Thursday 8 March 2012

Breast Cancer Treatments The Alternatives

women realize the importance of knowing all they can about breast cancer, which is the second-leading cause of death by cancer among women today. Finding out early on if they have it or if they are at risk of contracting it in the future is critical. Knowing their options when it comes to treatment is likewise important because finding the right approach to treatment will help immensely in effectively fighting this disease.Always remember that the sooner breast cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment is going to be, so prevention and pre-screening is important.
The easiest way to screen for breast cancer is to do a monthly self-breast examination. With the proper instructions from your doctor, this is a simple procedure that can be done at home. Particular attention is focused on changes in the color or size of the breasts, the appearance of lumps or bumps, as well as pain or tenderness in particular areas. If any of these problems is ever found, your physician or gynecologist should immediately be notified . They will then order confirmatory tests for breast cancer.Another method of checking for breast cancer, especially for mature women, is via a mammogram . The age that women are recommended for the procedure depends on their risk for contracting this type of cancer. Mammograms aid in the detection of any changes in the breast, including the formation of tumors or cysts.What if the unthinkable should ever occur, i.e., a positive diagnosis for breast cancer? The best thing to remember is: DO NOT lose hope. Today, more than ever, a variety of treatment options are available aside from the usual treatments that most probably will be offered first. These approaches, which include chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and mastectomies do have their uses, but they come with risks, are invasive, and, more often than not, have serious side effects. A number of holistic approaches are currently available that goes beyond these traditional cancer treatments. There are now even clinics that specifically cater to individuals seeking alternative treatment methods for breast cancer. The first thing that needs to be done, should you decide to pursue this option, is to find a medical practitioner who is willing to support you. The guidance of a licensed physician to oversee your care remains an important factor in making the process both easier and safer. Nutrition is one area that is increasingly being investigated as a means of helping treat breast cancer and its symptoms. These include the inclusion of certain food types, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to the regular diet. For example, haelan, a type of liquid soy bean extract, has been shown to aid in blocking cancer-cell blood supplies, boosting the immune system, and helping reduce the size of tumors. Flax seed oil has been credited with slowing the growth of cancer cells and improving the performance of the immune system. The removal of certain things from a person's diet has also been shown to help in the fight against this type of cancer. For example, studies have shown that a low-sugar diet helps in preventing cancer or in stopping the growth of cancer cells. Switching to a diet that is low in sugar may also help in “starving” cancer.Electronic or magnetic therapies are alternative approaches that are beginning to show promise in the treatment of breast cancer and other types of cancer. These include electrotherapy and magnetic resonance. Electrotherapy is used in treating tumors in the breast with the use of electrical stimulation, a technique that works by destroying the tumor gently. The procedure is usually done using local anesthesia and is not very invasive. Magnetic resonance, on the other hand, utilizes radio waves that are set at a frequency that specifically resonates with cancer cells. This is based on the fact that cancer cells have a different frequency compared to normal, healthy cells. This is just a sampling of all the alternative treatments for breast cancer. The particular treatment that is ultimately chosen needs to be based on your beliefs, the aggressiveness of your cancer, and your body's overall condition. I also need to reiterate the importance of finding a doctor who will listen to your wishes and go with the therapy that feels right for you.
               

               

No comments:

Post a Comment