Cancer Data Base

Breast Cancer Awareness Pt 1 - Tips For Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast cancer is a terribly frightening illness, that is why taking cautious steps to breast cancer prevention is very important. Worldwide, 1 woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 29 seconds and every 75 seconds 1 woman in the world dies from breast cancer. This is the condition most women fear more than any other disease. This is largely because they think there is nothing they can do about it; they feel powerless and do not understand the power of today's prevention strategies.

Most women know if they want to reduce their risk of osteoporosis they can get enough calcium in their diet they can get some exercise or get enough vitamin D; if they want to reduce the risk of a heart attack they can make sure their cholesterol is not too high and they can also get some exercise. But most women do not think there is anything at all that they can do to help prevent breast cancer but the good news is that is there heaps they can do in efforts to breast cancer prevention. For example make sure that you get enough vitamin D in your body. Vitamin can help reduce the risk of several types of cancers, such as Prostate cancer, Colon cancer, Lung cancer.

Every time our skin is exposed to sunlight the cholesterol in our skin is converted into vitamin D, but for the average person who works indoors they do not manufacture enough vitamin D in their body. You can ask your doctor to do a blood test on you to measure the amount of vitamin D and most people are actually deficient.

If you have dark skin you are going to need to spend more time outdoors than a fair-skinned person will to receive enough sunlight to produce and efficient amount of vitamin D. if you use sun screen this will inhibit your body from being able to produce vitamin D. It is important not to get sun burned, however please remember that some sunlight is vitally important for good health because of vitamin D.

Women who are vitamin D deficient at the time of being diagnosed with breast cancer are 94% more likely to have their cancer spread and they are 73% more likely to die from breast cancer in the next 10 years than women who are not vitamin D deficient. So vitamin D is a vital instrument when it comes to protecting yourself against this disease.

Interestingly, overweight people are commonly vitamin D deficient because it is a fat soluble vitamin; this means the vitamin ends up being stored in their body fat and not their bloodstream where they need it.

Environmental chemicals are a known potential cause of this condition. According to the Silent Spring Institute, in the USA a total number of 216 different chemicals and radiation sources are internationally recognized as causing breast cancer. Have a look at the kind of chemicals you have around your home and chemicals you put on your body; moisturizers, perfumes, shampoo, cosmetics, toiletries, personal care products, insecticides, and cleaning chemicals. A lot of these things contain chemicals called endocrine disrupters or oestrogen mimics. They actually behave like oestrogen in your body; they have a very powerful effect. Oestrogen in excess can fuel the growth of breast tumors.

When it comes to breast cancer prevention you have to stay on top of your game. Not knowing can how to reduce the risk is no excuse because the information is widely available.

Tips For Preventing Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a dangerous disease. It is important to get it checked as soon as you discover some of the symptoms that indicate skin cancer. However, as the experts have always said, 'prevention is better than cure.' You should focus on prevention skin cancer from attacking your skin. There are several ways to prevent skin cancer.

First and foremost, you should take special care to limit your exposure to Ultra Violet rays of the sun. Exposure of skin to these rays increases the risk of developing skin cancer. You must avoid going out in the sun between 11: 00 a.m. and 4: 00 p.m. If you have to go out in the sun, make sure that you take necessary precaution to protect yourself from the harmful ultra-violet rays of sun.

Apply a good sunscreen with high SPF or sun protection factor. Try to apply sun screen generously before going out in the sun. Don't forget to reapply the sunscreen after every half an hour.

A lot of studies in this regard have proved that applying a good sunscreen can prevent skin cancer. Try to dress in dark colors. Also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and surrounding tissues from absorbing the harmful ultra-violet rays of the sun.

Most people are under a notion that a tanning bed can be safe option. This is a wrong notion. A tanning bed can prove to be more dangerous than exposing your skin to sun's rays. The best method is to use a sunless tanning lotion. You can purchase it from any of the local department store. It is available in different varieties for different skin types. However, remember that a sunless tan lotion will not provide you SPF protection. You need to see the label in order to make sure that a sunless tan lotion is providing an SPF.

When it comes to skin cancer, anyone can develop skin cancer. It does not attack any particular age, race or skin type. The disease also does not spread according to a particular geographical location. However, certain skin types are more vulnerable to skin cancer as compared to others. People with fair skin, light hair and light eye color or a large number of moles or freckles are more vulnerable to skin cancer.

If some one in your family suffers from skin cancer. It is more likely that you may develop this disease.

Here are some tips to prevent skin cancer:

• Tip 1

You should know about the genetic factor such as fair skin, light-colored eyes, a lot of moles or freckles or even a tendency to develop sun burn easily.

• Tip 2

Do not spend a lot of time outdoors. If you had a serious sun burn at a certain point in your life, went to a tanning salon or used a tanning bed, you may develop skin cancer. Visit a skin specialist as a precautionary step.

• Tip 3

Always use sunscreen and lip balm when going outside. Make sure that you wear protective clothing and good quality sunglasses.

• Tip 4

Have a diet rich in antioxidants as it will support your immune system.

• Tip 5

Avoid sun tanning, tanning beds or tanning salons.

• Tip 6

Keep checking your body regularly for any moles lesions or skin irregulation.

Limit exposure to reflective surfaces such as snow, water, concrete and sand. Remember that water activities can increases exposure to reflective UV rays.

Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer, like many forms of cancer, has no common symptoms that will make it obvious that you have a form of the disease. Only in the later stages of skin cancer will you start to feel lethargic but by this stage you will no doubt be aware of the condition. Indeed the best way to guard against skin cancer is to check the body from time to time for any changes in the skin. This article will cover the three types of skin cancer and the kind of changes to look out for. Changes in the condition of the skin could be symptoms of skin cancer but it is very hard for the layman to arrive at a decision based on this. If you have a concern about a part of the skin then you should consult a doctor.

Types of Skin Cancer

The first type of cancer is known as basal cell carcinoma. The typical signs of basal skin cancer are waxy or pearly bumps that can occur anywhere on the body. However areas that are more frequently exposed to the sun, like the face, arms and legs should be checked more often. It might also show up on your back or chest as a scar-like spot that can be flesh-colored or brown. This is the most common type of skin cancer and is treatable. It doesn't usually spread so if caught should be easy to treat.

The second type of cancer is known as squamous cell carcinoma. It is characterized by symptoms like a red nodules or a scaly lesion. Again it can show up on any part of the body but the face, arms and legs are most exposed to it. This type of cancer is also not prone to spreading, although the frequency of spreading is slightly higher than that of basal cell carcinoma. It is also a cancer that can easily be treated effectively.

The third type of skin cancer is known as melanoma, and is considered to be the rarest type of skin cancer. It is also the most serious. Symptoms of skin cancer for melanoma include a mole that can be located anywhere on your body. Check your skin for new moles. Check existing moles for any noticeable changes like an increase in size or a change in color. For instance, a melanoma can look like a large brown spot with darker speckles inside it. Lesions with irregular borders or more than one color are also signs of melanoma.

If you notice any unusual spots or moles anywhere on your body, or if a current mole changes at all, it is important to see your doctor for a professional examination. While melanoma can be more serious, it is still 99% treatable when caught in the early stages.
Prevention and Screening

Of course it is not always easy to notice small changes on your body, like a small mole, especially if you have lots of freckles. If this is the case then visiting a specialist who can examine your body is good advice. They will be more experienced at identifying unwelcome spots and blemishes and detect the early signs of skin cancer.

This is also the case if you job is spent outdoors or you spend a lot of time in the sun. Good advice is to get your skin checked out once every 6 months or so.

Other than that, you should protect the body from the sun as much as possible. Always wear high factor (SPF 15+) sunscreen, eye protection, a hat and a long sleeve shirt.
Summary

Skin cancer can be effectively treated in most cases if it is identified in the early stages.

Screen your body for new moles or blemishes.

If you do not feel confident in doing this then get a regular check up with your doctor.

Prevention is just as important as monitoring. Always wear good sunscreen at the very least, if out in the sun. A hat, long sleeved shirt and sunglasses should also be worn.