Breast cancer {Female}

Breast cancer refers to the type of cancer that develops in the breast cell of men and women. It affects several people across the world and is among the most common forms of cancer after lung cancer. Women have the maximum risks of breast cancer but men may also develop the condition. The survival rate in men and women is the same.

causes: 

Breast cancer is believed to be the outcome of various hereditary and environmental factors. Mutation is one of the causes of breast cancer. It had been experimentally linked to exposure of estrogens. Experts believe that in 95% of the cases breast cancer is inherited from two genes. They are BRCA, or Breast Cancer 1, and BRCA2, or Breast Cancer 2. A person can inherit breast cancer from both male and female relatives. Though experts have identified several risk factors but any particular cause for breast cancer has not yet been determined. Major risk factors that can cause breast cancer are age, sex, hormones, childbearing, alcohol intake, high-fat diet, obesity, shift work and radiation.

Risk factors you cannot change

Gender: Being a woman is the main risk for breast cancer. While men also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men.

Age: The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. About 2 out of 3 women with invasive breast cancer are 55 or older when the cancer is found.

Genetic risk factors: About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be linked to inherited changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common gene changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Women with these gene changes have up to an 80% chance of getting breast cancer during their lifetimes. Other gene changes may raise breast cancer risk, too.

Family history: Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer about doubles a woman’s risk. It’s important to note that most (over 85%) women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of this disease.

Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from a return of the first cancer (called recurrence).

Race: White women are slightly more likely to get breast cancer than African-American women. But African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer. At least part of the reason seems to be because African-American women have faster growing tumors, but we don’t know why this is the case. Asian, Hispanic, and Native-American women have a lower risk of getting and dying from breast cancer.

Dense breast tissue: Dense breast tissue means there is more gland tissue and less fatty tissue. Women with denser breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer. Dense breast tissue can also make it harder for doctors to spot problems on mammograms.

Certain benign (not cancer) breast problems: Women who have certain benign breast changes may have an increased risk of breast cancer. Some of these are more closely linked to breast cancer risk than others. Lobular carcinoma in situ: Women with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) have a 7 to 11 times greater risk of developing cancer in either breast.

Menstrual periods: Women who began having periods early (before age 12) or who went through the change of life (menopause) after the age of 55 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. They have had more menstrual periods and as a result have been exposed to more of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Breast radiation early in life: Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest area (as treatment for another cancer) earlier in life have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer. The risk varies with the patient’s age when they had radiation. The risk from chest radiation is highest if the radiation were given during the teens, when the breasts were still developing. Radiation treatment after age 40 does not seem to increase breast cancer risk.

Symptoms: 

  • The subjective sign or first symptom is a typical lump which feels different from other tissues surrounding the breast. Most of the breast cancer cases have been discovered when the patient felt the lump.
  • Lumps on the lymph nodes close to the armpits or collarbone are also indications of breast cancer.
  • Apart from this, a person affected by breast cancer can feel changes in shape or size of breast, face nipple inversion and skin dimpling.
  • Pain, redness and swelling in the breast region can also be an indication of breast cancer.
  • In some patients eczematoid skin changes, such as mild flaking and redness, are also seen.
  • In advanced stages of the disease, a person might experience burning, itching, increased sensitivity and tingling in the breast region.
  • In some rare cases, patients experience unexplained weight loss.

Yogic Cure:

Yogic cure:-

  [1] Shatkarma                                                {Purificatory techniques}

{a} Jalaneti  {Nose wash by water

 

 [2] Yogasanas                                              {Posture}

{a} Bhujangasana {Cobra Posture}

{b} Sarvangasana {Shoulder Stand}

{c} Garbhasana {Foetus}

{d} Tadasana {Plymra}

{e} Ustrasana {Camel Pose}

{f} Natrasana

{g} Ardha – Matsyendrasana {Half Twist}

{h} Vrikshasana                     {Tree Posture}

{i} Surya Namaskar               {Sun-Salute}

{j} Yog Nidra

[3] Pranayama                  {Body-mind energising breathing practices}

{a} Kapalbhati

{b} Bhramari

{c}  Nadi shodhan

   [4]Bandhas:-                                                {Bands}

{a} Uddiyana Bandha                            {Abdominal lock}

 

 [5]Mudras:-                                                 {Finger –posture}

{a} Agni Mudra

{b} Prithvi Mudra

{c} Vaayu Mudra

 

 [6] Dhayan                                            {Meditation}

        {A} Om chanting

       {b} Gayatri Mantra

 

  {7}Yogic diet

 

  [8]Fasting:-

            

Scientific explanation:-

Yoga is a form of nonaerobic exercise that involves a program of precise postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Yoga can be a useful method to help relieve some symptoms of chronic diseases such as cancer and can lead to increased relaxation and physical fitness.

Recent scientific studies do not support yoga as an effective stand-alone treatment for cancer or any other disease; however, it may enhance quality of life by relieving the stress and anxiety associated with disease progression or treatment. Alyson Moadel of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine studied the effects of yoga in breast cancer patients and published her findings in a 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She found that patients who did yoga saw improvements in social and emotional well-being compared with those who didn’t.

Most studies on yoga and cancer have focused on breast cancer patients, but recently studies have begun to incorporate other cancer patients, including those with lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

Results from recent studies on yoga and cancer show that the complementary therapy can have many benefits for patients, both mentally and physically. Some of the benefits include:

Combating the Side Effects of Treatment
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas found that breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments were better able to combat feelings of fatigue during a six-week trial of twice-weekly yoga classes in addition to their medical care. The women also had fewer problems with daytime sleepiness.

In the April 2009 journal Psycho-oncology, researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that restorative, gentle yoga improved fatigue symptoms in women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Anxiety Relief
When cancer is diagnosed, the news itself can raise anxiety levels tremendously. A small study of cancer patients in Japan published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine found yoga may be effective against anxiety. “Many disorders have a strong stress component, and yoga acts on that,” state the study authors. It also “increases resilience and stress-coping capabilities” if practiced long enough.

One of the most important dimensions of yoga practice for cancer patients is breathing, or pranayama. In Sanskrit, prana means breath and yama means extension or control. Many people going through the stress of an illness do not breathe efficiently. Fear can cause the holding of the breath or shallow breathing. Slow, deep breathing can bring oxygen into the body and reduce anxiety.

Reduction of Stress and Cortisol Levels
Chronic stress, such as the daily worry and pressure that a cancer patient typically experiences, can raise stress levels and biochemical markers such as cortisol and cytokine production. Stress reduction exercises, like yoga, can reduce stress and therefore reduce cortisol. Stress has also been shown to exacerbate the growth of tumors and other cancer indicators.

Indian researchers found that yoga decreased salivary cortisol levels in patients with stage 2 and 3 breast cancer. Their research was published in the March 2009 journal Integrative Cancer Therapies.

Immune System Response
The American Cancer Society notes that experimental studies have shown evidence of yoga’s beneficial effects on the immune system. The studies have demonstrated that stress contributes to the development and progress of immune-based diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Even as early as 1962, an article in the journal Cancer Research reported the beneficial effects of stress reduction on laboratory animals injected with cancer.

Improves Coping Mechanism
Some physicians see the benefit of yoga as a key to coping with cancer illness. Sarita Dubey, MD, an oncologist at the University of California San Francisco and American Society of Clinical Oncology official, said she believes yoga “does support patients mentally and physically while they endure the challenges from their cancer and cancer treatments.”

Cancer patients often find themselves in a distracted state of mind as they are bombarded by frightening information. When the mind is disturbed, it may be unable to make crucial decisions. The 2009 Breast Journal found that incorporating a coping strategy into the treatment regimen of patients with breast cancer, which could include yoga, is an important component in palliative care.

Decreases Insomnia
A small clinical trial published in the journal Cancer found that people with lymphoma reported fewer sleep disturbances, fell asleep more quickly, and slept longer after a seven-week yoga program, compared to patients who did not participate in yoga.

Improves Depression Symptoms
Many cancer patients experience depression either as a result of their condition, prognosis, or treatment difficulties. Yoga creates an awareness of the emotional state and acts similar to cognitive behavioral therapy to assist cancer patients with becoming aware of negative thoughts and replacing them with more neutral, rational thoughts.

In a small Japanese study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine in August 2009, mindfulness and meditation techniques helped 28 patients undergoing cancer treatment to cope more effectively with depression symptoms. The therapy included yoga, breathing, and meditation.

Relief of Chronic Pain
The Society for Integrative Oncology encourages the use of yoga for cancer patients because a pilot study of women with metastatic breast cancer found that on the day after which women practiced yoga, they experienced significantly lower levels of pain and fatigue. The study was published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management in March 2007.

Providing Gentle Exercise
Some researchers believe yoga’s benefits come from the fact that it is also exercise, something that is clearly beneficial in most diseases, particularly cancer. Range of motion, flexibility, strength, relaxation, and a sense of bodily well-being are enhanced by practicing the postures.

A 2008 study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention found that women who exercised after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis had both reduced overall mortality and mortality from breast cancer, compared with those who didn’t exercise. Another study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that exercise reduced the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality among survivors of late-stage colon cancer.

Dr. Moadel says that she does not see much support for yoga overall in the general medical community just yet. “I think there’s a lack of understanding about it,” she said. “They may worry that patients think it’s an alternative medicine versus a complimentary modality.” As research continues to show benefits without harmful side effects, more physicians may begin to prescribe more complementary therapies for cancer treatment.

People with cancer and chronic conditions such as arthritis and heart disease should talk to their doctor before starting any type of therapy that involves movement of joints and muscles. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Sources Included: The American Cancer Society, the Society for Integrative Oncology, Yoga Journal, and the National Library of Medicine.

 Yogic home remedies :

Cancer like any other disease occurs when we have low immunity.

You can regain good health by changing your lifestyle and eating habits. There are many fruits, herbs and vegetables available in nature which speed up your healing and prevents a relapse.

  • Garlic And Honey :
    • Garlic is proven antibiotic and anti-fungal agent. It is effectively used for treatment of fungal infections and other bacterial infections in the body.
    • You can drink 2 Tbsp garlic juice mixing it with 1 Tbsp honey.
    • Garlic improves digestion. Reduces inflammation. Cures constipation and diarrhea.
    • Honey is known for its curative effect. Acids in honey improve body’s immunity.
  • Soyabean :
    • Controls hormonal changes that blocks construction of cancerous cells in the body.
    • Is one of the most popular prescribed diet for breast cancer patients.
  • Fenugreek with Yogurt :
    • Mix fenugreek seeds in yogurt help in improved digestion and immunity. Vitamin DBroccoli
  • Grapes contain proanthocyanidins which help in reducing estrogen hormone production in the body. Hence, it helps in keeping a check on formation of cancer cells.
  • Amla therapy :
    • Amla is a rejuvenating herb which is known for its anti-oxident properties.
    • It is rich in Vitamin C. It helps in fighting the cancer cells and killing them.
    • Amla increases body’s immunity by detoxifying the liver. Which helps in improved blood circulation.

 

By-  Yogi Yoganand