Questions About Cancer » Women

Women undergoing hormone therapy for menopause symptoms

saha — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:56:11 +0000

Women undergoing hormone therapy for menopause symptoms face an increased risk of developing invasive breast cancer or dying from the disease, according to the results of a study of 11 years.

Women taking hormone therapy that uses a combination of estrogen and progestin were 1.25 times more likely to develop invasive breast cancer, and twice as likely to die from breast cancer than women who took a placebo during the study period.

The study is a follow up of participants in the Women’s Health Initiative, which consisted of several clinical trials with more than 100,000 women. In 2002, a trial looking at the effects of estrogen and progestin were suspended after 5 ½ years, when researchers found the treatment increases the risk of invasive breast cancer by 25 percent.

The new study was able to see the effect of hormonal therapy for a longer time period, and was the first to analyze a woman’s risk of dying from breast cancer.

The findings suggest that women taking these hormones should closely follow the current recommendation, which is to use the lowest dose for the shortest possible time, said researcher Dr. Rowan Chlebowski of the Biomedical Research Institute at Los Angeles Medical Center Harbor-UCLA in Torrance, California.

Women may also consider stopping treatment after a year or two to see if their menopausal symptoms have subsided, he said.

“I think these data suggest that perhaps they should consider stopping more aggressively after a period of time, and see if you still need treatment because their symptoms related to the onset of menopause may have improved,” said Chlebowski .

How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Rusman — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:25:04 +0000

One in five women experience pain urinary tract infection. This is certainly quite worrying not only of the woman alone. The men also would not worry if it is not immediately overcome.
Cranberry juice is not the only foods that can provide protection against certain diseases. Here is a list of foods that can protect men and women, especially given that the disease or some other attack.

1. Tomato sauce

Men who eat a lot of tomatoes or tomato sauce could be to protect against prostate cancer, according to Harvard University researchers who studied the eating habits of 47,000 health professionals, men. They found that men who ate tomato sauce two to four times per week have a risk of 35 percent lower than that to get prostate cancer than those who do not consume. A carotenoid called lycopene, abundant in tomatoes, seems to be responsible. But some doctors puzzled: tomato juice did not seem to offer the same protection. The reason, as other studies have shown that lycopene is better absorbed if cooked with some kind of fat.

2. Oysters

A myth that says oysters are the food of love. Maybe science agrees. Only two or three oysters per day provides the daily amount of zinc is needed for the functioning reproductive system of men. There is controversy among scientists because of several studies showing that sperm counts have declined over the past 50 years due to environmental factors. Malnutrition would cause some cases of low testosterone levels. Sometimes the solution is to eat more zinc. (We recommend 11 mg per day for men, more than 40 can be very dangerous.) In an experiment, 22 subjects who had low testosterone levels and reduced sperm counts were given zinc every day for 45-50 days. Both testosterone and sperm increased.

3. Broccoli

In a recent study conducted at Harvard found that vegetables such as broccoli, may protect against bladder cancer, which affects men more often two or three times higher than in the case of women. The scientists analyzed the diet nearly 50,000 people found that those who ate five or more servings of vegetables a week and a half to run the risk of bladder cancer in the ten-year period than those who rarely ate. The broccoli and cabbage are vegetables that offer greater protection.

4. Avocado

Avocados are two compounds that fight disease. The first is beta-sitosterol, a chemical that seems to have the ability to cause a decrease in blood cholesterol concentration. Second is glutathione, a substance that serves as an antioxidant phytochemical and neutralize free radicals, harmful compounds that promote heart disease and cancer. If two players are placed in a package that contains a large amount of monounsaturated fats, you get the food to maintain optimal heart health. This is good news for people of all ages.

5. Watermelon

Up to 55, more men than women suffer from high blood pressure. Research shows that foods rich in potassium can reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. This evidence was so convincing that the Food and Drug Administration recently gave permission for that food labels carry the legend that the relationship between a diet rich in potassium and blood pressure. “There is no daily requirement of potassium,” said Kathleen Cappellano, manager of information about nutrition at Tufts University in Boston. “A desired amount is about 2000 milligrams or more per day.” Watermelon, a rich source of this mineral, has more potassium (664 milligrams) in a large piece of banana or a cup of orange juice. So cut another slice and enjoy the fresh taste.

Foods that Strengthen the Immune System in Women

Rusman — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:03:12 +0000

1. Papaya – This tropical fruit contains twice as much vitamin C than oranges. Add it to the armory against gallbladder disease, which affects twice as many women as men. After analyzing the blood of more than 13,000 people, scientists at the University of California at San Francisco found that women who had levels of vitamin C which is more prone to gallbladder disease. One medium papaya (about 300 grams) contains 188 milligrams of vitamin C and provides only 119 calories.

2. Flax seed – The baker uses these seeds reddish brown, crazy, to add flavor and fiber to the bread, but the scientists who see it as a rich source of lignans (compounds with properties similar to estrogen), a potential weapon against breast cancer. In an interesting report last year in the Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Texas, showed that adding flaxseed to the diet of women suffering from breast cancer will reduce the rate of tumor growth. You can give a sense for muffins with flaxseed, but the easiest way to get the benefits of lignans are sprinkled a few tablespoons of ground beans breakfast cereals. You can find flaxseed in-store health food stores or some supermarkets, in the same hall food. They are easy to grind in a blender or coffee grinder, but be sure to buy the seeds, because the oil does not contain lignans.

3. Tofu – Foods rich in soy protein can reduce cholesterol in the blood, minimize menopausal hot flashes and strengthen bones. This may due to the isoflavones, substances in soy that have a structure similar to estrogen. Although most studies have been conducted in animals, one with men found that 90 mg of isoflavones that are beneficial to bone, especially spine. Two other studies show that eating between 50 and 76 milligrams of isoflavones a day may reduce the discomfort hot flashes. Half cup of tofu contains about 25-35 milligrams of isoflavones.

4. Lentils – Many women who daily diet does not contain enough folate. Who can bring unpleasant consequences, especially if you are of childbearing age. Studies show that it is necessary that a diet containing sufficient folate to prevent some evil birth such as neural tube defects and spina bifida. Low blood folate levels have also been associated with increased risk of heart disease. It is true that the bread and cereal is now fortified with it, but not too much to eat foods with high content. Lentils, with 358 micrograms of folate per serving (the recommended dose is 400) is one of the best. That some of lentils provides 17 grams of protein, fiber, and 15 more than a third of the daily needs of iron.

5. Kale – This humble vegetable may help fight osteoporosis, which affects many middle-aged women. Several studies show that vitamin K, together with the consumption of adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D may protect bone. Based on information obtained from one of the most comprehensive research on women, Nurses’ Health Study, conducted in the U.S., the researchers found that those who eat foods containing vitamin K (at least 109 micrograms per day) were 30 percent less likely to experience fractures hip bone during the ten years of follow-up than those who consume smaller amounts. The researchers note that the dark green leaves, such as brussels sprouts, spinach or broccoli, are good sources of this vitamin. But kale, which contains about 375 micrograms per half cup, is the best.

There you have them: five great foods for men, and because many women, who eat well and stay healthy.

Common Diseases that Often Strike Women

Rusman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:51:38 +0000

Cervical cancer, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and vaginal infections are the major diseases that afflict women, said Dr. Angela Illescas, medical director of Medical Laboratory Polanco.
Interviewed in this city, announced that early detection of these conditions helps the doctor to administer effective treatment.

“It is well known that women generally live about two to three years longer than men. This is mainly because since adolescence or young adulthood, women are closer to the doctors, “he said.
However, he said, there is still much to do in each of the stages of life, as there are conditions that significantly affect females. Although there is good news as the fact that the incidence of cervical cancer has decreased 45% in the last decade, the number of cases of breast cancer has increased considerably, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.

Illescas said he also is well known that there is an extensive list of diseases unique to women, however, data are those that directly affect the Mexican, therefore, physicians must work with our patients in preventing in these diseases.
According to specialists in the field, there are five conditions which Mexican women are prey.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women over 25 years, according to official figures from the Ministry of Health. Some factors predisposing to their occurrence are: having presented menarche before age 12, live 55 years past menopause, first pregnancy after age 30, hormonal contraceptive use, family history and breast density established.

The doctor indicated that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in Mexican women. However, there is no reason to panic, as it is 100% curable if detected early. No doubt there are many factors that can be considered at risk for disease development. The most important of these is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), but other agents include early onset of sexual life, multiple sexual partners who become risk partners, hormonal contraceptive use, smoking and obesity.
He indicated that this condition is detected through Pap smears and colposcopy at least once a year after the onset of sexual activity.

He also mentioned that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women over 50 years. Many of them attend after suffering the first heart attack, most often the result of long and silent diseases such as arteriosclerosis and hypertension. After 50 years, a significant decrease hormonal factor that favors the increase of triglycerides and cholesterol, which in many cases combined with other complications such as smoking and obesity.

He added that osteoporosis is a disease that attacks the bones, characterized by low bone mass that makes the patient more susceptible to fractures. For women the process of bone loss accelerates at menopause and in old age the odds are equal for both men and women. The most common manifestations include pain, deformity, decreased height and curvature of the spine. Among the factors that predispose the occurrence of the disease are: smoking, alcoholism, low calcium intake, prolonged immobilization, coffee and cola, low weight, estrogen deficiency, recurrent falls and inadequate physical activity, he concluded.