Girls Teenagers with cancer don't really fit into a kids group or an adult group. You are too old for a pediatrician never mind a pediatric cancer group full of little kids. You are too young to be treated as an adult because you aren't able to make your own medical decisions or, if you are 18 or 19, all of a sudden HAVE to make your own decisions.Also, as a teenager, doctors ask embarrassing questions about bodily functions you wish everyone would ignore and then there are all these people who look at your body. When I had my thyroid cancer surgery, I remember waking up in a different johnny than I had gone into surgery with. This meant people had seen me naked! How appalling! So, Why not self exam your breast..... Review this site!!


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Breastfeeding And Jaundice - breastfeeding hepatitis

Breastfeeding And Jaundice - breastfeeding hepatitis

Jaundice is a result of buildup in the blood of the bilirubin, a yellow pigment that comes from the breakdown of older red blood cells. It's normal for the red blood cells to break down, although the bilirubin formed doesn't normally cause jaundice because the liver will metabolize it and then get rid of it in the gut.

However, the newborn baby will often become jaundiced during the first few days due to the liver enzyme that metabolizes the bilirubin becoming relatively immature. Therefore, newborn babies will have more red blood cells than adults, and thus more will break down at any given time.

Breast milk jaundice
There is a condition that's commonly referred to as breast milk jaundice, although no one knows what actually causes it. In order to diagnose it, the baby should be at least a week old. The baby should also be gaining well with breast feeding alone, having lots of bowel movements with the passing of clean urine.

In this type of setting, the baby has what is referred to as breast milk jaundice. On occasion,infections of the urine or an under functioning of the baby's thyroid gland, as well as other rare illnesses that may cause the same types of problems.

Breast milk jaundice will peak at 10 - 21 days, although it can last for 2 - 3 months. Contrary to what you may think, breast milk jaundice is normal. Rarely, if at all ever, does breast feeding need to be stopped for even a brief period of time.

If the baby is doing well on breast milk, there is no reason at all to stop or supplement with a lactation aid.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Breast Cancer Risks - Breast Cancer Videos - breast cancer free dvd

Breast cancer risks are important information that every women should know since this disease is one of the most common cancers found in women. One risk is having thyroid disease. In an Italian report, it was shown that about 50% of the women in the study who developed the disease had thyroid conditions which were not yet diagnosed. These included three distinct thyroid disorders: Goiter, Hashimoto's, and sub-acute thyroiditis. Subclinical and sub-optimal hypothyroidism were not included in this study. This study may suggest that doctors ought to test their thyroid patients for cancer, which might help with early detection and preventive measures. It also shows that a lack of iodine may be an easily reversed breast cancer risk.

Obesity and becoming overweight are also breast cancer risks. After menopause, there is a 1.5 times the risk for the illness in obese women compared to women at a healthy weight. Other studies show that thousands of deaths per year in American women over 50 who have cancer might have been avoided if the women had maintained a lower weight. Overweight women also have higher levels of estrogen in their bodies. High levels of estrogen can stimulate estrogen sensitive tissues in obese women, causing rapid growth of estrogen-responsive breast tumors.

Another risk for overweight women is the later detection of tumors. It is harder to the problem in heavy women than it is in thin women. Where the excess body fat is located also becomes a risk. A large amount of abdominal fat gives a woman a greater breast cancer risk than those with fat distributed over the hips, backside, and legs.

Genetics play a huge role in breast cancer risks. If your mother had the disease, you are much more likely to develop it than someone who has no family history of breast cancer. Additional family members with cancer increase your own likelihood of having it as well. There are many studies in genetics that may cause cancer and the way the genes affect children of those who have breast cancer.

It has also been shown that smoking causes increased risk. There have been studies showing that smoking can increase the risk of breast cancer as much as 59 percent. Because cancer can be dormant for several years, controlling our lifestyle can help prevent or minimize the chances of developing the disease. Maintaining a healthy weight, getting the thyroid checked and quitting smoking, in addition to eating healthy foods, taking proper exercise, and getting regular checkups are all ways of minimizing breast cancer risks.

P.S. Orr has been writing articles for 6 years on a variety of topics of interest including natural health issues. Come visit the latest product information website at http://www.latexmattresstoppershop.com/ which helps people find the best deals on latex foam pillows and more information about natural latex bedding essentials.

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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Breast Self Examination With Partners

Have I Lost The Plot?
Partners assisting with breast self examination....well girls, you probably think I have lost the plot completely, suggesting your partners help you with your regular breast self exam. However..... I actually think it can be a great idea and encourage you to think about this option.

Firstly - My Mothers Fear
Many women experience a deep fear in doing their breast self examination. This is a very normal and natural feeling, being a real fear for many of us, including my mother.

After talking to my mother about the importance of doing regular breast self exam, she went home to attempt hers. It wasn't long until she rang me, saying she was simply too frightened to start. I told her that I hoped she would not find a breast lump, but if she were to find one, at least it would be smaller than what it would be, if she did not examine her breasts, and it was found at a later date. It was a normal feeling my mother had, and it is one that many others share. We talked over the basics and she went ahead doing her breast exam, and was happy to ring me later to say that she had completed it.

Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway
Some women would prefer not to understand breast self exam, rather than know they may have signs of breast cancer. They would rather go on with life, simply not knowing. That fear can have implications with their health. I understand that fear. However there is a saying, "feel the fear and do it anyway". I rather like that saying. So it's OK to feel scared, it's OK to be nervous, but it is not OK to not do regular breast self examination.

Once you know when to do your self breast exam, and know how to do your breast examination, you can cross that off your to-do list. Now its a matter of doing them each month and getting to know your breasts. The more you do your breast exam, the more comfortable you will be. For young adults and teenagers, breast tenderness can be an issue, so don't forget to share this information with them!

Grab Your Partner
Why not ask your partner to help you with your breast exam. Chances are that up until this point, they may be more familiar with your breasts, than what you are, and may notice changes earlier. So why not ask them to help you. This will give you support and some courage to get your breast exam over and done with. Having your partner assist you, makes it all seem not so scary.

Check Your Mate
It is possible for men to have male breast cancer, so your man needs to be doing a regular breast exam as well. Involving your partner can help them be aware of the risks and signs of male breast cancer. The days of men thinking that breast cancer is just a female disease are over.

Whatever It Takes
Hey, I think you need to do whatever it takes, to get the job done! Just make sure your partner remembers that the idea is to be doing a breast examination....if you get what I mean girls!

Wishing you the best of breast health.
Suzanne Early
http://www.early-detection-for-breast-cancer.com/womens-health-and-nutrition.html
http://www.early-detection-for-breast-cancer.com
Suzie likes to share down to earth, easy to understand information on breast cancer basics, with warmth and sensitivity. Having a friend with breast cancer and a career in Adult Education, Suzie understands how important it is to share and learn about this women's issue, in the hope that other women will be encouraged and empower themselves, becoming proactive in their breast health. Early detection is key!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Early

The Importance of Monthly Self-Breast Exams

The Importance of Monthly Self-Breast Exams
Did you realize that women, who perform monthly self-breast exams, find 90 percent of all breast masses? Approximately 80 percent of these masses turn out to be benign; however, 20 percent turn out to be cancerous. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better your chance for survival. That's why it's important to make self-breast exams a part of your monthly health care routine.

There are five steps to performing a self-breast exam:

Step One: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror. Stand straight with your arms on your hips. Breasts should be evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling. Breasts should be their usual size, shape, and color. You should contact your doctor if you notice dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin which doctors refer to as "peau d'orange." Check to see if your nipple has changed position or if it is inverted (pushed inward). Make sure there is no redness, swelling, soreness or rash.

Step Two: Raise your arms over your head and check for the same changes as described above.

Step Three: While you're at the mirror, check your nipples for discharge by gently squeezing the nipple between your finger and thumb. If you notice any discharge that is bloody or clear in color, notify your physician.

Step Four: Now feel your breasts while you are lying down. Use your right hand to feel your left breast and your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm touch with your first few fingers, keeping the fingers flat and together. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom-starting at the collarbone to the top of your abdomen.

In order to cover the entire breast, follow a pattern. You can use a circular motion by starting at the nipple and moving in a larger circle to reach the outer breast or you can move your fingers up and down vertically (like you were mowing the lawn).

It's important to feel the entire breast tissue by using a soft touch, then deeper with a firmer touch. Increase the pressure so you can feel the deeper tissue down to your breastbone and ribcage.

Step Five: Lastly, feel your breasts while you are sitting or standing. Many women prefer to examine their breasts while they are in the shower when their skin is wet and slippery. Cover your entire breast using the exam same movements as described in step four.

When you perform self-breast exams at the same time each month (preferably after your period), you will know what your normal breast tissue feels like. Some women have "lumpy" breasts or fibrocystic tissue, which makes it crucial to do regular self-breast exams. The majority of lumps are found in the upper outer quadrants (41 percent) and the area behind the nipple (34 percent), so particular attention should be paid to these areas.

If you feel a lump, contact your physician for a clinical breast exam. Don't wait and hope the lump goes away because early detection is the key to survival.

And now I'd like to invite you to ask me your questions about cancer survivorship at http://www.conniepombo.com

Connie Pombo is an author, speaker, and cancer advocate - http://www.conniepombo.com
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