A breast cancer diagnosis can be a frightening event for both the patient and her family, but various nationwide programs are dedicated to helping diagnose and support those with breast cancer and their loved ones. These programs can help make a...
A mastectomy is a surgical procedure for cancer that removes the breast and leaves the muscles behind it intact. If the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes of the armpit, you may also need an axillary lymph node dissection. Exercise after the...
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, but certain conditions such as athletic injuries, arthritis, stroke or breast cancer can result in decreased range of motion. It is important to increase shoulder ROM to allow for functional...
If you have chronic shoulder pain, a shoulder injury or are recovering from shoulder surgery, regular exercises will help you restore normal shoulder flexibility and motion, which will reduce your pain. Physical therapy exercises typically isolate...
Pilates is a well-rounded exercise method that has been around for decades. According to Doreen Puglisi, founder of the Pink Ribbon Program, Pilates can improve many physical side effects of breast cancer treatment, including problems with...
Breast cancer arises when cells within the breast ducts or lobules begin to divide abnormally quickly. Stage IV breast cancer has spread throughout the body. Although it may be difficult to completely eradicate this type of breast cancer, there...
Radiation therapy consists of high-energy X-rays that are used to kill cancer cells and slow down cancer growth. It is a local therapy, which means it only works in the area it is aimed at; it does not circulate throughout the body like chemotherapy.
Night sweats, which occur when you awaken to a sweat-soaked body, night clothes and bedding, can rob you of valuable sleep. The cause may be as simple as the temperature of your bedroom or the number of blankets on your bed. Otherwise, it could be...
In 1980, Susan Goodman Komen of Peoria, Illinois, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The mother of two, she died three years later at age 36. Her sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, was left convinced that Susan would have had a better chance at...
Peripheral neuropathy is a possible side effect of chemotherapy for cancer, and is a result of nerve damage in the arms and legs. This can cause pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness and temperature sensitivity in the arms, legs, hands and...
In 2007, 202,964 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Cancer Society notes that 88 percent of women diagnosed with stage I breast cancer will survive. Whether you've...
Breast cancer awareness has exploded within recent years. There are two-day walks, three-day walks, numerous Race for the Cure events and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink has become nearly synonymous with breast cancer awareness, and...
Today, many breast cancer survivors are living fulfilling lives due to advances made in breast cancer treatments. Survivors know the importance of continued monitoring and screening for recurrence, as they look to increase their chances of survival.
Tamoxifen (brand name Nolvadex) is an oral drug prescribed to treat certain kinds of breast cancer in both men and women. It is taken as a daily pill and can be taken with or without food.
Breast cancer, a cancerous tumor inside the breast, is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer among women in the United States. It affects one in eight women in their lives. Breast cancer is a hormone-influenced cancer. Researchers believe...
About 178,000 women die in the United States each year because of smoking-related diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, smoking deprives these women of an additional 14.5 years of life. Smoking also...
Red wine contains ingredients that may help in the fight against many diseases. This includes heart disease and some forms of cancer such as breast cancer. While wine is not considered a health food, a small amount can be part of a healthy diet...
Perhaps the old phrase "you are what you eat" should be more aptly stated as "you are what you drink." While the solid food in your diet should form the foundation of your nutrition, that doesn't mean that you can gulp down anything that comes...
For women living in the United States, breast cancer death rates are higher than for every other cancer except lung cancer, according to BreastCancer.org. Understanding the causes and risks of breast cancer is an important way to decrease the...
Surviving breast cancer means a new chance at living a healthy lifestyle and living life to the fullest. Unfortunately, cancer has a way of resurfacing, and therefore it is essential that those who have beat it stick to a healthy diet, one that...
More than 192,370 cases of invasive breast cancer (and an additional 62,280 non-invasive cases) were diagnosed in 2008, according to the American Cancer Society. Women living in the U.S. have a 12 percent chance of developing invasive breast...
Approximately 1 in 8 women living in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, with the majority occurring after menopause. According to a 2008 study published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology," up to 40...
Male breast cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast according to the National Cancer Institute. Male breast cancer may develop at any age but is usually found in older men between the ages of 60 and 70. High levels of...
Butternut squash is a member of the gourd family, which includes pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. Known as a winter squash, butternut offers a mild flavor and a creamy texture that works well in soups and mashes. Butternut squash also boasts a...
Despite advances in medical research and technology, breast cancer is on the rise. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were nearly 195,000 new cases reported in 2009 alone, with more than 40,500 deaths from breast cancer. While women...
Life expectancy for breast cancer is hard to determine, as it depends on the individual patient. The stage of breast cancer, treatment received and presence of metastases determine the patient's life expectancy. The life expectancy drops as the...
If you are a woman living in the United States, you have a one in eight chance of developing invasive breast cancer sometime during your lifetime. Nearly 40,000 American women will die from this disease during 2010. Since 70 to 80 percent of cases...
Asian women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than women living in the West. Could it be all the green tea they drink? Researchers are doing their best to find out; so far, some of the studies show that green tea may indeed have a protective...
Asbestos exposure and smoking are sources of known carcinogens that can cause serious diseases. Ironically, the manufacturing sector routinely used asbestos decades ago, before the health risks were known. Likewise, smoking was fashionable and a...