7 Myths About Breast Cancer

Although many advances have been made in breast cancer detection and treatment over the last quarter century, the fact is we still don't know much about the causes of breast cancer or it's cure. This leaves many of us misunderstanding the facts about breast cancer. It's time we dispel those myths and replace them with what we know is true about breast cancer. Myth: I'm too young to worry about breast cancer.
Fact: While it's true that your breast cancer risk increases as you get older, the fact is that women of all ages are at risk for developing breast cancer.
See: 5 Reasons Why Young Women Should Perform Monthly Breast Self ExamMyth: There's never been a case of breast cancer in my family so I don't need to worry about it happening to me.
Fact: The truth is the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer don't have a family history of this devastating cancer. However, if your mother, sister, or grandmother ever had breast cancer your risk is significantly increased.
See: Breast Cancer Risk Assessment ToolMyth: I don't have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene so I'm sure breast cancer is not in my future.
Fact: Don't fool yourself! Not having a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene does not mean you won't get breast cancer. Actually, the truth is that almost all women (90 to 95 percent) diagnosed with breast cancer have neither a family history nor mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, according to the American Cancer Society.
See: Understanding the BRCA Gene and Hereditary Breast and Ovarian CancerMyth: The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer had more than one risk factor prior to diagnosis.
Fact: All women are at risk for developing breast cancer whether they have known risk factors. In fact, the majority of breast cancer patients had no known risk factors, other than being female, for this frightening disease.
See: Understanding Breast Cancer RiskMyth: Breast cancer is preventable.
Fact: Although a drug classified as an antiestrogen called, Tamoxifen may decrease breast cancer risk in certain women, the cause of breast cancer remains unknown and is not completely preventable. The real key to surviving breast cancer is early detection and treatment.
See: FDA Approves Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Prevention in High Risk WomenMyth: Having yearly mammograms will expose me to too much radiation and cancer will occur as a result.
Fact: According to the American College of Radiology, the benefits of annual mammograms far outweigh any risks that may occur because of the minute amount of radiation used during this screening and diagnostic procedure.
See: Mammography ScreeningMyth: I'm not going to breastfeed because breastfeeding would increase my risk of getting breast cancer.
Fact: Just the opposite is true. Breastfeeding may actually decrease the risk of perimenopausal breast cancer.
See: Breastfeeding Benefits Mom and Baby

Source: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

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Q&A About Periods for Teens

The menstrual cycle is how a woman's body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. Your menstrual period is just one part of this cycle. A cycle's length is determined by counting from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. However, a cycle can range anywhere from 23 days to 35 days. During the menstrual cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries. While the egg is traveling down the fallopian tubes and towards the uterus, the uterus is building up a lining that consists of extra blood and tissue. The lining of the uterus will thicken and, if pregnancy occurs, blood vessels in the lining will enlarge to nourish the growing fetus. If the egg becomes fertilized by a sperm cell, the egg will attach itself to the uterine wall and a fetus will begin to develop. If the egg goes unfertilized, the thick lining that builds up during the menstrual cycle is not needed and is shed during your period. The unfertilized egg either dissolves or is absorbed into the body. After the period ends, a new menstrual cycle begins. A period is a part of the menstrual cycle when the thick uterine lining and extra blood are shed through the vaginal canal. Periods can be light, moderate, or heavy, and the menstrual blood that is shed can range from a few tablespoons to a 1/2 cup per period. This can vary from girl to girl, and it can vary from period to period for the same girl. Many girls experience a light flow for the first day or two, then a heavier flow, followed by another light day. Some girls have a heavy flow on the first day. For the first few years after you start menstruating, your period may be very irregular. How old is a girl when she gets her first period? In the United States, the average age a girl starts menstruating is 12. However, this does not mean that all girls start at the same age. A girl can begin menstruating anytime between the ages of 8 and 16. Menstruation will not occur until all parts of a girl's reproductive system have matured and are working together. This time in a young womans life is called "puberty." Because all girls are different, menstrual periods can vary from girl to girl. One girl might have a 3-day period and another girl might have a 7-day period. It might take several years for a girl's period to become regular. One month the period might last 4 days, whereas the next month it might be 6 days. Some women experience irregular periods for several years and might not ever be "regular." Some doctors will prescribe birth control pills to help regulate your menstrual cycle. Talk to your doctor to find how you can regulate your cycle if it is irregular. Sanitary napkins (pads) should be changed as often as necessary, before the pad is soaked with menstrual flow. Each woman decides for herself what is comfortable. Tampons should be changed every 4 hours. Make sure that you use the lowest absorbency of tampon available. For example, do not use super absorbency on the lightest day of your period. This can put you at risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rare but potentially deadly disease. The risk of TSS can be lessened or avoided by not using tampons, or by alternating between tampons and pads during your period. If you experience any of the following symptoms while you are menstruating and using tampons, you should contact your doctor immediately: Sudden, unexplained, high fever Muscle aches Diarrhea Dizziness and/or fainting Sunburn-like rash Sore throat Bloodshot eyes Absolutely not! Your period should not affect your daily activities. You can continue to exercise, swim, bike ride, and have fun. Some girls and women even find that exercising while they are having their menstrual period reduces or prevents stomach cramps and discomfort. if(zSbL

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Women Talk About Abnormal Uter

"4 months ago I had my baby via c-section due to a placenta previa. During the surgery we had some complications and my uterus had to be removed however, my cervix and ovaries were left in place. Now common sense tells me no uterus, no periods... However every 4 weeks I still have some spotting for 4-5 days. Has anyone else experienced this or would anyone know why this happens?" Has this happened to you? "I am 45 and recently started on hormones (Prempro) and Premarin. I am experiencing irregular breakthrough spotting which consists of what looks like old and very dark, clotty blood - sounds horrible I know! Is this normal? My doctor mentioned that I might experience some of this type thing for a few months while I am leveling out, but this has been an every day thing now. Clears for a day or two, then comes back." Have you experienced bleeding on HRT? "Has this ever happened to you? For several years while I was pre-menopausal, it seemed that doing sit-ups would bring on menstrual bleeding. Although I am now post-menopausal, I have been taking hormones and having occasional bleeding. I did some modified sit-ups yesterday, and today I have bleeding and cramps. I have regular gynecological check-ups, and no abnormalities have been found. Any suggestions?" Has this ever happened to you? "I was recently diagnosed with menorrhagia and my doctor put me on Orthocyclen to help regulate things. I was wondering if anyone else has been put on the pill to help menstrual disorders and how long it took before you saw any results. " Has your doctor prescribed the pill for abnormal bleeding?

More About Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

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Women Talk About Fibroid Tumor

I found out 2 weeks ago that I have 3 Uterine Fibroid Tumors inside my uterus. Two are small,the big one measures 6 cm and my uterus measures 7 cm. They are concerned because the big one grew fast, which could mean cancer. Is it possible for a Fibroid to grow that big in just a few months? I am going to have my uterus taken out in about 1-2 weeks... Does she really need a hysterectomy? I'm 35 and just found out that I have a fibroid tumor it is 3.5 centimeters in size... I am in desperate need of help if not medically, then emotionally... it's really painful to have a relationship with my husband... If there is anyone out there that has gone or is going through this please let me know how you deal with this on a day to day basis? How do you cope with fibroids? I took Lupron for 1 month for fibroids. I bleed the whole time while on it. It never stopped my period... decided to give up dairy, beef ( minimal animal fat) caffeine and tried to sick to a low fat diet with whole grains and had fibroid shrinkage. ...I also would like to know if anyone has had a false pregnancy test while on Lupron? The test say no but my symptoms say yes so I'm wondering could it be Lupron in my system causing the negative result. Have you taken Lupron? I am 46 years old, I have been told I have a fibroid tumor, the size of a fifteen week fetus. My gynecologist has recommended a hysterectomy, because of the size of the fibroid tumor. I haven't experienced any noticeable symptoms caused by the tumor. My periods are normal, I have no abnormal bleeding. I have been told that because of the size of the tumor, that abdominal hysterectomy is my only option. My question is, are there any alternatives? Have you had an alternative procedure? I have uterine fibroids. The first time, they...were relatively easily removed... they recurred. This time they are in the uterine wall... I've been mostly symptom free for months... I don't have the bleeding problems I was having. I do have bloating pretty regularly... My question is this: I am trying to get pregnant. My doctor said I shouldn't have a problem getting pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy, I'd have a slightly greater risk of miscarriage. I'd like to hear from other women who have been thru this and get an idea what to expect... Did you have fibroids during pregnancy? I went to the doctor today because of a large mass... It starts at my pubic bone and goes all the way up to my navel. It does not hurt at all, but for the 2 weeks before my period my back aches and I get constipated, and my periods are very heavy. Now, the doctor mentioned 2 things, fibroids and colon. Of course I'm praying for the fibroids. I figure if it was the colon, with the size of this thing I would be very sick. And besides the backache I feel fine... If anyone has any experience here, please let me know something, I'm very nervous. Does this sound like fibroids? I have a calcified fibroid tumor in my bladder. I had x-rays taken when I went in to complain about leg pain, the x-ray tech said there was something on my bladder, doctor did not mention it. I went to the chiropractor and he took x-rays and had a radiologist read it and said it was a calcified fibroid tumor... The chiropractor tried to call him and discuss it but wouldn't return call... any ideas, has anyone else had a calcified fibroid tumor? Have you had a calcified fibroid tumor? if(zSbL

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