Prophylactic Mastectomy

Prophylactic Mastectomy Meaning of prophylactic mastectomy: It is the surgical removal of a non-cancerous breast with the intention of preventing onset of breast cancer in that breast.

The question of prophylactic mastectomy comes in two clinical situations:

1. Those women who have been diagnosed with cancer in one breast and who are concerned of a new cancer coming up in the opposite breast and thus explore the possibility of removing this breast as prevention. This is called contra-lateral prophylactic mastectomy (the word contra meaning the opposite side).
2. Those women who do NOT have a diagnosis of cancer but who have high risk factors for developing breast cancer. Such patients may explore the possibility of removing both breasts to prevent the onset of cancer. This is called bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (the word bilateral meaning both sides).
Let us consider the first situation of contra-lateral prophylactic mastectomy in women already diagnosed with cancer in one breast. The following are some of the situations where this decision may be appropriate.
1. Diagnosed at age 45 or younger, regardless of family history.
2. Diagnosed at age 50 or younger and EITHER of the following:
- at least one close blood relative with breast cancer at age 50 or younger.
- at least one close blood relative with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.
3. Diagnosed with two breast primaries (includes bilateral disease or cases where there are two or more clearly separate ipsi-lateral primary tumors) when the first breast cancer diagnosis occurred prior to age 50,
4. Diagnosed at age 60 or younger with a triple negative breast cancer.
5. Diagnosed with two breast primaries when the first breast cancer diagnosis occurred prior to age 50.
6. Personal history of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.
7. Close male blood relative with breast cancer.
8. Women of Ashkenazi Jewish, Icelandic, Swedish, Hungarian, or Dutch descent.
9. Development of invasive lobular or ductal carcinoma in the contra-lateral breast after electing surveillance for lobular carcinoma in situ of the ipsi-lateral breast..
10. Lobular carcinoma in situ confirmed on biopsy.
11. Lobular carcinoma in situ in the contra-lateral breast.
12. Diffuse indeterminate micro-calcifications or dense tissue in the contra-lateral breast that is difficult to evaluate mammographically and clinically.
Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy may be considered in women who have the following situations:
1. Those with confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation.
2. Those with close blood relative with a known BRCA1, BRCA2 mutation.
3. First or second-degree blood relative meeting any of the above criteria for individuals with a personal history of cancer.
4. Third-degree blood relative with two or more close blood relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer (with at least one close blood relative with breast cancer prior to age 50).
5. Those with a history of treatment with radiation to the chest.
6. Those with atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia, especially if combined with a family history of breast cancer.
7. Those with dense breasts that are difficult to evaluate through mammograms and breast exams. Those with several prior breast biopsies for abnormalities with a strong concern about breast cancer risk.
The decision to proceed with prophylactic mastectomy should be taken very seriously because of its irreversible nature and its major implications on the physical and psychological welfare of these women. There are a number of non-surgical options that are available to lower the risk of breast cancer in the situations outlined above. It is strongly urged that women exploring this difficult decision discuss with expert physicians regarding less radical, non-surgical options.

Dr. Kumar is a board certified Radiation Oncologist who is co-founder of a private practice group in Florida. He has over 17 years experience dealing with cancer patients including several members in his own family who have been afflicted by this disease.
His philosophy of managing patients is through a unique holistic approach that takes into account the wishes and needs of patients and their families. He believes that any battle is won at the level of the mind first before the body goes into action to win the war. curingcancerofthemind.com reflects this philosophy. He is always available to help any patient with questions regarding cancer and radiation therapy and can be reached at 772 293 0377.

Exercise For Cancer Patients - The New Wonder Drug

We know that being active is good for healthy adults, now there's important news on exercise for cancer patients. A new report out of a leading U.K. cancer support organization finds that being active helps cancer patients cut the chances of experiencing side effects from treatment, as well as impacting the chances their cancer will come back.

All it takes is 150 minutes of moderately intense activity a week, the amount often recommended as the minimum level of activity for seeing benefits.

The latest report offers four important conclusions:

1. Women with breast cancer can see a 40% reduction in risk of recurrence or dying by getting 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise weekly.

2. People with bowel cancer can get an up to 50% reduction in the chance of recurrence and death from the disease with significant amounts of exercise - about 6 hours of moderately intensive activity weekly.

3. Prostate cancer sufferers can cut their chances of dying from this disease by 30% by getting the recommended level of activity each week.

4. All cancer sufferers can cut their risk of treatment side effects (fatigue, depression, osteoporosis, heart disease) by getting the recommended amount of moderately intense exercise each week.

To be moderately intense, the activity must have you moving briskly, with breathing that is quicker and deeper but allows you to carry on a conversation. Your face may be flushed and your heart will be beating faster than normal, but not racing.

While there's no one exercise that's right for everyone, consider some of these - biking, swimming, brisk walking, jogging are all great ways to get your body moving and your blood pumping. Of course activity around the house such as housework and cutting the grass can do the same thing.

Those who are currently undergoing cancer treatment will need to adjust their activity level to how they feel each day of course. Do what you feel up to... and if nothing else, try not to be inactive on your good days. You don't have to work out like a world class athlete either... take a walk to the mailbox, play with your pet or enjoy a game of golf... any activity is good activity.

If you, or someone you love, is a cancer patient/survivor don't underestimate the value of being active on a regular basis. Cancer organizations such as the U.K.'s Macmillan Cancer Support believe people suffering from cancer would be amazed at the incredible benefits the recommended level of physical activity can bring them. If being active were a new medication, the benefits to cancer patients would make headlines.

Experts are now coming to believe that being active on a regular basis should become a part of cancer care. So rather than resting and taking it easy... exercise for cancer patients is now recommended. Even just a little bit of movement is better than no activity at all. You'll find that being active helps to boost your energy... cuts feelings of stress and anxiety... helps your bones and heart stay strong... cuts the risk of a dangerous blood clot, and of course, helps to keep your weight under control.

Too Little Oxygen to the Cells: The No 1 Cause of Cancer?

Cancer is one of the most frightening diseases that we as a species face today. Almost everyone has experienced the devastating impact of cancer; either first hand or from having watched a friend or loved one that suffered at the hands of this deadly disease. And yet despite the threat posed by cancer, despite the thousands who die from it each and every year, the modern medical community blatantly ignores information about the cause of cancer that has been known for almost 80 years.

How and Why Cancer Cells Form

The cause of cancer has been known since 1931 when renowned scientist Dr. Warburg won the Nobel Prize for making the startling discovery that whenever healthy, normal cells are deprived of 60% of their oxygen, they turn cancerous in an attempt to survive.

Normal cells generate energy through the process of respiration using oxygen. When cells are damaged by the buildup of carcinogens and other toxic chemicals, however, the respiratory enzymes are blocked and oxygen levels drop, which forces the cell to revert to a primitive survival mechanism: fermentation. Through the fermentation of sugars and the energy that this process provides, the damaged cell is able to continue to survive. But it's an imperfect existence.

Cells that rely on fermentation for energy become trapped in a vicious cycle of survival where all they can do is use their limited energy to divide and multiply in a bid to survive. They essentially become "dumb" cells that can no longer perform the function for which they were originally intended, nor can they communicate with the rest of the body. And as they divide and multiply, they produce excess toxins in the form of lactic acid, which prevents the transport of oxygen to neighboring cells, further exacerbating the problem.

Cure Cancer Naturally by Raising Oxygen Levels

Based on Dr. Warburg's research, the natural course of treatment for cancer would seem to be to raise oxygen levels in the cells of the body, thereby preventing them from becoming cancerous. Raising oxygen levels in cells that are already cancerous would also kill them and help to reduce cancer to a more manageable level so that the body's immune system can fight back more effectively.

Unfortunately, modern medicine has chosen to take a completely different route in "treating" cancer, if you can even call it that. Rather than addressing the root problem (lack of oxygen), they instead flood the body with toxic chemicals in the form of chemotherapy and radiation, which ultimately damages the respiratory enzymes in healthy cells and leads many of them to turn into cancer. In other words, the very treatment that is supposed to "cure" cancer, damages the body so profoundly as to leave it vulnerable to developing even more cancer cells!

A more effective treatment would be to help naturally raise your own oxygen levels by avoiding many of the harmful carcinogens, toxins and other pollutions that damage cells and cause cancer in the first place. This means avoiding or at least limiting exposure to:

• Food - excitotoxins, herbicides, pesticides, agricultural chemicals, food emulsifiers, food stabilizers, artificial flavoring and colorings, preservatives, additives, refined sugar and table salt.
• Air - household sprays, pollens, dust mites, polluted air, toxic fumes, cleaning supplies, tobacco smoke, perfumes or stale and stagnant air.
• Water - industrial pollution, chemicals, rusts, heavy metals, chlorine, bacteria and water contaminated with inorganic minerals.
• Medical Treatments - low quality supplements, vaccinations, artificial hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapy or non-prescription and prescription drugs, which are all major poisons.
• Dental Treatments - fluoride treatments, braces, implants, acrylic dentures, root canals and mercury amalgam fillings.
• Radiation - UV radiation, CAT scans, MRI scans, ultra-sound scans, gamma rays, x-rays, cell phones, electromagnetic gadgets, microwave ovens, television waves, radio waves and radiotherapy.
• Household - laundry supplies, non-stick cookware, aluminum pots, gas stoves, moth balls, all kinds of household sprays, cleaning agents, heating systems, new asbestos ceilings, new carpets, varnishes and new paints.
• Personal Care Items - hair dyes, cosmetics that contain lead, nail polish, toothpaste, deodorants, shampoos, soaps and perfumes.

Avoiding all of these will significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer and help to promote a healthy immune system.

Geopathic Stress - Is Excessive Exposure Contributing to Cancer?

Geopathic stress has been linked to cancer through numerous studies dating back more than 60 years and yet most people are unaware of this dangerous phenomenon. If you're unfamiliar with the term, it simply refers to the unhealthy energy generated by the Earth as well as man-made sources.

What is Geopathic Stress?

Geopathic stress takes the form of natural radiation that literally rises up from the Earth. This radiation is distorted by underground cavities, fault lines, certain mineral concentrations and subterranean running water, all of which create weak electromagnetic fields. When the wavelengths of the natural occurring radiation become distorted in this way, they become a danger to any living organism, even humans.

It is also generated by the electromagnetic energy fields that are given off by many forms of modern technology such as radio or telecommunication towers, radar, transformers and electricity pylons.

Cancer Connection

The connection between geopathic stress and many serious physical and psychological conditions is not idle speculation; it is scientific fact. It has even been linked through numerous studies to cancer, despite the fact that it does not directly cause the disease. Instead, geopathic stress is responsible for dramatically weakening the body, which leaves it susceptible to the development and spread of cancer.

In fact, extensive studies have shown that more than 85% of patients who die from cancer had regular, verifiable exposure to this kind of stress, whether natural or man-made, including a study conducted by Dr. Hager, M.D. who discovered that geopathic stress was present in all 5,348 of the cancer cases he examined.

Exposure also causes chronic fatigue, immune deficiency disorders, attention deficit disorder, cardiovascular deficiency, restless sleep, irritability, sudden signs of physical aging, headaches and other chronic body pains. It has even been linked to infertility and miscarriages.

Avoiding Geopathic Stress

As serious and disturbing as the effects are, these dangerous energy zones can be avoided. The most obvious areas are those near conjunctions of high power lines, fuse boxes, electrical street poles or satellite towers. But you should also be aware of many other physical indicators of this deadly energy.

For example, cats are drawn to this energy and will actually seek out zones of geopathic stress in which to sleep. Many common pests like ants, termites and wasps are also drawn to areas of geopathic stress. Bare patches in your lawn, moss, fungi or mutated or stunted growth in your vegetable garden are also signs to look for. In addition, children are particularly sensitive to these dangerous energy zones and you will often find in the morning that they have unconsciously tucked themselves up and away from geopathic stress zones.

Fortunately, those who have suffered from the dangerous effects often make dramatic recoveries once their home or workplace is neutralized, because their bodies are no longer being bombarded by dangerous energy. This allows the body to begin the work of naturally repairing and healing itself.

Curing Cancer Is Easy - The Simple Truth Your Doctor Can't Tell You

We all know how deadly cancer is. None of us get through this life without getting cancer ourselves or losing loved ones and friends to it. Yes, cancer is indeed leading to dozens of deaths, even as you read this, but it is leading to these deaths in a way that you are not being told about.

The real cause of the millions of cancer deaths that take place every year are being directly caused by the very people who are supposed to be providing a cure - the doctors. Curing cancer is big business and these supposed "healers" are profiting from it, left and right. Unfortunately, they rarely, if ever, bring about a cure for patients. In fact, the techniques that physicians are using to treat cancer are actually bringing about death.

Cancer - Another Look At This Killer Disease

Physicians and researchers have long looked at cancer the wrong way. They see cancer as a condition. When this condition is detected in a patient, they go to great lengths to stop it. Unfortunately, cancer is not a condition, it is a symptom. The body has built in mechanisms that are designed to get rid of excess toxins. After years of being exposed to toxins in our food, air and water, the body's natural defenses will do exactly what they are supposed to do - attack the toxins and isolate them to prevent further damage to your system. In essence, a tumor is nothing more than a contained lump of these toxins that your body is keeping from being circulated through the bloodstream.

So now your physician notices one of these contained units of toxins and decides that the best treatment for curing cancer is going to be a biopsy. The doctor is going to order tests that rely on puncturing this isolated container of toxins. So what happens when they do their biopsy and lance the tumor? Of course, the tumor bursts and leaks toxins into your body. All of the work that your body has done to keep itself protected is destroyed in one, fell swoop.

Instead of helping the cancer patient, biopsies and surgeries that, hack at these tumors, end up releasing years worth of built up toxins into the bloodstream. How many people do you know who had cancer (most likely for years before it was ever discovered), only to go through surgery and then die within a year? This kind of nonsense happens every day, and it doesn't need to.

Embracing Body's Self-Healing Mechanism

Physicians need to work with the body's natural process for getting rid of toxins. Instead of ordering tests and surgeries that do nothing more than release toxins that the body's healing mechanisms have isolated, they need to first see how tumors really work and then introduce nutrients to the body that will help it to get rid of these toxins naturally.

Curing cancer should build on the work that the body's natural defenses are already doing. The symptom of too many toxins is cancerous tumors. Instead of thwarting the efforts of the body's natural defenses with surgery, or chemotherapy, doctors need to assist the body in removing these built up toxicities naturally. Change will only come when physicians look away from cancer as a condition and see it for what it really is - a symptom of excessive toxins in the human body.