Breast Implants Linked to RareLymphoma on blood, breast, skin cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released information that implicates breast implants as a possible risk factor for developing anaplastic large- cell lymphoma (ALCL ) . The data, which includes both saline and silicone gel- filled implants, suggests that there is a "small but significant" risk of developing ALCL in the scar tissue surrounding the implant. ALCL is a rare type of lymphoma, diagnosed inabout 1 out of 500,000 women in the US each year. It responds well to chemotherapy, and treatment outcomes are quite good. How big is the risk? Scientists cannot be exactly sure but so far they have identified 60cases in the 5 to 10 million women who haveimplants worldwide. Seems small, but when you consider that the risk of getting ALCL in the breasts if you don't have implants is about 3 out of 100 million, the number is significant. The FDA is asking health care professionals tonotify them of any confirmed cases of ALCL inwomen with breast implants, to improve their knowledge of the scope of the problem. So what do you do if you are considering breast implants, or already have them? Well, first of all- don't panic. The risk still remains small, and there is no need to change your routine care and follow up. The FDA is recommending that you monitor your implants and seek advice from a healthcare professional if you notice any changes. If you are considering getting implants, you should discuss this as a possible risk with your doctor. Visit the FDA website for more information about breast implants and ALCL: *. ALCL and Breast Implants *. Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) In Women with Breast Implants: Preliminary FDA Findings and Analyses *. Breast Implant Consumer Information Despite the snow on the ground, there aresigns all around us that winter is almost over. The days are getting longer, the groundhog is seeing his shadow (or not), and our spirits have had just about enough of hibernation- I am ready for spring! I am also ready to say goodbye to the itchy dry skin that winter brings. In my case, it is just the cold wind outdoors, and furnace running indoors that is making my hands and feet crack and burn. But in your case, youmay be dealing with the effects of winter PLUS the effects of cancer treatment on your skin. Help is on the way. In patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, itchy skin can be caused by a number of factors. Dry skin from radiotherapy , reaction from chemotherapy, aresponse to multiple antibiotics and supportive medications, or just from the cancer itself , itchy skin is a common side effect. Itchy skin can be more than just irritating, however. Our skin is our first line ofprotection from infection, so when we scratch we are increasing our risk of complications. Therefore, it is worthwhile to learn some strategies to manage itchy skin. How to Prevent Itchy Skin: There may not be a way to prevent your skin from becoming itchy, but there are ways to prevent your skin from drying out and from becoming irritated. Here are a few things youcan try: *. Keep your skin moist by applying a moisturizing cream to damp skin *. If you live in a dry environment, try a humidifier *. Keep your fingernails trimmed and smooth, wear gloves on your hands and socks on your feet at night to prevent scratching *. Try moisturizing hand sanitizer in place of soap/water if you need to wash your handsfrequently. Apply lotion after washing hands, too. *. Avoid tight or irritating clothing *. Avoid showering in hot water, try lukewarm instead.

Ultrasound Findings that Might Indicate Down Syndrome - Choroid Plexus Cysts on cancer protection

The Choroid Plexus and Choroid Plexus Cysts The choroid plexus is an area of the brain that makes cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid is the substance that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The choroid plexus is not an area of the brain involved in thinking. Choroid plexus cysts are fluid-filled spaces in the choroid plexus kind of like blisters or bubbles. Choroid plexus cysts are not tumors or cancer, and they will disappear on their own usually between 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. Choroid plexus cysts, in and of themselves, are NOT a problem and do not interfere with brain function. They are seen in about 1% (1/100) of all second trimester ultrasounds. Choroid plexuscysts may be seen in one or both sides of the brain and the number, size, and shape of the cysts may vary. Choroid plexus cysts are also found in healthy children and adults. Although they sounds alarming, they are not associated with any impairment in brain function. The bigger concern with choroid plexus cysts is that they may be a “soft marker” for Down syndrome . A “soft marker”is something that in and of itself, won’t causeyour baby a problem, but it might indicate that the baby has a more serious underlying condition. Other soft markers for Down syndrome include a shortened femur measurement, renal pelvic dilatation, echogenic bowel, echogenic foci in the heart,an increased fetal nuchal translucency (the area at the back of the neck), and an absent nasal bone in the first trimester. Ultrasound During Pregnancy and Choroid Plexus Cysts An ultrasound is a test done during pregnancy. It uses sound waves to view or visualize the fetus during a pregnancy. No risk to the baby is associated with ultrasoundduring pregnancy and most women will haveone or two ultrasounds, for a variety of reasons, over the course of their pregnancy. It is most likely that the choroid plexus cysts are normal for you baby and you will have a normal, healthy child. However, some researchers have seen an association between these cysts and chromosome abnormalities like Down syndrome and trisomy 18 . When choroid plexus cysts and/or other markers are seen on an ultrasound, you may be offered further testing such as a level 2 or detailed ultrasound , or an amniocentesis. What is the chance that the Baby has DownSyndrome or Trisomy 18? The chance that a fetus with isolated choroid plexus cyst(s) has a chromosome abnormalityis felt to be about 1% or less, if the rest of theultrasound exam was normal. This means that there is a 99% or greater chance that the baby does not have a chromosome abnormality. Some researchers have reportedrisks greater than 1% and yet others have seen no association between these cysts and chromosome abnormalities. It is best to discuss this ultrasound finding and your risk with your doctor. Can Down syndrome and other trisomies be diagnosed on ultrasound? No. Ultrasound allows a doctor to visualize a fetus and to detect some physical markers that might indicate an increased risk, but ultrasound alone can never make a diagnosisof a chromosome abnormality such as Down syndrome or trisomy 18. The only way to make a diagnosis of Down syndrome or other chromosome abnormality in a pregnancy is an amniocentesis test . It is important to remember that while an ultrasound cannot diagnose Down syndromeor other chromosomes abnormality, a normalultrasound is reassuring but it is not a guarantee there the baby is perfectly healthy. There is not prenatal test that can rule out all birth defects or forms of mental retardation. How Are Chromosome Abnormalities Diagnosed During a Pregnancy? The only way to tell is a fetus has a chromosome abnormality such as Down syndrome or trisomy 18 is to perform an amniocentesis which is usually performed in the second trimester. During an amniocentesis, a thin needle is inserted through the woman’s abdominal wall into the uterus and a small amount of the fluid surrounding the baby is removed. The fetal chromosomes are studied using either a FISH test and/or a karyotype test . The results from FISH testing, while limited, are usually available in 3 to 4 days and the results of a full karyotype analysis usually take 2 weeks. The results of this testing are over 99% accurate in diagnosing Down syndrome and other trisomies. Because choroid plexus cysts are not seen until the second trimester of pregnancy, CVS testing (done in the first trimester of pregnancy) is not an option. If you have had a normal CVS test, then there is no reason to be concerned about the finding of choroid plexus cysts on your ultrasound. The choroid plexus cyst is then considered a normal human variation which is not known to be harmful to the baby. If you decide to have an amniocentesis and the results are normal, no further testing is necessary. The choroid plexus cyst is then considered a normal human variation which is not known to be harmful to the baby.

Diabetes Increases Risk of Blood Cancers and breast cancer

A study released earlier this month in Blood revealed that people with type 2 diabetes are at a significantly greater risk of developing blood and marrow cancers such as leukemia , lymphoma , and myeloma . The research found that type 2 diabetics were 20% more likely to develop hematologic cancers than the rest of the population. Type 2 diabetes has been diagnosed in more than 19 million people in the United States, and its rates are on the rise. A 20% increasedrisk in this population is very serious. This particular research did not investigate the biologic link between the two conditions,the scientists did indicate that future study would be needed to determine the impact of unhealthy lifestyle factors (obesity, excercise etc.) as well as antidiabetic medications on the cancer risk In the case of patients with blood and marrow cancers like leukemia and lymphoma,it is often necessary that treatment be startedimmediately after diagnosis. Patients are also often quite ill at the time of diagnosis. Sperm banking, the most common form of male fertility preservation can usually be done in a timely manner and will not delay therapy. Female preservation options, on the other hand, can take a number of weeks or more to complete and are therefore more likely to cause delays. In some cases, women may feel like it is not worth the wait or it may put theirlife in danger. Despite these facts, it is important that all cancer patients receive the information and be allowed to make the decision for themselves Ms. Ephron was known for her witty humour and was the creative force behind such movies as Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, Heartburn and Silkwood . Those who knew her in her real life described her as brilliant and remarkable. She leaves behind her husband, author Nicholas Pileggi, and her sons, Max and Jacob. She was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) a number of years ago which ultimately progressed to AML. The cause of her death was pneumonia related toleukemia, according to her son. My heartfelt wishes go out to Ms Ephron' s friends and family after the loss of an amazing and inspiring lady.

Screening for Down Syndrome in Pregnancy on cancer

The Concept of Screening for Down Syndrome During Pregnancy The number of screening options for Down syndrome has increased dramatically in the last few years. Before you can make a decision about what testing, if any, is right for you, it is important to understand the concept behind screening tests. Screening and screening tests can be difficultconcepts for people to understand. We are used to medical tests giving us an answer, but with screening tests, instead of an answer, we get an estimate of risk. For example, a screening tests cannot tell you for sure that your baby has Down syndrome, it can only give you an estimate of your risk to have a baby with Down syndrome. Based upon this risk estimate and a predetermined risk cutoff, your pregnancy will be classified as screen negative (low-risk) or screen positive (high-risk). Basically screening separates people into two populations -– those that are deemed low-risk (the majority)and those that are deemed high-risk (a minority). This might sound a little complicated but I think that looking at a simplified example willhelp. An Example of A Screening Test One simple screening test that can assess a mother’s risk to have a child with Down syndrome is simply to ask a mother-to-be herage. Based on her answer and a risk-cutoff, mothers-to-be can be separated into two groups -- those that are considered low-risk (screen negative) and those that are considered high-risk (screen positive). To separate screen positive mothers from screen negative mothers, let’s pretend that anybody with a risk of greater than 1 in 200 (or one-half of 1 percent) is considered screen positive. This 1 in 200 risk is our risk cut-off. Now, let’s ask two mothers-to-be their ages. Mom A is 30 years old and based on her age alone, her risk to have a baby with Down syndrome is 1 in 900. She is considered “screen negative” since her risk is less than our cut-off risk of 1 in 200. So her risk is low and she wouldn’t be offered any follow-up testing. But, and this is a big but, her risk is not zero -- it is 1 in 900. That means that if 900 30-year-old moms-to-be were in a room,one would have a baby with Down syndromeeven though our “test” said she was screen negative (low risk! Now let’s ask Mom B her age. Mom B is 38 and based on her age alone, her risk to have a baby with Down syndrome is 1 in 180 (or alittle greater than our risk cutoff of 1 in 200). Since her risk is greater than 1 in 200, she is considered “screen positive” or high-risk. Now obviously, her risk is still about one half of one percent (or greater than 99% chance that her fetus does not have Down syndrome) but according to our test, her result is “screen positive.” While she is considered “screen positive,” it is still more likely that her baby does not have Down syndrome. However, based on her “risk,” she would be offered follow-up diagnostic testing to determine if the baby has Down syndrome. Most women, even with a positive screening result, will have babies that do not have Down syndrome. You can see however, that getting a “screen positive” result could raise your anxiety. Advantages and Disadvantages of Screening Tests While screening tests don’t tell you for sure about your baby’s chromosomes, they do have some advantages compared to diagnostic testing such as amniocentesis or CVS . For one, there is no risk to the pregnancy. Most screening tests are either blood tests or ultrasounds or a combination of both, and thus there is no risk of miscarriage associated with them. The disadvantage is that they don’t give you a firm answer, they just give you an estimate ofyour risk. Most often this estimate is low (screen negative) and many women find this reassuring. However, if your screening result is considered positive, this may cause you a great deal of anxiety even though it is most likely that your baby does not have Down syndrome. If your tests are considered screenpositive, you will also be faced with making a choice about diagnostic testing. The Bottom Line The decision to have prenatal testing during pregnancy is a personal one. Most screening tests provide parents-to-be with reassurance.However, when a screening test is screen positive, it can be anxiety-provoking. Follow-up diagnostic testing is available, but it has some risks associated with it and it takes some time to get the results, which can be hard for some parents-to-be. In making a decision about any form of prenatal testing during pregnancy, it is important to consider what the results of the test mean for you andwhat you would do with that information.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tests negative for estrogen , progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Although TNBC responds to chemotherapy treatments, there have not been effective targeted treatments for this aggressive type of breast cancer. Diagnosis isusually made at a late stage, has shorter survival rates, and has a high rate of relapse 5 years after treatment. Researchers are working on targeted therapies to treat this disease, but women who are at high risk should be proactive in monitoring their own health, because early detection could help boost survival rates. African American Women Are At Highest Risk For TNBC In a study of invasive breast cancer patients done at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 2001 and 2006,18.9% of those patients were diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Within the group of women who had TNBC, Asian women had the lowest risk, Caucasians and Latinas had a moderate risk, and African Americans had triple the average risk. African Americans and Latinas have low risk of developing breast cancer, but when they are diagnosed, they tend to have triple-negative breast cancer. Survival rates for African Americans are not good, as only 14% of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis. But for TNBC patients who survive from 7 to 10 years beyond treatment, rates of recurrence are low. Age and Socioeconomic Status African Americans under 40 who are living atlow socioeconomic status have the highest risk for a diagnosis of TNBC. But young Latinas living at or near the poverty level had the second-highest risk. It is still being studied, but researchers think that genetics, lack of health education, and inadequate access to medical care may be related to the disproportionate number diagnoses in low-income minority women. Ongoing stress and social isolation, due to life in areas with high crime may also contribute to development of some types breast cancer. Genetic Risk Linked with TNBC Having the BRCA1 mutation raises a woman's risk for triple-negative breast cancer. In a study of women with triple-negative breast cancer, it was discovered that 90% of TNBC patients had the BRCA1 mutation. Fewer than10% of patients in this study had the BRCA2 mutation . Research on the link between genetic mutations and triple-negative breast cancer is still going on, but the early studies strongly suggest that having the BRCA1 mutation does increase the risk for developing this type of breast cancer. Effects of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding on TNBC Risk It's too early to know for sure, but scientists think that there may be some relationship between a woman's number of full-term pregnancies, the amount of time she spends breastfeeding, and her risk for developing TNBC. For Latinas, 3 or more full-term pregnancies and a shorter period of breastfeeding may relate to an increased risk.For African American and Asian women, number of pregnancies and breastfeeding time appears to have no relation to increasedrisk.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer -Description, Risk Factors, Treatments

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Triple negative breast cancer cells are estrogen-receptor negative, progesterone-receptor negative, and HER2 negative. Since the cancer is not fueled by those hormones, nor by the HER2 protein, standard cancer drugs like selective estrogen receptor modulators , aromatase inhibitors , and Herceptin will not be effective in treating this class of cancer. Basal cell breast cancer usuallydoesn't have receptors for estrogen, progesterone, or HER2 –- so it is likely to be triple negative. Groups At Risk for Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Although people of any race might develop this form of breast cancer, studies have found that some racial groups are at higher risk. Those groups are: *. Black *. Hispanic *. Asian Common Features Linked With Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A population study based on the California Cancer Registry found that women who werediagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) were likely to be under the age of 40, Black or Hispanic, and were living at a low socioeconomic status. Their cancers were more aggressive than estrogen-receptor positive tumors, and were diagnosed at a later stage of the disease. In the five years after treatment, risk of recurrence was high. Risk Factors for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatments For Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Surgery , chemotherapy , and radiation may be recommended to treat this class of breast cancer. Triple negative cancer cells are particularly responsive to chemotherapy. Drugs that may be used are paclitaxel , anthracyclines , and cyclophosphamide . Newer drugs that may be effective are ixabepilone , bevacizumab , cetuximab , and PARP inhibitors. High-Risk Women Should Be Vigilant About Breast Health Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade, who is doing research on triple-negative breast cancer patients in Chicago and Nigeria says, "Womenwith triple negative breast cancer need to know that a diagnosis is not a death sentence. It's aggressive but can be treated. The earlier the detection, the better." The standard guidelines for starting mammograms at age 40 are not helping women at risk for TNBC. "If you're at risk," Olopade says, "you don't want to wait until you're 40 to be screened." Women should start doing a monthly breast self-exam at age 20, and have annual clinical breast exams . If you are under 40, find a breast lump and suspect you may be at high risk, talk to your doctor about having a breast ultrasound or a mammogram.

Natural Sweeteners – Eating Healthy to Stay Healthy on breast cancer protection

“Ecstasy is a glassful of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth.” -- Alexander Pushkin “If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive.” -- Dale Carnegie Having sugary foods and drinks can cause a spike in your blood glucose levels. In response, our bodies secrete insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) . These two substances promote cell growth and inflammation. And when you have too much of them, they can pave the way for the development of cancer. Here's a list of some natural sweeteners that are lower on the glycemic index than refined white sugar. These sweeteners are healthier for you than refined sugar , and they taste great! Agave Nectar: available as a fluid in light, medium, and amber. Extracted from the agave plant, this nectar is low on the glycemicindex, and sweeter than refined sugar. Barley Malt: has a flavored sweetness somewhere between dark molasses and honey. Barley malt works well in baking and making smoothies . The bonus in this natural sweetener is that it has several vitamins and minerals. Coconut Sugar: made from coconut sap, resembles cane sugar, but is very low on the glycemic index. Very healthy, coconut sugar contains sulfur, healthy micronutrients, potassium and magnesium. It is easiest to find in Asian countries, but may be available online. Date Sugar: made from ground, dehydrated dates. You can measure this in the same quantities you would use for refined sugar, when making baked goodies. Crumbly and textured, it won't dissolve in hot drinks, but lends a great taste to pie and cobbler toppings. Fructose: made from fruit sugars, this is twice as sweet as refined sugar. Use half the amount that you would normally put in cookies, cakes, and drinks. Honey: the original natural sweetener, this is made by bees from flower nectars. Honey comes in hundreds of types and colors. Flavors of honey depend on the kind of blossoms that the bees visited. You can get honey on the comb, as a liquid, as natural crystals, or as a whipped, spreadable mixture. Maltose: made from the starch of sprouted grains and rice. The plant starches are cooked and fermented until they convert intosugar. You may find this sold as crystals or as syrup. Maple Syrup: collected from the rising sap of sugar maple trees, which is boiled down to drive off the water and thicken the syrup. Maple syrup comes in several grades, from dark to light, and like molasses, contains a good amount of calcium. You can use this wonderful sweetener on pancakes and in baking. Caution: many syrups are labeled"maple flavor" but contain just a little real maple syrup, or flavoring. Maple Sugar: made from the very last of the maple syrup, when all the liquids have boiled off. Maple sugar is crystalline and quite sticky.It can be used in baking and in hot drinks, and is often sold molded into candy. Molasses: comes from crushed and squeezedcane, which yields a thin, yellowish juice. The cane juice is boiled down and reduced to unsulphured molasses or the aptly-named blackstrap molasses. Dark molasses, especiallyblackstrap, has a distinctive buttery flavor andis loaded with calcium, iron, and potassium. Rice Syrup: also called brown rice syrup, it is made from brown rice starch that has been converted into maltose. Milder than most honey, rice syrup can be in cooking, drinks, and as a spread on breads. Sorghum Syrup: similar to molasses, but squeezed from sorghum cane. Sorghum juiceis boiled down to evaporate most of the water content, until it becomes syrup. Because sorghum cane is pest-resistant, is needs little pesticides, making it nearly organic, and very safe to consume. Turbinado Sugar: brown crystals, often calledraw sugar, this is partially processed sugar that contains some molasses. Turbinado sugar is not bleached or refined to the extentthat white table sugar is processed, and has fewer calories. You can find this kind of sugar in crystals that are a bit larger than white sugar. Xylitol: a natural sweetener that occurs in fruits, berries, and some vegetables, but is made primarily from birch bark. Xylitol is safe for use by diabetics, and is thought to help prevent tooth decay. Health food stores carry xylitol in crystalline form. Natural Sweeteners Glycemic Index Natural Sweetener Glycemic Index Rating Agave Nectar 15 Fructose 17 Rice Syrup 25 Raw Honey 30 Barley Syrup 42 Maple Syrup 54 Blackstrap Molasses 55 Turbinado Sugar 65 Pastuerized Honey 75 Refined White Sugar 80