Breast Cancer
| Attributes |
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Incidence is approximately 1 in 1,183 people |
| Further Tests |
Breast cancer is a type of cancer arising in breast tissue. It is the most common type of cancer in females with the exception of nonmelanoma skin cancers. 1% occurs in males.[1]
Epidemiology
Incidence varies in different areas in the world. Breast cancer incidence is relatively lower in less-developed countries and greatest in the more-developed countries. Annual age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 women are listed: in Eastern Asia, 18; South Central Asia, 22; sub-Saharan Africa, 22; South-Eastern Asia, 26; North Africa and Western Asia, 28; South and Central America, 42; Eastern Europe, 49; Southern Europe, 56; Northern Europe, 73; Oceania, 74; Western Europe, 78; and in North America, 90.[2] According to studies, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of a lifetime.[3]
Causes
As a person ages, the risk of getting breast cancer increases. Most advanced breast cancer cases occur in women over age 50 and females are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer. Genes are thought to play a role in causality of the disease. Most common gene defects are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It is estimated that 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease. Women who had menarche early (before age 12) or went through menopause late (after age 55) have an increased chances to have breast cancer. Also, women who never had children or who first gave birth after age 30 have an increased risk for breast cancer. Having multiple pregnancies and becoming pregnant at early age reduces the risk. Other risk factors include drinking more than 1 - 2 glasses of alcohol a day, taking diethylstilbestrol (DES) and undergoing radiation therapy and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Obesity is also proposed to have a link with breast cancer.[3]
Signs and Symptoms
The most common sign is a new lump or mass in the breast. Other signs are nipple discharge or redness, pain in the breast or nipple area and swelling of part of the breast or dimpling. [4]
Diagnosis
To diagnose breast cancer, the patient undergoes complete breast examination, mammography, possibly ultrasonography or MRI, and, finally, biopsy. [1]
Treatment
Patients often get more than one of the following modes of treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and radiation.[5] Breast cancer is a highly treatable disease and early detection has the best chance for success.[1]
Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:
Vitamin B Complex [1, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help in preventing some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Please note, this acts as a PREVENTATIVE treatment, and not necessarily symptomatic relief. Supplements should only be taken if they contain no more than 100% of the recommended daily value
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Vitamin B may be linked to a lower risk for colorectal cancer. However, results of studies have been mixed, and further research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Turmeric [1, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early laboratory studies show that turmeric may be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. However, clinical trials on humans are needed)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda, Simoncini Cancer Therapy) [1, 79, 80]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (Available evidence does not support claims that baking soda helps to treat cancer in any way.)
Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence
Selenium Supplement [1, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. IMPORTANT: Selenium is toxic in high doses. Massive overdoses can cause kidney failure, breathing difficulty and death. Selenium should only be taken at healthy levels which the body is able to tolerate.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Observational studies have shown that taking adequate daily amounts of selenium can help prevent breast cancer. However, these are very unreliable studies, and more research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: Very low of evidence
Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense) [1, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,68, 69]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Red Clover helps to treat breast cancer)
Grade of Evidence: Very low of evidence
Rabdosia Rubescens (Dong Ling Cao, Oridonin, Isodon Rubescens) [1, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Laboratory studies show that rabdosia rubescens has anti-cancer activity, and may be helpful in the treatment of breast cancer. However, more studies are needed)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) [1, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Warning! All parts of the plant, Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), is poisonous and should not be ingested. Thoroughly cooking the plant reduces that toxicity. The effects of the improperly prepared plant include vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, headache, confusion, convulstions, low blood pressure, heart block and death. Only plant extracts (PAP) or thoroughly prepared plants should be ingested, and even then, under professional medical guidance.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Laboratory studies show that PAP may hold promise in the treatment of breast cancer, but more clinical trials are needed)
Grade of Evidence: Very low of evidence
Phytochemicals (Antioxidants) [1, 49, 50, 51]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (Laboratory studies show that phytochemical supplements have some anti-cancer activity. However, more studies are needed as no trials have been done on humans. A balanced diet with fruit, vegetables, and grain is recommended to prevent illness until further research is done.)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Molybdenum (Mo, Sodium Molybdate) [1, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Laboratory studies show that breast cancer may respond to Molybdenum, however more research on human subjects is needed)
Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence
Mistletoe (Iscador, Viscum Album) [1, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. WARNING: The mistletoe plant should NOT be eaten because it is poisonous. May cause seizures, coma and death. It should only be taken as a purified mistletoe extract, and only in recommended doses.
Recommendation: No recommendation (Studies on the effect of Mistletoe on Breast Cancer have yielded mixed, conflicting results. More research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Milk Thistle [1, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early laboratory studies support claims that Milk Thistle helps slow tumor growth in breast cancer. However, more research is needed to see if these results also apply to humans)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Licorice (Glcyrhiz Gaba) [1, 30, 31, 32, 33]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Licorice has been shown to have potentially harmful side effects in people with high blood pressure, liver or kidney diseases)
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Small studies and laboratory tests show that Licorice may help reduce tumor growth in breast cancers,but more research is needed)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Hoxsey Herbal Treatment[1, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is no reliable evidence to support claims that Hoxsey Herbal Treatment can help treat or prevent breast cancer in any way. Available evidence has yielded mixed or unreliable results.)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Green Tea [1, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Laboratory studies have shown promise with regards to the prevention of breast cancer with green tea, but very few reliable clinical trials have been done. More research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Ginseng [1, 16, 17, 18, 19]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that gingseng is able to treat breast cancer. More studies are needed)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Flaxseed Oil [1, 13, 14, 15]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Evidence shows that flaxseed oil may reduce the formation, growth or spread of breast cancer)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Evening Primrose Oil [1, 10, 11, 12]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (early studies shows that primrose oil may help slow the growth of breast cancer cells, but more research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Cesium Chloride (High pH Therapy, CsCl) [1, 8, 9]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It has been proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has been discounted due life-threatening side effects
Recommendation: Strongly against (Available evidence does not support claims that Cesium Chloride can help prevent or treat breast cancer. In addition, Cesium Chloride can cause several potentially dangerous side effects such as heart arrythmia, seizures, loss of conciousness and electrolyte imbalance. NOT TO BE USED)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Calcium Gluconate:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a preventative or supportive management, not as a treatment.
Recommendation: Strongly in favor (Calcium supplements have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer)
Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence
Calcium Supplements:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a preventative or supportive management, not as a treatment.
Recommendation: Strongly in favor (Calcium supplements have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer)
Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence
Polarity Therapy:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the Brease Cancer itself. It may mildly help with the fatigue and pain symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence at present to back up this claim.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Polarity therapy has not been shown to be effective in treating Breast Cancer. A small study, however, has found that it may help with a better quality of life)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Castor Oil:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the Brease Cancer itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence at present to back up this claim.
Recommendation: Strongly against (Cremophor EL, a formula made from castor oil may help to treat breast cancer, however, it has various potentially serious side effects)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Ayurvedic Medicine:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the Breast Cancer itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence at present to back up this claim.
Recomendation: No recomendation (there is insufficient evidence that shows that Ayurveda helps to treat breast cancer in any way)
Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence
Vitamin C [97, 98, 99]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the Breast Cancer itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence at present to back up this claim.
Recomendation: Weakly in favor (Studies show that vitamin C may be beneficial to those that have breast cancer. More studies are needed)
Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence
* www.gradeworkinggroup.org
References:
- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/breast_cancer/article_em.htm
- http://www.news-medical.net/health/Breast-Cancer-Epidemiology.aspx
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/
- http://www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer/page3.htm#symptoms
- http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/treatment.htm
Summary References
Treatments:
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7. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/320/13/822
8. http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=/monographs/herbssupplements/greatercelandine.asp
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11. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eveningprimrose/
12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4395826.stm
13. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/flaxseed
14. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-flaxseed.html
15. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flaxseed/index.htm
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21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16968850
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24. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/greentea/index.htm
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33. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-licorice.html
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40. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/mistletoe/ataglance.htm
41. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002883.htm
42. http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mistle40.html
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51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20216418
52. http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=12&p_type=all&p_sci=sci&p_x=px
53. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Phytolacca+americana
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56. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/pokeweed
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63. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/redclover/
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65. http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/natural-fertility-boosters.html
66. http://indigo-herbs.co.uk/acatalog/Red_Clover_Flowers_Info.html
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71. http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/doc.aspx?viewid=ED8AD8E8-6AE5-458D-8091-393F4CB73F0D
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