Early Signs Of Breast Cancer That Women Should Not Ignore

   

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing among younger women, so women need to opt for screening and early detection of the cancer on time.

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a tumour. While older age is a significant risk factor, breast cancer can also affect women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Young women may find it particularly difficult to detect breast cancer early because early detection recommendations are lower and they know less about their risk factors. Watch for the following early signs of breast cancer to seek timely medical intervention.

A noticeable lump or thickened area in the breast or armpit is often the first sign of breast cancer. The lump may feel different from the surrounding tissue and may persist for a long time.

Unexplained changes in breast size, shape or symmetry should be observed. These include swelling, shrinkage or asymmetry that are not related to the menstrual cycle. While breast pain is rarely a symptom of breast cancer, any new, persistent pain or discomfort in the breast or nipple should be evaluated by a doctor.

Redness, dimpling, wrinkling or flaky skin on the breast (similar to orange peel skin) may indicate underlying problems and should be evaluated promptly.

Changes in the appearance of the nipple, such as inversion (turning inward), retraction or discharge (not breast milk), should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

A personal or family history of breast cancer, particularly with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, increases the risk. Previous radiation treatment to the chest or breasts, for example for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, increases the chance of developing breast cancer later in life. Early menstruation (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55), hormone replacement therapy and taking oral contraceptives can affect breast cancer risk. Obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.

 

 

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DRD2 May Protect Brain Regions from Alcohol-Induced Brain Damage

Brain scans of two strains of mice imbibing significant quantities of alcohol reveal serious shrinkage in some brain regions — but only in mice lacking a particular type of receptor for dopamine, the brain’s “reward” chemical. The study, conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory and published in the May 2012 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, now online, provides new evidence that these dopamine receptors, known as DRD2, may play a protective role against alcohol-induced brain damage.

“This study clearly demonstrates the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in determining the damaging effects of alcohol on the brain, and builds upon our previous findings suggesting a protective role of dopamine D2 receptors against alcohol’s addictive effects,” said study author Foteini Delis, a neuroanatomist with the Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Lab at Brookhaven, which is funded through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Coauthor and Brookhaven/NIAA neuroscientist Peter Thanos stated that, “These studies should help us better understand the role of genetic variability in alcoholism and alcohol-induced brain damage in people, and point the way to more effective prevention and treatment strategies.”

The current study specifically explored how alcohol consumption affects brain volume — overall and region-by-region — in normal mice and a strain of mice that lack the gene for dopamine D2 receptors. Half of each group drank plain water while the other half drank a 20 percent ethanol solution for six months. Then scientists performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on all the mice and compared the scans of those drinking alcohol with those from the water drinkers in each group.

The scans showed that chronic alcohol drinking induced significant overall brain atrophy and specific shrinkage of the cerebral cortex and thalamus in the mice that lacked dopamine D2 receptors, but not in mice with normal receptor levels. Mice in both groups drank the same amount of alcohol.
“This pattern of brain damage mimics a unique aspect of brain pathology observed in human alcoholics, so this research extends the validity of using these mice as a model for studying human alcoholism,” Thanos said.

In humans, these brain regions are critically important for processing speech, sensory information, and motor signals, and for forming long-term memories. So this research helps explain why alcohol damage can be so widespread and detrimental.

“The fact that only mice that lacked dopamine D2 receptors experienced brain damage in this study suggests that DRD2 may be protective against brain atrophy from chronic alcohol exposure,” Thanos said. “Conversely, the findings imply that lower-than-normal levels of DRD2 may make individuals more vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol.”

That would in effect deal people with low DRD2 levels a double whammy of alcohol vulnerability: Previous studies conducted by Thanos and collaborators suggest that individuals with low DRD2 levels may be more susceptible to alcohol’s addictive effects.

“The increased addictive liability and the potentially devastating increased susceptibility to alcohol toxicity resulting from low DRD2 levels make it clear that the dopamine system is an important target for further research in the search for better understanding and treatment of alcoholism,” Thanos said.




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Sleep apnoea can contribute to cancer, know how to treat it naturally

Do you snore loudly at night? Do you also suffer from morning headaches? If yes, you are probably suffering from sleep apnoea. It is a sleep disorder in which your breathing stops for a short period while you sleep. This causes deficiency of oxygen in the body. Because of this, you may gasp for breath and, sometimes, wake up due to the loud sound of your own snoring.

Symptoms of this condition include gasping for air during sleep, irritability, morning headache, insomnia and a feeling of sleepiness during the daytime. If not treated on time, sleep apnoea can cause fatigue, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes, liver problem, etc. Additionally, this condition can also cause relationship problems by depriving your partner from sleep.

If you are a middle-aged male with a heart disorder, your likelihood of suffering from this disease goes up by notches. Use of narcotic medication and a stroke also make you susceptible to this sleep problem. You may experience mental health issues, poor immune function, heart failure, or/and memory loss if proper measures are not taken on time.

WOMAN WITH SLEEP APNEA HAVE INCREASED RISK OF CANCER: STUDY

We earlier mentioned that men are more at risk of developing sleep apnoea. But if you happen to be a woman and you suffer from this condition, your risk of developing cancer is more than your male counterparts, says a recent research published in the European Respiratory Journal. During the study, the scientists collected data of 20,000 patients with sleep apnoea. It was found that around two per cent of these patients were later diagnosed with cancer.

Researchers analysed data based on age, gender, alcohol consumption, body mass index and smoking. Again, there was a strong association between sleep apnoea and higher cancer prevalence. Additionally, the link was stronger in women than men.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR SLEEP APNEA

Considering the various health problems that come with sleep apnoea, it is extremely important to treat this disorder as soon as possible. But before that, you need to confirm your condition. And for that, you need to visit a sleep specialist. He will perform tests like nocturnal polysomnography. It includes attaching equipment to your body to measure your heart rate, breathing pattern, brain activity, arm and leg movement and level of oxygen in blood when you are sleeping.

If your condition is not too severe, you will have to make certain lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and losing weight. If the problem is due to nasal allergies, you will have to undergo treatment for that allergy. In case, this does not work, you will be recommended other treatment options like continuous positive airway pressure, use of oral appliances, etc. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. This may include tissue removal, tissue shrinkage, implants, nerve stimulation and tracheostomy (process of creating a new air passage).

In addition to seeking medical help, you may also try to get relief by following some natural remedies. Here, we tell you about a few simple modifications that can offer relief from this disorder.

Try to maintain a healthy weight
Previously, various studies have proven that obesity can increase your risk of airway obstruction. Excess weight can narrow your nasal passages. This can cause breathing problems and lead to disturbed sleep.
According to a research published in the journal Chest, the prevalence of sleep apnoea is almost twice in obese patients as compared to those who are in good shape. Actually, when you are obese, the fat molecules may be deposited in the tissues surrounding your upper airway. This can cause breathing difficulties and eventually lead to this condition. To maintain good weight, indulge in regular exercise. Also, have healthy foods like green vegetables, fruit juices, etc.

Make yoga a way of life
As we all are aware, yoga is an old exercise technique that basically involves breathing. In yoga, how you breathe is extremely important and the positive effects rely on that. Indulging in yoga on a daily basis can increase your energy level. It can help treat this sleeping disorder and boost your heart health as well. As mentioned earlier, heart problems are one of the reasons behind sleep apnoea. Practicing yoga actually improves strength of your respiratory system and boosts the flow of oxygen.

Adopt the right sleep position
According to a 2006 study published in the journal European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck, more than half of sleep apnoea cases are due to wrong sleeping position. Experts in the field say that sleeping on your back can actually make your condition worse. It can block your airway and increase snoring episodes. Try sleeping on your side. It can help you to a certain degree.

Invest in a humidifier
It is a device that is known to add moisture to the air. If your nasal passage is dry, it can cause irritation and can worsen the situation. Use a humidifier to moisten the air and see the result. This can improve your breathing capacity by opening your airways. For best results, you can add essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint to your humidifier. These oils are known to have soothing benefits. Also, they have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Don’t smoke or drink alcohol
As mentioned earlier, positive lifestyle changes can improve your overall health. This includes your sleeping and breathing patterns. As far as the effect of alcohol is concerned, it actually relaxes the throat muscles that control your breathing. This is what leads to interrupted sleep and snoring. If you drink too much, there are chances that you may develop inflammation in your airways. This can further worsen the condition. Smoking can also contribute to these problems.

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