Breast Cancer Risks Cancers have different associated risk factors, breast cancer included. From genetics to lifestyle, the list below details the risk factors associated with developing breast cancer. Significantly Higher Risk History of previous cancer: already having cancer in one breast, especially if it occurred before menopause, increases a woman’s risk of developing a new breast cancer unrelated to the first one. Breast cancer genes: those carrying the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 are at…

The Stages of Breast Cancer There are different stages in the progression of breast cancer. Stage 0 Stage 0 breast cancer is when the disease is localized to the milk ducts (carcinoma in situ). Stage I Stage I breast cancer is when the cancer is smaller than 1 inch across and hasn't spread to other parts of the body. Stage II Stage II breast cancer is one of the following: The tumor is less than an inch across but has spread to the underarm lymph nodes (IIA) The tumor is between 1…

Breast Cancer Treatments If the tests find cancer, you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan to eradicate the breast cancer, to reduce the chance of cancer returning in the breast, as well as to reduce the chance of the cancer traveling to a location outside of the breast. Treatment generally follows within a few weeks after the diagnosis. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the size and location of the tumor in the breast, the results of lab tests done on the cancer…

During your regular physical examination, your doctor will take a thorough personal and family medical history. He or she will also perform and/or order one or more of the following: Breast Examination During the breast exam, the doctor will carefully feel the lump and the tissue around it. Breast cancer usually feels different (in size, texture and movement) than benign lumps. Certain tests can be used to view the tissue better: Mammography: An X-ray test of the breast can give important…

Is It Safe to Drink During Pregnancy? No, alcohol can harm the baby of a mother who drinks during pregnancy. Although the highest risk is to babies whose mothers drink heavily, it is not clear yet whether there is any completely safe level of alcohol during pregnancy. Does Alcohol Affect Older People Differently? Alcohol's effects do vary with age. Slower reaction times, problems with hearing and seeing, and a lower tolerance to alcohol's effects put older people at higher risk for falls,…

This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a traffic violation or arrest that results in court-ordered treatment. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following steps to help an alcoholic get treatment: Stop all "cover ups" Family members often make excuses to others or try to protect the alcoholic from the results of his or her drinking. It is…

What makes your body more efficient at metabolizing sugar?

I’m trying to get pregnant but haven’t so far. How long should I wait before I see a fertility specialist?

I recently heard that osteoporosis drugs can actually increase the risk of fractures in older women. Should I stop taking this medication?

What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? NSAIDs are drugs that can reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation or injury and is recognized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs can be used to treat the symptoms of many types of arthritis and soft tissue inflammation such as tendonitis, bursitis, and sprains. It can also be used for gout attacks. It is important to remember that NSAIDs treat the symptoms and do not…

I recently read that women over 40 should stop taking calcium supplements. Is that true?

As I get older I seem to be developing more skin tags. Is this something to be concerned about? They aren’t misshapen or colored funny, just skin colored tags. Can I just clip them off?

I recently read that most people have acceptable vitamin D levels and don’t need to supplement. Is that true?

Why is it important to reduce fat intake? Eating a high fat diet may contribute to heart disease. Eating too much fat also contributes to excess body weight, since a gram of fat has about twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates and proteins. Being overweight may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart and blood vessels) and certain forms of cancer. Whether you are trying to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol…

(Also Called ’Advil’, ’Motrin’, ’Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs’, ’NSAID’) Common brand names: Advil, Nuprin, Motrin Why is this drug prescribed? Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation or injury and is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. How and when should it be used? Ibuprofen is available in capsules, suspension, and tablets. Your…

Question: What is the difference between table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt? Is one type of salt better than the others for my heart and blood pressure? Answer: The differences among salts are related to how they are processed, resulting in different tastes and textures. But, regardless of the type of salt, it contains 40% sodium. Any differences in sodium content are because of the volume and shape of the crystals. Kosher and sea salt have larger crystals, which means they take up more…

Calcium Three important risk factors you can control to prevent osteoporosis are: DietLifestyleReplacing lost estrogen through hormone therapy can provide a strong defense against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. To maintain strong, healthy bones, a diet rich in calcium is needed throughout your life. Your need for calcium becomes even greater as you age. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for calcium is 1,000 milligrams per day. Postmenopausal women who are not taking…

Researchers do not know the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but it likely is due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. The most studied of the environmental factors are aluminum, zinc, food-borne poisons, and viruses. Aluminum One of the most publicized and controversial theories concerns aluminum, which became a suspect in Alzheimer’s disease when researchers found traces of this metal in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Many studies since then have either…

Harnessing the power of the mind-body connection The mind-body connection means that you can learn to use your thoughts to positively influence some of your body’s physical responses, thereby decreasing stress. If you recall a time when you were happy, grateful or calm, your body and mind tend to relax. Research has shown that when you imagine an experience, you often have similar mental and physical responses to those you have when the event actually happens. For example, if you recall an…

I get so depressed during winter, but my husband doesn’t believe in seasonal mood changes. Is there really a connection between winter and depression?