Conditions that Mimic Breast Cancer

Private Home Health Care is continuing today with our discussion around breast cancer awareness.

Today we are focusing on some conditions that could mimic breast cancer. 

You could have any of the following symptoms and they could very well be benign:

Fibroadenoma – You would feel something firm and rubbery and the size of a marble.  It should not hurt. If it changes or grows you may need a biopsy. It is often a benign tumor.  

Intraductal Papilloma – this type of benign tumor is wart-like and usually found near milk ducts.  You may feel a small lump behind your nipple or next to it.  It could lead to some discharge, either clear or bloody. These can be removed by surgery if needed.

Fibrosis and Cysts – Fibrosis is when your breasts thicken and there is a rubbery or firmness you feel.  A cyst is a small bump that is moveable and full of liquid.  Depending on the liquid your doctor may want to run a test.  If either causes discomfort your doctor can advise you to relieve it.

Mastitis – if you are breastfeeding you could develop mastitis.  Your breast could become warm, red and very sore.  You may even run a fever.  There are antibiotics available for this.

Fat Necrosis – is a very damaged fatty tissue in your breast due to injury.  There could also be blood loss.  Your skin around the area may look red or bruised.  These are harmless but could cause discomfort.

Private Home Health Care shared this information because we believe awareness is key to good health.  Be sure to reach out to your medical professional if you have any questions.

Infection Protection Week

This week is International Infection Protection Week.  We have this week thanks to Ronald Reagan who made the proclamation back in 1986.

Over the past two years, you and I have been dealing with Covid-19. There are boosters available for those people at risk or for anyone who chooses to get one.

Believe it or not, there are other infections out in our world as well.  You can get a common cold and that can make you feel miserable.  I’ve heard of a fast moving virus going around and then of course there is always the flu.  Flu shot season is here if you are interested.

Basically we have to live our lives but there are some ways to try and avoid all different kinds of infections.  A simple washing of hands can go a long way to keep us well.

• You can wash your hands before you eat.
• You should have clean hands whenever you prepare and serve food.
• After a bathroom break is a great time to wash your hands.
• Any time you cough (if you can’t cough into your elbow), have a runny nose or you’re sneezy, make sure to wash your hands.

I think there are many moms, dads and teachers telling this to their children and students but it’s good for all of us!

Likewise, immunizations are an important way to keep healthy.  Be sure to get in touch with your doctor to check that all of your or your children’s immunizations are current.  Additionally, there are a lot of good antibiotics available today that are options too.

Private Home Health Care hopes that you can wash your hands and stay well this season.  If you do get sick be sure to stay home and rest and if needed, get in touch with your medical professional. Take good care of yourself.

Breast Cancer Myths

You may have heard of some things that will increase your risk for breast cancer.  Private Home Health Care would like to share a few of the myths.  These were in Medical News Today back in October of 2021.

These do not answer the question of why we contract breast cancer but rather sheds light on areas that are not as important as we may have thought.

An injury to your breast can cause breast cancer.  

• While your breast can feel different and register as a lump on a mammogram there is no evidence to show that this will cause cancer.

If you wear an underwire bra your risk for cancer increases. 

• The wire can irritate the skin underneath and some doctors don’t like them for that reason but that’s all.

In vitro fertilization procedures have not shown to increase your risk for breast cancer.  

• Observational studies over the past 30 years has not shown any difference in women who have gone through IVF versus the general population.

Without a family history of breast cancer it does not mean that you won’t get it.  

• Unfortunately, while there is an increased risk for those of us with a medical history of breast cancer in our family, it doesn’t let us off the hook.  You have no guarantee that you won’t get the disease.

You can get breast cancer from stress.

• Stress can be all around us at times.  It can affect your health so you should manage it well but it has not been proven that it increases your chance of breast cancer.

Private Home Health Care hopes these are helpful tips.  You can go online to discover more myths.

Breast Cancer Tests

Private Home Health Care believes in early detection of breast cancer for the best outcome.  Today we will be sharing information about different tests available for diagnosis.

We have all heard how important it is for us to perform self-exams.  According to research from the John Hopkins Medical Center, at least 40% of breast cancers were discovered by women who performed self-exams.  Knowing how our breasts look and feel is key.

Here are some of the diagnostic tests available:

Imaging Tests

Mammograms – these are recommended for you if you are age 45 or older. If you have a family history or concerns you can get screened earlier.

Ultrasounds – if there is a mass or lump discovered during your mammogram, this test may be ordered by your doctor.  The test can help determine if the mass or lump is filled with fluid or solid. (Not always but often a fluid filled cyst is benign.)

Breast MRI – if you are at high risk your doctor may order this one, but it can have high false positives.  Keep this in mind and discuss with your doctor.

Biopsies

If during your breast imaging test there is a mass or lump discovered, you may need a biopsy.  These are usually outpatient and is another way to find out if the mass is cancerous.  

There are multiple types of biopsies so be sure to speak with your doctor if you get to this stage.

Private Home Health Care knows that there is a lot of information around breast cancer.  We need to be aware of what is available to us so that each of us can have the best outcomes and live our best lives.

Supporting Breast Cancer Research

Today’s post will list for you different groups that are helping to support breast cancer research this month. Put on those pink ribbons that started in the 1990’s and help cancer research.

Estee Lauder

Making donations for the past 30 years!  You can purchase from their Aerin line of products. 100% of sales are donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation this month.  Visit this website for details: https://www.elcompanies.com/en/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign/pink-ribbon-products

Jimmy Choo – Do you like Jimmy Choo products? 20% of purchases on the Second Capsule Collection will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Brochu Walker – You can wear the Looker Layered V-neck in Paloma and 20% of October net sales of the brand will be donated to the Breast Cancer Alliance.

Brahmin Handbags – You will love the Pixie Dust Collection. 10% of sales are to be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Additionally . . .

Jane Iredale – Do you need a new blush? 100% of profits on the Rose Hue Blush stick to go to Look Good Feel Better, a complimentary beauty session for those diagnosed with cancer.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – You can find community races or walks across the country.  Visit this website for details: Race For The Cure | Susan G. Komen®

Private Home Health Care is hopeful that we can minimize and hopefully eliminate this disease through continued research.

Breast Cancer Awareness- Lowering Risk

During breast cancer awareness month it is important to look at multiple aspects of the disease.  Today we are focusing on ways that you can lower your risk of getting breast cancer.

Private Home Health Care researched a few sites and is sharing common recommendations:

Healthy Weight – it’s important that you maintain a healthy weight.  Your height, body fat and muscle composition are all factors in determining what weight is best for each of us. Your BMI or body mass index is a way to determine your ideal weight.  There are BMI calculators online, including one at www.CDC.gov.

Regular Physical Exercise – the recommendation is for you to get 2-½ to 5 hours of moderate exercise or 90 minutes to 2-½ hours of vigorous exercise each week.  A brisk walk 4-5 days a week is one option.  Strength training is a great way to exercise too.

Limit Alcohol – there are many reasons to limit your alcohol intake.  Helping to lower your breast cancer risk is one of them.  You should not have more than one drink a day maximum.  That includes drinking 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine or 1.5 oz of 80-proof hard liquor.

Additionally, breast-feeding may help limit risk.  Limiting post-menopausal hormone therapies may also contribute to lowering risk but a conversation with your doctor is needed to analyze the risk and benefits.

Private Home Health Care realizes that the higher your risk the more you need information.  Genetic counseling, medicines and close follow-up are all options that you may want to discuss with your medical professional.

Breast Cancer Risk

Private Home Health Care feels we need to understand many aspects of breast cancer to increase awareness.  Better awareness can lead us to early detections. Early detections are key to improved diagnosis. 

Today’s blog will focus on strong risk for the disease.  

Your family history is an indicator which can be hard to change.  Women with Ashkenazi or Eastern European Jewish descent, have an elevated risk for breast cancer.

Get in touch with your healthcare provider if you have a strong risk.  There are additional screenings to discuss.  You want to be able to make informed decisions.

There are two degrees in our family history to be aware of:

First degree – parents, siblings children

Second degree – aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents and grandchildren

You should get in touch with your healthcare provider with any of the following in your family history:

• A breast cancer diagnosis aged 45 or younger
• Triple negative breast can diagnosis aged 60 or younger
• Primary cancer of both breasts
• Breast cancer AND ovarian cancer in the same relative
• Male breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Two or more first or second degree relative from the same side of the family with breast cancer diagnosis with at least one of the cancer’s before age 50
• Three or more relatives from the same side of the family with breast or high grade prostate cancer at any age

This information has come from the CDC. 

You can find additional information on Moderate and Average risks on their website: (www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/breast_ovarian_cancer/risk_categories.htm)

October is dedicated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Throughout this month Private Home Health Care will be covering different topics around Breast Cancer to try and help our readers.

What are the signs of breast cancer?  

After reviewing Susan G Komen Foundation and WebMD information you should be aware of the following warning signs:

A lump or hard knot in your breast or underarm area that does not go away.

Swelling or redness of the breast or collarbone area

Pain or tenderness in your breast that does not go away

A change in the size or shape of your breast, including a flat or indented area

Changes in your nipple including itchy, a rash, pulling inward, dimpled, burns, sores 

Any discharge from the nipple

Many times symptoms are not apparent but if any of the above appear you should contact a health professional.  Early detection is key to a good outcome.

Private Home Health Care will discuss screenings available and ways you can be an advocate for yourself.

National Love People Day

National Love People Day began fairly recently in 2017 and is always on September 30.  The focus of the day is giving love with your whole heart and expecting nothing in return.

Easy right?  I bet a lot of you give of yourselves every day and perhaps you don’t even realize it.  Do you listen to someone telling a story?  Do you try to help a neighbor?  Do you buy a cup of coffee for a friend? 

Any random act of kindness will do.  The world needs us to be kind to each other now. Life goes by so quickly.  We run into people every day in our lives so there are many opportunities to show kindness.  Trying to be nice can be very invigorating for everyone involved. You can do it without spending any money too.

Private Home Health Care would like to leave you with a poem from an anonymous author.  We couldn’t have said it better.

Kind Hearts

by Anonymous

Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the blossoms,

Kind deeds are the fruits:

Love is the sweet sunshine

That warms into life,

For only in darkness

Grow hatred and strife.

Women’s Health and Fitness

The last Wednesday of September is dedicated to women’s health and fitness.  The day is for you to become more aware of your health and fitness.

Back in history, women and their health was not a top priority.  If you lived in the 1500’s to the 1900’s you would have had to wear a corset.  You would not be the most comfortable and you might have had issues with your pectoral muscles and perhaps even fainted!  

Women have come a long way and we are free to follow so many different paths.  You and I should be aware of some top health issues and learn how we can improve our outlook.

Here are the top 3 issues for women according to WedMD:

Heart Disease

• You as a female tend to be undiagnosed and you account for 29% of the deaths due to heart disease.
  • Risks:  age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and obesity.
  • Reducing risks:  well-balanced diet and physical exercise

Breast Cancer

• This is the most common cancer for women.  Good news:  There are many treatments available to you now.
  • Risks: age, genes, family history, race (white women are at higher risk, early abnormal biopsy or chest radiation.  Also, early onset menstruation (before age 12) or menopause after age 55, no children, too much alcohol and obesity.
  • Reducing risks:  Mammograms, keep a healthy weight, no smoking

Osteoporosis

• If you have osteoporosis you are one of 68% of women with it out of 44 million cases.
• Key is to start in early childhood with good calcium intake and physical activity while your bones are growing.  Bones are fully formed by age 30.
  • Risks: female, aging, small thin-boned frame, white and asian women are at most risk, family history anorexia.  Also, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, too much alcohol
  • Reducing risks:  Follow guidelines for calcium intake according to your age and physical exercise.

Private Home Health Care is proud of the strides that women have made.  We want you to be aware of your health. We want you to work with your medical professionals to live your best life.