I Felt Something Like A Hard Round Piece Of Cheese
After a shower one night, I did a self-breast check. I felt something like a round, hard piece of cheese about the size of a quarter. I had just had a mammogram six months earlier. I felt healthy, biked all the time, and wouldnt have guessed that something wasnt right in my body. But I didnt wait to see what was going on. I went to the doctor immediately and was referred for an ultrasound and needle biopsy. I was diagnosed at age 46 with stage 3 breast cancer, and soon after had a mastectomy. I would never recommend to anyone to wait and see. While it was a very scary realization, youre only saving yourself if you take care of it aggressively.
Sandy Hanshaw, founder of Bike for Boobs, San Diego
Causes Of Moles On Breast
Underlying health issues may result in sudden development of moles on breasts. Some of the health factors that may cause moles on breasts are hereditary while others are connected to lifestyle issues. These factors interfere with the normal functioning of melanocyte cells at a given area of skin, leading to the formation of moles. Causes of moles on breast specified by dermatologists are stated below.
- Heredity: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to develop moles on their breast.
- Age: Teenager to middle-aged people tend to develop moles on their breast that other age brackets.
- Poor diet: Poor diet may lead to the production of toxic substances in our bodies, especially in the liver and the intestines. These toxins, in turn, manifest themselves in moles on the breast.
- Sunlight: Too much exposure to Ultraviolet radiation from the sun may cause moles on breast. Sunbathe safely and avoid exposing your breast to direct sunlight for long.
- Liver disorders: Due to certain liver problems, the liver may malfunction causing accumulation of toxic substance which may lead to formation of moles on breast
- Hormonal disorders: If you experience hormonal imbalance you may develop moles on your breast. This is why women may develop new moles during menstruation and pregnancy.
- Psychological problems: Psychological issues like anxiety, stress or depression may produce hormonal imbalance that may, in turn, may cause development of moles on breast
Acute And Delayed Nausea And Vomiting Are Common In Patients Being Treated With Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the most common cause of nausea and vomiting that is related to cancer treatment.
How often nausea and vomiting occur and how severe they are may be affected by the following:
- The specific drug being given.
- The dose of the drug or if it is given with other drugs.
- How often the drug is given.
- The way the drug is given.
- The individual patient.
The following may make acute or delayed nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy more likely if the patient:
- Had chemotherapy in the past.
- Had nausea and vomiting after previous chemotherapy sessions.
- Is younger than 50 years.
- Has a history of motion sickness.
- Has a history of morning sickness during pregnancy.
Patients who have acute nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy are more likely to have delayed nausea and vomiting as well.
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What Does Melanoma Look Like
Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color, size, or feel of an existing mole. Melanoma may also appear as a new colored area on the skin.
The “ABCDE” rule describes the features of early melanoma :
- Asymmetry. The shape of one half does not match the other half.
- Border that is irregular. The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
- Color that is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.
- Diameter. There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than 6 millimeters wide .
- Evolving. The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months.
Melanomas can vary greatly in how they look. Many show all of the ABCDE features. However, some may show only one or two of the ABCDE features . Several photos of melanomas are shown here. More photos are on the What Does Melanoma Look Like? page.
Melanoma Photos
In advanced melanoma, the texture of the mole may change. The skin on the surface may break down and look scraped. It may become hard or lumpy. The surface may ooze or bleed. Sometimes the melanoma is itchy, tender, or painful.
What To Expect When Using Medical Cannabis
The ways cannabis can affect you depends on many factors and can be hard to predict. The effects of cannabis can vary from person to person.
Also, cannabis comes in a variety of strains, each with different potency and amounts or combinations of cannabinoids. Of note, products that contain THC may cause a high, while products with CBD only or trace amounts of THC will not.
The way you consume cannabis can also influence the effects. Cannabis products come in many different forms, including:
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creams and other products that are applied to the skin
Eating edibles or taking oils by mouth can take one to a few hours to take effect and can last up to about 6 hours. It can be difficult to know the dose in some edibles and how long the effects will last. Oils, sprays, and tinctures may give you more control over the dose you take.
Inhaling cannabis smoke or vapor takes effect within minutes and fades more rapidly. Inhaling can give you more control over the dose you take, when the effects will start, and how long they will last. But many oncologists prefer that their patients not smoke or vaporize cannabis products, especially during active cancer treatment that can affect the lungs or immune system. Thats one reason why its important to talk to your doctor before you start using cannabis.
Every persons situation is unique. The best forms and doses of medical cannabis and the reasons for using it will vary from person to person.
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What Causes Black Mold Exposure
Exposure to black mold happens all the time because mold is everywhere. However, mold usually is not dangerous at the levels present in normal, everyday amounts. Exposure becomes a health concern when the amount of inhaled mold is a much higher amount due to living or working in an area where mold is allowed to grow. These settings are usually working or living in humid or damp buildings, working with moldy materials, or accidentally eating moldy food.
When mold grows in buildings or on materials and then dries, disturbing the dried mold releases spores into the air, which are then inhaled. Long-term exposure can result in allergy or more serious symptoms.
What Are The Differences Between A Common Mole A Dysplastic Nevus And A Melanoma
Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma vary by size, color, shape, and surface texture. The list below summarizes some differences between moles and cancer. Another important difference is that a common mole or dysplastic nevus will not return after it is removed by a full excisional biopsy from the skin, but melanoma sometimes grows back. Also, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body.
Common Mole
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Asbestos Exposure And Breast Cancer
Asbestos is a carcinogen that has been linked conclusively to other health conditions such as mesothelioma cancer, but its exact correlation to breast cancer is uncertain. Although researchers have noted an elevated incidence of breast cancer in women who have been exposed to asbestos fibers, studies have not yet determined how asbestos directly affects breast tissue.
Should People Have A Doctor Remove A Dysplastic Nevus Or A Common Mole To Prevent It From Changing Into Melanoma
No. Normally, people do not need to have a dysplastic nevus or common mole removed. One reason is that very few dysplastic nevi or common moles turn into melanoma . Another reason is that even removing all of the moles on the skin would not prevent the development of melanoma because melanoma can develop as a new colored area on the skin . That is why doctors usually remove only a mole that changes or a new colored area on the skin.
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Oxalic Acid Found In Breast Cancer Lesions
Going et al. found that weddellite crystals are present in calcifications found in the breast tissue of patients with breast cancer. Calcium oxalate crystals are formed when calcium binds with oxalic acid. In human and animal systems, this is a protective process which considerably reduces the severe toxicity of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a powerful corrosive agent and oxalate salts are widely used for their cleaning and bleaching properties!
Oxalic acid happens to be a mycotoxin which can be produced by a number of different fungal species. Some fungi produce such large amounts of oxalic acid that they are used for commercial production of the chemical.
Aspergillus niger fungal infection in human lungs produces large amounts of oxalic acid which is extremely toxic to the blood vessels and which may cause fatal pulmonary hemorrhages. Consequently, oxalic acid in the sputum or lung specimens of patients is also an indication of an Aspergillus infection of the lung. These calcium oxalate crystals are the same as the calcium oxalate found in breast cancers.
The presence of oxalates in the breast is indicative of the presence of fungi interwoven within the stages of breast cancer development. Since humans do not make oxalic acid themselves, this is an appropriate conclusion.
Mole On Breast Removal And Treatment
If you have normal moles or atypical moles on your breast, you can have them removed for cosmetic purposes. However, you may be medically compelled to remove moles that are cancerous or suspicious. Normal or atypical moles may also be removed or treated if their prognosis reveals that they may turn cancerous in future. Family members who have a history of cancerous moles on breast which runs in the family may also be advised to have their moles removed and treated.
There are a number of ways of getting rid of moles on your breasts. The method that will be chosen by your dermatologist will depend on various factors. The Size and depth and exact location of the mole are among the factors considered. Whether it is a flat mole or a raised mole to be removed may also influence the choice made.
More importantly, the reason for the removal of the mole will equally influence the choice of method to be used. Mole removal is for cosmetic purposes only requires a method that will leave a flawless skin on breast after removal. However, if the mole is to be removed for medical reasons, the emphasis will be on ensuring complete eradication of the illness.
Raised moles which are not cancerous can be removed by shave excision. For cancerous moles and deep-rooted mole removal, the doctor may opt for deep surgery excision. The doctor may also go for laser mole removal and treatment, especially for flat moles which are cancerous.
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What Is A Normal Breast
No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. For more information, see the National Cancer Institutes Breast Changes and Conditions.external icon
High Levels Of Calcium In The Blood
Feeling nauseous may be a symptom of high levels of calcium in your blood . If the cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells make the bone break down and release calcium into the blood. This can cause you to feel tired, thirsty and confused. Hypercalcaemia is more common in some types of advanced cancer. Drinking more water can help but you may also be given drugs to lower your calcium levels. These are called bisphosphonates, which are usually given through a drip into a vein.
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Breast Cancer Causes You Can Control
According to the American Cancer Society, about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases can be directly attributed to mutations of certain inherited genes, one example of how some factors are out of a cancer patients control. However, there are partial risk factors that can be linked to the formation of breast cancer that are within the control of an individual.
When You Should See A Doctor
A best practice is to see your healthcare provider if you have any health concerns. However, many symptoms of breast cancer can also be symptoms of hormonal changes, especially due to menstruation.
If you notice that your breasts get tender and lumpy around the start or end of your menstrual cycle, thats normal. Everyones body reacts differently to changes in hormone levels.
If your breasts tend to hurt or the skin of your breasts is itchy or red and you cannot link the symptoms to anything external for example, if your bra is not the right size, it can result in painful breasts its best to book an appointment with your health care provider.
Injuries and trauma can also lead to symptoms that look like breast cancer, but are often easily treatable. A prior infection in the breasts, for example, could lead to discoloration or tenderness.
You should always get unusual lumps checked out, but they are not a confirmed sign of breast cancer. Lumps can be a sign of cysts or a fibrocystic breast condition, both of which are treatable. However, unusual lumps in your breast, coupled with changes in skin texture or changes in the shape of your nipples, warrant medical expertise.
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How To Remove Black Mold
Protect yourself. You don’t need to worry about having mold tested if you find mold in your house. But you should get rid of it no matter what type of mold it is. Take precautions to protect yourself before you attempt to remove mold.
Use an N-95 face mask to avoid breathing in mold spores. Wear gloves to protect your hands and goggles without ventilation holes to protect your eyes.â
Find and destroy the mold. The most important part of removing mold is finding and removing its water source. Mold can’t grow without moisture. Keep the following tips in mind when you’re cleaning up mold:
- Items that can’t be dried quickly should be discarded if they show signs of mold or water damage. Porous items such as carpet, padding, drywall, and paper soak up moisture.
- Do not paint or caulk over moldy surfaces. Remove the mold and dry the surfaces before you paint. Paint applied over mold will peel.
- Use plastic sheeting to block an area with mold from the rest of your house and keep the spores from spreading.
- Scrub hard surfaces with mold with detergent and water and dry them thoroughly.
- Put any moldy items in a plastic bag before you take them out of the room to prevent mold spores from spreading.
- Use a HEPA filter in your air conditioner and furnace to capture mold spores that may be airborne in your house.
- Consult a specialist if you’re not sure of the best way to clean a valuable or sentimental item.â
Redness On Breast Or Nipple
The presence of cancerous cells in the breast can manifest in the form of skin discoloration. If your breasts look bruised or not quite the color they should be, it could be another symptom of breast cancer.
Cancer can result in many changes to your skin, not only discoloration. A change in the texture of the skin on the breast and around the nipple is a warning sign. Itchiness may accompany these changes as well. However, changes in skin color or texture could also be the symptoms of a benign skin condition, so a checkup by a professional is always your best bet.
The first symptom of breast cancer you should have checked out straight away is dimpling. It refers to the bumpy, pitted look that the skin of your breast can have, making it look like the skin of an orange. This phenomenon occurs due to a buildup of lymph fluid and can be one of the first signs of an aggressive type of cancer called inflammatory breast cancer.
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A Family History Of Breast Cancer
Having someone in your family with breast cancer doesnt automatically mean your own risk is increased. For most people, having a relative with breast cancer does not increase their risk.
However, a small number of women and men have an increased risk of developing breast cancer because they have a significant family history.
Early Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
Lumps are the most common symptom of breast cancer, but cancerous lumps feel different than benign lumps. Like lumps, several other signs that could warn of breast cancer may just be the result of hormonal changes.
Self-exams are a smart strategy, since they allow you to get more familiar with your breasts, which then makes you more likely to identify any changes that are out of the ordinary for you. Knowing whats normal for you is crucial, but so is knowing what is abnormal for anyone.
Here are some of the most obvious signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
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