Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women not including skin cancer. During 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women and about 1,990 new cases in men in the US. Breast cancer rates have decreased about 3.5% per year since 2001-2004 and may reflect the reduction in use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The 2002 publication of the Women’s Health Initiative linked HRT use to increased risk of heart diseases and breast cancer. In addition to invasive breast cancer, there are 67,770 new cases of situ (not yet spread) breast cancer are expected among women in 2008. Situ breast cancer incidence rates have stabilized since the late 1990s, reflecting the recent drop in mammography utilization.
An estimated 40,480 women and 450 men breast cancer patients are expected to die in 2008. Breast cancer ranks second (after lung cancer) as a cause of cancer death in women eve though it has decreased steadily since 1990. Progress in both early detection and improved treatment with contributes to the decrease.
A mammogram can detect earliest sign of breast cancer. The abnormality, painless mass in the breast may not be felt by the woman or a healthcare professional. Other less common symptoms may include persistent changes to the breast: thickening, redness swelling, skin irritation, distortion, tenderness or scaliness. Nipples also have abnormalities like retraction, ulceration, and or spontaneous discharge.
Women have the greatest risk in getting breast cancer. Age is another important factor. Risk can also increased by inherited genetic, a family history of breast cancer, high breast tissue density, and high-dose radiation to the chest, usually related to other medical procedure. Reproductive factors also increase the risk: menstrual periods that start early and or end late in life, prolong use of oral contraceptives, having the first child after age 30 or never have children. If a person is overweight or obese after menopause, use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin combined), inactivity and drinking more than one alcoholic beverages per day, be extra careful because these are factors that increase breast cancer risk. Being active, maintaining a healthy body weight, breastfeeding are all associated with lowering the risk of breast cancer.
The 5-year relative survival rate for malignant cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes or other location outside the breast has increased from 80% in the mid 1900 to 98% today. The recent 5-year survival rate is 84% for cases with cancer has spread regionally. For women with metastases cancer (spread to distant parts of the body), the 5-year survival rate is 27%.
Breast cancer screening has proved to reduce breast cancer mortality. 61% of breast cancer is diagnosed at a localized stage and the 5-year survival rate is very impressive at 98% due to timely access to high quality follow-up and treatment.
Other than genetic gene, there is a lot we can do to prevent cancer development. Maintaining a healthy and balance lifestyle including manage stress, eat right, take vitamins, stay fit and pay attention to the environment where you live and work. The air you breath and the water you drink have a lot to do with your health.

If prostate cancer is becoming a concern for men, women are not in peace with breast cancer, which dries up the source of joy of thousands of women every year, rich and poor. In fact, breast cancer is not new, although its incidence seems increasing. In the 5th century BC, Atossa, the queen of Persia, had fought in vain against her breast cancer. Tears in her eyes, in excruciating pain, surrounded by family and friends, she had to say goodbye to power and wealth to an endless journey.

Despite the progress of medical science, the frequency of breast cancer is increasing every day around the world. He is the most common cancer in women. One woman out of twelve will be affected by breast cancer during her lifetime, according to several medical statistics. The disease becomes so popular to the point that a large majority of women are afraid to undergo a mammogram. Women of all classes feel concerned about breast cancer. Billions of dollars are spent in studies, but the causes are still poorly understood, healing is hypothetical.

To increase their chance of being cured of breast cancer, some victims turn to alternative treatments. Either alone or along with the conventional treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonotherapy, surgery, etc.) every day more and more women use natural medicine to fight breast cancer. If you are one of them, this article will be an additional weapon in your war against breast cancer.

Is there an alternative way to eradicate breast cancer besides chemotherapy and radiotherapy?

Immunotherapy – is a type of therapy consists of stimulating the normal defenses (immune reactions) of the body to fight or protect the body against pathogenic attack, including the development of cancer cells. Immunotherapy is not new as many may think; however, in the past, physicians believed that the immune system fought only against bacterial and viral attacks. About 100 years ago, Dr. William Coley has demonstrated that it can cure or control the proliferation of cancer cells by injecting vaccine that strengthens the immune system. However, the theory was not so appreciated by the medical elite.

After years of studies, researchers have found that the immune system plays an essential role in protecting the body against cancer. Studies have also shown that patients who have a strong immune system not only more likely to be cured from breast cancer but also to reverse the effects of chemotherapy and radiation. That is, your chance to be healed depending largely on the health of our immune system.

How can you boost your immune system naturally?

There are many supplements, If taken regularly and as recommended, that can  give you the immune system of a child. Some of them include:

Lignans – Lignans are non steroidal compounds of the family of phytoestrogens (also known as dietary estrogens) found in large quantities in fruits and vegetables, soy, flaxseed and grains. They have preventive and curative effects on breast cancer, according to new studies conducted by a group of French and German doctors in premenopausal women with breast cancer and healthy premenopausal women. It seems that lignans affect the breast tissue by blocking the synthesis and movement of female hormones, preventing tumor development. The medical elite do not confirm these studies yet; if you are a cancer victim, however, you can increase your lignans intake.

Ellagic acid – ellagic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant present in many fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, grenades, etc. Researchers have found that Ellagic acid may inhibit or slow the development of cancer cells. It is also suggested that ellagic acid can help reduce heart disease, liver problems, and birth defects. However, to get satisfying results, this supplement must be taken with a diet rich in fruits and cruciferous vegetables.

Astragalus – Astragalus propinquus (or simply Astragalus) has been used in herbal medicine for centuries to strengthen the body against diseases including but limited to colds, upper respiratory infections, heart disease, lower blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems, and many types of cancer. Astragalus has been shown in medical studies to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, antiviral and diuretic properties. Using it regularly as recommended, Astragalus can not only prevent or eradicate cancer cells, but also a wide range of other ailments.

Graviola – also known as sour, Brazilian Paw Paw, Guanábana, Graviola boosts the immune system, reverses some chemotherapy side effects, and enhances the effectiveness of other cancer remedies. Thus, it is recommended to take it with other supplements.

Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) – Ip6 is another supplement you can take to fight breast, colon, and prostate cancer. For more details on these supplements and other natural remedies, visit breastcanceralternative.com, or click on the link in About  Author below.