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For General Info lang po para stay healthy.
A. BREAST CANCER
Definition of Breast Cancer
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Breast cancer is any type of malignant (cancerous) growth in the breast tissue.
Causes and Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
No one knows exactly why a normal breast cell becomes a cancerous one, and there is probably no single cause. It is thought, however, that breast cancer results from a combination of risk factors. These risk factors can be grouped into several categories.
1. Hereditary risk
2. Hormonal risk factors
3. Age: Breast cancer becomes much more common as women grown older.
4. Gender: Most breast cancer occurs in women, although about 12,000 cases of breast cancer occur in men in the United States each year.
5. Diet and Exercise: Studies have shown that women who exercise are less likely to develop breast cancer than sedentary women. Studies have also shown that women who gain weight after menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who do not. There are no clear links between diet and breast cancer risk, except for an increased risk of breast cancer in women who consume alcohol on a regular basis.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. In fact, when it first develops, breast cancer may cause no symptoms at all. But as the cancer grows, it can cause these changes:
• A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• Discharge from the nipple
• A change in the color or texture of the skin of the breast or areola (such as dimpling, puckering, or scaliness).
Note: any changes in the breast should be reported to a doctor without delay. Symptoms can be caused by cancer or by a number of less serious conditions. Early diagnosis is especially important for breast cancer because the disease responds best to treatment before it has spread. The earlier breast cancer is found and treated, the better a woman's chance for complete recovery.
Treatment of Breast Cancer
There are two methods of treatment - local and systemic.
Local treatments are used to remove or destroy the cancer cells in a specific area. Surgery and Radiation therapy are examples of local treatments.
Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells all over the body. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are examples of systemic treatments.
The right treatment method, however, depends on the size and location of the breast tumor; the results of the pathologist’ s review of the tumor specimen, the woman's age, menopausal status, and general health; and the stage of the disease.
Prevention of Breast Cancer
Examine Your Breasts Every Month Beginning at Age 20 (see your doctor for self breast exam instructions). Check for: new lump (painful or not), unusual thickening of tissue, discharge from the nipples, change in the skin of nipples or breasts, or different breast size or shape than before.
Have Your Doctor Examine Your Breasts Every Year Or Two Beginning At Age 30
Have a Mammogram Every Year After Age 40
HOW TO PERFORM
BREAST SELF EXAMINATION???
Step1:
First, stand in front of the mirror and look at both of your breasts. You are looking for symmetry- in size, and shape of your breasts. Most women have one breast that is bigger than the other; this is normal. You are looking for something different, new or that you didn't notice before. Put both of your hands behind your head and spread your elbows out to the side. Examine your breasts. Note any dimpling (indentations in the skin), or obvious bumps.
Step2:
Lie down. One side at a time put your arm above your head. With the other hand, begin at the outer part of your breast and use your fingertips to feel your breast. Move your fingertips in small circles and move around the perimeter of your breast. After you have made a complete circle, move in toward the nipple. Continue to do this until you have made it to the nipple. You will want to note any lumps or bumps. Do this on each side.
Step3:
Squeeze the nipple. Note any discharge. Do this on each side.
Step4:
Put your arm down at your side. Press around in your armpit. You are feeling for any lumps and bumps. Do this on each side.
B. SWINE FLU
Definition:
Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.
Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2)
The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans.
Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a “reassortant” virus.
Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans.
The 2009 Swine flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives in part from human influenza, avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza.
Modes of Transmission:
Swine flu viruses can be passed between pigs and humans, but human infections are not common.
Most infections occur among people with direct pig contact.
Sometimes a flu virus can mutate to be more transmissible to humans.
People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans.
Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food
Period of Communicability:
The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days.
Signs and Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza
and of influenza-like illness in general:
chills
fever
sore throat
muscle pains
severe headache
coughing
weakness
general discomfort
Diagnostic Procedures:
To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus).
However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.
Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.
Vaccines and Treatment:
Officials do not know if the seasonal flu vaccine will protect against the A(H1N1) swine flu virus.
In the laboratory, the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza are effective against this new flu; amantadine and rimantadine are not.
Safety precautions:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
If sick, self-monitor and stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
Consult your doctor immediately should signs and symptoms of flu persist.
C. WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY
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