Multivitamins and Your risk
Headlines are designed to catch the eye and sensationalise. When looking at research results, it is important to understand how the results are presented.
You may have read about a recent study suggesting that taking multivitamins on a daily basis can increase your risk of getting breast cancer by 19%. Many women have contacted us asking if that means they have a 20% chance of getting breast cancer if they take multivitamins.
Closer examination of the results of the study in question showed that there was a difference in diagnoses between a large group of women over 10 years who said they did not take daily multivitamins, and a smaller group who said they did take multivitamins daily. The difference between the two groups was 19%. This is called a relative risk.
Expressed as an absolute risk, the same statistics say that over 10 years, 1 extra woman out of 1667 who took multivitamins on a daily basis would be diagnosed.
Increasingly a study or problem will be presented in an absolute way but the solution or outcome will be reported in a relative way to increase the perception of the results.
Manipulating study results should not undermine your choice or a health professional recommendation to take multivitamins or make choices regarding your health.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Should a mammogram be the only breast imaging option for women?
Often women are warned by their doctor or breast specialist against any breast cancer screening technology other than a mammogram on the basis that a mammogram is the only ‘proven’ breast cancer screening method. One reason a mammogram is the only proven breast cancer screening method is because there is very strong resistance to supporting clinical trials comparing other technologies. Safe Breast Imaging is actively seeking opportunities to participate in clinical trials and has an extensive database to contribute to such a trial.
Mammograms are a useful tool to identify suspicious masses at an early stage (up to 5cm). We are fortunate to have a free national breast cancer screening program in Australia (BreastScreen) for women over 40 and under 70 who have NO SYMPTOMS. However statistics show that nearly half of women specifically targeted for a free screening mammogram (50-69 years) choose not to have one.
More than a quarter of Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer are under 50. Premenopausal women (under 50ish) usually have dense breast tissue and a mammogram is less effective for this group.
While few women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, most women have breast symptoms that are not breast cancer. Women of all ages are increasingly seeking ways to proactively monitor and understand their general breast health beyond just looking for cancer. The MEM looking at the electrical properties of breast tissue, has been a beneficial breast health monitoring technology to many Australian women. The MEM identifies lumps, hormonal imbalance and early behavioural changes that may require further investigation.
When a mammogram is not a woman’s preferred breast imaging option and for women who are ineligible for a mammogram, we believe women deserve other options. This is why Safe Breast Imaging actively promotes worthwhile initiatives for you to proactively monitor and maintain your breast health.
A picture of your breast health will assist you and your health professional to make informed decisions about an effective strategy to manage your hormonal and breast health.
Mammograms are a useful tool to identify suspicious masses at an early stage (up to 5cm). We are fortunate to have a free national breast cancer screening program in Australia (BreastScreen) for women over 40 and under 70 who have NO SYMPTOMS. However statistics show that nearly half of women specifically targeted for a free screening mammogram (50-69 years) choose not to have one.
More than a quarter of Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer are under 50. Premenopausal women (under 50ish) usually have dense breast tissue and a mammogram is less effective for this group.
While few women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, most women have breast symptoms that are not breast cancer. Women of all ages are increasingly seeking ways to proactively monitor and understand their general breast health beyond just looking for cancer. The MEM looking at the electrical properties of breast tissue, has been a beneficial breast health monitoring technology to many Australian women. The MEM identifies lumps, hormonal imbalance and early behavioural changes that may require further investigation.
When a mammogram is not a woman’s preferred breast imaging option and for women who are ineligible for a mammogram, we believe women deserve other options. This is why Safe Breast Imaging actively promotes worthwhile initiatives for you to proactively monitor and maintain your breast health.
A picture of your breast health will assist you and your health professional to make informed decisions about an effective strategy to manage your hormonal and breast health.
Multivitamins and Your Breast Cancer Risk
Headlines are designed to catch the eye and sensationalise. When looking at research results, it is important to understand how the results are presented.
You may have read about a recent study suggesting that taking multivitamins on a daily basis can increase your risk of getting breast cancer by 19%. Many women have contacted us asking if that means they have a 20% chance of getting breast cancer if they take multivitamins.
Closer examination of the results of the study in question showed that there was a difference in diagnoses between a large group of women over 10 years who said they did not take daily multivitamins, and a smaller group who said they did take multivitamins daily. The difference between the two groups was 19%. This is called a relative risk.
Expressed as an absolute risk, the same statistics say that over 10 years, 1 extra woman out of 1667 who took multivitamins on a daily basis would be diagnosed.
Increasingly a study or problem will be presented in an absolute way but the solution or outcome will be reported in a relative way to increase the perception of the results.
Manipulating study results should not undermine your choice or a health professional recommendation to take multivitamins or make choices regarding your health.
You may have read about a recent study suggesting that taking multivitamins on a daily basis can increase your risk of getting breast cancer by 19%. Many women have contacted us asking if that means they have a 20% chance of getting breast cancer if they take multivitamins.
Closer examination of the results of the study in question showed that there was a difference in diagnoses between a large group of women over 10 years who said they did not take daily multivitamins, and a smaller group who said they did take multivitamins daily. The difference between the two groups was 19%. This is called a relative risk.
Expressed as an absolute risk, the same statistics say that over 10 years, 1 extra woman out of 1667 who took multivitamins on a daily basis would be diagnosed.
Increasingly a study or problem will be presented in an absolute way but the solution or outcome will be reported in a relative way to increase the perception of the results.
Manipulating study results should not undermine your choice or a health professional recommendation to take multivitamins or make choices regarding your health.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
New Reprt out on Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention
A new epidemiology report on Vitamin D suggests that raising the amount of Vitamin D could result in prevention of 58,000 new cases of Breast Cancer in the USA.
Here is an abstract of the report:
Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention: Global Perspective
Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul 1;19(7):468-483, CF Garland, ED Gorham, AR Mohr, FC Garland
PURPOSE: Higher serum levels of the main circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), are associated with substantially lower incidence rates of colon, breast, ovarian, renal, pancreatic, aggressive prostate and other cancers.
METHODS: Epidemiological findings combined with newly discovered mechanisms suggest a new model of cancer etiology that accounts for these actions of 25(OH)D and calcium. Its seven phases are disjunction, initiation, natural selection, overgrowth, metastasis, involution, and transition (abbreviated DINOMIT). Vitamin D metabolites prevent disjunction of cells and are beneficial in other phases.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: It is projected that raising the minimum year- round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL (100–150 nmol/L) would prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada, based on observational studies combined with a randomized trial. Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half. There are no unreasonable risks from intake of 2000 IU per day of vitamin D3, or from a population serum 25(OH)D level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. The time has arrived for nationally coordinated action to substantially increase intake of vitamin D and calcium.
Here is an abstract of the report:
Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention: Global Perspective
Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul 1;19(7):468-483, CF Garland, ED Gorham, AR Mohr, FC Garland
PURPOSE: Higher serum levels of the main circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), are associated with substantially lower incidence rates of colon, breast, ovarian, renal, pancreatic, aggressive prostate and other cancers.
METHODS: Epidemiological findings combined with newly discovered mechanisms suggest a new model of cancer etiology that accounts for these actions of 25(OH)D and calcium. Its seven phases are disjunction, initiation, natural selection, overgrowth, metastasis, involution, and transition (abbreviated DINOMIT). Vitamin D metabolites prevent disjunction of cells and are beneficial in other phases.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: It is projected that raising the minimum year- round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL (100–150 nmol/L) would prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada, based on observational studies combined with a randomized trial. Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half. There are no unreasonable risks from intake of 2000 IU per day of vitamin D3, or from a population serum 25(OH)D level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. The time has arrived for nationally coordinated action to substantially increase intake of vitamin D and calcium.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Vitamin D Benefits
You've heard the good news about vitamin D for years: It's a "miracle" medicine that reduces cancer rates by 77% according to previous research (http://www.naturalnews.com/021892_c...). It also happens to be a powerful anti-cancer medicine that can both prevent and help reverse breast cancer. It is also FREE from the sun.
Here is a compilation of expert quotations on vitamin D and breast cancer, cited from some of the most authoritative books and authors in the world. Feel free to share what you learn here with others who may also be suffering from breast cancer.
http://n-h-d.com/news.php?news_item_id=123
Here is a compilation of expert quotations on vitamin D and breast cancer, cited from some of the most authoritative books and authors in the world. Feel free to share what you learn here with others who may also be suffering from breast cancer.
http://n-h-d.com/news.php?news_item_id=123
Monday, October 5, 2009
Nipple Discharge
Nipple discharge – the release of fluid from the nipple – is very common. This is the third most common reported breast problem after lumps and tenderness.
There are 15–20 milk ducts opening onto each nipple. Discharge can come from one or more of these ducts. Nipple discharge can:
• be spontaneous (fluid is secreted from the nipple without any squeezing of the nipple or pressure on the breast), or
• be on expression (fluid is secreted from the nipple when the nipple is squeezed or there is pressure on the breast)
• come from one breast (unilateral) or both breasts (bilateral)
• be clear, yellow, milky, brown, green, or bloodstained in appearance
• originate from one duct (one opening on the nipple) or more than one duct
Physiological nipple discharge
Discharge of fluid from a normal breast is referred to as ‘physiological discharge’. It is usually yellow, milky, or green in appearance, does not occur spontaneously, and often originates from more than one duct. Physiological nipple discharge is no cause for concern. Milky nipple discharge is also normal during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
When is nipple discharge abnormal?
Spontaneous nipple discharge unrelated to pregnancy or breastfeeding is considered abnormal. In most cases it has a benign (ie. noncancerous) cause, and is more likely to be unilateral, confined to one duct, and clear or bloodstained in appearance. Nipple discharge associated with other breast symptoms such as a lump, ulceration, or inversion of the nipple requires prompt investigation.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is an uncommon cause of nipple discharge. Few women with breast cancer have nipple discharge, and most have other symptoms, eg. a lump or newly inverted nipple. Breast cancer that causes nipple discharge is likely to be benign or early invasive breast cancer rather than advanced breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Growth Rates
Breast cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in breast tissue. These abnormal cells not only grow at an increased rate compared to normal cells but may also spread, invading other body tissues.
Like a lot of cancers, breast cancer grows by simple cell division. It begins as one malignant cell, which then divides and becomes 2 bad cells, which divide again and become 4 bad cells, and so on. By the time you can feel it, a breast tumour is usually a little more than ½ inch in size – about a third the size of a golf ball. It has also been in your body long enough to have had a chance to spread.
Breast cancer doubles 30 times before it can be discovered. The average doubling time is 100 days, so it can take 8 years of growth until a tumour is visible on a mammogram. Very fast tumours can have a doubling time of 25 days, and very slow breast cancers can have a doubling time of 1000 days. Research shows that tumours may vary their rate of growth over their lifetime.
Depending on breast tissue density and structure, mammography is usually capable of finding breast tumours at approximately 1 cubic centimetre. This is 30 doubling times and about 1 billion cells.
With such a long lead time before becoming clinically evident, there is ample time to put in place effective imaging and health strategies to monitor and reduce risk.
Like a lot of cancers, breast cancer grows by simple cell division. It begins as one malignant cell, which then divides and becomes 2 bad cells, which divide again and become 4 bad cells, and so on. By the time you can feel it, a breast tumour is usually a little more than ½ inch in size – about a third the size of a golf ball. It has also been in your body long enough to have had a chance to spread.
Breast cancer doubles 30 times before it can be discovered. The average doubling time is 100 days, so it can take 8 years of growth until a tumour is visible on a mammogram. Very fast tumours can have a doubling time of 25 days, and very slow breast cancers can have a doubling time of 1000 days. Research shows that tumours may vary their rate of growth over their lifetime.
Depending on breast tissue density and structure, mammography is usually capable of finding breast tumours at approximately 1 cubic centimetre. This is 30 doubling times and about 1 billion cells.
With such a long lead time before becoming clinically evident, there is ample time to put in place effective imaging and health strategies to monitor and reduce risk.
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