Written by
Phylis. I'd like to know where you stand on choosing alternative medicine rather than going through chemo & radiation. I'm ill with Lupus, and I use a physican that believes in eliminating sugar completely, and using other methods of treatment that are used in Europe instead of what we use here. He beleives that only Prostrate cancer truly responds to chemo, and that doctors listed in Suzanne Somer's book that use building up the immune system, then coaxing the cancer cells out and then zapping them with treatment works... I know I would not be able to tolerate the current protocol, so I would like to have some security measures in place, should I have to face this illness. Also, they believe that Bio identical hormome treatment actually protects you, by keeping your bones strong, & immune system stronger, because it doesn't go through the liver. it goes through the skin in a cream. This is very vague information, so please forgive me if I say something completely ignorant.
Tammy, since conventional medical treatment saved my life, I strongly support it. Of course, it is not easy to tolerate some of the treatments, but every year there are less toxic medicines like the newer targeted therapies and also more ways to lessen side effects. When I made treatment decisions, I talked with the doctor about the research on each one. In most cases, I went with the treatment that had the best survival data. There was one treatment I decided not to do for a long list of complex reasons, but also because the survival rate was only slightly better than conventional chemo while the risks were significantly higher. One problem with alternative treatments is that they usually have not been subjected to the same rigorous standard of research that conventional medicines have. I've had the unfortunate experience of hearing from people in a support group I belong to who started with "less toxic" alternative treatments who turned to conventional medicine only when their cancer was too advanced to be successfully treated. I would encourage anyone making treatment decisions to look critically at the research data supporting it.
Not everything we use to fight cancer (or lupus) needs to go through testing. We do not yet have definitive evidence on the connection between certain foods and cancer prevention, but I still try to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables because they might reduce my cancer and heart attack risk and they can't hurt me. I don't know anything about research on sugar and lupus, but cutting out sugar can't hurt you, so it's worth a try.
Oh, one more thing. Although doctors in Europe sometimes use slightly different chemo drugs than are used in the United States and Canada, medical treatment there is excellent and has usually gone through the same kinds of trials as here. Each country has its own version of our Food and Drug Administration, so sometimes the availability of specific treatments may vary. Some countries may not have yet approved Drug A that is showing success in the U.S., and sometimes Drug B is working well in Europe but hasn't been approved yet here. Depending on a specific country's laws, there will also be clinics offering untested treatments, often for a very high price. That is why it is so important for consumers to research medical treatment thoroughly and critically.
I am only 13 but i found a lump in my right breast near the nipple and i just read an article in a teeny magazine about a girl who had breast cancer at 13 so i'm freaking out. I haven't told any one. Anything you have to say would really help me. thanks
No bother at all, Carly. The reason that 13-year-old was in a magazine is because it's so incredibly unusual to have breast cancer that young. The chance of you having breast cancer is way less than 1 in 1 million. So - you need to stop worrying about breast cancer right now. Another reason to stop worrying - breast cancer lumps are almost never painful, while breast lumps signifying growth in girls your age are nearly always painful. Please read message to teens; that should make you feel better. And if the lump grows quickly, and your breast seems infected - red, hot, swollen - then best to see a doctor. In the meantime, if you can't stop thinking about this, tell your mom, or your school nurse; they can help you deal with it. Good luck - PJH
Hi! I am 31 years old and had just previously undergone excition of breast masses for biopsy. They were found out to be fibroadenomas. I have read that women who have undergone excition of fibroadenomas are at risk and are likely to develop carcinomas or cancer. Is this true? Please write back. I'l be waiting for your answer. Thank you.
Sherry Ann, there's some disagreement about this in the scientific community. Most say there's no relationship between fibroadenomas and an increased risk for breast cancer. Some say your risk might be very slightly increased. At any rate, it's nothing to panic about. Your best bet is to act responsibly about your health - good diet, exercise, no smoking, little drinking, get a yearly mammogram, and report any breast changes lasting longer than a month to your doctor. Take care- PJH
I noticed it about 2 weeks before my period. It is in the top part, it doesn't hurt too much but only when I touch it alot.. It is on the left side and I right with my right. My breasts always hurt alot before my period and become more lumpy. It's been 3 weeks now and today I came off my period but the lump is still there, how long should I wait before seeing a doctor. My mum says that she thinks its fine because it moves, is smooth and the size of a pea, but I just need peace of mind as I am a hypocondriact!
You could watch this safely over the course of the month. It may well be part of your normal lumpiness. It could also be a harmless cyst or fibroadenoma. If it is still there in a month, having a doctor check it out would be a good idea. It would probably not be cancer, but it might be a problem that needs a doctor's attention. Of course, it the lump gets larger, or if you have a fever, redness, or signs of infection, don't wait. It sounds like your mom is knowledgeable about what to watch for in breast lumps, so follow her guidance.
The lump shrunk and I'm not too concerned about it anymore.. BUT... I looked in the mirror the other day , I put my hands on my hips and tensed my arms and noticed a small dimple on the left breast.. It's located sort of near the middle of my chest but on the breast. I've been worrying myself sick and I have had upset stomach due to worrying so much. Every single page on the internet that I have looked at says it is a big warning sign for breast cancer.. My mum said she doesn't know about breast dimpling so I don't know what it is :( I have a doctors appointment on Weds and I'm so scared
There are two kinds of dimpling to watch for. One kind of dimpling sounds like what you have, a crease in the breast. If you have a dimple that has always been there, it is not a problem. If a lump starts growing, it can push the skin out in one area, causing a dimple in another area. This kind of dimple needs checking out if it is a change. Another kind of dimpling is pitting in the skin that gives it the texture of orange peel. This kind of dimpling is caused when the breast swells, but the connective tissue holding the skin to the breast tissue doesn't. Skin pitting can be a sign of serious breast problems including cancer, so it always needs to be checked out immediately.
I'm glad your lump is getting smaller. It's clear that you are feeling really stressed, so take a list of questions to your doctor. Get good guidelines for what you need to watch for and what you don't need to worry about.
Thank you for replying so quickly. When I find things I always think the worse.. I hope that it's a normal thing for me. I have never done the tensing [dimple test] before and thats what I found so I don't know if it is normal :( I worry myself so much that I feel like I'm going to be sick and I get an upset stomach.
A dimple that shows up when you flex a muscle is probably not cancer related. You have a layer of muscles under your breast tissue.
I'm sorry that you are so worried. When you talk to the doctor about the breast issues, let him or her know that you are worrying so much that it is literally making you sick. Ask about a referral to a counselor who can help you learn how to manage worry and stress. You want to be concerned enough about health issues that you do something about them like seeing a doctor and following good health habits. However, worrying isn't helpful. If you are still in school, you might make an appointment with the counselor, who will be able to help you manage the worrying or who will be able to refer you to another counselor who can.
I recently noticed a few bruises on my left breast. They look like a rash at first, but do not stick out like a rash and they are blue and purple like normal bruises. They're tiny; little dots the size of the eraser on a pencil. What could it be? Should I be worried?
If it looks like a bruise, it might be a bruise. However, if it doesn't go away within a week or so like a bruise would, you will want to talk to a doctor. You might have some sort of infection that needs treatment. I'm guessing you are young because you are responding to an article on teens and breast problems. If you are a teen, the chances you have breast cancer are extremely low, but discoloration like a bruise in some rare cases can be a form of breast cancer. Frequent bruising for no reason can be a sign of underlying health problems, so notice whether you are getting bruises more easily than before. It is way too early to panic, but do show this area to your mother or other trusted adult who can help you decide if you need to see a doctor.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
hi...ur responses cleared my doubhts as well...
thanx a lot.
i further want to ask...if this hard mass stays for long and has never disappeared what has to be done..
If it stays for a long time and doesn't change (or gets smaller), then it's probably just part of your breast's anatomy. If it grows bigger, you might want to see a doctor to find out if it can be treated, OK? Good luck - PJH