Okay, so breast cancer runs in my family. Is there anything I can do to stop it?

Question

My great-grandma had it, my grandma had it, my great-aunt has it, and my mom was really close to getting it. If my mom doesn't get it in her life time, what is the chance that I will? What if she does get it? Is there anything I can do to minimize our chances?

btw, I'm only 14

Answer 1

The biggest risk factor in getting breast cancer is age.

You haven't mentioned the age of all these instances.

Before you are considered to be at risk of genetically linked breast cancer you either need to have a blood test which will show this or have 2 or more first degree relatives diagnosed.

A first degree relative is a parent, sibling or child.

Your grandma & great-aunt have 2 first degree relatives diagnosed, there mother and sister (depending on which was diagnosed first).

Your Mother only has one, her mother.

You currently have only one second degree relative and 2 third degree relatives, which is not considered a statistically measurable increased risk.

Check your own breasts monthly, and get them checked by your own Dr when you have annual check-ups.

If you are concerned, get a genetic test done of your blood.

I cary the gene, as does my whole family, yet my breast cancer was NOT the genetically linked form!

Go figure!

I have attached a couple of informative links for you.

Answer 2

I don't think there is anything to stop it from happening. I think I heard that smoking or drinking (cant remember which..it was on the news a while ago) made women more likely to get it. All I can say is have regular check ups and screenigns for it. Even if you have just the slighest gut feeling something might be wrong get to the doctor ASAP. Better to be safe then sorry! Good luck and god bless!!

Answer 3

Keep yourself healthy by regular exercise and good nutrition. This is the basis of ALL good health.

There is nothing you can do to guarantee you will not get sick. What you can do is help your body by making sure all of it's natural defenses are working properly.

Meanwhile, keep in close touch with your doctor. Make sure he/she knows your family history. Get a check up regularly and learn how to properly do breast self exams. If you DO get cancer, early detection and treatment is the best assurance that you will recover quickly.

Answer 4

people who have more antioxidants available would definitely have a lower risk of cancer. This logic proves true. Cancer research specialist, Dr. Gladys Block (Berkley) reviewed over 172 epidemiological studies from around the world on diet and cancer. She discovered a universal and consistent finding: those individuals who had the highest intake of fruits and vegetables (the main source of antioxidants) had a two to threefold decreased risk of developing most cancers when compared to those who had the lowest intake of fruits and vegetables.

The opposite also holds true. Dr. Bruce Ames, a leading researcher in cancer stated in an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association that individuals who consume the least amounts of fruits and vegetables have twice the cancer risk as those who consume the most. By merely consuming the recommended 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, we are able to significantly decrease our risk of almost every type of cancer.
Chemoprevention is focused on preventing the cancer from developing in the earliest stages. If this is not possible, chemoprevention is aimed at reversing the damage that has already occurred to the cell. The body has the amazing ability to heal itself, which is the very basis of cellular nutrition.

Controlling oxidative stress and thus damage to the DNA is a matter of balance. Each individual must have enough antioxidants on board to handle the number of free radicals produced. When there is initial damage to the DNA, cellular nutrition offers the body the nutrients needed to repair the damage. Cellular nutrition also enhances our body’s natural immune system, which seeks out and destroys any abnormally growing cells.
Here are just some examples of studies that are now appearing in our medical literature:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been shown to stimulate and charge the immune system. Several case studies show that high doses of CoQ10 has led to regression of metastases in advanced breast cancer. CoQ10 has also been shown to be protective of the heart in patients receiving Adriamycin, a chemotherapeutic drug that may cause significant damage to the heart as one of its side effects.Thirty-two typical breast cancer patients were given a combination of nutritional supplements, which was added to the traditional surgical and therapeutic treatment of breast cancer. The nutritional supplementation was vitamin C: 2850mg, vitamin E: 2500 IU, beta-carotene: 32.5 IU, selenium 387 mcg, essential fatty acids, CoQ 10, and secondary vitamins and minerals. The main observations of this study were a) NONE of the patients died during the study period (the expected number was four), b) none of the patients showed signs of further metastases, c) quality of life improved (no weight loss, reduced use of pain killers), d) six patients showed apparent partial remission. Usana's foundational regime provides all the necessary micronutrients to the cell at ideal levels (not RDA levels) for significant health benefits as documented in the medical literature. When the cell is given maximum support, it can then determine what it does and does not need. Over a six-month period each cell is able to not only overcome nutritional deficiencies but also to optimize ALL the nutrients, which are needed to combat oxidative stress.
The synergistic affect of providing all the nutrients needed by one’s body at the most advantageous levels results in optimizing and rebuilding the body’s natural immune system, antioxidant, and repair systems back to their fullest fighting potential against disease.

http://www.usana.com/media/File/dotCom/company/science/conditions/Cancer.pdf

___
http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/essentials/essentials.shtml
http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/optomizers/active_calcium.shtml
http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/optomizers/coquinone_30.shtml
http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/optomizers/proflavonal90.shtml
http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/optomizers/polyc.shtml
http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/optomizers/optomega.shtml

Answer 5

Keep going to the Obgyn , an get it check on a regular Basie's. Things caught early enough can be treated.

Answer 6

If you two keep getting tested, chances are when they see breast cancer developing, they can treat it early and prevent it from being a huge problem.

best wishes to you and good luck!

Answer 7

i actually think of that your mom and pa ain't mad at you they are greater mad simply by fact your mom has breast maximum cancers, so they are going to do something to get that anger out.. the main suitable element you're able to do is confer with you mom and probably spend time together with her because you do not understand while her time is up.. your father and mom do love you...

Answer 8

don't worry too much at your age, but definately get a mammogram when your doctor suggests it.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/348299/stepping_into_someone_elses_shoes_dealing.html