Stage 4 Breast Cancer Prognosis Factors

There are four stages of breast cancer, from stage 1 to stage 4. In stage 1, the cancer is least severe and the chance of recovery is still high. However, at stage 4, the malignant tumor has spread to other parts of the body (such as the lungs, skin, bones, liver, brain, or distant lymph nodes) and is very difficult to cure. Thus, this stage is also known as advanced or metastatic stage. The cancer might be already at the advanced stage when it is first discovered, but it can also be a reappearance of previous breast cancer that has already affected other parts of the body. It is a very serious condition and requires focused treatments. Stage 4 breast cancer prognosis involves the prediction of outcome and the chance of survival that are based on other patients' experiences. Here are the prognosis factors of a stage 4 breast cancer:

1. The first factor is the survival tendency. As a matter of a fact, the five-year survival rate for patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer is only 20 percent. Thus, the aim of the treatment is a long term survival of the patient, since the cancer at this stage is incurable.

2. Hormonal factors also play an important role. Estrogen and progesterone that can be found in birth control medications or hormone replacement therapy can actually cause the cancerous cells to grow. A hormone receptor status test will show whether or not any of these hormones are causing the growth of the malignant tumor. If the patient is estrogen receptor positive (ER+) or progesterone receptor positive (PR+), the cancer should respond well to hormone suppression treatments. Moreover, the three-year survival rate for ER+/PR+ patients reaches 97 percent while the survival rate for ER-/PR- patients is only 83 percent.

3. Histology is another important factor since it determines the degree of aggressiveness of the disease by identifying the types of cancer cells found in the tumor. For instance, the type of breast cancer known as tubular adenocarcinoma is considered as the most survivable. On the other hand, inflammatory breast cancer is very aggressive and the five-year survival rate for stage 4 is only about 11 percent.

4. Other factors that affect the stage 4 breast cancer prognosis and survival rates are the areas in which the cancer has spread, the size of the tumor, age and race factor, genetic history, response to treatment such as chemotherapy, biological therapy, clinical trials, medications, radiation therapy and surgery.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer Survival Rates - Be Informed

Stage 3 breast cancers occurs when the cancer cells in the breast have spread outside the regions of the breast and have affected the surrounding lymph nodes of nearby muscles but have not expanded well enough to affect distant organs and systems of the body. Breast cancer survival rates for this stage in a five-year period ranges at 54 to 67 percent chance of cure.

There are different forms of stage 3 breast cancer according to Ms. Christy Russell who is a professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine in the University of South Carolina and co-director of the USC/Norris Breast centre. She is the spokeswoman of the American cancer society as well. According to her stage 3 breast cancers varies upon the number of lymph nodes involved or the malignant cancer cell invasion within the chest and skin of the patient.

All types of stage 3 cancer of the breast except for where the malignant tumor have affected the lymph node above the collarbone are considered operable. Breast cancer survival rates are greatly adjusted into the type of stage 3 cancer of the breast for there are types that are more aggressive than the others.

Stage III - A cancer of the breast is subdivided into two parts. The first type is where the tumor has grown more or less 5cm and the cancer cells have moved that it infected the lymph nodes in the armpit or the sternum. The Second type is when the tumor has grown within 5cm but has not infected any lymph nodes.

Stage III - B is an indication wherein the tumor regardless of the size, have invaded the chest muscles and have spread among the skin as well. Lymph nodes may also be affected by the cancer tumor. A rare type of aggressive cancer called inflammatory cancer of the breast is considered by many professionals to be a stage III b cancer of the breast because of the involvement of the skin infection of cancer cells. This type of cancer is considered to be aggressive in nature and breast cancer survival rates would drop immediately because of the aggressive type of malignancy.

Stage III - C cancer of the breast occurs when the malignant cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes of the armpit and breast bond and have infected the lymph nodes in the neck or collarbone as well. This type is considered to be inoperable and has the most drastic survival rate among stage 3 cancer of the breast.

What is the Breast Cancer Survival Rate?

You must accept the fact that not all patients who undergo breast cancer treatments are able to survive. It is but natural for you to want to know about the breast cancer survival rate before you decide to go for a particular treatment.

Survival rates differ and it would depend on the stage of the cancer you're currently in. What is this rate all about?

You can describe the survival rate in several ways such as:

1. Time - upon diagnosis, a patient is given 5-10 years to survive

2. Recurrence - there are times when recurrence take place after the cancer cells have been removed

3. Death risk as compared to other people with the same health condition

Survival rate is usually categorized based on the breast cancer stages. Stage '0' means that the cancer is still non-invasive. The cancerous cells can only be found in the walls of the lump or mass inside the breast.

When you reach Stage 1, the tumor has already grown about 2 cm long and it is already considered invasive. Stage 2A happens when the tumor is already 2 to 5 cm long.

The Stage 2B refers to tumors more or less 2 cm long but some of the auxiliary lymph nodes are already affected. When the tumor reaches above 5 cm and has already affected the lymph nodes, it is already classified as Stage 3A breast cancer; and when the tumor invades the skin of the breasts, the cancer is in Stage 3B. The advanced breast cancer is classified under Stage 4 wherein other organs of the body are already infected with the cancer cells.

The different stages can also be divided into the early stage (0 to 2A), the later stage (2B to 3A and B), and the advanced stage (stage 4). The treatment plan is generally based on the stage of the breast cancer.

Today, the survival rates for breast cancer are 86% (for the 5-year period after diagnosis) and 76% (for the 10-year period).

Breast cancer patients without metastatic has a rate of survival of 96% while those with metastatic has a rate of 21%. The percentage is based on the 5-year period after diagnosis.

There are also established survival rates for each stage of breast cancer within the 5-year period. The following are the rates: Stage 0 - 100%, Stage 1 is 100%, Stage 2A is 92%, Stage 2B is 81%, Stage 3A is 67%, Stage 3B is 54%, and Stage 4 is 20%.

As you can see, if you're still in the 0 and first stage, you have a 100% chance to recover from the disease. It is therefore very important to detect breast cancer during these stages. Besides, the medications used for the early stages are more affordable as compared to the medications or treatments given to the late stages.

Now, aside from the stages of breast cancer, the survival rate is also affected by other factors like lifestyle, exercise, psychological therapy, and smoking. Did you know that some breast cancer patients are able to live longer because they made changes in their lifestyle?

If you want to determine if you have breast cancer or if this disease runs in the family, it would be best to undergo a mammogram or you can also conduct self examinations. This is one way of discovering mass or lumps in your breast. The breast cancer survival rate is quite high but you'll need to detect the cancer at an early stage.

Breast Cancer Death Symptoms

The most advance form is metastatic or stage IV breast cancer that is extremely life-threatening. Many patients in that phase ultimately depart this world, since it then becomes incurable almost in all of the cases. As the studies reveal, about 1 to 3 percent of the patients in this stage recover. What about the remaining? They eventually rest in peace. It shows these obvious signs before killing:

Severe pain

Several body parts can feel pain especially those where the tumor has spread. One that metalizes in the bones causes joint pains and bone aches that are so deep. In case it has attacked the liver, a vital body organ, it results in frequent abdominal pain. Chest pain is occurred when metastatic breast cancer has spread to the lungs, which is very likely since it is a neighboring organ. According to a research of European Journal of Cancer Care, most of the women affected with this disease had good control over the pain in the last stages of death. This means pain is not the worst symptom ever experienced by such patients.

Psychological disturbances

Women are especially sensitive and are readily affected by any malignant disorder such as metastatic breast cancer. Depression, restlessness and anxiety are a common occurrence as published in European Journal of Cancer Care. They conducted a study on 44 affected individuals with stage IV breast cancer. The findings in the report are briefly described below:

• About 50 percent of the patients suffered from depression


• 66 percent of them had got anxiety before death due to this disease. It was observed while interviewing them all for the purpose of research.


• Other physical symptoms were not correlated with the occurrence of these emotional imbalances in the patients. This implies to the fact, no matter the signs are mild or severe, the presence of psychological problems remain unaffected. They just occur in the last stage regardless of other unstable medical problems involved.


• In the study, the concerned group of people is provide a psychological support and emotional security to the patients who are now about to say good bye to their loved ones.

Gastrointestinal abnormalities

There are some signs such as constipation, involuntary urination and defecation, in which the patient loses control over bowel and urinary excretion. Nausea and vomiting are also frequent with fatigue or tiredness. Anorexia, loss of appetite is a common occurrence that subsequently causes an unintentional weight loss. The study reveals in the European Journal that these kinds of disturbances along with fatigue were the most severe symptoms of all in the patients before their death.

Swollen body organs

A serious signal is swelling of the abdomen, feet and legs. The exact reason however is not known. Abdominal area may be so due to infection, presence of a lump or inflammation. There can be difficulty walking in such a condition; the pain being another outcome of it. Breast swelling is there from almost the beginning of the disease since the person developed tumor inside. As it grows in volume, the swollen part is enlarged to accommodate.

Neurological malfunctioning

In case the metastatic breast tumor has affected the brain it leads to headache, impaired or poor vision, amnesia (the loss of memory), and confusion, inability to take decisions, cognitive problems and difficulty to make movements and walk normally.

Shortness of breath is also an alert that death is near.

How to act?

Although, metastatic cancer in 97 to 99 percent cases is incurable but still the hope remains alive, take care of the patient as much as possible with the best treatment procedures available without letting her/him know the final consequences; for this is the only option left.

Survival Rates Of Breast Cancer At Different Stages

Where the disease has not metastasized, the five-year survival rate for women suffering from breast cancer is about 86%. That percentage means that 86% of women who develop breast cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The good news is that depending on the stage it is discovered, the survival rate can be even higher than the overall average.

As with most cancers, breast cancer, develops in stages. A standard classification of letters and numbers is used to describe the stages - T, N and M and 0-IV. The alphabet T denotes the size of the tumor while alphabet N denotes that it has spread to the lymph nodes and the alphabet M means distant metastasis. When a primary tumor spreads to another area/s and forms more tumors, it has metastasized.

When a tumor cannot be assessed, it is designated the classification of TX. Where there is no indication of cancer, T0 is used. If one of the following forms is suspected - DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) or Paget's disease (where the nipple and/or areola is cancerous) - Tis is used.

Stage 0 indicates that the cancer is in its earliest stage. Stage I indicates that tumors have not spread and are less than 2cm in size. A tumor that is 2-5cm in diameter is classified as Stage II, and a tumor larger than 5cm is considered Stage III. When a tumor has attached to the chest wall and spread to the lymph nodes it is considered to be Stage IV.

Today, due to medical advances, many breast cancers are diagnosed and treated during the early stages.

When treatment is given to patients who are at Stage 0 or 1, the survival rates are almost 100%. And yes, men can develop breast cancer, though at a far lower rate of 1/133 when compared to women. For those with cancer in Stage II, the survival rate is at 81% to 92%. At Stage III the rate lowers to 67%, and then drops substantially to 20% at Stage IV.

Although it is a very serious illness, breast cancer is seldom life threatening. Women who have advanced stages of cancer have been known to live for more than seven years. As technology and medicine advance, survival rates increase. Even later stage cancer survival rates are rising as medical and treatment methods improve.

A fairly new method of diagnosing cancer is the QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR) method. It was invented in 2001 and it involves tests done on fluids taken from the breast area. The chemical analysis undertaken during this test allows cancer to be detected with 86% reliability, and cancer clumps with as little as 50 cells can found. Treatment given in the early stages is highly effective, and new methods like this allow cancer to be diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.

Treatments are also improving, with hormone therapy, targeted radiation and molecule specific drugs now readily available.

Breast cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Although the disease is still a matter of serious concern, the chances of survival are high and treatments are now less invasive.

Identifying Breast Cancer Stages For a Proper Treatment

Cancer stages are established on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether lymph nodes are involved, and whether the cancer has extended outside the breast.

The intention of the coordination of stages is to assist organize the various factors and a number of the personality characteristics of the cancer into groups, so as to:

* best comprehend your prognosis (the most probable result of the disease)

* direct treatment choices (in common with other parts of your pathology information), because clinical studies of breast cancer treatments that you and your doctor will regard as are partially controlled by the staging coordination

* give a general way to explain the extent of breast cancer for doctors and nurses all over the world, in order that effects of your treatment could be evaluated and comprehended

Doctors categorized breast cancer into four number stages. 'Staging' allows for a variety of reasons, like the size of the tumour, whether cancer cells have extended into the close lymph glands (lymph nodes), whether the cancer cells contain receptors for hormones or other proteins, and whether the tumour has extended to any other organ of the body. The word tumour denotes either a breast lump or the part of cancer cells brought into being on a scan or mammogram.

Once the surgery is finished, your doctor could settle on the stages of your cancer. There are five fundamental stages, 0 through IV, and a number of sub-stages. Lower numbers point to earlier stages of cancer, while higher numbers reveal a late-stage cancer. Doctors assess a woman's breast cancer partly by settling on how big the tumor is and how far it's extended. This is called staging. It's only a way of reviewing your present condition.

Identifying the stages of your cancer assists your doctor make a decision on a proper treatment plan. The stages assist forecast as well how well you may do, whether the cancer will reappear (recurrence), for example. Established on statistics composed from other women's experiences, scientists could approximate the five-year disease-free survival rate.

The breast cancer stages aren't the simply reason doctors regard as when settling on treatment. Other important information consists of: the tumor grade and size, the presence or absence of receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone, the amount of a protein called HER-2 created by the cancer cells, your menopausal condition, and your general health.

Staging Breast Cancer

Knowing the stage of your breast cancer helps your medical team determine how big the cancer is and if it has spread. This helps them guide your therapy and provide reliable prognostic information.

In general, staging is done following your surgery, either after lumpectomy or mastectomy. It usually includes evaluation of the lymph nodes in your armpit (axillary lymph nodes), and possibly other radiology tests and blood work.

All breast cancers are staged using a system defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer based on the "TNM system." TNM refers to tumor size (T), number of lymph nodes involved (N), and whether your cancer has metastasized (or spread) to other parts of your body (M). The newest edition was released in late 2009 and took effect Jan 1, 2010.

The following is an overview of the updated TNM staging system for breast cancer. Interestingly, due to the increased use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, recommendations are now also given for staging of patients who have undergone such therapy. I have tried to highlight some of the more major changes in the 2009 edition, but there are many smaller changes that are beyond the scope of this article.

T: The size of the cancer.

Tx: The primary tumor size cannot be assessed

T0: No cancer is present.

Tis: Non-invasive cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ, is present (DCIS or LCIS or Paget's disease alone).

T1: Invasive cancer measuring 2 centimeters or smaller is present. This is further sub-divided into four groups:

Tmic: microinvasive cancer, meaning the invasive cancer is 1 millimeter or smaller.

T1a: the invasive cancer measures greater than 1 millimeter but not greater than 5 millimeters.

T1b: the invasive cancer measures greater than 5 millimeters but not greater than 1 centimeter.

T1c: the invasive cancer measures greater than 1 centimeter but not greater than 2 centimeters.

T2: Invasive cancer is present, measuring greater than 2 centimeters but not greater than 5 centimeters.

T3: Invasive cancer is present, measuring greater than 5 centimeters.

T4: Invasive cancer is invading the chest wall or skin; also includes inflammatory cancer. In the 2009 edition, the diagnosis of inflammatory carcinoma is more clearly defined and the finding of carcinoma merely invading the dermis of the skin alone was not felt to represent T4 disease.

N: The number of lymph nodes involved by cancer.

Nx: Lymph nodes cannot be assessed.

N0: No cancer found in lymph nodes. In 2002 and again in the 2009 edition, an addition was made for the diagnosis of isolated tumor cells (ITCs) but changes to the definition were added in 2009 as well as an addition for findings by molecular studies:

N0(i+): Cells found in the lymph node measuring 0.2 millimeters or less, found either on routine pathology or using immunohistochemistry. In 2009, the following addition was made: if more than 200 cancer cells are found in a particular node, that node should be classified as a micrometastasis (N1mic) not isolated tumor cells.

N0(mol+): Positive molecular findings using RT-PCR but negative nodes histologically or by immunohistochemistry.

N1: Cancer is present in 1-3 lymph nodes in the armpit area (also known as axillary lymph nodes).

N1mic: The cancer present in the lymph node measures greater than 0.2 millimeters but not greater than 2 millimeters. This is also known as a micrometastasis.

N2: Cancer is present in 4-9 axillary lymph nodes.

N3: Cancer is present in 10 or more axillary lymph nodes.

M: The presence or absence of distant metastases.

M0: No distant metastases are present. In the 2009 edition, a category of M0(i+) was defined for patients without evidence of distant metastases by clinical or imaging studies, but molecular studies identify foci of carcinoma in blood, bone marrow, or other body site which are no larger than 0.2 mm.

M1: Distant metastases are present.

Once you know your T, N, and M status, you can determine your breast cancer stage as follows based upon the new guidelines:

Stage 0: Tis, N0, M0

Stage IA: T1, N0, M0

Stage IB: T0/T1 with N1mic, M0

Stage IIA: T0/T1 with N1, M0 or T2, N0, M0

Stage IIB: T2, N1, M0 or T3, N0, M0

Stage IIIA: T0/T1/T2 with N2, M0 or T3 with N1 or N2 and M0

Stage IIIB: T4 with N0/N1/N2 and M0

Stage IIIC: Any T with N3 and M0

Stage IV: Any T with any N with M1

© 2010 Seattle Breast Pathology Consultants, LLC. All rights reserved.

Breast Cancer Survival Rates - Stage 2 Breast Cancer

Life threatening diseases are not only seen on television advertisements, they are even on radio commercials. Posters in nearby vicinities of different hospitals and community centres about cancer awareness are scattered due to the drastic change it might cause to an infected individual.

In cancer there are different stages, and for the cancer of the breast there are 4 different stages. Stage 2 breast cancer is when the tumor within the breast has grown and easily be noticed but have not expanded beyond the regions of the breast.

Below are different conditions or stages of stage 2 breast cancer and their survival rates.

• According to some studies, for II A cancer of the breast, the survival rate is at 92% and is consistently improving each year.

Stage II A cancer of the breast is when there are no malignant cancer cells within the breast itself but rather found in the auxiliary lymph nodes and If the cancer is between 2 - 5 cm.

• If it is already at the stage II B the survival rate is at 81%.

Stage II B cancer of the breast is when the tumor is no larger than 5 centimetres but has not affected the axillary lymph nodes. This stage is a preparation for the malignant cancer tumor in the breast to infiltrate and infect the nearby tissues near the breast.

For white women, up to 29% are diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, and for black women, 36%. All in all there is a 62% average of patients diagnosed with this type of cancer within stage 2. Early detection is very crucial, because it has been proven that there is a 98% breast cancer survival rates for patients diagnosed at the first stage. To save the lives of people with this malignant disease, an early finding is very essential.

A stage 2 breast cancer is not as bad as it seems. Usually tumors in the breast are removed because they are easily found and examined during this stage. In fact there have been incessant improvements of its survival rates.

Breast cancer survival rates vary depending on the tumor size and if the cancer of the breast has been spread to the lymph glands. The good news for patients with this kind of cancer is the availability of abundant information for made accessible to help early detection and prevention. The primary reason for breast cancer survival rates are early detection along with improved treatments.

There are ways in order to prevent this malignant disease:

1. Monthly examinations every month
2. Acquiring a healthy lifestyle
3. Exercise, maintain a healthy weight
4. Moderate the intake of alcohol

However the chance of acquiring cancer of the breast is greater for older women and the bad news is the 10% chance of the cancer to recur even after successful medications.

Breast Cancer Stages - Importance of Knowing Breast Cancer Stages

Determining the breast cancer stages is important since it enables the patient and doctor to identify the treatment necessary for one's condition. Also, it is essential in assessing the risk of the given condition and what lifestyle changes the patient can do to improve their health.

Identifying A Breast Cancer's Stage

When talking about stages, it is aimed at describing the extent of the cancer in the body. Doctors often start to classify whether it is invasive or non-invasive. Other factors considered are the tumor size, number of nymph modes involved, and what other parts of the body it has managed to affect.

Determining a cancer's stage is helpful during prognosis and deciding on a treatment option.

To determine the stage, a few standard procedures are done by the doctor on a patient. They undergo physical exam and biopsy to acquire the data needed by the doctor for the diagnosis.

If needed, further tests are also conducted such as imaging tests that include x-ray, bone scans, mammograms for the breasts, CT scans, positron emission tomography (PET), and magentic resonance imaging.

Now that the importance of determining the different breast cancer stages have been clarified, as well as the methods used to identify them, it is now time to move on to discussing each of them. Take note of the features and extent of the disease in each of the stages:

Breast Cancer Stage 0

This stage renders the case of breast cancer to be non-invasive. At this point, cancer or non-cancerous cells cannot be detected yet.

The abnormal cells are still at the stage wherein they try to spread out within the specific part of the breast where the cells are rooted. Also, they can try to expand on the neighboring tissues as the cancerous cells continue to grow.

Breast Cancer Stage I

Once it enters this stage, it is now categorized as an invasive type. Meaning, the cancer cells have now worked their way towards the neighboring tissues. Stage I breast cancer also exhibit the following characteristics:

o The cancerous tumor has reached the size of 2 centimeters.

o No lymph modes are affected.

Breast Cancer Stage II

For this particular stage, it is also known as an invasive type of cancer and is broken down into two more categories:

1) Stage IIA

Even in this particular stage, the conditions can be different:

o A tumor does not exist in the breast but cancerous cells are detected in the lymph nodes.

o A tumor could exist but measures less than 2 centimeters;

o The tumor has expanded beyond 2 centimeters but less than 5 centimeters without reaching the lymph nodes.

2) Stage IIB

This invasive level of the cancer are recognized as either one of the following:

o The tumor exceeds 2 centimeters in size but less than 5 centimeters, while also reaching the lymph nodes.

o The tumor is more than 5 centimeters in size but has not yet reached the axillary lymph nodes.

Breast Cancer Stage III

1) Stage IIIA

In this stage, the tumor could either be detected or not. Aside from the axillary lymph nodes, cancer can also stick to other structures outside of the lymph nodes and become clumped together.

2) Stage IIIB

In this stage, the tumor can grow in size and affect other areas of the body outside of the actual breast, whether th chest wall or skin of the breast. This is the stage wherein inflammatory breast cancer takes place.

3) Stage IIIC

In some cases, sign of breast cancer might not be detectable yet. However, the tumor could already be spreading towards the breast skin, chest wall, and below your collarbone.

Breast Cancer Stage IV

In this level, the cancerous cells have managed to spread to various organs of the body. Therefore, the cancer is no longer restricted on the breast and lymph nodes, which signifies the initial diagnosis of breast cancer. The reason why diagnosis is done only during this stage is because cancerous cells were not detected while still within the breast.

Recognizing breast cancer stages does more than just identifying treatment options, but also enables doctors and patients to understand the developmental pattern of the disease.

Breast Cancer Survival Rate - Stage 2 Breast Cancer

The 5-year breast cancer survival rate for stage 2 breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. varies according to size of the tumor and whether or not cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

If the breast cancer is under 2 centimeters in diameter and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm (the axillary lymph nodes), it is stage IIA breast cancer and the survival rate is 88%-92% (American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute).

If the breast cancer is between 2-5 centimeters but has not spread, it is also called stage IIA.

If the breast cancer is between 2-5 centimeters in diameter and has spread to the lymph nodes, it is called stage IIB breast cancer and the 5-year breast cancer survival rate is 76%-81%.

If the breast cancer is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread beyond the breast, it is also called stage IIB

Up to 29% of diagnosed breast cancer is Stage 2 breast cancer for white women and 36% for black women. An average of 62% of all breast cancer is diagnosed when it is still localized to the breast area or Stage 1 breast cancer. If the cancer is detected early enough, such as Stage 1 breast cancer, then the 5-year breast cancer survival rate is as high as 98%-100%. Early detection is the most important way to save the lives of cancer patients.

Fortunately for breast cancer patients, there has been a great deal of effort put into providing information about early detection. Early detection and improved treatments are the primary reason for increasing breast cancer survival rates.

Women can help themselves with monthly self-examinations done at the same time every month. When a woman is 20 she should make sure that she gets a clinical examination at least every three years. After the age of 40, the clinical exams should be part of her annual health check-up, along with her mammogram.

Women can also help themselves with healthy habits that may help breast cancer prevention, such as regular moderate exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive alcohol. These, and other healthy habits should be maintained for life since the risk of breast cancer increases with age.

There is also a 10% chance of breast cancer recurrence even after successful treatment. You can learn about three healthy habits that have shown a 50% decrease in breast cancer recurrence at http://www.green-tea-health-news.com/breast-cancer-recurrence.html.

For more information on scientific research showing dramatically increased breast cancer survival rate, see http://www.green-tea-health-news.com/breast-cancer-survival-rate.html.

Early Symptoms of Breast Cancer Development

Over 90 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed during the earlier stages of the disease. Early spotting is beneficial for the patient as it typically means better treatment and a stronger prognosis.

Nonetheless, early diagnosis is only a fraction of the whole medical picture. Other disease characteristics, like hormone receptors and lymph nodes, can aid in prognosis results and help doctors and patients choose the right treatment.

Though breast cancer rates are increasing in North America and the United Kingdom, the fatality rate is falling. This declining death rate is accredited to more women getting mammograms, better evaluation processes, and more potent secondary treatments.

Thus if the majority of diagnosed breast cancer cases are discovered during the preliminary stages, what effect does that have on patients and what are the best treatment courses?

An Overview of the Earlier Symptoms of this Disease

Earlier breast cancer stages are called TNM stages 1, 2 and 3a. This scoring system approximates how far the carcinoma has advanced. It's also based on whether any present tumors are operable.

The majority of early breast cancer cases are cured through either surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy or a combination of the three, resulting in a much greater survival rate.

Normal Treatment Reactions

Treatment reaction generally hinges on lymph node engagement, the size and grade of any tumors, the age of the patient, hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors, and the status or condition of biologic markers like HER2/neu.

Lymph Node Indicators

Lymph nodes are an effective way to predict the effects of breast cancer. Essentially, the more positive lymph nodes that are present, the lower the patient's survival rate and the higher the chances of relapse.

Typically, patients with early stage breast cancer are grouped into either those having negative nodes, 1 to 3 positive ones, 4 to 9, or 10 and higher.

The Size of Tumor

Tumor size is another indicator and can be especially useful for patients with negative lymph nodes. Essentially, if a patient has negative nodes and a tumor that is less than 1cm, the prognosis is very favorable.

The Grade of Tumor

As the grade of the tumor increases, so does the potential relapse rate. However, due to the unreliability of tumor data, most pathologists do not rely on this information for their prognosis.

Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors

The status of hormone receptors in the tumor is another indicator used by doctors when prognosing early stage breast cancer. Typically, patients who experience a receptor-positive cancer have a stronger survival rate than those who do not.

HER2/neu

HER2/neu is what's called a marker - it's a biological element typically present in the body or within the tumor in about 25% of all breast cancer cases. When HER2/neu levels are high, that usually translates to a more aggressive variety of breast cancer and a worse prognosis.

Age of the Patient

Generally, patients who are older (50 and up) have a better prognosis than patients under the age of 35.

Breast Cancer Staging

Breast cancer staging refers to the procedure of finding out the extent to which the cancer has spread once you have been diagnosed. The results of the biopsy and physical exam will determine the staging procedures that your doctor will conduct on you.

A chest x-ray is usually conducted to check whether your lungs have are already been affected by the cancer.

If a mammogram has not yet been done, extensive ones have to be done for a thorough view of your breasts.

Breast cancer can also spread to your bone therefore a bone scan has to be performed to check if any cancer is present. It is more effective compared to traditional x-ray because all the bones can be seen at the same time. The bone scan usually involves the injection of a radioactive material that is low level through your vein. The radioactive material changes color after some hours and is used by the camera to create an image of the skeleton. The areas that indicate change in color may have been affected by the cancer but this is not always a conclusive test since bone diseases can also result in a change in color. Further tests done using x-rays, MRI or CT scans can be used to determine whether the change is due to cancer or not. A biopsy of samples from the bones will also produce a conclusive result.

Computed Tomography (CT) scans are also used in breast cancer staging because they produce cross-sectional images that are detailed. The scans usually concentrate on the chest and abdomen when the doctor wants to check if it has spread to other areas apart from the breast.

The CT scans can also be used to guide the needle during a biopsy in an area that is suspected to have cancer.

Breast Cancer Survival Rate - Stage 4 Breast Cancer

The breast cancer survival rate for Stage 4 breast cancer is much lower than for breast cancer detected at earlier stages.

Stage 4 breast cancer, or advanced breast cancer, has metastasized to other tissue including bone tissue, lung tissue, or the liver. When breast cancer has overwhelmed the body's natural defenses and spread this far by the time the cancer is first diagnosed, the 5-year survival rate drops to 16%-20% in the United States (American Cancer Society).

Up to 5% of white women in the U.S., and up to 9% of black women have advanced breast cancer spread to distant tissue at the time of first diagnosis (SEER). This difference is usually attributed to poverty and lack of health insurance.

In general, women who have advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis live approximately 18 months after diagnosis (median survival rate). Those who are still alive five years after their diagnosis of advanced breast cancer can live an additional 3.5 years (median survival rate) according to the American Cancer Society.

Since this is the most deadly category of breast cancer, it is important to work closely with all the health care providers. New treatments are being developed all the time, and second, or even third opinions may give the patient more information about newly discovered successful solutions.

Early detection is clearly the most important factor in breast cancer survival rates. Breast cancer detected at Stage 1 while it is still localized to the breast has a survival rate of 98%-100%, while metastasized breast cancer first detected at Stage 4 drops down to 16%-20%.

Early detection procedures must include monthly self-examinations done at the same time each month. From age 20-40, healthy women should have clinical breast exams performed by their health care providers every three years. After age 40, the breast exams should be annually and should include a mammogram or similar procedure.

North American white women have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, but the 5-year survival rate for all stages (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4) combined is 88% for the U.S. A recent study found European countries have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates, with England at 77.8% and Ireland at 76.2% (Lancet Oncology).

The difference in these survival rates is usually attributed to life-saving early detection.

Different Breast Cancer Stages

Breast cancer stages are based on whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether the lymph nodes have been affected, whether the cancer cells have already spread beyond the breast, and the size of the tumor. The purpose of identifying the stage in breast cancer is to organize the different factors and features of the cancer. In organizing the factors involved, the prognosis or the most likely outcome of the disease will be identified. The doctor can also provide the patient with the best treatment guide for the disease.

Stage 0. In this stage, the breast cancer is non-invasive. It just simply means that there is no sign of non-cancerous abnormal cells or cancerous cells getting out of the part of the breast where they started. These cells have not yet invaded other neighboring normal tissues in the breast.

Stage 1.

In this stage, the breast cancer is said to be invasive. The cancer cells are already breaking out of the part of the breast where they started and they have already invaded neighboring normal tissues. But in Stage 1, the lymph nodes are not affected or involved and the tumor measures up to 2 centimeters.

Stage 2.

Stage 2 is described as invasive breast cancer and is subdivided into two categories: Stage 2A and Stage 2B. In Stage 2A, there is no tumor in the breast but a 2 centimeters or less tumor can be found scattered in the axillary lymph nodes, which is the lymph node found under the arm.

Another case of Stage 2A is that, the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not more than 5 centimeters and has not spread in the axillary lymph nodes. In stage 2B, the tumor is also larger than 2 centimeters but not more than 5 and has already spread to the axillary lymph nodes or if the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters, the tumor has not yet spread the axillary lymph nodes.

Stage 3.

Stage 3 is described as one of the invasive breast cancer stages and is subdivided into 3 categories: Stage 3A, Stage 3B and Stage 3C. In Stage 3A, there is no tumor in the breast but it is found in the axillary lymph nodes or the lymph nodes near the breast bone. The tumor has the size of less than 5 centimeters or more and they are clustered together or they may stick to other structures.

In Stage 3B, the tumor may be of any size and found in the lymph nodes under the arm or near the breastbone, chest wall and/or skin of the breast, clustered together or sticking to other structures. In Stage 3C, there can still be no sign of cancer in the breast. The tumor may be of any size and found to be spread to the chest wall, lymph nodes above or below the collarbone, lymph nodes under the arm or breastbone.

Stage 4.

Stage 4 is described as one of the invasive breast cancer stages in which the cancer has already spread to other organs of the body; usually the brain, lungs, liver or bone.

Breast Cancer Stages

Cancer is a deadly disease which advances up slowly and steadily. Cancer can be caused in any part of the body. Breast cancer is one of them which mostly affect women. Breast cancer can be caused to both men and women but usually women are more prone to it because of their make up. The breast of women consists of gland which produces milk and it is then discharged by the nipples. Breast cancer is caused because of the formation of tumor cells in the breast region. These cells then affect the healthy cells present in the breast region. These tumor cells grow up in different breast cancer stages. If diagnosed in an early stage, can be cured easily though medication and therapy.

If you are interested in learning about different breast cancer stages, read on this article as it can give you some useful information. Breast cancer grows up in different stages and can be categorized in almost 6 stages. The first stage can be named as stage 0 - in this stage no signs of development of cancer cells can be seen. In this stage no movement or invading of the healthy cells by cancer cells can be seen. The second stage is named as stage 1 - in this stage movement or invading of the healthy cells by cancer cells can be seen. At this stage the size of the tumor is not more than 2 centimeters and no affect on lymph nodes can be seen at this stage. The next stage is stage 2 - this stage shows up the invasive breast cancer. The size of the tumor at this stage is more than 2 centimeters. At this stage cancer starts affecting the lymph nodes of the arm pit of same side. This stage is not an advanced stage as the lymph nodes are still away from one another and also the surrounding tissues.

The above stated stages are considered as early stages of breast cancer. Now we will discuss the advanced breast cancer stages. The next stage is called as stage 3 - this stage is further divided into 2 sub stages, Stage 3- A and stage 3-B. Stage 3-A shows that tumor has now grown up in size to above 5 centimeters. This is considered as an advanced stage as the lymph nodes are completely affected by the tumor cells and they stuck together forming a clump. Stage 3-B shows that tumor has spread to the skin of the breast, chest, and lymph nodes. The breast becomes hard and enlarged. Stage 4 - this stage shows that breast cancer has spread to different region like arm pit, mammary lymph nodes, clavicular lymph nodes, neck and shoulder and also to the lungs, bones and other surrounding parts. This stage is called as Metastatic cancer stage.

25 Ways to Increase Awareness for Your Cause

Nonprofit organizations often have the monumental task of raising awareness for a cause with a limited budget for promotion. Here's 25 ideas for low cost or no cost ways to raise awareness.

1. Issue media releases using free online services like prweb.com and openpr.com

2. Start a blog about the cause with a free service like Blogger or WordPress.

3. Every cause should have accounts with Twitter, Propeller and Digg.

4. Post some videos on YouTube. They can be made with the webcam on your computer, online services like Animoto or programs that convert PowerPoint to video.

5. Do some comics on Bitstrips. It's as much of a social networking site as it is a comic maker.

6. Use the tried and true methods like radio station PSA and talk shows on local TV and radio.

7. I have a former student who put together an email list of all her contacts and promotes her cause.

8. Use the same technique as Internet marketers. Get people on your mailing list by giving something away.

9. Use keyword searches to find out the information people are looking for that is related to your cause.

10.Write some articles based on those keyword searches and post them on EzineArticles.com.

11. Read the paper and send congratulatory cards or emails to people who have achieved something.

12. Keep track of the birthdays of the kids associated with your organization and send them birthday cards.

13. Do a world record setting event. This might be easier than you think and they always get media coverage.

14. Review haro.com and respond when there is a reporter looking for information related to your cause.

15. Don't overlook the old fashioned paper flyers posted on public bulletin boards at supermarkets and libraries.

16. Use free classified ads like craigslist.com and kijiji.com.

17. There are probably local events websites in your area that you can use.

18. Seek a celebrity endorsement. It's hit and miss but you never know.

19. Post comments on blogs.

20. Become an expert that the media will interview whenever there is a story related to your cause.

21. Get a sponsor for a prize and run an essay or poster contest.

22. Give out some type of achievement award. These also get media attention.

23. Generate some controversy that's not too controversial.

24. Sell some SWAG on a site like cafepress.com. Bumper stickers or t-shirts can give you some mileage.

25. Tag onto a sponsor and get mentioned in their advertising or corporate newsletter.

Most of these ideas are for activities that can be done by volunteers or students. Try one every two weeks and in a year your cause will be well-known in your community.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Fundraising Goes Corporate with Ford and Energizer

October is a month of awareness for Breast Cancer; it allows us to reflect on all those impacted by this very personal disease. Breast cancer does not discriminate; women and men alike are equal victims. Breast cancer hits home with each of us; statistics reflect that we all have all had either a family member, friend or colleague become diagnosed with breast cancer.

The past 10 years have been successful in promoting the cause and foundations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This quickly growing foundation has created events like Race for the Cure and cancer walks across the country to raise funds to promote continued research and support for fighting breast cancer.

It appears as though these fundraising efforts have sparked the interest of various Fortune 100 companies like Ford and Energizer. Ford has created "Warriors in Pink" that highlights their commitment and desire to increase breast cancer awareness this month. The American car company created a limited addition Pink Mustang and proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Other companies like Energizer have also jumped into show their support. Energizer's Power to Keep Going® campaign promotes awareness through cute down loadable desktop themes. More importantly, Energizer created ReTreat, a mobile mini spa designed to give breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers the Power to Keep Going® with a chance to Relax, Recharge and Remain Strong. The companies pink batteries will be on shelves in Target stores the entire month of October.

As awareness continues and the funds from such corporate fundraising efforts increase, I hope we will see further strides in the research and fight against breast cancer.

Must Know Breast Cancer Awareness - Symptoms and Facts

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in this country, affecting one in nine women at some time in their life. Women with a mother or sister who has had breast cancer are also likely to be more aware of the disease, making delays in seeking treatment unlikely.

As well as genetics, other risk factors such as obesity and hormone replacement therapy probably play a role in the incidence and outcome of breast cancer.

Women aged over 70 years are also entitled to screening, but must request it when their appointment is due.

Women who have taken female hormone preparations for many years are also at risk. It is thought that breast-feeding gives some protection against breast cancer developing.

Hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer. Risk increases the longer you take it, and decreases gradually after you stop taking it.

Breast cancer that spreads out of the breast may spread to lymph nodes in the armpit nearest the breast affected by cancer (axillary lymph nodes). It occurs much more commonly in women and fewer than 1 in 100 of breast cancers occur in men, and is hormone-dependent.

Hormone therapy is used for women with ER/PR-positive breast cancer, while chemotherapy is recommended for women whose breast cancers are ER-PR-negative.

Chemotherapy may also be recommended in addition to hormone therapy for women with ER/PR-positive breast cancer, particularly if they have node-positive disease, a large tumor size, or other features that suggest a higher risk for a cancer recurrence.

Lymphedema (chronic swelling) of the arm tends to develop gradually in 15% to 20% of breast cancer patients who have lymph nodes removed.

Some research suggests that the chance of developing lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is greater if a large number of lymph nodes are removed, if radiation is used as part of treatment, if tumor cells are present in the lymph does when initial surgery is performed, or if wound complications develop after surgery.

There is also research that indicates that exercise and skin care after surgery can help reduce the chances of lymphedema. All patients who have lymph nodes removed should be taught how to take care of the affected arm and help prevent lymphedema.

Lymph vessels move lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes trap bacteria, cancer cells and other harmful substances. Lymphatic vessels are tiny vessels that usually run beside veins and collect fluid and dead cells.

Patients should also know the early signs of lymphedema and report any symptoms to their physicians immediately to help avoid long-term suffering.

Many women who have had chemotherapy report memory loss and lack of concentration after breast cancer treatment. Others talk about being unable to remember details, being unable to do more than one thing at a time and having trouble remembering common words.

Some women who have not taken chemotherapy also report similar symptoms.

Fertility and pregnancy are important concerns for many young women with breast cancer. One possible side effect of breast cancer treatment is amenorrhea (not having periods), which may result in loss of fertility.

The risk of amenorrhea from chemotherapy depends on a woman's age and the specific drug regimen used.

The growth of some breast cancer cells may be slowed or stopped with the drugtamoxifen, an anti-estrogen medication. Research suggests that tamoxifen may lower the chance that a breast cancer can return by between 25% and 35%. It can also prevent the recurrence of new cancer in the opposite breast.

Treatment typically involves removal of the primary tumour where possible, followed by a regimen of chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy, and sometimes radiation therapy.

Other hormone treatments include the use of progestins, estrogens, andandrogens.

In rare cases, the surgeon may suggest removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) in pre-menopausal women as a way of eliminating the main source of estrogen, which can boost the growth of some breast tumors.

Doctors and scientists are working on finding cures for all types of breast cancer.

They are researching new medicines that may even help prevent the disease. Doctors call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.

Doctors recommend doing a monthly BSE at the same time each month (like a few days after a girls period ends, when breasts are less tender). Some kinds of lumps that teenage girls may feel are normal, but a doctor should check out any lump to be sure.

Breast cancer can be a transforming experience, but not in the ways you might think. Most women don't just survive breast cancer; they derive strength from the experience of having the disease.

What's A Breast Cancer Ribbon?

Wear a pink breast cancer ribbon, and you can raise awareness. Just by having your ribbon pinned on, or by having a pink ribbon in the window of your vehicle or in a public workplace, you remind women to get regular screening, to do self-exams, and to talk to their doctors.

Maybe the ubiquitous pink ribbon's best purpose is to indicate solid social support to those who are fighting breast cancer. Research indicates that social support has significant positive impact on outcomes for patients.

Social support is sometimes experienced as a subjective feeling of connection to others. One recent study showed that women who had strong social connections to others were able to function better as they made their way through treatment, and experienced less anxiety, depression, and pain. In other words, not being isolated in the midst of crisis enhanced quality of life and helped women in the study cope.

It's such a small gesture to wear or display a pink ribbon. This little ribbon reminds is that somewhere, someone's life is at stake. Sometimes people need a reminder, since over 40,000 women die every year in the U.S.

It's the little things in life that make the difference. The first time you see the pink ribbon, you ask, what is that? Often that is the first time you ask about breast cancer, if your life or that of a loved one has not yet been touched by it.

The pink ribbon is an icon of hope for women. It not only reminds women to have regular screenings, it encourages everyone to give to research and other non-profit agencies, such as the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, agencies on the front lines of the struggle to educate, treat and promote awareness.

Every year, the "Race for the Cure" in over 100 U.S. cities and towns. Millions of Americans participate in this awareness-raising event, a five-K run/fitness walk. The sight of hundreds, even thousands, of women walking side by side in their pink caps and with their pink ribbons on their chests is undeniably the most hopeful image one could witness.

The American Cancer Society annually sponsors "Relay for Life," a mobilizing awareness event where the pink ribbon is prominently displayed. Nationwide, over 4,800 teams of 8 to 15 survivors and supporters perform a 24-hour relay circling a track, with survivors taking the first laps. It's a time of sharing and fun as well, as participants camp out with tents and sleeping bags with the goal of keeping one team member on the track at all times.

Women can survive breast cancer, a disease that strikes one out of eight American women, and even some men. But women need hope to heal themselves and to get through diagnosis and treatment. Women need support, something that anyone can provide by wearing a pink breast cancer ribbon!

Breast Cancer - This Month of Awareness and Remembrance

Somewhere in the world, every 69 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer.

The first of October marked the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- a perfect time to pause in our busy lives and remember all the people we know who are affected by this most common cancer and those who have lost wives, mothers, daughters and friends to this insidious disease. We miss these women who enriched our lives, and then they were gone. We miss their laughter.

There are several myths about what causes terrifying disease. So much we don't know, but we DO know that this second most common cause of death from cancer is not a result of getting mammograms, using deodorant, drinking from plastic water bottles or wearing underwire bras. One extremely harmful misconception is -- no family history means no breast cancer. This insidious disease definitely can run in families, but about 80 percent of all new cases are random, with no family history at all.

We are not victims, to sit in wait of the monster. There are steps we can take to protect ourselves. Mammograms for early detection are a major weapon in the battle against breast cancer, along with frequent exercise, good sleep, little alcohol and stopping smoking. Consumption of soy, vegetables, and fruits has also been found to reduce risk, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Postmenopausal women who regularly eat a lot of soy, vegetables and fruits are at 30 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who eat less of them. And, the longer the history of consumption of these healthy foods, the less chance women have of ever developing the disease.

During this month and any time, there are many ways to join the fight against this disease, and visiting the following site is a good way to get started -- http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/How-To-Help/volunteer.aspx. There are also many good books to read and products to buy to show our support.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is all about remembering family and friends, realizing the necessity of early detection, raising funds for research and treatment, and supporting those affected by the disease -- because we're all in this together.

Breast Cancer Bracelets and The History of Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer bracelets have become a more and more popular way to share and raise awareness for breast cancer. We have come a long way from the 1920's where doctors where just starting to research the cause and also to find new ways to detect and prevent cancer.

Awareness today is very much different than it was 70+ years ago. There are several stages of  awareness that have occurred in the last several decades. The first effort was just to find a way to detect breast cancer and in the 1920's an inventor used a small amount of radiation that took pictures (mammogram) of the human breast and improved the detection of breast tumors before they become large enough to detect in normal breast examination. History has detailed that this procedure has help detect 85% of the cancerous  tissue.

Mammograms are still part of the examination process today. Usually you should have a mammogram every one-two years after the age of 40. As part of the prevention, one should have their doctor examine ones breast and should examine your own breast every month.

In the later part of the 1970's, a new direction was taken with a message to the public that "it's OK to have breast cancer" and in the 1990's the message became "it's not OK to breast cancer and we need to find a way to stop it".  This was really the primary springboard for raising awareness to find a cure.  Many national organizations were formed during the early 1990's.  The push was to find the cure and much political activism has contributed to the increase of funding and lobbying for research to find a cure.

Much of the studies now are based on family history. Research have now shown that if you are over the age of 30 and exercise at least 60 minutes a week you can curve the risk of breast cancer. Research has also found that you can reduce your risk of cancer by breastfeeding specifically if you have a family history of breast cancer.

More research is still needed to find a cure but continuous research has helped the discovery of new facts in regards to prevention. Exercise, eating vegetables and fruits, lower fatty foods, minimizing the use of alcohol ....  many of these steps have proven that they can prevent cancer.

How can you help? Raising awareness is probably the best way to let everyone know that we need to find a cure.  Breast cancer awareness bracelets are only one of the ways to show your support.  The bracelets come in many varieties from silicone to fine jewelry. Whatever your preference it's only one of the ways to show your dedication and support for the cause to find a cure.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a Beautiful Way

October has officially begun and for the past 25 years it has brought with it the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found among women.

I don't like thinking about that any more than you do. It makes me worry not only about my own health, but about the health of my mom, sister, friends, etc. But, I'm learning that we're not helpless. Great research is currently being done around the world, and there are a number of causes worth giving to.

While there are a number of ways to support "the cause" through direct giving, an easy way is to...

... Buy Pink!

Today, many companies make it possible to feel like your beautiful self and fight breast cancer.

Look for these products in October - a percentage of sales goes to support breast cancer research.

- Revitalash, was founded by nine-time breast cancer survivor, Gayle Brinkenhoff. She set out to create a product to help rebuild her eyelashes after seeing them vanish during chemotherapy-and she gives a percentage of sales year-round to support research. Gayle went on to expand her line to the public and now offers products like Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner to make lashes luscious-for all women.

- Get sleeky straight hair and feel good about it by using the BioIonic iSmooth Freestyle Conditioning Iron. It's one of the best flat irons on the market- and supports the cause!

- Steer clear of excess shine by using Boscia Rose Blotting Linens for a simple 'pick-me-up' throughout the day. These handy blotting papers are small enough to stow in your purse and work to eliminate oil and shine instantly.

- Finally, lift your lashes for a cause with Japonesque Go Curl Pocket Curler in Pink. This small eyelash curler gently lifts lashes to create a fuller longer look. Carefully pinch eyelashes before or after applying mascara for a fresh appearance.

There are other "pink products" as well, be sure you ask a Beauty Curator to help you identify them. These companies make it easy to make a difference.

Breast Cancer Statistics

As the awareness of breast cancer increases, so does the availability of information on the disease to the general public. There has been much research done on the disease, which includes the statistics on its prevalence and survival rates. Below is an enumeration of these statistics.

Recent figures

Breast cancer has been proven to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today. It is also the most common form of cancer among women. This trend is expected to continue. Studies conducted by the World Health Organization estimate that for 2006, there will be 1.2 million women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Studies have also shown that a woman?s chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime is about 1 out of 7 or 13.4 percent. However, breast cancer is not restricted to women. Studies also estimate that thousands of men will be diagnosed with the disease.

With regard to death rates, it is estimated that the chance that breast cancer will be the cause for a woman?s death is about 1 in 33, or 3 percent. In recent years, the incidence of breast cancer death has declined. Doctors attribute these declines to early detection and new treatments.

Figures also show that the chance of having the disease increases with age. By the age of 30, the chance of having the disease is 1 out of 2,212. For women over the age of 80, the chance increases to 1 out of 8. However, the survival rates are less for younger women because they tend to have more aggressive forms of cancer. It has also been proven that white, Hawaiian and African-American women have the highest incidence of breast cancer as opposed to their Asian counterparts who have some of the lowest incidence rates.

Studies also show that early detection increases the survival rate by as much as 96 percent, especially for those women who detect breast cancer in its first stage. However, the survival rates for patients who have had the disease decreases after five years.

These figures tell us a number of things. One of these is that the key to surviving breast cancer is early detection. Another important thing is that women need to be aware of the risks that they face and that they should take preventive measures to mitigate the effects of this dreaded disease.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A Whole Lot of Hoopla

As breast cancer awareness month comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a month of grandstanding by an industry controlled by pharmaceutical drug companies designed to profit from women with disease. It is tragically a missed opportunity to provide real education on prevention, instead of merely promoting expensive diagnostic tools that some experts believe to be inadequate and even carcinogenic. The American Cancer Society remains fixated on damage control. If decreasing the number of fatalities is truly its first priority, why not prevent the disease before it starts? The use of the word "awareness" rather than the more appropriate word "prevention" is quite revealing. The big business of cancer is not about finding a cure.

FACT: Since 1940, the incidence of breast cancer has risen by one to two percent every year. In the past five decades, the incidence of breast cancer in females over 65 rose nearly 40% in the United States.

The American Cancer Society (ACS), held in such high esteem by so many, do more to squash legitimate natural approaches of cancer prevention and treatment than a room full of chain smokers – and they do this by using the FDA as their mighty hammer. The ACS is no friend to holistic medicine. In fact, this organization works directly against doctors offering viable natural options, placing their names on a blacklist without even verifying the efficacy of their treatment protocol. I realize this sort of talk is treading upon sacred ground and I have no doubt those responsible for passing out pink ribbons will be appalled at my beliefs but as a 41 year old woman at risk of developing this disease and active in the holistic community, I have a right to be disgusted with this obvious lack of progress and hypocrisy.

FACT: Fewer than one in 10 cases of breast cancer occurs in women born with a genetic predisposition for the disease and as many as 50% of breast cancer cases remain unexplained by traditionally-accepted risk factors.

So what is causing the substantial increase in breast cancer? Epidemiologists and other scientists increasingly believe many cases of breast cancer are linked to environmental factors. If the ACS would call on both government and industry to rethink the process by which new chemicals are authorized for use and call for accountability, we could make some real headway with regards to prevention.

For decades the ACS has spun tales of victories, so small in reality they have done virtually nothing to alter the course of this deadly disease. Meanwhile, chemical companies continue to develop insidious mixtures of cancer causing agents, spraying these chemicals on our food, adding these chemicals to the water supply, and the air we breathe. The ACS's financial ties with industry clearly influence its policies pertaining to environmental causes of cancer and in some cases have willfully suppressed information about environmental causes of cancer and is often silent on this issue, as is its accomplice, the FDA.

FACT: 9 out of 10 women will receive a false positive when screened for cancer, leading to anxiety, unnecessary surgical procedures, and toxic drugs.

A study performed on 500,000 women by researchers at the Nordic Chochrane Center in Denmark to determine whether or not cancer screening offers any benefit, determined that for every one woman helped by breast cancer screening, ten were harmed through false diagnosis leading to unnecessary treatments, which could be devastating to their health. This is partly due to the irradiation of breasts caused by mammography, increasing a woman’s chance for cancer but also because the numerous false positives lead to unnecessary biopsies and toxic treatment.

Since the introduction of mammographic screening, the incidence of a form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has increased by 328%. It is believed that as much as 200% of this increase is due to mammography. In addition to harmful radiation, mammography may also spread existing cancer cells due to the considerable pressure placed on the breast during the procedure. According to health practitioners, this compression could actually cause existing cancer cells to metastasize from the breast tissue.

Before writing this article, I spent some time on the web site for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, [http://www.nbcam.com], and found absolutely no information on prevention. It would seem mammography is the cancer industry's greatest achievement and yet if you look outside the information published by the ACS, you will find this particular diagnostic tool to be woefully inadequate. If you are pre-menopausal, it will provide you very little accuracy due to the density of the breasts. And yet it is women between the ages of 44 and 55 most at risk. Why is mammography such a great achievement?

FACT: Mammography is prone to missing the most aggressive and life threatening types of breast cancer while picking up tumors often found to be benign.

I am acquainted with a woman who was sick for a number of months but no doctor was able to diagnose what was wrong. She had a mammogram performed in an effort to rule out breast cancer and no tumor was found. Five weeks later when she was having difficulty raising her right arm because of severe pain she met with another doctor and was then diagnosed with breast cancer, advanced stage four.

Since that time, about four months ago now, this woman has had countless chemotherapy sessions and I have watched her grow weaker with each passing day – not from the cancer but from the treatment. She is almost unrecognizable. Then she had a double mastectomy followed by countless radiation sessions. The next plan is to put her on a drug called tamoxifen, known to have serious side effects. In fact, a handful of studies demonstrate that the majority of women who take tamoxifen live no longer than women who refuse it. It is with great alarm that researchers are finding some breast cancers actually learn how to use tamoxifen to stimulate their growth.

I would like to focus on tamoxifen, since it is touted by the cancer industry as a great accomplishment in preventing breast cancer. Here are just a few of the more serious adverse side effects associated with this drug: (1) some studies have found that pre-menopausal users are at risk of developing accelerated bone mineral loss and osteoporosis; (2) women using tamoxifen have experienced damaged retinas, increased corneal opacities, and decreased visual acuity as well as irreversible corneal and retinal changes; (3) several studies showed that the risk of developing life-threatening blood clots increased as much as seven times in women taking tamoxifen; (4) depression; (5) asthma; (6) vocal cord changes; (7) liver cancer and liver disease as tamoxifen is toxic to the liver and can cause acute hepatitis; (8) inducing a fast moving, lethal form of uterine cancer – uterine growths such as polyps, tumors, endometrial thickenings and cancers occur in a significant number of women. One study detected abnormal endometrial cells in subjects the day after the first tablet was taken! It is interesting to note that nearly every method of diagnosing and treating breast cancer is a known carcinogen.

FACT: In a survey of 79 oncologists from McGill University Cancer Center in Canada, 64 said they would not consent to treatment with Cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug, while 58 oncologists said they would reject all the current trials being carried out by their establishment. Why? “The ineffectiveness of chemotherapy and its unacceptable degree of toxicity.” Philip Day, Cancer: Why We’re Still Dying to Know the Truth

Millions of women right now are developing undetectable, early-stage breast cancer, yet the cancer industry does nothing until the tumor is detectable. Once detectable, an authoritative cancer specialist will push chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and toxic drugs on a vulnerable patient. Never mind that these methods cause permanent, irreversible harm to the brain, heart, liver, kidneys and other organs. Does no one question the lunacy of poisoning cells in a person who needs their immune system to be strong?

Why are we so caught up in diagnosis when the real key is prevention? Is it because prevention would pay so little to the gluttonous industry of pharmaceutical drugs? Is it because it would shut down the big business of cancer? Detection is not prevention and prevention requires personal responsibility. It requires very little money and that does not work for the drug companies.

In an effort to reduce the risk of cancer, one should focus on strengthening the immune system because there needs to be a break down in the immune system in the first place for cancer cells to thrive. And as long as the FDA is unwilling to hold industry responsible, detoxification of harmful chemicals and heavy metals is of paramount importance and there are products available to help with this great challenge. It is also important to make valuable food and lifestyle choices, and avoid exposure to cancer causing chemicals. Do not wait until your doctor diagnoses you with cancer to make a radical change in your life. I encourage you to start protecting your health today.