Wearing of bras is not a risk factor for Benign breast cancer afterall

According to the America's National Cancer Institute, wearing a brassiere should not be considered as a risk factor forgetting breast cancer, unlike what has been previously said. Other more important risk factors such as genetic predisposition, age, gender, diet and lifestyle have a higher influence on breast cancer development.

Pseudotumor Cerebri: Worry or not?

As its name suggests, pseudotumor cerebri is a false tumor of the brain, which is mimic of malignant brain tumors. It is caused by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid ( or decrease absorption) in the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain, causing symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, due to an increase in intracranial pressure.

Pseudotumor cerebri mostly affects women in their early and middle adulthood ( 25-45). Although it is thought to be a benign tumor, it can become malignant, as it compresses brain structures and cause brain tumor symptoms at long term.

Treatment involves diuretics and hyperosmotic drugs, so as to reduce the fluid buildup ( which is the cause of the condition). Also, like in hydrocephalus, therapeutic shunting can be made, in order to redirect the excess of CSF in the peritoneal cavity where it can easily be reabsorbed.

Early diagnosis of Pseudotumor cerebri reduces the risks of complications.

Can a benign tumor become cancerous

The carcinogenicity of a benign tumor depends on various factors susceptible to cause genetic mutations of the cells sustaining the benign tumor. In case the patient is exposed to carcinogenic factors such as cigarette smoke or UV radiation, there is a higher risk for his tumor to mutate from benign to malignant. Also, physical abuse and abrasion can play a role in a benign tumor malignancy.

It also depends on the types of tumors: some benign tumors are more likely to become malignant than other. For example, benign tumors of the lungs are more likely to become cancerous than those of the esophagus, as lungs have higher risk of being exposed to carcinogens ( such as cigarette smoke).

The truth is, whether a tumor is benign or not, the best thing to do is to watch out.

Prolotherapy in the treatment of baker's cysts

Also known as Proliferative Injection Therapy or Non surgical ligament reconstruction, prolotherapy is a treatment method in which an irritant solution is injected into a torn/ damaged ligament, in order to stimulate the proliferation of new cells and for ligament renewal.

In fact, injury to a ligament is the most common cause of joint instability, and it may result in accumulation of fluid leading to baker's cyst/popliteal cyst. As the fluid keeps building up, the cyst enlarges and compresses surrounding structures, causing intense pain.

This is why prolotherapy targets ligaments, as it is able to strengthen the ligament and alleviate musculoskeletal pain. Areas of the body that are more likely to benefit from proliferative injection therapy are: knees, ankles, elbows, and the sacroliliac joint.

The advantage of this method is that it is a non surgical and permanent treatment for chronic pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic Doctors who first began to approve prolotherapy in April 2005, " Unlike corticosteroid injections which may provide temporarily relief, prolotherapy involves improving the injected tissue by stimulating tissue growth".

Prolotherapy is an effective method to cure Baker cysts and reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain associated with it.

Calcium channels blockers in the treatment of leiomyomas

Leiomyomas are benign tumors arising from smooth muscle ( myo- refers to muscle). They can develop from anywhere in the body, but are more common in the uterus. Leiomyomas arising from the uterus cause menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding, which will result in anemia, and if nor corrected.

Researchers have developed several medications to correct this condition which might lead to infertility in women. Although some of those medications work properly, they are not really effective in reducing physical pain associated with those benign tumors.

But investigators reported that calcium channels blockers, are very efficient in alleviating pain associated with different types of leiomyomas. medications that belong to that class of chemicals include: Nifedipin, gabapentin, and phenoxybenzamine. Moreover, it has been said that botulinum toxin might have some pain relief properties for leiomyomas; but this hypothesis still needs to be verified.

Indole -3 - carbinol useful in the preventiion of benign tumors

Indole -3-carbinol is a chemical which can be found at relatively high levels in cruciferous vegetables ( cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprout, etc.). It has been found to be very effective in the prevention of benign and malignant tumors. The first direct evidence to prove the anticarcinogenic nature of indole - 3 - carbinol was claimed by Dashwood, in 1989.

From then, researchers have emphasized on the process by which indole-3-carbinol carries its protective function. This chemical inhibits the G1 growth of cancer cells. In fact, the G1 growth, in every single cell in the human body represents the major period of the cell cycle, and is characterized by the synthesis of enzymes required for DNA replication. Therefore, by inhibiting the G1 phase, indole-3-carbinol inhibits the DNA replication.

Nevertheless, excessive consumption of indole-3-carbinol( especially as a supplement) is proscribed, due to its side-effects on estrogen balance.

But for now, ladies, feel free to integrate cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprout in your daily diet, for they are rich in anticarcinogenic substances, and healthy as well!

Relieve your fibrocystic pain with sensuality: adopt an Aroma Therapy Massage

Who said that all the medications we take have to be painful, depressing and tortuous? Nobody! Well, I am coming with good news today! Although taking your medications have always seemed to be such a pain, you can transform your healing time into a very relaxing moment.

For instance, as we have been talking about fibrocystic pain, I made my little research, and I found out that you can also relieve your fibrocystic pain with a sensual aromatherapy massage! Yes, you can! With a blend of the best aromatic leaves, you will for sure enjoy taking care of your fibrocystic breast pain! Lavender, chamomile and cypress can be applied as a mixture on your breast everyday, either by you or by your partner. After applying the mixture, massage gently around the breast first, then expand to the chest, and the muscle of the back as well.

With this magical potion, you will definitely be happy to take care of yourself!