Special Considerations
Lifestyle Changes
There is a wealth of information suggesting that important but simple measures used by a cancer survivor might reduce his/her risk of tumor recurrence or new tumor formation. These measures include regular intake of healthy foods including several servings per day of fruits and vegetables with less intake of fatty types of foods. It is also important to keep healthy with practice of regular exercise that is carried out four or more times per week lasting at least for 30 minutes per time interval. Various forms of activity can be used including taking walks, riding bikes, swimming, hiking, etc. Being active and eating well at minimum can keep you healthy and according to many reports, may keep you cancer free.
Young Women and Breast Cancer
Detection and Screening
There are no established screening methods for breast cancer detection amongst women less than 40 years of age aside from monthly breast self-examinations and periodic clinical breast examinations which are carried out by provider. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer that are young and who have dense breasts may be benefited by use of new digital imaging methods and MRI scans for evaluation of
suspicious breast lesions and screening for breast cancer.
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer
Having had a personal history of breast cancer complicates many women in their decision about future pregnancy. Current evidence would suggest that there is no increased risk of recurrent breast cancer amongst those who become pregnant after a previous history of breast cancer however, the concerns about risk of breast cancer recurrence particularly in a patient with known hormone positive breast cancer influences many not to become pregnant. It is important for anyone who is considering becoming pregnant or using special hormone supplements (natural forms or by prescription) after a diagnosis of breast cancer to discuss the risks carefully with one’s oncologist and gynecologist before starting this kind of treatment.
Older Women and Breast Cancer
There may be a lot of issues facing the women who is elderly with a diagnosis of breast cancer. In addition to the concern like women in other age groups of being able to tolerate the various forms of treatments that may be recommended, there may be difficulty with weighing the true benefits of these options of treatment if one is elderly and has other medical illnesses at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, new studies suggest that many can tolerate these treatments well but a careful discussion with one’s team of physicians about the long-term benefit of these measures on a patients’ overall survival must be carried out.
There is a wealth of information suggesting that important but simple measures used by a cancer survivor might reduce his/her risk of tumor recurrence or new tumor formation. These measures include regular intake of healthy foods including several servings per day of fruits and vegetables with less intake of fatty types of foods. It is also important to keep healthy with practice of regular exercise that is carried out four or more times per week lasting at least for 30 minutes per time interval. Various forms of activity can be used including taking walks, riding bikes, swimming, hiking, etc. Being active and eating well at minimum can keep you healthy and according to many reports, may keep you cancer free.
Young Women and Breast Cancer
Detection and Screening
There are no established screening methods for breast cancer detection amongst women less than 40 years of age aside from monthly breast self-examinations and periodic clinical breast examinations which are carried out by provider. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer that are young and who have dense breasts may be benefited by use of new digital imaging methods and MRI scans for evaluation of
suspicious breast lesions and screening for breast cancer.
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer
Having had a personal history of breast cancer complicates many women in their decision about future pregnancy. Current evidence would suggest that there is no increased risk of recurrent breast cancer amongst those who become pregnant after a previous history of breast cancer however, the concerns about risk of breast cancer recurrence particularly in a patient with known hormone positive breast cancer influences many not to become pregnant. It is important for anyone who is considering becoming pregnant or using special hormone supplements (natural forms or by prescription) after a diagnosis of breast cancer to discuss the risks carefully with one’s oncologist and gynecologist before starting this kind of treatment.
Older Women and Breast Cancer
There may be a lot of issues facing the women who is elderly with a diagnosis of breast cancer. In addition to the concern like women in other age groups of being able to tolerate the various forms of treatments that may be recommended, there may be difficulty with weighing the true benefits of these options of treatment if one is elderly and has other medical illnesses at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, new studies suggest that many can tolerate these treatments well but a careful discussion with one’s team of physicians about the long-term benefit of these measures on a patients’ overall survival must be carried out.