By Nathalie Fiset Every year, more women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Statistics show that on the average, 1 out of 8 women can have the illness. The good news, however, is that it can actually be treated. At present, there are significantly more breast cancer survivors than there were 10 or 20 years ago. Aside from medical breakthrough, the reason for this increase is early detection. As soon as we see any of the breast cancer symptoms, we should seek medical help immediately.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the uncontrollable or abnormal growth of cells in the breast. When cell growth can no longer be controlled, the cells spread and affect other healthy cells. It may start at the lobules, ducts, or tissues and vessels in the breast. Basically this is how breast cancer cells behave.

The problem is, not all breast cancers are easy to detect. Of course, if you have any of the risk factors of breast cancer, then you will most likely develop the illness. But even so, there is no hard and fast rule with regard to breast cancer symptoms. Feeling pain in the breast may not necessarily be cancer. Some tumors, although apparent, are actually benign or harmless. On the other hand, a simple rash may be cancer. Nonetheless, it is still wise to at least be familiar with the symptoms just in case the tumors are evident.

What are the breast cancer symptoms?

Every woman knows how a breast should normally look like. Breasts should be its usual size, contour and color, free of any distortion or swelling. Here are the things to watch out for: - Lump, thickening or mass that you may feel when you gently press your fingers flat on the breast surface. This is detected during a breast exam. - Swelling or redness or change in color of the breast. - Change in the shape, or distortion of the breast, or if a breast grows noticeably bigger than the other. It is not necessary that breasts be perfectly symmetrical, but if you notice one breast grows larger over a period of time, then it is time to see a doctor. - Dimpling or ridges on the skin, as well as rash or scaled skin. - Inverted nipple or that which is pushed inward or has changed position. - Nipple discharge, whether colorless, milky, yellow or blood discharge.

Men can also have breast cancer, although rarely. The symptoms are the same as that for women. Other symptoms for male breast cancer are nipple pain, nipple and areola sores and enlarged lymph nodes.

If you see any of the symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

What screening tests are available?

It is advised for women from age 20 up to do a monthly personal breast check. Once this practice becomes habitual, you will become more familiar with your breasts, making the symptoms more obvious if they arise. Consult a doctor for the proper procedure of breast inspection, or you can visit websites which feature the steps to a breast examination. If you are not sure of how to do the exam yourself, you can undergo a clinical breast exam. Here, the doctor does the checking for you. A doctor can find lumps that you may miss during a self-exam.

Apart from self-examination, women are also advised to undergo screening tests such as mammograms to know if you have cancer, even if the symptoms are not present. Mammography is a procedure to detect or screen as well as diagnose cancer, if symptoms are present. There are two types of mammograms: screening and diagnostic. Women at age 40 are advised to take mammograms annually. Other screening tests such as MRI scanning and ultrasound may also be taken, depending on the age and risk factors, and upon the doctor’s advice.

So the next time you do a breast self-exam, or just stare at your breasts, you know what your breasts should and shouldn’t look like. Once a symptom is noticeable, it’s time to see a doctor. Do not be afraid to do so, because, sooner or later, you will still need to see one, but better make it sooner before it’s too late. Knowing the breast cancer symptoms can actually save you, as cancer can be cured if detected early.

For more information on breast cancers and their solutions, please visit:   

http://fightbreastcancers.com/breast-cancer-symptoms.html
http://fightbreastcancers.com/
http://www.drnathaliefiset.com 

Thank you Nathalie for this informative article.  To read about my own personal brush with breast cancer, visit my personal blogsite.

Can delayed menstruation be a sign of pregnancy?  I haven’t had sex yet ok???

Answer:

Yes, delayed menstruation can be a sign of pregnancy. If you haven’t had sex yet, my next question would be, have you been intimate in any way like heavy petting and fondling (naked with genitals touching, or him masturbating then touching your genital, or you handling his penis then touching your vagina)?

You don’t actually have to have penetration (penis inside vagina) to become pregnant. Sperm can travel by way of petting and fondling. And the man doesn’t have to ejaculate either. There’s a tiny bit of fluid called “pre-cum” that also has active, living sperm in it. And this fluid shows up way before he ejaculates.

If you haven’t done any of these things, then it could be something as simple as a hormonal imbalance, which can be caused by anything from stress, to increased exercise, to weight loss or gain, to a host of other things.

Are you on the pill? 

Sometimes woman have even forgotten to take the inactive pills in their pack and will start on the next pack of pills. It’s an easy mistake to make and will definitely stop your period.

How late are you?

If not very, meaning a couple of days, then just sit tight and wait a few more days. It’s normal to not be perfectly regular all the time. If after a couple of weeks and still no “miss flo,” see your doctor.

Few days ago I start getting sick, thirst, sleepy, lack of energy, frequent urination, blurred vision, looseing weight. I had diabeties seven months ago when I was pregnant, is there a chance I have it now.

Answer:

Yes, it’s very possible. You have the symptoms and one of the bad things about gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant), is that you are more prone to developing diabetes later on. Go to your doctor ASAP, because if you are diabetic and you’re having these symptoms, you may be heading for a medical emergency called DKA. You have a plus on your side though. You are aware of what these symptoms may be coming from because of your bout of gestational diabetes. Most people who have these symptoms do nothing until they’ve had to be rushed to the hospital in diabetic DKA, or resulting diabetic coma, which is life threatening. See your doctor NOW. Look up the information or ask the doctor about this later (after you get there).

Really, hurry up!

How long after unprotected sex do i know i’m gonna be OK? I’ve had a sexual encounter without a condom a while ago and i wanna know HOW and WHEN do i know for sure if i haven’t caught HIV/AIDS ( or other STD’s) without having tests done,please!? And if i have , what would be the simptomes over time?

Answer:

AIDS prevention is one of my missions. You will never know if you’re HIV (+) until you get really sick, which could take years. An HIV test at 3 months and again at 6 months is the only way to get your answer. Of course, this is provided you’re not having any unprotected sex during this time. Now, some people will have mild flu-like symptoms about 2-3 weeks after being infected, but even if they notice them, they probably won’t attribute them to being exposed to the AIDS virus.

I know you’re scared, but you need to do this. You’ll feel much better and will practice safer sex once you find that you’re negative. If you are positive, the earlier you get treatment the better.

It absolutely breaks my heart to write this, because I do understand your fear. I work with AIDS patients almost everyday and it’s very sad, but especially sad when they’re very young. And those are the people who AIDS is hitting hardest right now.

Now you probably have nothing to worry about. There’s a very good chance that you will test negative. Then you’ll realize that this scare may have been the best thing that ever happened to you. Because here’s the thing, if you don’t get tested, one day this fear you’re feeling right now is going to blow over and you may just take one more chance. That chance could be strike #3.

Please go and get tested!

As far as other STD’s go, some may not show any symptoms at all, especially if you’re a girl. But if you’re a guy, the only STD that I can think of at this very moment that would be evident very early on (within days), with very pronounced symptoms that you would have to address would be gonorrhea (the clap). It’s too painful not to, and symptoms come on pretty fast.

Syphilis, I rank this one behind AIDS. It can lead to death, although it’s not a fast death. It’s transmitted by the blood and is diagnosed by a blood test. It’s first symptom is a painless sore at the point of entry of the spirochete to the body. Yes I said spirochete. Syphilis is not caused by a bacteria or virus. It’s actually caused by a little worm-like organism that makes holes in everything it comes in contact with, including vessels, organ, etc. It is very easy to treat, however, in the first stages.

Herpes symptoms can be, but not usually, so mild that you won’t notice. Genital warts may take months or years to appear. I group these together, because once you have them, you always will. But the stigma has lightened on these two, because so many people are infected with them.

All the rest of the STD’s are pieces of cake. Although some of them may cause serious complications if left untreated, they can be cured very easily with either a shot or some pills (either antibiotics or antimicrobials).

The main thing is that you must be treated. Don’t be embarrassed. Your doctor has no right to be judgmental. He or she will treat you and your problem with professionalism. You can also try the health department if you don’t have the money to see a private doctor. They charge based on income, so if you have no income, you won’t have to pay anything.

And remember, if you’re not yet able to readily go and get help for these type things when they come up, you may need to rethink having sex right now. What’s the rush anyway? It’s darned sure not worth it!

I sleep from 12 in night to 11 in morning and I still feel tired!? I don’t drink coffee or eat 3 hours before sleeping time. I just read a bit and in morning I can never wake up when the alarm clock is ringing. During last weekend I had slept more than 34 h! I can’t work or even study. I drink more then 3 liter coffee a day, but I am still tired. When I went to GP he told me he doesn’t consider it as a problem. But it is a problem for me.

Answer:

You are probably getting too much sleep. It can make you just as tired as not getting enough. Do you actually stay asleep for the entire time, or do you find yourself waking up and going back to sleep? The reason I ask is because no two people are the same. You need to figure out how much sleep you need. Some people do well with 5 hours, while others need as much as 8-9 hours. But if you’re waking up tired, then 11 hours is totally too much. And you’re also disturbing your body’s natural bio-rhythm. If you do find that you’re waking up and then going back to sleep, ask yourself how you feel when you wake up the first time. If you feel energized, but just not ready to get up, this is when you need to get up. Note how many hours there are between going to bed and waking up when you’re feeling energized. This is the number of hours your body needs. Once you figure this out, try to stick to it. You’ll feel better and your body will love you for it.

I seriously need help!? 

They apeared 3 months ago… 2 months after my first sexual contact…. I need to do my analysis now… but please… what should i expect? They don’t look like the ones made by AIDS.

Answer:

Sounds like it could possibly be genital warts. Do the “small white things” look like growths or bumps? Have you tried to pull them off? If so, do they bleed easily? Are they growing?

Growths –>bleeds easily–>growing–> possibly warts.

Warts can take months to appear after contracting the virus. Go get checked and diagnosed. If they are warts, the actual growths can be treated. However, the virus remains on the skin. Don’t let this alarm you though. So many people are infected with this virus today that the stigma is all but gone. If they are warts, they’re only going to get bigger and harder to treat. So it’s important that you see someone about it soon.

Another thing to keep in mind, once you’ve been infected with the virus that causes warts, the virus remains on the skin and you’ll be able to transmit the disease to your sex partners even after the actual growths are gone.

Please start having safer sex.

I’ve gotten fever blisters since i was a child, when i reached my teens they got really bad. My whole lip would swell 2 times its size and i’d sometimes get up to 7 blisters and sometimes on both lips.  I would have 2 huge lips and it would hurt to even talk. I missed school everytime i got a blister because it looks so horrible and it hurt to even move my mouth.  How did i end up getting herpes simplex, which is fever blisters? I dont know how it started?

Answer

You’re right, fever blisters is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.

Well, somewhere along the way you’ve come in contact with someone else who had the virus and passed it on to you. Since you’ve been getting the blisters since you were little, you know that you contracted the virus very early. And back then, people didn’t realize that the blisters were caused by a virus. They simply thought that some people “got” fever blisters when they had a fever or a cold. Today we know that was because the virus travels to the surface when the immune system is weak.  Once you have it, the virus remains in the body, dormantly hiding in the nervous system.  And sometimes, mostly during times of stress, illness, and sometimes trauma to the affected site, the virus travels back along the nerves to the original area of infection.  Which is why the infected person will feel a tingly sensation, called the prodromal period, before the actual blisters appear. 

So I said all that to say, you probably were infected very innocently. Some lady may have kissed you while she was having an “outbreak,” not knowing that the blisters were contagious. 

Silver Lining and Advice:  

In all of our yesterday’s ignorance of fever blisters and the herpes virus, at least that unsuspecting person didn’t kiss you on the eye. Herpes infections of the eyes can lead to blindness. Make sure you use good handwashing when you have an active infection (blisters). Herpes can be spread to any open area (like an open scrape, wound, sore) on the body and any mucous membrane (any area on the body that has very thin skin or stays moist like gums, lips, eyes, nostrils, nose).

Eat well balanced meals, exercise, and take care of yourself, and try to alleviate stress as much as possible.  Those are the best ways to naturally  decrease the number of outbreaks you have.  I don’t advocate the use of herbal remedies, because some of them can have serious, adverse reactions when mixed with other medications you may be using.  Speak to your doctor before taking any herbal remedies.

Your doctor can prescribe medications which can shorten the duration of the outbreak.  The medication is called Valtrex.  It’s an antiviral which prevents or slows the virus from reproducing.  Of course every medication has side effects, so speak with your doctor and find out is Valtrex is right for you.

Why does it takes longer for cuts and wounds to heal for a person with diabetes?

Answer:

First of all is the circulation issue. Circulation is how your body gets oxygen to all the tissues.
Oxygen is needed for healing. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to poor circulation, therefore healing is slowed because of insufficient oxygen getting to the site of injury.  

Next is the actual problem of having a high blood sugar level. When your blood sugar is high, it means that you literally have too much sugar in your blood stream. Sugar is a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria and yeast to grow. So open wounds are more likely to become infected, which also slows the healing process.

Uncontrolled diabetes is actually the leading cause of lower leg amputation because of it’s direct connection to the poor circulation and risk of infection that’s associated with it.  A person who is diabetic has to be extremely cautious and meticulous with care, especially wound care, of the feet and legs. 

Diabetic Foot Care:

• Because diabetes can cause numbness to the lower extremities, inspect feet and legs daily for injury. 
• Keep feet dry and covered with protective foot wear.  Never use lotions and creams, except those specifically okayed by a physician. 
• Use extreme caution when trimming the toe nails or shaving legs. 
• Avoid professional pedicures.  But if this is not the answer for you, remember to never shave before your visit, and make sure the salon is appropriately cleaning their equipment between clients.  Inspect your feet and toes for nicks and abrasions after the treatment. 
• Never attempt to take care of a foot injury on your own (ie. stepping on sharp object).
• And report any wounds that are not healing to your physician promptly.

Is this a narchotic or does it have anything like that in it? I had a friend give me some for migraines I have. She got it for kidney stones, and I am wondering will i get that woozy feeling or high feeling? Or will it be like taking a tylenol? thanks;)

Answer: 

No ibuprofen is not a narcotic. It’s an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The other more widely known name for it is Motrin, which you can buy over the counter, but in a lower dosage. The 800mg-dose is prescription strength because of the side effects that it can have on your body, like abdominal bleeding for one. Ibuprofen should always be taken with food or milk. And you should never use for a long period of time. Well, it won’t make you high, but I did have a friend who swore it made her sleepy. I’ve never had this side effect from taking this med, though. If you suffer from migraines, you should see your doctor and let him give you a prescription for something especially geared towards treating and relieving migraine pain. This would be better than taking your friends medication and then ending up in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer. I can not stress enough how wrong it is to take someone else’s prescribed medications.  But if you do take them, use them sparingly until you see your doctor. And remember to take with food. If no food is available, drink some milk. Never take on an empty stomach. You’d be setting yourself up for problems.

If a person chooses to have sex with an HIV+ partner, which is easier, getting HIV or getting pregnant, assuming no condom?

Answer:

If contemplating having sex with someone who is HIV (+), well that is definitely a personal choice, but a condom with spermicide (which offers some additional protection as well) should definitely be used. It would be a pretty bad idea not to.

Well, this is just an educated guess, but I would have to say that transmitting the AIDS virus would probably be easier than conceiving.

A woman actually has a pretty narrow window for conception, which is only hours during ovulation. The egg only survives about 12-24 hours after ovulation and then can only be fertilized when in a specific area of the fallopian tube. Because sperm can live for some days inside of the vagina, It’s possible to become pregnant even if you don’t have sex during ovulation. But conception still only happens during actual ovulation. Sperm has the ability to live for 2-7 days inside the vagina, so they can simply wait patiently for the egg to be ready for fertilization.

But the AIDS virus, on the other hand, can be transmitted at any time of the month. All you need is blood to blood contact (or blood to semen/vaginal fluid contact), which is very likely to happen through sex because of microscopic tears and abrasions to the vagina or the penis during the actual act. And even more so if you choose to have sex while the HIV-positive woman is menstruating, or if you’re having anal sex. Anal sex causes more trauma, tears, abrasions.

So that’s my answer, but I’ve never actually done any research on this specific topic. This is purely my opinion.