sagging breasts and bring back the youthful glory, exercises are your key to success; so it is a must to include them in the daily body care regime. Regular push-ups are a great way for toning up the particular muscles.

Besides that another good exercise is putting up both of your hands with the palms joined together as if you are in prayer; now push both hands against one another to strengthen up the pectoral muscles. Doctor Akoury says that if you are really serious about getting back the perfect youthful figure then, bear in mind, that exercises do not have any other alternative. I appreciate that exercise is not everyone’s like, but for those desiring to restore their lost beauty in general and not just the beauty of the breast, then is your statement. Exercise has no alternative and for professional help about this, schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today.

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts: Take Care of your Posture

Your bearing or posture determines the firmness of your breasts. It is important that your sitting position should always be with straight shoulders and the head held high, at this sitting position, your posture will immediately lifts up your sagging breasts and bring back the lost confidence. Another thing you may do for correcting your posture is by balancing a book on your head for some time and walking in the room in this condition. It looks funny but remember that we have the beauty of our breast to restore. Therefore doing this every day for some time will surely uplift your sagging assets and your spirits along with them.

There is still another way to know about the right posture. I am talking about standing along a wall in such a way so that the back of your head, the back, buttocks and the ankle of your legs are touching the surface of the wall. Now rotate your shoulders towards the wall in such a way that their back portion also come in contact with the wall. You may come away from the wall now, at this moment your posture is perfectly correct. Practice walking about in such a manner for some time and repeat the procedure whenever you are in doubt regarding your posture and it will indicate you in the right direction. Maintaining the right posture at all times uplifts your breasts and brings back your feminine glory. What away to restore the beauty of your breast. Up to now what we have been discussing are things you can easily do at home without any assistance from the professional. All you need is to be discipline and you will surely succeed in correcting the damage caused on your breast.

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts: Get Implants

Getting breast implants through cosmetic surgery can be one of the possible methods to permanently get rid of your sagging breast tissues. This procedure involves the implantation of props under the slack breast tissues of even under the pectoral muscles. The implants not only uplifts the breast to the heart’s content but also helps to achieve a fuller and increased breast size and statistics.

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts: Surgery

Similar to every other case breast lifting surgeries are to be used as a last resort, when all the natural and full safe methods do not work for you. The surgery procedure tightens the skin across the breast and nipples through the elimination of the stretched out loose skin and uplifting the breasts in the process. When you are opting for this treatment method, you must by all means get the clear professional opinions from your health provider. You can nevertheless get the same at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care by scheduling for an appointment with the experts at this facility and you will be professionally get guidance medically.

The best Treatment for Sagging Breasts: It is Possible to get the beauty back

Risk Factors of Breast cancer

July 28, 2014

Risk Factor of Breast cancer -Role of alcohol

The risk factors of breast cancer can be life threatening. We must be positive and prevent breast cancer from our life.

Breast cancer normally is forms in tissues of the breast and the common type of breast cancer include ductal carcinoma, which instigates in the lining of the milk ducts a thin tube transporting milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple.

The other type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which instigates in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is that has extended from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to adjacent normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Risk Factor of Breast cancer – Connection between alcohol consumption and cancer

Researchers while studying particular enzyme established that a biological molecule that accelerates chemical reactions commonly known as CYP2E1. Their findings offer a possible target to improve outcomes for patients in the later stages of the cancer disease. This enzyme has been implicated in various liver diseases associated with alcohol consumption, Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), as well as diabetes, obesity and cancer.

The objective of the study was to understand why an enzyme known to function mainly in the liver was found to be profoundly present in some types of breast cancer tissues. The study also wanted to explore what other activities this enzyme might have that regulate the development of breast cancer and their findings established that the enzyme breaks down various molecules within cells including alcohol. The by-products of this metabolism include reactive oxygen species (ROS), occasioning in something called oxidative stress, in normal physiological conditions this aids cellular functions, whereas when concentrations of ROS are high or oxidative stress becomes chronic, cells can be seriously damaged.

Previous studies have also shown that the enzyme is most strongly expressed in early stages of breast tumors rather than more developed tumors and scientists believe that it contributes to the progression of breast cancer. The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, found that depending on the stage of the breast cancer, high levels of the enzyme can help cells survive during stress. It was also found that inhibiting the activity of the enzyme in cells with high migratory potential promoted cell migration a process linked to cancer spreading known as metastasis.

Risk Factor of Breast cancer – Causes and risk factors

Up to now it is still not very clear the causes of breast cancer and as a result of this it may be difficult to say authoritatively why one lady may develop breast cancer and another may not. However the risk factors are known, some of these can change the likelihood that someone may develop breast cancer. There are some factors you cannot do anything about, but there are some you can change. For example:

Alcohol

Your risk of developing breast cancer can increase with the quantity of alcohol you consume regularly. Research shows that, for every 200 ladies who regularly have two alcoholic drinks daily, there will be three more ladies with breast cancer compared with those who do not drink at all.

Age

The risk of developing breast cancer progresses as you get older. Breast cancer is most common among women over 50 majority of these ladies have been through the menopause. 8 out of 10 breast cancer cases occur in women over 50. All women between 50 and 70 years of age should be screened for breast cancer every three years as part of the NHS Breast Screening programme.

Genetics

If you have close relatives who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, as breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is possible for it to occur more than once in the same family by chance.

Most breast cancer cases are not hereditary. However, particular genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. It is possible for these genes to be passed on from a parent to their child. If you have, for example, two or more close relatives from the same side of your family who have had breast cancer under the age of 50, you may be eligible for surveillance for breast cancer or for genetic screening to look for the genes that make developing breast cancer more likely.

Previous diagnosis of breast cancer

If you have previously had breast cancer or early non-invasive cancer cell changes contained within breast ducts, you have a higher risk of developing it again, either in your other breast or in the same breast again and so you need to be in constant touch with your doctor for review.

Previous benign breast lump

A benign breast lump does not mean you have breast cancer, but certain types of lump may slightly increase your risk of developing it. Certain benign changes in your breast tissue, such as atypical ductal hyperplasia (cells growing abnormally in ducts) or lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells inside your breast lobes), can make getting breast cancer more likely.

Breast density

Your breasts are made up of thousands of tiny glands (lobules), which produce milk. This glandular tissue contains a higher concentration of breast cells than other breast tissue, making it denser. Women with denser breast tissue may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because there are more cells that can become cancerous.

Dense breast tissue can also make a breast scan (mammogram) harder to read because it makes any lumps or areas of abnormal tissue harder to spot. Younger women tend to have denser breasts. As you get older, the amount of glandular tissue in your breasts decreases and is replaced by fat, so your breasts become less dense.

Overweight or obese

If you have been through the menopause and are overweight or obese, you may be more at risk of developing breast cancer. This is thought to be linked to the amount of estrogen in your body, as being overweight or obese after the menopause causes more estrogen to be produced.

Being tall

If you are taller than average, you are more likely to develop breast cancer than someone who is shorter than average. This may be due to interactions between genes, nutrition and hormones, but the reason is not fully understood.

Risk Factor of Breast cancer – Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Both combined HRT and estrogen-only HRT can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, although the risk is slightly higher if you take combined HRT.

It is estimated there will be an extra 19 cases of breast cancer for every 1,000 women taking combined HRT for 10 years. The risk continues to increase slightly the longer you take HRT, but returns to normal once you stop taking it.

Finally because of the many addictive risk factors you can seek help from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care where focus is on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE

Risk Factors of Breast cancer – Role of alcohol

Breast Cancer and Alcohol; Role of Alcohol

March 17, 2014

Breast cancer and Alcohol-Role of alcohol

Breast cancer and Alcohol-Definition

Alcohol has great effect on the causes of cancer, keep health by a voiding alcohol

Breast cancer is that which forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple).

Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Breast cancer and Alcohol-Potential link between alcohol consumption and the cancer

Scientists looking at particular enzyme found a biological molecule that accelerates chemical reactions known as CYP2E1. Their findings offer a possible target to improve outcomes for patients in the later stages of the disease.

This enzyme, known as CYP2E1, has been implicated in various liver diseases linked to alcohol consumption, Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), as well as diabetes, obesity and cancer. That is Breast Cancer and Alcohol are closely linked.

They wanted to understand why an enzyme known to function mainly in the liver was found to be heavily present in some types of breast cancer tissues. They also wanted to explore what other activities this enzyme might have that control the development of breast cancer. Their findings revealed that the enzyme breaks down various molecules within cells, including alcohol. The by-products of this metabolism include reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in something called oxidative stress, in normal physiological conditions this aids cellular functions, whereas when concentrations of ROS are high or oxidative stress becomes chronic, cells can be seriously damaged. Breast Cancer and Alcohol are closely related.

Previous studies have shown that the enzyme is most strongly expressed in early stages of breast tumors rather than more developed tumors and scientists believe that it contributes to the progression of breast cancer.

The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, found that depending on the stage of the breast cancer, high levels of the enzyme can help cells survive during stress. It was also found that inhibiting the activity of the enzyme in cells with high migratory potential promoted cell migration a process linked to cancer spreading known as metastasis.

Breast cancer and Alcohol-Causes and risk factors

We have not fully understood the causes of breast cancer, as a result of this may be difficult to say with certainty why one woman may develop breast cancer and another may not. However the risk factors are known, some of these can change the likelihood that someone may develop breast cancer. There are some factors you cannot do anything about, but there are some you can change.

Alcohol

Your risk of developing breast cancer can increase with the amount of alcohol you drink. Research shows that, for every 200 women who regularly have two alcoholic drinks a day, there are three more women with breast cancer compared with women who do not drink at all. That study confirms that Breast Cancer and Alcohol has a cause and effect relationship.

Age

The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. Breast cancer is most common among women over 50 who have been through the menopause. 8 out of 10 breast cancer cases occur in women over 50.

All women between 50 and 70 years of age should be screened for breast cancer every three years as part of the NHS Breast Screening programme. Women over the age of 70 are still eligible to be screened and can arrange this through their GP or local screening unit. Currently, there are ongoing pilot studies looking at widening the screening age range to 47-73.

Family history

If you have close relatives who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, as breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is possible for it to occur more than once in the same family by chance.

Most breast cancer cases are not hereditary. However, particular genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. It is possible for these genes to be passed on from a parent to their child. If you have, for example, two or more close relatives from the same side of your family who have had breast cancer under the age of 50, you may be eligible for surveillance for breast cancer or for genetic screening to look for the genes that make developing breast cancer more likely.

Previous diagnosis of breast cancer

If you have previously had breast cancer or early non-invasive cancer cell changes contained within breast ducts, you have a higher risk of developing it again, either in your other breast or in the same breast again.

Previous benign breast lump

A benign breast lump does not mean you have breast cancer, but certain types of lump may slightly increase your risk of developing it. Certain benign changes in your breast tissue, such as atypical ductal hyperplasia (cells growing abnormally in ducts) or lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells inside your breast lobes), can make getting breast cancer more likely. If you drink alcohol specially more than 2 glasses per day it will increase your risk to develop breast cancer. Breast cancer and alcohol go hand in hand.

Breast density

Your breasts are made up of thousands of tiny glands (lobules), which produce milk. This glandular tissue contains a higher concentration of breast cells than other breast tissue, making it denser. Women with denser breast tissue may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because there are more cells that can become cancerous. This is specially true if you drink alcohol regularly. Breast cancer and alcohol have been closely associated.

Dense breast tissue can also make a breast scan (mammogram) harder to read because it makes any lumps or areas of abnormal tissue harder to spot. Younger women tend to have denser breasts. As you get older, the amount of glandular tissue in your breasts decreases and is replaced by fat, so your breasts become less dense.

Being overweight or obese

Breast Cancer and Alcohol; The role of Alcohol is more pronounced if you have been through the menopause and are overweight or obese, you may be more at risk of developing breast cancer. This is thought to be linked to the amount of estrogen in your body, as being overweight or obese after the menopause causes more estrogen to be produced.

Being tall

If you are taller than average, you are more likely to develop breast cancer than someone who is shorter than average. This may be due to interactions between genes, nutrition and hormones, but the reason is not fully understood.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Both combined HRT and estrogen-only HRT can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, although the risk is slightly higher if you take combined HRT. When you are considering HRT pay attention to the fact that Breast Cancer and Alcohol may play a role in Breast cancer development with HRT.

It is estimated there will be an extra 19 cases of breast cancer for every 1,000 women taking combined HRT for 10 years. The risk continues to increase slightly the longer you take HRT, but returns to normal once you stop taking it.

Breast cancer and Alcohol-Role of alcohol

Tag Archives: Breast cancer and alcohol