Leader-Herald PDF

OCTOBER 2014
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
Seeing
the Signs
Knowing and
recognizing the
signs of breast
cancer may save
your life
Understanding
Hormone
Therapy
Menopause
treatment and
breast cancer risk
The Power
of Vitamin D
The link between
vitamin D and
breast cancer
2
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
“4 Wheel Drive and Rust
Prevention Specialists”
221 West Fulton St.
Gloversville, NY 12078
Phone: 518-725-1203
www.4xheaven.com
www.facebook.com/4XHeavenNY
1. G et it beca u se m y w ork is n ot don e...I n eed to con tin u e to be a positive role m odel for
you n g w om en a n d to a ssist a n d en cou ra ge them to have con fiden ce in them selves so
they ca n a chieve their drea m s. – B eth W hitm an -Pu tn am 2. G et on e to show you get the
“pictu re” ... to a ll ou r sisters a n d da u ghters! – N eil M cG overn 3. It’s m y life a n d I in ten d
to live it w ell! – Su san Kiern an 4 . G et it beca u se you have so m an y m em ories to share ... an d so m an y m ore to m ake. – A m y Radik 5 . G et it so
you can vote in every election ! – M ayor D ayton King 6. I w a n t to m eet a ll m y fu tu re gra n dba bies. – B on n ie Valachovic 7. I do it beca u se I
have a fa m ily w ho n eeds m e, it w ou ld ju st be w ron g n ot to! – Lisa M cCoy 8. G et it beca u se: Fin a lly! A photo that w on ’t be posted on
Fa cebook! – Jacqu elyn W hite 9. I get it so I ca n experien ce m y gra n dchildren grow in g u p a n d spen d lots of tim e w ith them a s they g row .
– Kelly Lan drio 10. G et it beca u se there a re so m a n y m ou n ta in s to hike. – Cheryl M cG rattan 11. For the People I love a n d love m e! –
M ary Flin t Van den abeele 12. To catch a tu m or in the ea rly sta ges so you have a better cha n ce of su rviva l. – M issi Paciolla 13. A s sca ry a s
it seem s, kn ow in g is better tha n n ot kn ow in g. K n ow ledge is pow er! – Su e Cridlan d 14 . M y rea son . M y da u ghter ha d her m a m m ogra m at
4 1 a n d it revea led that she ha d brea st ca n cer. H a d she n ot ha d it don e, she very w ell cou ld be a victim in stea d of a su rvivor. M ay n ot be a
plea sa n t experien ce bu t I a m tha n kfu l to have m any m ore years of m y daughter’s com pany. Luv you K an dy. – Ruthe Sw eet 15 . I am gettin g a
m am m ogram so Ican see m ore sun sets” – N LH Staff Person 16.M am m ogram s are on e pictu re you don ’t have to have you r hair don e for! – Lisa Pfeiffer
17. I started the baselin e at age 29, so I m ay see m y gran dchildren , u n like m y m om w ho passed aw ay w hen I w as 16 years old from breast can cer. –
Shannon M cN eeley Robare 18.I get m am m ogram s so that I can be here for m y gran dchildren w hose m other (m y dau ghter) died from breast can cer.–
Ruth Vlock 19. G et a m am m ogram so you r dau ghter an d gran d dau ghters can som e day...they w on ’t be here u n less you a re! – Erica H im e D uesler
20. For you rself. If n ot, then do it for the on es w ho love you . – Tina Lauria Am brosino 21. Early detection is so m u ch easier than the altern ative. –
D onner Bosw ell 22. Becau se a peace of m in d is a piece of m e. – Kathie Theurer Rohrs 23. Becau se it can save you r life, an d sets a good exam ple for
you r dau ghters an d gran ddau ghters. – Terri Intilli Klausner 24 . Becau se son s w an t their
m others to be happy an d healthy in addition to w ise. – M ichael Philip Bucci 25 . Sim ply
pu t - Becau se m am m ogram s are savin g the lives of gran dm others, m others, dau ghters,
sisters,au n ts,cou sin s an d frien ds - Patricia Beck
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
Tests to find and
diagnose breast cancer
S
elf-examination is often the first step toward discovering the presence of
breast cancer. The importance of self-examinations is immeasurable, and
many women are taught from a very young age to conduct such inspections
to protect themselves from breast cancer. Breast cancer that is detected early is very
treatable, but the longer a person with breast cancer goes undiagnosed the less
effective and the more difficult that treatment becomes. But even women who
don’t find anything during self-examinations may want to ask their physicians to
conduct the following tests designed to find and diagnose breast cancer.
Biopsy: A biopsy, which is the removal of cells or tissues so they can be
viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer, may be
conducted to determine if breast cancer is present. When a lump in the breast is
found, doctors may remove a small piece of the lump to perform a biopsy. There
are four types of biopsies. An excisional biopsy is the removal of an entire lump
of tissue, while an incisional biopsy removes just part of a lump or a sample of tissue. A core biopsy removes tissue using a wide needle, whereas a fine-needle
aspiration, or FNA, biopsy uses a thin needle to remove the tissue.
Blood chemistry studies: A blood chemistry study checks a blood sample to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in
the body. An unusual amount of a substance, whether that amount is higher or lower
than normal, may be indicative of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it.
Clinical breast exam: A clinical breast exam, or CBE, is an examination of the
breast that is conducted by a doctor or another health professional. The person
conducting the examination will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for
lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
Magnetic resonance imaging test: Commonly referred to as an MRI or a nuclear
magnetic resonance imaging, or NMRI, this procedure employs a magnet, radio waves
and a computer to produce a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
Mammogram: A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that can be used to
check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease.
Mammograms also may be used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other
sign or symptom of the disease has been found. According to the National Cancer Institute, a mammogram performed on a pregnant woman may appear negative even if cancer is present. The NCI also notes that mammograms miss roughly
20 percent of breast cancers that are present at the time of screening.
Physical exam: Women should get a routine physical examination of their bodies once a year. Physicians conducting such exams will check for general signs of
health while also checking for signs of disease, including breast cancer. Breast cancer symptoms may include swelling and lumps on the breast or under the arms.
During a routine physical, a doctor also will request the patient provide a history of
her health habits and past illnesses, and women with a family history of breast cancer should make note of that history when discussing their own medical histories.
Ultrasound exam: During an ultrasound exam, high-energy sound waves are
bounced off internal tissues or organs to make echoes, which form a picture of
body tissues called a sonogram.
Beau Monde
Progressive Hair Studio | Day Spa
Expert Stylists & Color Specialists
Zumba
Z
umbba Dance
um
DDan
ancce Party
an
Par ty
Par
in Pink
Pin
Pin
inkk at
at GHS!
Fri. October 17 s 6–8 PPM
M
$10 Pre-sale TTickets
ickets s $15 at the Door
Pink Hair Extensions all month! Shop our Pink hair
products. Proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Research.
Research.
725-1500 s BeauMondeHairandSpa.com
235 North Main Street s Gloversville
3
1. Patricia Beck, “Simply put Because mammograms are saving
the lives of grandmothers, mothers,
daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins and
friends. 5. Jean Werle Rust “There
are no good reasons
NOT to get one!”
76. Congressman Paul D. Tonko,
“Get it because your greatest
accomplishments lie ahead of you!”
First Choice Financial
Federal Credit Union
!
W
O
W
Big Savings...Great Rates
As Low As...
%
1.99
#APR†
ON
NEW/USED
AUTOS
OR AUTO LOAN
*RE-FINANCING.
#Rates are determined by each
memberʼs overall credit history and are
subject to change.
†Annual Percentage Rate
*Auto loan must be financed with another
financial institution to qualify.
Apply on-line @ www.fcfinancialcu.org, OR
visit our Gloversville Locations at
355 Hales Mills Road
725-3191
329 S. Kingsboro Ave.
inside Wal-Mart Supercenter
725-4413
LENDER
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
4
Knowing and recognizing
the signs of breast cancer may save your life
A
s with many types of cancer, breast cancer is most successfully treated
when it is detected early. Over the previous quarter century, death
rates for breast cancer have been on the decline, a positive development that Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reliable, complete and up-to-date information about breast cancer, suggests
is a byproduct of the heightened awareness of breast cancer over the last 25
years and the increasing emphasis placed on breast cancer screening.
Understanding the symptoms of breast cancer also can help women battle and defeat this potentially deadly disease. While the presence of any of
the following symptoms does not necessarily mean breast cancer is present,
the appearance of the following should be enough to inspire women and
even men to visit their physicians for thorough examinations and screenings.
Changes in the feeling of the breast or nipple: A change in how the breast
or nipple feels could be indicative of a larger problem. If the nipple is especially
tender and this persists for an extended period of time, exercise caution and discuss this change with your physician. Similarly, if a lump or thickening develops
on or near the breast or underarms, speak with your physician.
Changes in appearance of the breast: A lump or thickening in the breast
may affect the appearance of the breast. Another visible symptom of breast
cancer is a change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin
of the breast, which may appear similar to dimpling, not unlike an orange
peel. Swelling or shrinking of the breast, especially when such symptoms appear on just one breast, may also indicate breast cancer. In addition, some
women with breast cancer notice a sudden asymmetry with their breasts de-
Even women who are a
picture of health can
develop breast cancer,
highlighting the importance
women must place on
recognizing and detecting
the symptoms of this often
curable disease.
spite their breasts previously being symmetrical, and such a development
should immediately be brought to the attention of a physician.
Changes in the appearance of the nipple: A nipple that appears different also may be a sign of breast cancer. Some women with breast cancer have noticed a nipple turned slightly inward or inverted prior to their
breast cancer diagnosis. Skin of the nipple, as well as that of the breast and
areola, which is the dark circle of skin around the nipple, may also become
red, scaly or swollen when breast cancer is present.
Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple: Women who are breastfeeding often notice a milky discharge from their nipple after breastfeeding.
Such discharges are normal. However, when a woman who is not breastfeeding notices the presence of a clear or bloody discharge from her nipple, such a development should be brought to the attention of a physician.
Any of the aforementioned signs and symptoms may be a sign of infection or the presence of a cyst, both of which are less severe than the presence of breast cancer. But the success rates of treating cancers that are
detected early is such that any potential symptom of breast cancer warrants
an immediate discussion with a physician.
Lesser known types
THE
COMPLETE INSURANCE SERVICES
SHULTS AGENCY
Are you receiving all
of the discounts you
deserve? Contact
either office today!
(800) 836-2885
FORT PLAIN
JOHNSTOWN
3 Canal St. • 518-993-2387 Briggs St. Plaza • 518-762-8200
Fax: (518) 762-1400
Fax: (518) 993-2302
[email protected] • www.shultsagency.com
of breast cancer
M
any people have been touched by breast cancer. Whether you
have dealt with your own diagnosis or that of a friend or family member, the prevalence of breast cancer has left few people without a
story to tell about a personal experience with this potentially deadly disease.
According to Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
proving reliable, complete and up-to-date information about breast cancer,
roughly one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast
cancer over the course of her life, while the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation notes the figures are slightly more optimistic in Canada, where one
in nine women is expected to develop the disease during her lifetime.
Many of the women who develop breast cancer will be diagnosed with
invasive ductal carcinoma, or IDC, which the National Breast Cancer Foundation notes is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for between 70 and 80 percent of all diagnoses. While women and even men
who develop breast cancer are most likely to be diagnosed with IDC, there
are less common forms of breast cancer, and learning about these rare cancers may help save your life or that of a loved one.
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
MEDULLARY CARCINOMA
Though medullary carcinoma diagnoses are rare, this is an invasive type
of breast cancer that begins in the milk duct and spreads beyond it. The
tumor that forms when a person has medullary carcinoma is a soft and fleshy
mass. Medullary carcinoma cells typically appear like aggressive, abnormal
cancer cells, but these cells do not grow quickly and often do not spread
outside the breast to the lymph nodes, which makes medullary carcinoma a
relatively easy cancer to treat. Medullary carcinoma can occur at any age,
though it typically affects women in their late 40s and early 50s.
TUBULAR CARCINOMA
Tubular carcinoma is a type of IDC that starts as small, tube-shaped structures known as tubules that appear similar to normal, healthy cells. Tubular carcinoma cells grow slowly and are unlikely to spread outside of the breast, and,
for that reason, tubular carcinoma typically responds well to treatment. Though
tubular carcinoma once accounted for a very small percentage of breast cancer diagnoses, they are now being diagnosed more often, thanks in large part
to the prevalence of screening mammography that has been catching cases
of breast cancer before doctors feel a lump. Tubular carcinoma may feel less
like a lump and more like a cushiony area of breast tissue.
MUCINOUS CARCINOMA
Mucinous carcinoma is also a rare type of IDC in which tumors are made
up of abnormal cells in mucin, which is a part of mucus. Many types of cancer cells, including the majority of breast cancer cells, produce some mucus,
which lines most of the inner surface of the normal human body. But when a
person is diagnosed with mucinous carcinoma, the mucin has become part of
the tumor, so when examined under a microscope, the cancer cells appear to
be scattered in pools of mucus. Mucinous cancer can affect people at any age,
though it is especially rare in men and most often diagnosed in women after
they have gone through menopause. Mucinous carcinoma is a less aggressive
type of breast cancer than others and is less likely than other types to spread
to the lymph nodes. As a result, it typically responds well to treatment.
Tom’s Family
Pharmacy, Inc.
23. Patrice McMahon, “Hear more
music, feel more joy.”
29. George Kline, “Get it because there
are road trips to enjoy.” 32. Moshgan
Jones, “My reason is because I love life
and want to live long to see and enjoy my
future grandchildren.” 33. Laurence E.
Kelly, Littauer’s President and CEO:
“Because life is good...too
good to be cut short by cancer.”
PAGET’S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE
Paget’s disease of the nipple is characterized by breast cancer cells that collect in or around the nipple. The cancer typically affects the ducts of the nipple first before spreading to the nipple surface and areola, which is the dark
circle of skin around the nipple. Both the nipple and areola can and likely will
become irritated, itchy, red, and scaly when a person has Paget’s disease, and
these signs may be the first indicators that breast cancer is present. While
Paget’s disease of the nipple is rare, the National Cancer Institute notes the
importance of recognizing its symptoms, as 97 percent of people with Paget’s
disease also have cancer elsewhere in the breast. Though the NCI notes that
Paget’s disease can develop in both men and women, it is more common in
women, among whom the average age for diagnosis is 62.
FREE
PRESCRIPTIO
N
PICK-UP AND
DELIVERY
45-47 South Main St., Gloversville
(Former Location of Del Negro Pharmacy)
Featuring everything from greeting cards, vitamins,
minerals and supplements to prescription drugs
and over-the-counter medications with the caring,
personalized service you wonʼt find at the
drugstore chains.
• Medical Equipment
& Supplies
• Bathroom Safety
Equipment
• Golden Technology
Lift Chairs
Easy prescription
transfer from
another pharmacy.
Simply call us or bring
in your prescription
bottles and we will take
care of the rest.
A neighborhood drugstore...
Familiar. Friendly. Like family.
FOR FREE PRESCRIPTION PICK-UP AND DELIVERY
JOHNSTOWN, GLOVERSVILLE, BROADALBIN
AND SURROUNDING AREAS
CALL (518) 725-0615
5
5044 State Hwy 30,
Amsterdam, NY • 842-5750
Open Monday-Thursday 9-5; Friday 9-6; Saturday 9-3
www.segelsjewelers.com
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
6
Breast cancer stages
help determine course of treatment
W
hen doctors diagnose breast cancer, they typically tell their patients which stage the cancer is in. Men and women with no
previous experience with cancer may not know what these
stages signify or may not understand the differences between the stages.
The following is a rundown of breast cancer stages to help men and
women diagnosed with breast cancer better understand their disease.
WHY ARE
STAGES IMPORTANT?
Staging helps doctors determine
how far the breast cancer has progressed, but staging also helps doctors determine the best course of
treatment to contain or eliminate
the cancer. For example, a person
diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer will likely undergo a different
course of treatment than someone
diagnosed with stage 4.
HOW ARE STAGES
DETERMINED?
A number of factors determine
staging. These factors include:
• the size of the tumor within
the breast,
• the number of lymph nodes
affected, and
• signs indicating if the breast
cancer has invaded other organs within the body.
Signs that the cancer has spread
may be found in the bones, liver,
lungs, or brain.
STAGE 0 & 1
When breast cancer is detected early, it is often characterized as stage 0 or 1, which means
the cancer cells have not spread
beyond a very limited area.
Stage 0 breast cancer is a noninvasive cancer where abnormal
cells have been found in the lining of the breast milk duct but
have not spread outside the duct
into surrounding breast tissue.
Stage 0 breast cancer is very treatable, but if treatment is not
sought, it can spread into surrounding breast tissue.
Stage 1 breast cancer is diagnosed when the tumor is very
small and has not spread to the
lymph nodes. In certain instances
when a person is diagnosed with
stage 1 breast cancer, no tumor is
found in the breast. When a
tumor is found, it is typically two
centimeters or smaller. According
to the National Breast Cancer
Foundation, breast cancer that is
discovered and treated at stage 1
has a five-year survival rate of
roughly 98 percent.
STAGE 2
A stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis means the cancer has
begun to grow or spread, but it
is still in the early stages and typically very treatable. Stage 2
breast cancer is divided into two
groups, stage 2A and stage 2B,
a distinction that is made because of the size of the tumor
and if the breast cancer has
spread to the lymph nodes.
There may or may not be a
tumor present when a person is
diagnosed with stage 2A breast
cancer. If a tumor is present, it
is either less than two centimeters and cancer cells are present
in less than four axillary lymph
nodes or the tumor is between
two and five centimeters but has
not spread to the lymph nodes.
A tumor is present when a
person is diagnosed with stage
2B breast cancer, and that
tumor is either between two
and five centimeters and spread
to less than four axillary lymph
nodes or it is larger than five
centimeters but has not spread
to any lymph nodes.
Stage 2 breast cancers typically respond well to treatment,
but those treatments may be
more aggressive than treatments
for stage 0 or 1 breast cancers.
More information about breast cancer is available at www.nationalbreastcancer.org.
Johnstown Mall • 736-2066
October Special
Pink Hair Extension
Open: Monday - Friday 9 am - 8 pm; Saturday 9 am - 5 pm;
Sunday 10 am - 4 pm • No Appointment Necessary
for only $700
With purchase of a haircut • Exp. Oct. 31, 2014
Women’s Cut
Men’s Cut
$15.95 $10.95
With Our Haircutting Card
With Our Haircutting Card
Kid’s Cut
$ 9.95
With Our Haircutting Card
STAGE 3
Stage 3 breast cancer is an advanced cancer that has invaded tissues surrounding the breast but has
not spread to distant organs. Advancements to treat stage 3 breast
cancer have made treatment more
effective, even if a doctor describes the cancer as “inoperable,”
which may mean that surgery will
not be enough to rid the breast of
the cancer in its entirety. Stage 3
breast cancer is divided into a three
subgroups, which are determined
by the size of the tumor and if the
cancer has spread to the lymph
nodes or surrounding tissue.
When a person is diagnosed
with stage 3A, 3B or 3C breast
cancer, his or her physician will
likely discuss treatment plans that
include a combination of treatment options.
STAGE 4
A stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis means the cancer has spread to
other areas of the body, which may
include the brains, bones, lungs, or
liver. Stage 4 breast cancer is considered incurable, though the
NBCF notes that a growing number
of women are living longer because
their disease is being treated as a
chronic condition. Treatment of
stage 4 breast cancer may be determined by a patient’s access to specialists and sub-specialists, and some
patients may be given the opportunity to participate in therapies that
are still in the experimental phase.
Unlike in years past, many stage 4
breast cancer patients can extend
their lives for several years thanks in
large part to advancements in research and medical technology.
‘—‹–›
‡ƒŽ–Š‡–‡”
EŽƚ:ƵƐƚŶLJ,ŽŵĞĂƌĞŐĞŶĐLJ͙
zŽƵƌŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ,ŽŵĞĂƌĞŐĞŶĐLJ͊
,͛ƐEƵƌƐŝŶŐ͕dŚĞƌĂƉLJ͕ĂŶĚŝĚĞ^ƚĂīĂƌĞĐĂƌĞŐŝǀĞƌƐ
ǁŝƚŚŐƌĞĂƚĂƫƚƵĚĞƐ͕ĂŶĚĂƐŬŝůůůĞǀĞůƚŚĂƚŐŽĞƐĂďŽǀĞ
ĂŶĚďĞLJŽŶĚĂŶLJŚŽŵĞĐĂƌĞĂŐĞŶĐLJŝŶƚŚĞƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘
ĂůůƵƐƚŽĚĂLJ͊ϱϭϴ-ϳϲϮ-ϴϮϭϱ
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
Does breast size
affect cancer risk?
V
arious factors may increase a woman’s risk of developing breast
cancer. But the size of a woman’s breasts may not help doctors
determine the gravity of that risk.
Researchers have uncovered connections between some genes that
determine a woman’s breast size and those involved with breast cancer,
but those discoveries are not enough to determine a definitive link.
Scientists at commercial DNA testing service 23andMe in California
have found a correlation between the genes that determine whether a
woman will wear a B cup or a D cup bra and the genes associated with
breast cancer risk. Data from more than 16,000 female customers who
had their genetic makeup examined was analyzed, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs. SNPs are variations in DNA that may
or may not have impact on predisposition to certain traits or illnesses. The
researchers identified seven SNPs as “significantly associated” with breast
size, three of which had previously been linked to breast cancer risk.
Doctors say that it is unlikely breast size alone will dictate propensity
for breast cancer. Others have argued the DNA study was preliminary
and possibly flawed because it failed to account for complete information, such as breast density, participants’ weight or alcohol consumption
— all factors that can contribute to breast cancer risk.
Excess body weight, which can contribute to larger breast size, may
be a more likely culprit in the correlation between cup size and cancer.
The American Cancer Society says that as many as 20 percent of all
cancer-related deaths were impacted by excess body weight. Being overweight or obese is clearly linked with an increased risk of breast cancer,
especially in women past menopause, but not necessarily in women of
childbearing age. The reasons for this are unclear.
There is not a large enough body of evidence to link large breast size
to an increased risk of breast cancer. It’s true that larger breasts have
more breast cells susceptible to mutation, but many surmise that genetics and lifestyle factors are more likely than breast size to elevate a
woman’s breast cancer risk.
Women concerned with breast cancer risk should complete a family
history and speak with their doctors to address their concerns. Frequent
self-examinations as well as routine physicals can make women more familiar with their breasts and more likely to recognize if anything is amiss.
35. Christian Rohrs, “Get it so that
you won’t miss all of the beautiful fall
colors that the Adirondacks have to
offer!” 36. Barbara Shutts, “No better
way to show your family how much you
love them than by taking care of yourself
which includes your mammogram!!!”
37. Charmaine Miskinis, “Get a
mammogram so you can enjoy your life
with your family and friends!”
Breast size
alone is not a
major risk
factor for
breast cancer.
WELLER HOME
CARE PRODUCTS
410 RIDGE RD., BROADALBIN, NY
(518) 883-3118
www.wellerhomecare.com
Full Line of
Bras & Prothesis
Many In-Stock
WHAT ABOUT IMPLANTS?
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, although breast implants may decrease accuracy of mammograms, they do not raise a person’s
risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have larger
breasts due to implants do not necessarily have a greater risk of
developing breast cancer. Likewise, women who have had implants used in breast reconstruction procedures do not need to
worry about their cancer coming back due to the implants. In
fact, newly developed implants may deter the growth of cancerous cells in breast reconstruction patients. Researchers at
Brown University developed a new kind of implant that has a
microscopically bumpy surface, which can impede the growth of
blood vessels that typically feed cancerous tumors.
Only a few days turn
around if we need to order!
Barbara Weller,O /M
Certified Breast Fitter
“Don’t Be Sick, Get Weller”
MEDICAID • MEDICARE
MOST INSURANCE
COMPANIES and HMO’s
Serving Fulton, Montgomery,
Hamilton, Saratoga, Albany,
Herkimer, Schenectady Counties
7
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
8
Menopause treatment and breast cancer risk
U
pon reaching a certain age, women go through the natural process
of menopause. This change typically occurs when a woman reaches
her late 40s or early 50s.
The transition to menopause happens over several years and results in
fluctuations of hormone levels in a woman’s body. During this transition,
many women experience a variety of symptoms, from mood changes to hot
flashes to vaginal dryness. These symptoms can be so severe they impact
daily activities and can impede quality of life. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, may be prescribed to alleviate the side effects of perimenopause and menopause. However, HRT is not without risks, including
an increased chance of developing breast cancer.
According to The Mayo Clinic, HRT, which includes medications containing female hormones to replace the ones the body no longer makes naturally after
menopause, used to be a standard treatment for women with severe symptoms.
In the largest clinical trial to date, a combination estrogen-progestin pill was found
to increase the risk of certain serious conditions, including blood clots, heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer. This type of therapy also may make a woman’s
breasts appear more dense on mammograms, making breast cancer more difficult to detect. When undergone for more than a few years, HRT has been confirmed by multiple studies to increase the risk for breast cancer.
Women concerned about HRT and cancer risk, especially those with a
significant family history of breast cancer, generally want to avoid the use of
hormone therapies. But what is a person who is experiencing many side effects of menopause that can be so easily remedied by hormone therapy to
do? Research into HRT alternatives has discovered a host of natural treatments that can provide relief.
Soy: Soy offers some promising results, especially with regard to relieving
hot flashes. Soy is very high in phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. Red clover
State Farm®
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
Nancy Persse Langdon, Agent
2628 State Highway 30A,
PO Box 1098
Fonda, NY 12068-1098
Bus 518-853-3623
Bus 518-762-4929
[email protected]
Good Neighbor Agent since 1992
Hormone replacement therapy can
elevate breast cancer risk and may not
be an appropriate
menopause treatment for all women.
and flaxseed are other sources of plant estrogens. Phytoestrogens are less
potent than pharmaceutical estrogen, and scientists believe they do not contribute to breast cancer in the way natural or pharmaceutical estrogen may.
Black cohosh: Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family and is
a perennial plant native to North America. Preparations of black cohosh
are made from the roots and underground stems. Black cohosh has long
been used by natives of North America to treat malaise, gynecological disorders, rheumatism and other conditions. Black cohosh is now sold as an
herbal remedy to alleviate hot flashes and excessive sweating in menopausal
women. The National Institutes of Health awarded more than $7 million to
the University of Illinois to study the efficacy of black cohosh and other
herbs in treating certain symptoms of menopause.
Dong quai: This herb is in the celery family and native to Asia. In Chinese medicine, dong quai has been considered a “female ginseng” because
of its way of balancing the female hormonal system. As such, dong quai has
long been used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and
menopause. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, researchers are unsure if dong quai acts like estrogen or blocks estrogen in the
body, as studies have produced mixed results.
Lifestyle changes: Women may need to dress more lightly, use a water
atomizer to spray their bodies to cool down and keep their bedrooms cold
to alleviate hot flashes.
Vaginal estrogen: If vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse are the
primary symptoms, vaginal estrogen rings or suppositories may be necessary. These provide estrogen directly to the affected area while only allowing very low levels to enter the bloodstream. In turn, vaginal estrogen may
not increase breast cancer risk in the same way as other hormone therapies.
Hormone replacement therapy can alleviate menopausal symptoms, but
also it can elevate breast cancer risk. Other options are available, and
women can speak with their doctors about alternatives to HRT.
Every two minutes, a woman
in the United States is
diagnosed with breast cancer.
In fact, breast cancer is the
leading cancer among Caucasian
and African American women.
Mammography screenings
are a woman’s best chance for
detecting breast cancer early,
so get yours today.
The Franco Family at...
Bowman’s Market
50 E. Pine St., Gloversville
725-7517
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
Vitamin D
and breast cancer link
T
ry as they may, the thousands upon thousands of medical researchers,
scientists and doctors around the world have not yet figured out a way to
eradicate cancer. Ongoing studies examining the disease as well as its risk
factors may not have yielded a cure, but they certainly have helped shape a
number of different methods of reducing risk and improving treatments.
Breast cancer is a prolific disease affecting a quarter of a million women in the
United States each year, annually claiming the lives of roughly 40,000 women.
The Canadian Cancer Society says breast cancer accounted for 13.9 percent of
the 36,100 female cancer deaths in 2013. Breast cancer remains the second most
common cause of cancer deaths in women, and females are continually on the
lookout for ways to reduce their risk of developing this potentially deadly disease.
Vitamin D may help reduce breast cancer risk, and it may even help women
already diagnosed in their fight against the disease. According to a meta-analysis
of five studies published in the March 2014 issue of Anticancer Research, patients diagnosed with breast cancer who had high vitamin D levels were twice as
likely to survive when compared with those who had low levels of vitamin D. This
analysis studied more than 4,500 breast cancer patients over a nine-year period.
The study’s authors also found that a vitamin D level of 50 ng/ml is associated
with a 50 percent lower risk for breast cancer. In addition, a study published in
the American Journal of Preventative Medicine in 2007 found that a higher
level of vitamin D is associated with a 50 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer.
Vitamin D is most often credited with helping the body maintain its balance
of calcium and phosphorous by controlling how much of these nutrients are
absorbed from foods and added to bones.
Although not fully understood, vitamin D also plays a role in other areas of the body,
including the nervous system, muscles and immune system. Vitamin D also affects inflammation as well as cell growth and death, which may help prevent cancer growth.
Women who are born with the BRCA1 gene mutation are at an increased
risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers. BRCA1 genes are tumor suppressor genes that, when formed properly, work to prevent cells from growing
into cancerous cells. When people have mutated or altered versions of these
genes, cancer cells can grow unchecked. Vitamin D may play a role in turning
off the pathway by which cancerous tumors grow.
Vitamin D receptors are found on the surface of cells where they receive chemical signals. By attaching themselves to a receptor, says the Vitamin D Council, these
chemical signals direct a cell to divide or die. Vitamin D receptors in breast tissue can
cause cells to die or stop growing and may prevent cancer cells from spreading to
other parts of the body. In turn, vitamin D may be protecting the breast against cancer. However, this is a complex area of study that is not fully understood. Right now
it cannot be said with certainty that vitamin D can fully prevent cancer growth.
Observational research has indicated that women with low levels of vitamin D
have a greater risk for breast cancer, particularly women who are post-menopausal.
Vitamin D3 is naturally produced in the body through exposure to ultraviolet sunlight and, like vitamin D2, can be absorbed from food. Vitamin D can be
found in fish oils, liver, cheese, egg yolks and supplemented dairy products.
Palmer
Pharmacy
“for old fashioned service and courtesy”
Pharmacists - Tom Friello • Carole Deyoe • Bob Sullivan
• Liza Saltsman • Jennifer Christman
• Patient/Prescription Consultation
• Senior Discount •
Medicare, Medicaid, EPIC & Most Third Party
Insurance Plans Honored
• Diabetic Supplies • Blood Pressure Kits
• Stethoscopes • Commodes • Walkers • Canes •
Crutches • Wrist, Knee & Back Supports •
Surgical & Support Stockings • Post Mastectomy Supplies
Nature’s Bounty Vitamins
FREE DELIVERY TO GLOVERSVILLE AND JOHNSTOWN
2 E. MAIN, JOHNSTOWN • 762-8319
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am to 7 pm; Sat. 8:30 am to 2 pm, Sun. 9 am - 1 pm
9
40. Wally Hart, “Get it so you
don’t have to worry!”
47. Assemblyman Marc Butler,
“Get a mammogram because you
have a bright future waiting just
for you.” 17. Lesa Gray Grosse,
“For yourself and for everyone in
your life who loves you!”
2. Stacy Minkler White, “Early
detection saves lives!”
The vitamin D in
milk and certain
foods and that
produced from
exposure to sunlight can play a
role in reducing
breast cancer risk.
DON’T FORGET
YOUR MAMMOGRAM!
Don’t forget to eat right
for your blood type to help
prevent breast cancer.
First 5 people to mention this ad
will receive a free copy of
Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo’s book
“Eat Right 4 Your Type”
Broadalbin • 518-883-3415
www.JankowskiInsurance.com
10
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
What is metastatic
breast cancer?
A cancer diagnosis is never welcome news. Once such a diagnosis
has been made, doctors will work to determine the stage of the cancer,
which helps them develop a treatment plan and prognosis.
Cancer is most treatable when caught in its earliest stages, when tumors
may be small and contained. When a person is diagnosed with metastatic cancer, commonly known as stage 4 cancer, treatments are typically
much more intensive.
Metastatic cancer refers to cancer that has spread elsewhere from the point
of origin. In terms of metastatic breast cancer, cancer cells may be detected
beyond the breasts, most notably in the bones, lymph nodes, brain, and/or
liver. Although much more invasive, metastatic cancer is not a hopeless situation. It simply requires a different course of treatment to fight the disease.
HOW DOES CANCER SPREAD?
Almost all cancers can form metastatic tumors, or tumors that form in
an area other than where the cancer started. The National Cancer Institute says cancer cells may initially invade nearby healthy tissue, replicating more unhealthy, abnormal cells. Intravasation, or the moving of cancer
cells into the walls of nearby lymph vessels or blood vessels, is also common. Once cancer cells are in this free-moving circulatory highway, they
can reach other parts of the body. New cancer cells multiply and grow
into small tumors in different locations. This proliferation of cancer tumors is called micrometastases.
The ability for metastasis to occur depends on a variety of properties,
including the body’s immune system defenses. Just because cancer cells
reach another area of the body that does not mean they will successfully
grow and form a tumor. Metastatic cancer cells can lie dormant and not
grow for years, if they grow at all.
WHY IS IT STILL CALLED BREAST CANCER?
If breast cancer spreads to the bones or lungs, it is not then referred
to as bone or lung cancer. Metastatic cancer always takes the name of
the first site where the cancer was discovered. When viewed microscopically, cancer cells that have spread generally look the same as the
original cancer cells and have some of the same features in common.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER?
Symptoms will vary depending on where the cancer has spread. If a
tumor is small or growing slowly, there may be no symptoms at all.
Metastases in the bones can cause pain or fractures. Cancer in the brain
Hairific
3 1 2 Ja ns en Ave.,Johns town •7 6 2 -5 0 8 3
(Belvedere T ra velPla za )
can cause headaches, vomiting, pressure, and behavioral changes. Cancer that has moved to the liver can cause jaundice, which is a yellowing
of the skin or eyes, and abnormally high enzymes in the liver. Any and
all new symptoms should be discussed with a doctor.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Metastatic cancer patients have many effective treatments at their disposal. According to BreastCancer.org, these treatments include systemic, or whole-body, treatment; localized treatment; and pain relief.
Whole-body treatments are usually advised when a cancer has a few
metastases. Surgery or a targeted therapy may not be able to attack all of
the cancer cells, including those that are not visible.
Additional medications and therapies may be recommended to address
specific symptoms. Radiation can target cancer cells in one location, while
steroids or surgeries to stabilize bones or other areas may be necessary.
Pain-relief medications are often prescribed to keep patients comfortable
until the other treatments begin to take effect. Sleeping pills or medications
to treat nausea may be prescribed if symptoms are bothersome.
Despite all the advancements in metastatic breast cancer treatments, it
is still possible for the cancer to spread. Experimental trials and new drugs
still being studied may be recommended in particularly stubborn cases.
A metastatic cancer diagnosis can be troubling, but men and women
should not be hopeless. Educating oneself about metastatic cancer
and learning about the various treatments can help people on their
roads to recovery.
DID YOU KNOW?
When a person is diagnosed with breast cancer, tests are then conducted to study the cancer cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, such tests are used to determine how quickly the cancer may grow and
the likelihood that the cancer will spread throughout the body. These tests
also may help doctors determine a course of treatment and if a patient is
likely to experience a recurrence of the cancer down the road. One such
test is the estrogen and progesterone receptor test, which measures the
amount of estrogen and progesterone receptors in cancer tissue. The cancer may grow more quickly in patients who have more of these receptors
than normal. In addition to measuring the amount of these hormones in
the cancer tissue, an estrogen and progesterone test can determine if a
treatment aimed at blocking estrogen and progesterone may prevent the
cancer from growing.
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald
11
Mammography
55. Kelly C. Hartz, “Get it
for your friends because they
will be devastated if you’re
gone.” 49. Lisa McCoy,
“I do it because I have a family
who needs me, it would just be
wrong not to!”
69. Cheryl Paulison Sofa,
“Just Because!”
guidelines continue to evolve
M
ammograms are used to screen for breast cancer and overall breast health.
In a relatively recent departure from conventional wisdom that once advised women to get annual mammograms beginning at age 40, new recommendations say mammograms are not necessary before age 50, and that earlier
screening benefits are limited and may even do more harm than good.
The new guidelines come courtesy of the United States Preventive Services Task
Force, which is a group of independent health experts convened by the Department
of Health and Human Services. The USPSTF reviewed and commissioned research
to develop computer-simulated models comparing the expected outcomes under different screening scenarios. The USPSTF is the most influential group to provide
preventive care guidelines for doctors, and this is the first time the group has spoken up about breast cancer screening since 2002. The reasons for the change were
based on the strong emotional stress breast cancer screenings can create and the
rates of false positives that may require follow-up testing.
Younger women’s breasts are naturally more dense, and dense tissue can make it
more difficult to read mammograms and identify problems. For this reason, perceived abnormalities on the mammogram may require follow-up mammograms or biopsies to rule
out cancer. According to Harvard Medical School, almost half of women under age 50
who have mammograms are called back for repeat films or biopsies because their test results look suspicious. This can subject women to undue stress, further exposure to radiation and more invasive biopsies, not to mention the added expenses of further testing.
The USPSTF revised recommendations state that:
• Routine screening of average-risk women should begin at age 50, instead of age 40.
• Routine screening should end at age 74.
• Women should get screening mammograms every two years instead of every year.
• Breast self-exams have little value, based on findings from several large studies.
But some health organizations disagree with the task force’s revised guidelines.
For example, the Mayo Clinic supports screenings beginning at age 40 because
doctors there believe mammograms can detect breast abnormalities early in women
in their 40s. Others scoff at the notion that breast self-exams have little value, as many
times it is a woman who first alerts her doctor to a lump or problem.
Doctors are unable to distinguish dangerous breast cancers from those that are not
life threatening, which is why many still recommend annual mammograms, despite
the fact that mammogram screening has not decreased the number of deaths associated with advanced breast cancers.
Ultimately, it is up to a woman and her doctor to chart the best course of preventative breast cancer treatment. Despite the recommendations from the task force,
many insurance companies still cover annual mammograms beginning at age 40.
Women who are at high risk for breast cancer are special cases, and such women
should discuss earlier screening schedules with their doctors.
HELP STOP BREAST
CANCER TOGETHER!
Herba Nissan will donate $100 to the National Breast
Cancer Foundation in your behalf for every purchase of a
new or used vehicle during the month of October*.
With 0%** Financing on most new vehicles and a
fantastic selection of quality pre-owned vehicles, thereʼs not
a better time to buy or a better reason than right now.
Letʼs do our part to help fight this disease.
*Must present ad at time of purchase. **See dealer for details.
HERBA
320 N. Comrie Ave., Johnstown, NY • 736-1300
www.herbanissaninc.com
12
October, 2014 • The Leader-Herald