Dispelling Myths About Lymphedema

Lymphedema is the swelling of a human body part caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid, proteins, and cellular waste in the tissues under the skin. It occurs when there is a problem with the lymphatic system caused by one of the factors below:

-The failure of lymph vessels to develop properly

-Damage to lymph vessels by trauma, surgery, or infection

-Removal or destruction of lymph nodes, usually during treatment of cancer

Most of the advancements made in the understanding and treatment of lymphedema result from research on those who acquired lymphedema as a complication of breast cancer treatment.

Here are some common misconceptions about lymphedema:

Myth 1: It is an incurable condition. While it can be managed, lymphedema is a lifelong condition that will not go away over time. In fact, because it is a chronic progressive condition, even mild cases can eventually escalate and have serious consequences if not properly treated.

The gold standard for lymphedema treatment is complete decongestive therapy, which consists of two stages: a clinical phase where a lymphedema therapist performs manual lymph drainage and bandaging, and a self-care phase where the patient or caregiver performs the daily massage and bandaging. The clinical treatment may only take 4-6 weeks, but managing lymphedema is an ongoing process.

Myth 2: It will only develop within the first five years after surgery and radiation. Although we wish this were true, people can develop lymphedema at any stage in life. I have heard of a cancer survivor who 30 years after her treatment developed lymphedema after reaching up to pull down a garage door. It may be uncommon, but it can happen.

Myth 3: Lymphedema will make one's arm huge. One-size-fits-all is not true for lymphedema. Like cancer, lymphedema has various stages. Stage I is mild, Stage II moderate and Stage III severe. I've seen pictures of a lymphedemous leg grossly misshapen, and I've seen cases where I could hardly tell the person had lymphedema.

Myth 4: The sentinel node biopsy that only removes a few lymph nodes stops lymphedema from happening. The procedure, while reducing the incidence of lymphedema, has not eliminated it. Genetic predisposition to any disruption of lymphatic flow may tip the scales.

Myth 5: A person at risk for lymphedema or who has it should not carry heavy objects. This has recently been disproven. In fact, gradual lifting of weights with a compression garment helps with lymphatic flow.

Myth 6: If your limb starts to swell you can wait a while to get therapy. If you notice any swelling in a limb after removal of lymph nodes, even after a sentinel node biopsy, see a surgeon right away. The earlier you catch it, the better. If the doctor does not listen, go to another M.D. who will. And if you are diagnosed, insist that you get a prescription for lymphedema therapy.

To reduce the risk of developing lymphedema, many therapists advise patients to have their arm fitted for a compression sleeve to be donned during plane rides longer than four hours. But newer findings indicate that cabin pressure at high altitudes may not make a difference in swelling. In addition, survivors may wish to wear the sleeve when lifting heavy objects with that arm. One should consult the National Lymphedema Network or Step-Up, Speak Out to get current, reliable doctor-approved advice on risk-reduction practices.

While certain triggers have been found anecdotally to bring on lymphedema (such as long plane rides or repeated puncture wounds), many experts in lymphology now surmise that those who develop lymphedema do so because of a genetic predisposition. Also, some people are born with more lymph nodes than others, providing a more protective effect.

Notwithstanding myriad myths and misconceptions about lymphedema, my main advice is never to despair. You can lead a normal life after lymphedema. Some patients turn the anger they feel toward their surgeon in not informing them of lymphedema into legislative and other action to ensure more research is directed toward this under-served condition. Others start Web sites and blogs to provide needed information to patients at risk and those with lymphedema. Still others go on to live their lives without fanfare. All of these responses are valid.

For tips on breast cancer survival and management of lymphedema, visit Jan Hasak's Web site at http://www.janhasak.com/. Jan Hasak is author of two books on breast cancer: "Mourning Has Broken: Reflections on Surviving Cancer" and "The Pebble Path: Returning Home from a Forest of Shadows." A blogger and speaker, Jan Hasak volunteers for the American Cancer Society and serves as breast cancer and lymphedema patient-advocate with the National Lymphedema Network. She also serves on the Board of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group to lobby U.S. Congress on a bill to pay for lymphedema garments and other devices.

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Facts You Might Not Be Aware Of About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in women has been on the decline and this is being related to more awareness and early screening. Cancer of the breast is the leading cause of death in women followed by lung cancer. More cases of this cancer have been reported in the developed counties compared to the developing countries. Out of every 36 deaths in women, one of them is likely to have died from cancer of the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, around 1.3 million women world wide are diagnosed with the cancer and 465,000 women die due to the disease.

It occurs when the damaged cells or the cells that are supposed to die off start to multiply uncontrollably causing a mass known as a tumor. The tumor can form in the ducts or the lobules in both men and women but more common in women. The best way to detect cancer of the breast early is by going for regular mammograms. This is an x ray of the breast.

Treatment of cancer will depend on the stage, rate of growth of the tumor, its size and the stage. Some of the treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Treatment can also involve multiple therapies. Early detection of breast cancer is important because treatment will be more effective. This together with proper treatment will also reduce the chances of death from the condition.

According to statistics by the National Cancer Institute, although all women can get breast cancer, the risk is higher with not only age but also race. 77% of reported cases of cancer of the breast are usually of women over the age of 50. They also conclude that;

Cancer of the breast is likely to be detected late in African American women making their death rates higher compared to white women. However, the death rates for white women over the age of 70 are higher than those of African women of the same age.

In the United States, white, African American women and Hawaiian women have the highest incidences of developing invasive breast cancer compared to Vietnamese, Korean and American Indian women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, white women have the highest incidences of this cancer followed by black, Hispanic, Asian and American Indians. Black women have the higher rates of death from the cancer followed by white, Hispanic, American Indians and Asian women.

Emma Wanjiku is an experienced writer and publisher who focusses/reports on issues affecting you. Her research is based on aspects and topics of life that matter. She is a trained journalist. For daily health tips and fitness information, access her health site at http://www.emmalifetips.com/

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What You Should Know About Older Women and Breast Cancer

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I had a question from one of my clients about why should she worry about breast cancer "at her age?" We devote a lot of press to mothers and daughters and sisters and spouses, but what about grandmothers and great-grandmothers? What I am going to share with you in this posting may seem a bit of a surprise, because we tend to focus a lot of our attention on women who are in their prime when we think about breast cancer. We may even think that older - and very post-menopausal - women need not be as concerned about a medical risk often associated with hormonal activity.

There has been research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering that basically says that regular testing works as well if not better for older patients as it does for younger patients, because if the cancer is caught early - and therefore small - these women have a very favorable prognosis. In other research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston doctors followed about 65,000 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer using Medicare data alongside women without breast cancer who numbered 170,000. Women over 65 who were diagnosed in this group with what is called ductal cell carcinoma in situ and stage I cancer - what they refer to as DCIS - were just as likely to survive for the study period of eight years as those without this diagnosis. Now, this is the amazing part. The women who were diagnosed before 80 years of age actually lived a bit longer than women who did not have breast cancer.

Treatment decisions can be complicated for older patients. And it is mostly because older patients tend to have other medical issues going on which providers refer to as co-morbidities. As we get older, we may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or something else. In other research physicians have found that more conservative, non-surgical, non-radiation, even non-chemotherapy can be effective. But again, it comes down to early detection to avoid the complications of a more aggressive cancer.

Even if we just come out and say women who got breast exams were just taking better care of themselves, early detection seems to be working better for older women than their younger counterparts. And, of course, we should take the larger lesson that early diagnosis and treatment are incredibly important for any elder for whom we are caregivers. When I first looked into breast cancer and older patients I actually thought I was going to find professionals suggesting it is not as essential to have breast exams as patients get older. The research seems to be saying that doctors ought to be talking to their female patients at every age, because stage II and stage III patients did not fair as well. Talk to your provider to see what is optimal for the age of the elder for whom you care.

Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Case Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families. Please email your questions to Charlotte Bishop.

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Interesting Facts About Human Hair Wigs

Human hair wigs are everywhere these days. You can find them in shopping malls, boutiques, salons and even on your favorite TV show. Seeing various types of wigs is really a feast to the eyes. There are numerous reasons why women love to wear wigs.

Some wear wigs because they want to get a new look every now and then without the need of expert stylists from the salon. Others may have undergone therapy or are suffering from extreme hair loss which is why they wear wigs. Isn't it amazing how easily these major changes can now be done these days?

Oftentimes, those who wear wigs are looking for those that are easy to use and ones that fit perfectly on them. Aside from that, these women also want wigs that are natural looking. Due to this reason, human hair wigs are what they should use.

These wigs don't look artificial; they actually look like real hair! What's good about these wigs is that they don't have to look the same all the time. If you want to change the way they look, you can easily style them, cut them or color them just the way you like it. How long can a wig last? Actually, it depends upon how it is taken care of.

If a wig is properly styled, shampooed and conditioned, it will surely last for a long time. If you are planning to buy your very own human wig, then you should be prepared for its cost because it usually doesn't come out cheap. When compared to synthetic wigs, these wigs are more costly. You also need to equip yourself with the knowledge on how to take care of your wig properly so that you can extend its life span. Are you wondering how real wigs look like?

Most of the time, these wigs have nylon mesh caps attached to them. However, this construction still varies for every manufacturer.

If what you're looking for is a wig that looks very natural, then you must always look for one that is tied to a monofilament top wig cap. You should specify this to the salesperson of the store in which you plan to buy one. Did you know that a wig may also be brushed?

This is because it is composed of hairs that are hand tied. This means it can move in almost any way possible. If you want to get several styles out of your wig, you can do so with the use of a flat iron, curlers and a blow drier. When you look around the market, you will notice that these wigs are either unstyled, semi styled or styled. They also usually have extra hair in them so that they can be re-styled anytime. With all of these to offer, human hair wigs are clearly worth buying.

Find more valuable information about Human hair Wigs and to find a Human Hair Wig to suit your needs today visit Afuro Hair and Beauty.

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What Boomer Women Should Know About Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society expects that 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2011, 57,650 new cases of CIS (the non-invasive form of breast cancer), and that about 39,520 women will die from breast cancer. That's too many! What should Boomer women know about prevention?

There has been much publicity about Vitamin D of late. Now studies have shown that the mighty vitamin D can also help protect all of us Baby Boomer women against breast cancer.

I encourage every woman to check her vitamin D level regularly and keep it in the optimal range. Based upon the outdated requirements for this important vitamin, which have recently been increased, "normal" is not the same as optimal. Many of us have been told by our physician for years that our vitamin D levels are normal. It's time to get them checked against the newer "optimal" standards.

Most docs today now recommend supplementing with 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per day, as well as getting as much from your diet as you can. I know it's hard to get all you need from food. Fatty fish like Salmon, herring, catfish and halibut are good sources, but if you don't like fish it can be difficult to find high levels of this important vitamin in other foods.

There is another easy way to optimize our vitamin D. Make sure you are getting plenty of regular, safe, sun exposure. Believe it or not, the sun is actually the best source of vitamin D. The sun's UVB rays help our bodies manufacture vitamin D in the fat layer under the skin. Our own body can make all the vitamin D we need from regular sun exposure. We should spend about fifteen minutes showing some skin before we put on our sunscreen; exposing the skin is good for us as long as we don't burn.

There is also evidence that Vitamin K not only helps activate proteins that are involved in the structuring of bone mass, which is good news for all of us Baby Boomer women, but recent studies show it also has an anti-cancer effect; vitamin K has been used in the treatment of several different cancers, including breast cancer. You can get your vitamin K in swiss chard, kale, parsley and spinach, broccoli and cauliflower, brussels sprouts, liver, soybean oil and wheat bran. Many more choices here than with vitamin D, however, supplements are also available if you'd prefer.

Dietand Exercise are hugely important in preventing breast cancer. A study published in the " Journal of Clinical Oncology " reinforces previous findings that women with breast cancer greatly reduce their risk of recurrence by eating a healthy, plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly. This study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, tracked dietary patterns and exercise habits of nearly 1,500 women who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Researchers found that the death rate for women who consumed a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and practiced good exercise habits, was 44% lower than the rate for women who exercised little and ate few plant-based foods. Almost half the risk, wow!

So, as my dear ol'gram used to say: "take your vities, eat all your veggies, and get plenty of fresh air!"

Best of Health,

Kathi

Kathi Casey, The Healthy Boomer Body Expert provides weight loss tips, relief from Menopause Symptoms, Sciatic Nerve Pain Remedies and more: http://www.healthyboomerbody.com/

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7 FAQs About Breast Cancer

1. What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from breast tissue. Malignant tumor itself is a group of cancer cells which invade the surrounding tissues; it can also spread to other parts of the body which are not directly related to the affected area.

2. How does it occur?

This disease is caused by the mutation or abnormal changes in our genes which trigger the overgrowth of cancerous cells. What normally happens in our body is that when old cells die, they are replaced with new ones. If a genetic mutation occurs, the cells rapidly grow and multiply out of control to form a tumor. The malignant tumor is what we call cancer.

3. What are the warning signs?

One of the most common symptoms of the disease is the presence of a lump in the breast. Abnormal lumps can also be found in the lymph nodes of the armpit. Other symptoms include the change in size, shape, and tenderness of the breast, inversion of the nipple, skin dimpling, and bloody or clear discharge from the nipple.

4. I have breast cancer history in my family. Can I inherit the disease?

Every woman or man can be affected by the disease regardless his or her family history. Although indeed family history increase your risk of getting the cancer, in fact, only 10-15% of all breast cancer cases are believed to be caused by inherited gene mutation. About 80% of women who are diagnosed with the disease do not have family history of the disease.

5. What factors can increase my risk of getting the cancer?

The disease may be caused by many factors including sex, age, race, as well as childbearing and breastfeeding. Women aged 55 or older or those who give birth for the first time after the age of 30 have higher chance of getting the cancer. In the U.S., Caucasian women are also more prone than African American women. On the other hand, women from Native American, Asian, and Hispanic origins have lower risk.

6. Does it also occur in men?

The disease can also occur in men, although very rarely. However, breast cancer cases in men tend to be more serious due to late diagnosis.

7. I am diagnosed with this cancer recently. Can it be cured? What are my odds of surviving?

The chance of survival from the disease depends greatly on what stage it is at. The earlier it is detected, the more likely it can be cured. Thanks to modern medical technology, new diagnostic techniques offer more accurate diagnosis. A patient may undergo treatments such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery depending on the type and stage of the cancer.

Breast cancer is the second most common as well as the second most lethal cancer in women. Visit our website to get more details about the cancer as well as pictures on breast cancer.

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