3 Breast Cancer Treatments Explained

Sun 30th Nov, 2008, Health
Approximately 44,500 people contract breast cancer every year in the UK. It is not yet known what causes this condition but it develops when breast tissues become cancerous. This causes them to multiply in a rapid and uncontrolled way which leads to a tumour forming in the breast. Fortunately, there are treatment options available and in this article I will be discussing three of these.

1) SURGERY:- There are two types main types of surgery that your doctor will recommend. The first is breast conservation which involves the removal of any lumps and the surrounding breast tissue. There may be mild scarring following this type of surgery but overall the appearance of the breast should be similar post surgery.

The second type of breast cancer surgery is masectomy which involves the removal of the whole breast. This surgery is generally recommend if breast conservation surgery does not successfully eliminate the cancer or if the tumour has become very large. After this type of surgery your doctor is likely to offer you breast reconstruction, a treatment allowing you to get back the shape of the original breast.

2) RADIOTHERAPY:- This type of treatment involves aiming high energy radiation beams at the breast cancer cells in an attempt to destroy them. It is normally used before surgery (to shrink the tumour) or after surgery (to reduce this risk of the cancer coming back). However, it may also be used as an alternative to surgery when the tumour is small enough.

3) HORMONE THERAPY:- Certain breast cancers are sensitive to the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Your doctor will be able to perform tests to see how these hormones affect the tumour. Based on these tests they may then recommend hormone therapy. This involves preventing oestrogen or progesterone from reaching the cancer cells either by using drugs or via surgery which stops the ovaries from producing these hormones.

Whilst breast cancer is not a condition that anyone would desire contracting this disease is not the end of the world. Treatment is a very real possibility. I hope this article has provided you with an introduction to some of these but to get a full picture you need to go and visit your doctor. They have professional knowledge and will be able to help you choose the treatment that is right for you.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Breast cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

About the Author

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. If you visit Tom’s websites today you can learn more about the various breast cancer treatments and sign up for a daily free Fitness Tip

Why Get a Face Lift?

Sun 23rd Nov, 2008, Make up

Age and gravity work together day in and day out to pull the skin on our face downward. As the collagen and elastin in our skin begins to disintegrate, we begin to lose the vital protein fibers to fight against these two extremely powerful forces. As a result we struggle with jowls and wrinkles around the chin and neck. As technology and medical knowledge continues to improve, it’s no wonder that getting a face lift has become more appealing.

Since the first attempts in the early 1900s, face lifts have come a long way. At first, face lifts consisted of pulling back the skin, removing excess tissue, and then closing the incision. In the 1970s, doctors found that the muscles and deeper tissues under the skin needed to be repositioned as well as the upper layer to create long-lasting results.

Modern face lifts have a much shorter and less traumatic recovery time than they used to in previous decades. There is less bruising, swelling and pain, and patients can usually return to daily tasks after a few weeks. There is also the option of a mini face lift (http://www.vfhcinc.com/aesthetic.html) which was developed by Dr. Scarborough and Dr. Bisaccia of the Ohio Center for Dermatology.

The mini lift can restore the jaw, cheeks, neck and chin to a more youthful state. The procedure takes about and hour and a half which includes local anestheia and patients can go home on the same day. Recovery time is on average a week. The average age of a mini face lift patient is around 50-55 when gravity and age really begin to take a toll on the face.

Though face lift surgery has become more popular and safe, it is not the only option for achieving that tight youthful look and definition we all want to preserve or correct. And with the average face lift cost falling between $7,000 and 9,000, cheaper options are available.

“Facercise” founded by Carol Maggio of Rodondo Beach is the natural alternative to face lifts and plastic surgery. Various face exercises repeated twice a day tone the muscles in the face with special attention to the neck and chin area. Students in one of her facercise class programs saw results within five days. There are different versions of facercises including faceworks developed in the UK and face yoga which follow similar skin tightening exercise techniques.

Anti-wrinkle, facial toning creams, and microdermabrasion (http://www.vfhcinc.com/procedures.html) are other alternatives. An experienced dermatologist can recommend top quality brands with a variety of prices. Even if the most effective cream is expensive, you will still be saving thousands compared to a face lift.

It would be wise to try natural methods before resorting to surgery due to the down time, cost, and the question of whether the results will be as you envisioned. Speaking to an experienced plastic surgeon during a consultation to voice your concerns and ask questions about the procedure is crucial before making a decision to get a face lift.

About the Author
Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in aesthetic medicine, beauty treatments such as microdermabrasion, and weight loss programs. For more information on a mini face lift, please visit http://www.vfhcinc.com/.

 

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